Michael is a “somewhat fearless traveler” in that he’s not afraid to go it alone and knows that a great plan is just the beginning. You also need to be willing to “go with the flow” when opportunities arise. Some of the best parts of a trip are completely unplanned. If you’re reading this, then you already have the spirit of travel in you! Read, research, plan, and then welcome the opportunities that life gives you (whether you think they are good or not at the time). This is what makes you a happy traveler. – Michael’s Journeys
Hi there! If you’re reading this page, you are either upset about something I wrote (who could blame you) or wonder if I am for real. Yes, I’m real, and probably hungry too. Originally from Michigan in the United States, where I also went to school (Go Blue!) and then moved to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale again, Puerto Vallarta, MX, Mexico City, and as of 2023, I am in Torremolinos, Spain, just outside of Malaga, and probably researching my next trip.
Travel has always been a means of escape for me. My first “real” job was marketing for a nonprofit (NGO), and I had to travel extensively during that time. I continued to travel for both work and pleasure for the next 40 years or so and am still at it. In 2022, I discovered the house across from me sold for close to twice what I thought it was worth. The next day, I put mine up for sale after 22 years, and within a month, I was homeless, but very happy. I was able to transition my job to a remote setting (COVID helping a lot here) with occasional visits to my clients, so I’d call that a hybrid digital nomad.
I have been working with or for nonprofits for most of my life, primarily focusing on fundraising through grant writing, major gifts, events, annual giving, planned giving, direct mail, and extensive editing, among other tasks. (Fundraising is the world’s second-oldest profession, and it shares many traits with the first.) I still enjoy helping nonprofits immensely and love coaching staff on fundraising strategy and techniques.
Where and why do I go? Well, I love new places. I have no goal of hitting all 7 continents (though Antarctica, once I can figure out a cheaper option, you are mine!), or 150 countries and such. Things like that mean little to me (LINK: where I’ve been). But someplace beautiful, someplace special, something unique – that I am all over. I am also a former event planner, so I have a penchant for planning and having backup plans in place. Researching a new place to visit is usually enjoyable for me, especially when I am somewhere I’ve never been and suddenly see a familiar street or building from my research.
I do have some hang-ups, such as not wanting to visit countries with dictators, but I’ve still been to some of them, so I don’t always adhere to that rule. I don’t like seeing disparity, such as poorer countries with luxury resorts behind barbed wire, which really bothers me. I’m also bothered by being bothered, whether it is to buy something, drink something, or whatever; I’m not a fan of aggressive selling. So, I tend to steer clear of those countries with that type of reputation. I have always loved beaches, but not just sitting on them for hours; I prefer to be close to them. Warmer climates are my preference, as I can’t stand cold weather. Therefore, I try to avoid traveling too far north from December to February or too far south from June to August.
In travel I focus on 50+ (yes, I know the world is centered around the 20’s to 30’s somethings, relax), solo trips, food and wine, frugal but with value (not cheap mind you, but a euro/dollar/peso/pound saved here and there means more trips) and learning to live in new areas (this is a lifelong mastery that I am nowhere close to meeting). If the idea of being in a “happening” (do they say that still?) hostel near the bars sounds appealing to you, then this ain’t the site for you. I am not an “influencer” and pay for my trips, meals, hotels, and everything else. I have yet to meet an “influencer” who wasn’t “insufferable” to be around, as well as “inconsiderate” and “insensitive” to the people and cultures where they were traveling. (Basically, warts on the ass of progress, stop following these people!)
I began this site as a “what the hell” type of thinking, and it, at times, reminds me it is hell. However, I hope WordPress and Elementor become easier to understand, my photos improve over time, my writing gets better (there’s no place to go but up), and I learn to enjoy this new part of my life. (However, I have given permission to a few people that if they ever see me holding a selfie stick, they are requested to grab it out of my hands and beat the crap out of me.) If you are an empty nester or nearing the end of your career and want to travel, or are simply looking for ideas on places to visit, I hope I can be of service to you. More than anything, I hope my learning, mistakes, misadventures, lucky circumstances, and whatnot will be of use to you, dear reader. Thanks for being here.
New photos are added regularly. (Though I had to search for these, as I don’t take selfies much)