YinYin
Petersen

The moments that give your life its direction; reveal your passion. They happen at any age. But mine? I was fortunate. Young, as in high school and college age. Growing up, my grandparents made travel an every-holiday event. But, after service trips in high school to Thailand and Costa Rica and in college to the Czech Republic, I knew I wanted to make tourism and hospitality my career. Thailand, the “Land of Smiles,” is where I gained my personal perspective—even if in a conflict, never leave anything on a bad note. Smile because it is a good life. Seeing how people live, how life unfolds elsewhere, learning history, making friends, building relationships. All the things textbooks and guidebooks can’t teach. So much to see. So much to explore. Spain, Australia and returning again to Japan top my to-do list. Afraid of heights, but I’d overcome it to experience Dinner in the Sky (a glass enclosed table for 22 suspended 165 feet in the air) in Athens, Greece. Big believer in working smarter, not harder, so I like creating Google maps with places to see and things to do, then choose accommodations. My favorite travel accessory recommendation? It’s one for my fellow vertically challenged travelers out there. A foot hammock. Attaches to the back of an airplane seat. Instant foot rest. Best. Invention. Ever.