The Weekly Journey🧡

When Family Lights New Paths

Hey Journey Companions!

This is my final week in Nuremberg, Germany, and later this week I'm heading to Israel for a visit! Yes, it's official - I bought my ticket!

Which is perfect timing because it turns out to be the best birthday gift for my mom, whose special day is today. Happy birthday, Mom! 🥰

After all, I've been traveling the world because she believed in me. When I first left home, it was her faith that gave me wings, and now, as I circle back across the globe, this journey is all for her. 🧡

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📆 This Week's Journey

As part of The Journey Through Time, I shared three days in Cairns that didn't go according to plan - from the surprise of discovering the city felt more like Thailand than Australia, through a complicated encounter with local homeless individuals, to the sudden decision to pack up and head to Townsville instead.

It's a story about gut feelings, decisions made from the heart, long before your brain catches up.

I also opened up about why we stop trying new things as adults, told through the story of a jewelry-making workshop in Hoi An🎥 that didn't turn out as planned, and the value of discovering what doesn't work for us. Why are we so afraid to try something new when we know we might not be amazing at it the first time?

In The Journey Beyond Borders series, I took you into Melbourne's theater world🎥 - from classic Chicago to vibrant Moulin Rouge to Blues Brothers with my mom at the historic theater.

I shared how what started as casual curiosity turned into discovering a whole world that blends music, storytelling, and visual experience into one complete journey, and the fascinating questions that arise about the relationship between original works and their stage adaptations.

Later in the week, I told you about an evening at a bar in Hoi An that turned into an impromptu talk show when strangers kept sitting at my table, about the importance of setting boundaries, and why our social battery sometimes just runs out. How do you stop being nice when it's no longer serving you?

This week, The Secret Journey members received my special toolkit post directly in their inbox! It's a behind-the-scenes look at all the tools I use in my nomadic life - the ones that made all my travel dreams possible. It's your chance to get inspired and peek behind the curtain of nomad life.

I also told you about a day tour to Cham Island🎥 that almost completely disappeared from my memory, a magical moment with a Vietnamese cow, and what it means to write from blurred memories - how writing in the moment became my superpower.

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🎬 Behind the Scenes

When Big Brother Shines a Light on New Paths

Speaking of family, this week my older brother came from Spain to visit me here in Germany. We had a whole day together, which means everything after not seeing each other for over a year and a half.

As usual, we wandered the city and ate well, and once again, he stepped into his role as big brother - protective, caring, and loving.

We talked about my blog, among other things, about the writing and my progress on this journey.

Once again, he was there for me exactly when I needed him, advising me to explore new ways to share my knowledge with the world and get fair compensation for the experience I've gained from living in so many different places around the globe.

We discussed travel bloggers who create income in countless ways, and it made me realize I have tons of knowledge that people would love to receive, but I've been keeping it to myself because I focused on writing stories.

"Your audience is writers, not really people who are packing a bag right now to go on their own journey. They're discovering the world through you, from their armchair," I said, full of love for everyone who reads my work.

"Maybe you could target an additional audience? There are plenty of people who are actually heading out on their own journeys right now who would love to know the things you know," he suggested, and I felt an idea taking root.

The next morning I dove into ChatGPT, trying to organize my thoughts - what knowledge do I actually have? What are people looking for? What service can I provide? How can I help them? After a full day of small steps, I realized I had a real treasure right under my nose, and as usual, I hadn't seen it.

Lucky for me, I have my big brother to light the way with his flashlight. For you, this means lots of exciting new things are coming, in addition to the stories, of course - because that's what I do for myself, and there's no substitute for that.

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👀 What's Coming Next Week?

Next week, I'll take you on nighttime wanderings through Vietnam's side streets, explore why my battle with the alarm clock was a battle with myself, and share an important warning about a disturbing spa experience that every female traveler needs to know about.

I'll reveal how writing became my most effective therapy, and of course, an exciting update on my transition from Germany to Israel.

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See you on the next journey,

Maya. 🧡

Delicious Smash Burger | The Cat I’m Sitting- Yawning At Me | A Lovely Dubai-Chocolate, And Pistachio Ice Cream😍

Your support helps me to continue experiencing new worlds and sharing them with you through my words. Sometimes, a single cup of coffee can make a difference.

Thank you for being part of this journey.