Your personal note makes me think of Mark Twain's quote "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." - I really do agree that travelling gives perspectives on worldviews that can bring us together to collectively make the world a better place.
I love this. I love your perspective and I wish the same. I was lucky to travel as a child and teen and live abroad in my 20’s. Those experiences changed me for the better. I grew up in a wealthy white suburb and the real world is not anything like that bubble. It taught me to be kinder and realize how lucky I was growing up. I love the book recommendations. The Motorcycle Diaries is such a classic. I love all Peter Mayle books, while not technically travel, they transport me to where they take place.
Carol, I’m still processing what just happened, it was not the outcome our family hoped for at all. We have a couple of family members with health issues who need our emotional and financial support, and now seems like it will be an especially bad time to trust our government to care for their needs. But hoping to manage some “slow travel” excursions in the coming year. In the meantime, I’ll live vicariously through your Substack!
It is a shame that the government we put our trust in is failing us so completely. You are not alone, but that's small comfort when these decisions affect you and your family personally. I can only hope that once citizens realize what they have given up, they will fight to keep their freedoms. I will continue to the best of my ability to write from my heart and I thank you for your support! - CW
Carol, I sure appreciate your personal note. Many of us share your thoughts. Also, the book recommendations are wonderful. I have to check out the latest Lonely Planet. Will be great to see you in April in Portugal. Hope our subscribers can join us. Cheers, Tricia
Carol, thank for you for the positive outlook. Writing from NYC area, having this list of books is comforting and a lovely option to the news. We consider ourselves lucky since our son was already accepted to a school in Lisbon area. Our move is scheduled for July.
Thanks for your comment, Molly. I'm glad that my list is helpful to you! Congratulations on your upcoming move to Portugal! If I can be a resource for you, feel free to reach out anytime. - CW
Great choices, Carol. But you left out two important ones—mine!
Related to your opening words is my first book about our reasons for leaving the USA in 2017 ... places we considered to emigrate ... and anecdotal experiences about gaining residency, living in (and touring) Portugal. Especially given the results of the current election, EXPAT: Leaving the USA for Good is especially relevant.
Spanish Towns, Portuguese Villages: A Journal for Expats and Immigrants begins where Expat leaves off and covers our first six years living in Portugal and Spain. The things that you experience and learn while settling in a "foreign" country!
Love this Carol and am especially heartened by your preface. It has been a difficult week here. January is not far off. Travel is a gift I have given myself time after time and it has made my life so much richer, my curiosity so much greater, my tolerance so much deeper and it has provided me with an enormous appreciation for the kindness of the human heart. More travel is on the docket in the next months and I find myself increasingly eager to get away from the politics of chaos and fear, from the growing concerns I have about the direction in which my country is moving and from the divisive and hateful rhetoric I witness almost daily. As I explore more new places I also ponder about a permanent departure from my current dwelling. And I look to you and Paul as a shining example of grace, openness and acceptance. I find myself moving toward a crossroads and I am not yet sure where it will take me other than in a forward moving direction. Thank you for your kindness and your positivity. Your presence in my life is a wonderful gift for which I am eternally grateful.❤️
Thank you for your comment, Barb. As always, if we can be a resource for you - or a sounding board - don't hesitate to get in touch! Safe travels! - CW
So beautifully stated. Our family is saddened by the outcome and still very much processing it. As for travel books, I recently did a reread of The Geography of Bliss and enjoyed the author’s look at different cultures and what happiness means in each place.
You are so right about travel. If more people could have experienced life outside their bubble, the election would have turned out far different. I am worried for world, especially America and Ukraine.
You have some great books on your list. Obrigada for a lovely stroll through memories of reading these books. I've added a few to my re-read list. Travel is so important.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and marrow-mindedness and many of our people need it sorely. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." -- Mark Twain
Your personal note makes me think of Mark Twain's quote "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." - I really do agree that travelling gives perspectives on worldviews that can bring us together to collectively make the world a better place.
I love this. I love your perspective and I wish the same. I was lucky to travel as a child and teen and live abroad in my 20’s. Those experiences changed me for the better. I grew up in a wealthy white suburb and the real world is not anything like that bubble. It taught me to be kinder and realize how lucky I was growing up. I love the book recommendations. The Motorcycle Diaries is such a classic. I love all Peter Mayle books, while not technically travel, they transport me to where they take place.
Carol, I’m still processing what just happened, it was not the outcome our family hoped for at all. We have a couple of family members with health issues who need our emotional and financial support, and now seems like it will be an especially bad time to trust our government to care for their needs. But hoping to manage some “slow travel” excursions in the coming year. In the meantime, I’ll live vicariously through your Substack!
Thanks for your comment, Lynn.
It is a shame that the government we put our trust in is failing us so completely. You are not alone, but that's small comfort when these decisions affect you and your family personally. I can only hope that once citizens realize what they have given up, they will fight to keep their freedoms. I will continue to the best of my ability to write from my heart and I thank you for your support! - CW
Carol, I sure appreciate your personal note. Many of us share your thoughts. Also, the book recommendations are wonderful. I have to check out the latest Lonely Planet. Will be great to see you in April in Portugal. Hope our subscribers can join us. Cheers, Tricia
I needed this today. Thank you, Carol.
Carol, thank for you for the positive outlook. Writing from NYC area, having this list of books is comforting and a lovely option to the news. We consider ourselves lucky since our son was already accepted to a school in Lisbon area. Our move is scheduled for July.
Thanks for your comment, Molly. I'm glad that my list is helpful to you! Congratulations on your upcoming move to Portugal! If I can be a resource for you, feel free to reach out anytime. - CW
Hi Carol, Happy Holidays!
Thanks for the kind offer to contact you - I accept. How do I reach you?
Many thanks.
On my website, https://www.ourportugaljourney.com/. Click on the tab at the top that says, "Get in Touch". - CW
Great choices, Carol. But you left out two important ones—mine!
Related to your opening words is my first book about our reasons for leaving the USA in 2017 ... places we considered to emigrate ... and anecdotal experiences about gaining residency, living in (and touring) Portugal. Especially given the results of the current election, EXPAT: Leaving the USA for Good is especially relevant.
https://www.amazon.com/EXPAT-Leaving-Good-Bruce-Joffe-ebook/dp/B0D827N9HF/ref=sr_1_1
Spanish Towns, Portuguese Villages: A Journal for Expats and Immigrants begins where Expat leaves off and covers our first six years living in Portugal and Spain. The things that you experience and learn while settling in a "foreign" country!
https://www.amazon.com/Spanish-Towns-Portuguese-Villages-Immigrants/dp/B0CCCSLFTS/ref=sr_1_1
Love this Carol and am especially heartened by your preface. It has been a difficult week here. January is not far off. Travel is a gift I have given myself time after time and it has made my life so much richer, my curiosity so much greater, my tolerance so much deeper and it has provided me with an enormous appreciation for the kindness of the human heart. More travel is on the docket in the next months and I find myself increasingly eager to get away from the politics of chaos and fear, from the growing concerns I have about the direction in which my country is moving and from the divisive and hateful rhetoric I witness almost daily. As I explore more new places I also ponder about a permanent departure from my current dwelling. And I look to you and Paul as a shining example of grace, openness and acceptance. I find myself moving toward a crossroads and I am not yet sure where it will take me other than in a forward moving direction. Thank you for your kindness and your positivity. Your presence in my life is a wonderful gift for which I am eternally grateful.❤️
Thank you for your comment, Barb. As always, if we can be a resource for you - or a sounding board - don't hesitate to get in touch! Safe travels! - CW
Thank you so much! I may take you up on that offer. Like so many people here, I am still processing.
I think the entire world is still processing...
So do I.
So beautifully stated. Our family is saddened by the outcome and still very much processing it. As for travel books, I recently did a reread of The Geography of Bliss and enjoyed the author’s look at different cultures and what happiness means in each place.
You are so right about travel. If more people could have experienced life outside their bubble, the election would have turned out far different. I am worried for world, especially America and Ukraine.
You have some great books on your list. Obrigada for a lovely stroll through memories of reading these books. I've added a few to my re-read list. Travel is so important.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and marrow-mindedness and many of our people need it sorely. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." -- Mark Twain