Somewhere Between the Itinerary and the Unexpected
"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
— Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Every so often, I find myself standing somewhere incredible and asking the same question:
"Wow, this is my life. How the heck did I get here?"
I mean that in the most grateful way possible.
Somewhere between long office hours, boarding passes, conference rooms, cobblestone streets, and conversations with complete strangers, I somehow built a life that lets me explore the world for a living. Even after all these years, there are moments that still don't feel real.
My favorite way to experience a city isn't from the top of a sightseeing bus or through a checklist of attractions. It's by walking in a city until I get lost in it.
Some of my favorite memories happened because the day didn't go according to plan.
Like wandering into a tiny pub in Edinburgh for "just one drink" and somehow staying until closing dancing all night to an Erasure cover band.
Or getting off at the wrong train stop somewhere in northern Italy (that's a story for another postcard).
Or deciding that if no one else was going to join me, I'd take myself on a Sunset Cruise down the Douro River in Porto.
Those unplanned moments have taught me that travel isn't about checking destinations off a list. It's about collecting stories you'll still be telling years later.
Professionally, I'm fortunate to help organizations bring people together through meetings, conferences, incentive trips, and events around the world. Personally, I'm simply someone who never outgrew the excitement of discovering a place I've never been before.
Looking back, I never had a perfectly mapped-out plan for my life. I just kept saying yes to opportunities, learning from every experience, and trusting that the next adventure would reveal itself when it was supposed to.
That's what this space is all about.
Postcards From the Road is where I'll share the stories found somewhere between the itinerary and the unexpected destination inspiration, lessons learned from life on the road, behind-the-scenes moments from the events industry, travel tips I've picked up along the way, and the little experiences that make travel so unforgettable.
Whether you're planning your next adventure, organizing your next event, or simply dreaming about where to go next, I'm glad you're here.
Welcome aboard.
Jen
