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A Card I Almost Threw Away

As I was clearing out old papers in my office, I came across something I almost didn’t keep. A simple card. It was from a trip to New Zealand many years ago. At the end of that journey, the group handed it to me — a card filled with handwritten notes from each traveler.

franceschau

May 12 min read

Embracing the Journey: My Return to the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage

In the autumn of 2024, I began a journey that stayed with me long after I left. I walked part of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, completing the first 28 temples. At the time, I didn’t fully understand why it felt so meaningful. I only knew that something inside me became quieter, softer, and more present with every step.

franceschau

Apr 242 min read

The Gift of Traveling Together

Today I received a letter from Paul, one of the “original five” travelers who joined me many years ago and who has since become a very Out of all the countries in the world, somehow I find myself in one very specific place, at one very specific moment in time. Sometimes it happens while walking a pilgrimage path like the Camino, the Shikoku. Sometimes it happens during something very simple — sharing a meal, walking to dinner with someone, or pausing in a small street some

franceschau

Mar 133 min read

A Moment of Awe on the Road

One feeling that often arises when I travel is a quiet sense of awe. Out of all the countries in the world, somehow I find myself in one very specific place, at one very specific moment in time. Sometimes it happens while walking a pilgrimage path like the Camino, the Shikoku. Sometimes it happens during something very simple — sharing a meal, walking to dinner with someone, or pausing in a small street somewhere far from home.

franceschau

Mar 61 min read

A Moment of Home on the Mountain

High in the mountains of Nepal, we woke before dawn to make our way toward Poon Hill for sunrise.

franceschau

Feb 272 min read

Living Inside the Postcard

Traveling through Asia is like stepping into a living tapestry woven with vibrant colors, ancient traditions, and tantalizing aromas. When I first embarked on a journey across this vast continent, I quickly realized that the best way to truly feel the heartbeat of each place was through guided cultural tours. These tours are not just about seeing landmarks; they are about diving deep into the soul of a culture, tasting its flavors, hearing its stories, and connecting with its

franceschau

Feb 202 min read

The Heart of International Travel Lovers

Over the years, we’ve traveled across continents together, walking ancient paths, exploring historic cities, sharing beautiful meals, and watching unforgettable sunrises and sunsets.

franceschau

Feb 131 min read

The Seed That Became a Journey: A Personal Pilgrimage

The Seed That Became a Journey began long before I understood what it truly meant. When I first started the International Travel Lovers meetup, I wrote that my dream was to travel the world and visit all the sacred sites. At the time, I didn’t really know what “sacred sites” meant to me, but there must have been a seed already planted, quietly waiting to grow.

franceschau

Feb 61 min read