This Is So Overdue!!

I should have started this a long time ago.

The people closest to me—my family and close friends—already know the stories. They’ve heard about the places I’ve been, the things I’ve tasted, the things I absolutely should not have tasted, and the hidden allergies I somehow managed to discover along the way.

They also know that when I travel, I notice things.

Not just the obvious things. I want to know what people eat, what they drink, what they season with, what grows there, what’s tucked away in the market around the corner, and what everybody seems to know about except me.

And because I don't really drink alcohol, I'm always looking at a place a little differently. Everybody else can find the cocktail menu. I want to know what you have besides clear water.

What are you steeping? What fruit is growing here? What do you make with it? What are the locals drinking? What is that spice I keep smelling? And, most importantly, can I have some?

That curiosity has given me some great experiences, some questionable decisions and more than a few “Wait… what IS that?” moments. (Cardi voice.)

So, I'm finally taking you all along.

The Journal is where I'll share more of those stories—the places, people, food, teas, spices and flavors I find along the way. Some discoveries may inspire something at Sipsy. Some might just be too good, too strange or too funny not to tell you about.

I don't know exactly where all of this will take us yet.

That's kind of the point.

I’ve always believed there’s more to a place than what makes the travel guides. Sometimes the best part is what you find when you're curious enough to ask another question, walk another block, or taste something you can't pronounce.

So consider this your invitation.

I'm going.

You all might as well come with me.