This year, I was inspired by a wonderful woman, Evelyn Hannon, to share photos of the women who have impacted my travels this year. Evelyn, whom you may know better as Journeywoman, is a remarkable traveler, one who gets why we travel. She has an incredible 2016 Journeywoman International Woman's Day Photography Exhibit - photos taken by women photographers of women, all around the world. And yes, one of my photos was chosen to be in this gallery. Evelyn is a long-time travel blogger (since 1994!), and is well-known to women travelers all around the world (she was recognized and approached by one when we were at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul - and hugs and joy ensued). She's an inspiration to women on the importance of travel, winning awards and mentoring countless women travelers.

When I saw the photos in Journeywoman's IWD Photo Gallery this year, I thought back to women who have influenced my travels this year. Some were for short periods of time (buying bread! gelato! I sense a food theme here...), and others were impactful for longer periods of time. In 2015, we moved to Kalamazoo, I traveled to Turkey, we took a month-long road trip to Newfoundland, my mom and I journeyed to Stratford, Ontario, and we poked around a bit in town and around the Midwest. One of the problems with being close to home is that you don't take many photos. So thank you to my local baristas, chefs on our travels, and women who have taught us so much at museums and art galleries. 

These women I met this year? They smiled, helped, shared much of their country and culture, created delicious food, helped me in countless ways. They inspired me to write two guidebooks (forthcoming this spring)! They influenced my work, family, meals, and learning.

Let's take a journey, shall we? Thank you to all of these wonderful women, in celebration of International Women's Day! 

I loved this statue at Kingsbrae Garden, St. Andrews, New Brunswick

Turkey

I was in Turkey as part of a press trip for the top travel bloggers in the world, through Turkish Airlines - most of us had been invited to the White House Summit on Study Abroad and Global Citizenship, and this trip arose from that. Here's a group shot of us - and might I say that I'm impressed by all the writers, photographers, and videographers in this photo, of both genders? 

But my favorite part of the trip was being with Gizem Salcigi White, who was the coordinator for the whole shebang. Rustling travel writers can be like herding cats, yet Gizem handled it with aplomb and genuine Turkish hospitality. I'm so lucky to consider her a friend.

Gizem in the Hotel Kismet, Kusadasi

While traveling the Aegean coast of Turkey, we had a wonderful guide, Özlem of Barel Travel, who taught us a great deal about history in the area of Ephesus. I was entranced by Mother Mary's House, intrigued by her stories. Here, when we stopped to eat lunch, Özlem  received a phone call - Özlem happily showed her phone around - her sister had just had a new baby! It was a magnificent moment, and showed how important kids and family are, anywhere you are around the world.

A new baby niece! In Sirince, Turkey

Also in Sirince, on the same outing, I was feeling a bit sorry for myself, being disabled and unable to traverse the hilly town to shop, explore, and drink Turkish coffee. This woman running the small cafe in the courtyard made freshly made donuts and offered some - for free - while cajoling her son into running to the larger restaurant to get ice for an iced cocoa for me. What I learned on this trip? That joy can be found in unexpected places. That kindness always wins.

Flying to Turkey was long - yet my flight attendant was so personable, so kind, and so caring. I've never seen the like, on any flight in my entire life. Turkish Airlines is an extraordinary airline, especially for travelers with disabilities (thank you!). 

Canada

Toronto

We took a month-long road trip from our home in Kalamazoo out to St. John's, Newfoundland, where I was running a conference. Our first stop was in Toronto! I don't have a photo of Kim Kopyl, who hosted us at the a lovely hotelToronto (story to come), but meeting her was like meeting a long-lost cousin. Kim's hospitality was extraordinary. 

I DO have a photo of two of the women who brought me more coffee in the hotel, while I was up late, working. Their smiles and laughter infused me with joy, and made the rest of the night working go by very quickly and with good cheer. They are the essence of kindliness and courtesy.  

Montreal

While in Montreal, we took a Context travel tour of the Marche Jean Talon with Mayssam, of Will Travel for Food. She taught us much about local ingredients and products, introduced us to people passionate about their work, and enticed us with locally made treats - my kind of person.

Spend a few hours learning from and eating with this woman - it WILL enhance your trip to Montreal!

Wandering the streets of Montreal one night, we discovered an enormous block party dedicated to all things fashion - the Montreal Fashion and Design Festival. This young woman was staffing the information booth - and with her knowledge, friendliness, and dedication to her passion for the field of fashion, enticed us to explore. She will go far! THIS is why educators work with students - to help them find their passions and follow their dreams. 

We have a thing for dumplings, so we try to find a great Chinese restaurant while we're traveling and dig in. The staff at Oh Dumplings! was amazing - the guys hauled in my wheelchair scooter, to keep it safe (no elevator), and these women making dumplings with fast fingers, quick wit, and lovely smiles? These dumplings were made with love.

I want her to be my dumpling mom

Quebec City

Quebec City was a surprise to me, for I'd not known what a very cool city this is. Our guide, Michelle, was part of that - she took us around for the day, and taught us much about the history, arts, and culture of the place. Foremost, though, she showed with great humor and storytelling the many facets of Quebec City. When you learn from locals that love their town, you learn from the best. 

One of many, many laughs in our day together

New Brunswick

I love markets. While in St. John, New Brunswick, we ventured forth to the historic indoor market (story to come! It's an amazing place!). This young woman, who so pleasantly served up gelato, was very patient. She is the essence of customer service - kindness, courtesy, and great competence (especially with my many questions about flavors and ingredients).

At another market in Fredericton, New Brunswick, we woke early and wove our way through crowds, following our noses to this lovely booth. I could NOT decide which loaves to get for breakfast, but these women and their amazing, joyful smiles, made us know that our bread was baked with love. They have certainly found their calling - both in helping customers, and making incredible bread. 

Also in Fredericton, Stacey Russell showed me around town, took me to the best bookstore, appointed me in charge of the daily Changing of the Guard, and taught me how very awesome this town is - and how much she loves it. She's the perfect guide to Fredericton - overflowing with knowledge, great insider tips, and the flow of a summer day in a cool city. Here we are enjoying ice cream at a lighthouse (!).

We love ice cream!

Halfway through our stay in beautiful New Brunswick, Heather MacDonald-Bosse of Tourism New Brunswick met us in Miramichi for dinner and an evening of great conversation. It's Heather's love for her province, her knowledge of the people and cultures and history, and her joy in her job that has influenced how much I love this place, too - so much so that I'm writing a family travel guide to New Brunswick!

When you find someone that loves their province so much, you get inspired!

Newfoundland

While in Newfoundland, I was so pleased to spend time with the co-author of our forthcoming family travel guide to St. John's, Newfoundland, Terri Coles. Here she is at Rocket Cafe in downtown St. John's with her adorable son, Ez. 

Don't you want to write a book with this lovely friend? I am!

The conference we were running was Writing Walking Women (look for another one in 2017!). My partner in this was Amy Gigi Alexander - and after 1.5 years of planning, here we are on the roof of the Fairy Center. See those big smiles? They are from a 18 months of hard work, countless hours of phone conversations, learning about people and places and things, and planning galore. And meeting, for the first time after years of friendship, in Newfoundland.

Oh, how long have I waited to meet this woman? I first met Monna McDiarmid years ago, and have loved her poetry and photos and thoughts and classes - my gift to you is to suggest you subscribe to her site, and get the beauty of her writing and worldview in your own mailbox. In Newfoundland, here at Quidi Vidi, Monna and I are all smiles. You know when you meet a sister in person, how your heart expands with love? Here it is:

Also at Quidi Vidi, our Writing Walking Women group - some of whom I'd known for years online, some only for the last year or so, but all made the long trek to Newfoundland to learn about the place, writing together, and how powerful women can be when we put our minds to it. Cheers, friends!

This remarkable group of writing women headed to Newfoundland to learn together. LOVE! 

Oh, Bernadette Walsh is the very soul of a Newfoundland welcome. This is another sister, who gets wonderful food and coffee and the importance of girlfriend time. Here we are on a whale watching tour, but I will tell you that from the get-go, working with the City of St. John's Tourism (from which Bernadette has now retired), I have never loved stories more, nor laughed harder. Bernadette has influenced hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Rock, including me. Not at 6am, for cruise ship landings, which she did countless times, with a warm welcome, but in more personal ways, showing me how much she loves this special place.

Agnes Walsh, a Newfoundland poet, storyteller, and playwright, spoke to our Writing Walking Women group one day. Another wonderful friend from this trip, Ann Spivack, tracked her down and bought me a book of her poetry, entitled In the Old Country of My Heart. She is one of my favorite poets, and she completely understands and conveys the essence of place. No wonder she was the very first Poet Laureate for the City of St. John's, Newfoundland.

Stratford

While we were in Stratford, Canada, we met some really, really interesting people, including Cathy Rehford, of Visit Stratford (this woman knows her stuff!). I don't have a photo of her, but I do want to mention that she is an incredible resource for the city of Stratford. 

Cathy knew how much I love food, and how I love to write and share about great chefs, meals, and markets. Did you know Stratford, Ontario, has one of the best food scenes I've ever experienced? I learned how much food is important from talking with chefs, including Chef Yva Santini, a local who has worked very hard to become head chef at Pazzo, one of my favorite restaurants in town. Here, she just brought our delicious burrata, and was happy that we loved it so.

and back home...

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Not too far - just downtown at the Kalamazoo Public Library - was a very influential meeting for myself, my mom, and my daughter. After listening to award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson talk, Lillie (13) stood in line to get her book signed. Not only was Jacqueline incredibly kind in person, but she also inscribed Lillie's book with both understanding and hope - the very best book inscription I've ever seen. Thank you, Jacqueline!

What women influenced your travels this past year?