I have an insatiable wanderlust, as do the characters I create. Traveling is an escape from my ordered and sometimes constraining life, allowing me to immerse myself in the unexpected. It’s the thrill of witnessing the lives of others and stepping out of my comfort zone.
When I travel, I seek out good food, good wine, and the joy of discovering new destinations. Navigating through unfamiliar territories, I embrace local festivals, find local guides, and sleep in unusual places like a desert under the stars, a village hut, or the deck of a boat. I believe in sharing meals and breaking free from the isolation of anonymous cities, knowing that the rest of the world is not like that.
Traveling means turning my back on my comfort zone and embracing change, novelty, fears, and the beauty that exists in both man-made and natural aspects of life. It’s about finding art everywhere and returning home to books and brunches with friends. I let the wind guide me, constantly seeking challenges that make me feel brave. People-watching becomes a source of inspiration, yet finding the most peaceful places on the planet brings me a profound sense of tranquility.
Even when the unexpected happens, like a friend breaking their arm on vacation, we patch it up and continue our quest for the perfect beach. Travel evokes a mix of emotions – nostalgia for the past and excitement for the future. It’s a journey of progress, where disappointment in famous landmarks can be balanced by the excitement of overlooked gems.
And in the end, after all the wanderlust, there’s a special feeling of coming home, cherishing the familiar and reflecting on the memories created.
DEE HARPER LEWIS 