Dear Travelers,

As I sit surrounded by the unfamiliar yet comforting sounds of our latest temporary home, I can’t help but reflect on the journey that has led us here. What I’m about to share with you isn’t just a random travel story; it’s your sign to follow the path you believe in, even when it doesn’t make sense to anyone else but you.

It’s an invitation to those of you who, like us, yearn to discover the world – its people, its cultures, its hidden corners – but sometimes feel lost in the sea of information (or lack thereof) about what to do, where to go, how to act, and how to experience a place on your own pace, beyond the typical tourist experience.

When we embarked on this adventure, 6 months ago, the reactions were mixed. Family members were concerned, they couldn’t understand why we’d trade the security of our hometown for the uncertainty of going to a new country. And some even questioned our sanity – “wouldn’t you rather save for a house or buy a nice car?” they’d ask.

But here’s the thing about dreams – they don’t always fit into the conventional mold of what others think your life should look like.

Each flight taken, road crossed, person met, scribbled note… all tell a tale of discovery and the kind of joy that only comes from stepping into the unknown and being the protagonist of your own stories.

For two brazilans that come from a city where snow doesn’t exist, our first snowfalls in Toronto were more than just weather events – they were glistening proof of how much beauty there is to discover when you step out of your comfort zone.

As we traveled accross Canada, each stop added a new color to our adventure palette. We felt the adrelanine of watching our first-ever hockey game in Toronto, lost ourselves in the purple haze of lavender fields in Milton, experienced the sweet rewards of patience while picking raspberries, blackberries and currants in Valens, and got teletransported to outerspace at the Planetarium of Montréal.

In Québec City and it surroundings, which we hadn’t planned to visit, we learned that sometimes the best experiences come when you least expect them. Le Grand Marché and Ille d’Orleans became our playground of flavors (with mapple butter, croissant, cassis, chocolates and berry pies), while Old Québec and Chateau Frontenac stood as majestic reminders of the history we were now a part of. And oh, the poutine, mapple taffy and tourtiére that still make my mouth water just thinking about them!

But it hasn’t all been picturesque landscapes and culinary delights. There have been moments of doubts, nights spent questioning our choices, and days where the weight of being away from the familiar felt almost too heavy to bear.
Yet, it was in these challenging moments that we grew the most.

We’ve had to learn to live with less, to find stability in constant movement, and to create routines in ever-changing environments. And as we crossed countries, facing our fears of the unknown future, we discovered reserves of courage we didn’t know we had.

Now, thinking back, we can only be grateful for each challenge and detour because they led us to all of these transformative experiences. Sometimes, life comes to show that when you take that leap of faith, some doors will close, but even better ones will open up just for you. We learned to find joy in the simple moments, to find beauty in places we wouldn’t have looked before, and to celebrate each small victory – they do add up to the big ones, after all.

We realized that home isn’t a place; it’s a feeling. And we were creating that feeling everywhere we went.

Cheering as we watched our first-ever american footbal game in Buffalo, watching a breathtaking sunset over Niagara Falls, laughing with new friends made during house and pet sittings, discovering the treasure that is the Botanical Gardens at night…

Having a movie night at the Transit Drive-In that made us feel as if WE were the main charachters, just like the american movies we watched as we were growing up.

To those who say we’re crazy, we say: maybe we are. But isn’t a little craziness needed to break free from the ordinary and discover the extraordinary? This journey has taught us that life doesn’t have to follow a predetermined script. It’s okay to write your own story, even if others don’t understand every chapter. And even if it turns out diferent from what you originally imagined.

So, dear Travelers, this letter is not just a recollection of my memories. It’s an invitation to join me as I uncover the best itinieraries, favorite hidden gems, and tell the kind of travel tales that guidebooks simply can’t capture.

Will you embark on this adventure? Because I can’t wait to share it with you. And trust me, the view from here – is absolutely worth it.

Until my next letter,
Myse ❤️