If you were to ask Hugo Rosales and Elmer Valle to describe the people of Guatemala, one of the first things they will say is, “humble.” And, if you were ask them that same question, but on the beauty of Guatemala itself, they would say, “it’s humble.”

They say the millennial generation is the generation that has had the blessing (or maybe some consider it a curse?) of growing up with technology. The generation that has been raised with personal computers, smartphones, iPods (remember those!), iPads and more. The generation that has seen the birth of social media and the one that has developed social media and other digital platforms to where they are today. 

Ask Estwenley (aka Swenley, aka Sassy) Blanchard what his most celebrated and favorite holiday is besides his birthday, and his answer will be…

“Haitian Independence day,” announces Sassy.

And there you have it! Haitian Independence Day, a day that falls on January 1.

Immersion travel has taught Mary Kay Brautigan how much she loves her country, but that other countries are exceptional as well.

“And that’s why we travel,” says Mary Kay. “So we can experience the joy other countries have and can bring, but also their heartaches too.”

What gives you the travel bug? For some it might be that first-ever trip. Others, it could be a particular experience on a trip, the food, music, weather or people. For Peg Griffiths, it was a “school girl trip” between her sophomore and junior year of college at the University of Minnesota in the mid-60’s that set her up with a travel bug for life.

If you ever run into Jacky Meremable, whether it’s for the first time or the 100th, and you ask him how he’s doing or what he thinks about his life at any point in the conversation, his response will most likely be, “I am grateful” every single time.