READING TIPS

Stories You Shouldn’t Miss — Volume III

May edition of my favorite reads

As great essays are abundant on this platform but it is nearly impossible to find all those amazing writers and their artwork, I decided to share my own curated list of outstanding stories.

Every month.

And here is my selection for the month of May. In no particular order but the one I read the stories in. I wanted to cut the list by five in total but it was really hard this month and therefore you have to read 6 today.

But I promise you. It is worth it.

See yourself…

First up is a former editor colleague of the World Traveler’s Blog who I adore for her authentic and real storytelling. She reports her journey with no hesitation.

Raw and true.

That includes the positive and negative sides of your days abroad. And sometimes about waving back at a hitchhiker. Oepsi…

“Palm trees lined the promenade to our hostel, the waters lapped crystal clear and vivid turquoise, and jovial women laughed and jostled to sell their wares in English with a Jamaican-esque twang.” — Sh*t Happens - Lost Girl Travel

The next story isn’t about travel but about self-reflection and happiness. How can we reach that point in life where we are content about where and how we are?

First, we have to let go of caring about what others say and think about us.

“I realized, with therapy, that people will like me even if I don’t constantly do things for them and act a certain way. I can be myself, be genuine, and have some self-compassion without worrying if that will hinder my relationships.” — Michele Maize

Michele didn’t always have it easy in life but she pushed through and has some valuable words to share with you.

“True happiness is found within. Not in other people.”

Taking part in last month’s challenge, Erie talks about Rome in a way nobody else has presented the city.

“Everywhere I looked, pieces of the empire were strewn like crumbs on a table, waiting to be swept away after a feast.” — Erie Astin

Her pictures and words describe a city broken into pieces. It’s history. It’s ancient. But it’s beautiful.

Jerry Odogwu traveled to Jordan and describes his experience in the foreign country with lots of genuine conversations with the locals.

“Many people I met couldn’t speak English fluently, but they all started a conversation with that line. It was interesting because it didn’t feel forced when they said it. Always accompanied by a warm smile and a genuine sound of interest, it was more than just a welcome line. It was their culture.” — Jerry Odogwu

The next writer is currently in a part of the world where I first stepped foot in 2014. Reading his words, hearing about the interactions with the locals, and seeing the pictures of the landscapes transports me right back there.

Kris Fricke is writing about his adventure teaching beekeeping to locals in Guinea. It isn’t his first time down there and his trip included visiting places and communities he had been to before.

“This was my first time returning to Doumba since then so the village notables gathered rather formally to welcome me back, the mayor even putting on a mayoral sash.” — Kris Fricke

“You are smart. You can be whoever you want to be in life; your gender doesn’t matter. If you want to be car mechanic, then you will be a car mechanic.” — Janin Lyndovsky’s grandfather

Those were the exact words Janin’s grandfather told her when she was a girl and was confronted with someone’s opinion telling her she couldn't become a mechanic since she was a girl.

The story she writes about this sentence, her relationship to her grandfather who was the only person ever fully understanding and supporting her, and how she grew from the experience was so beautiful, I had a tear in my eyes finishing the last few words.

And in case you missed last month’s selection, here is the link:

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