Summer camp, semesters studying abroad, golf trips, and choir tours. Have you ever had the opportunity to experience any? I have vivid memories of trying my first Żywiec, a golden beer, at a sidewalk café in Wrocław, Poland as I laughed with friends and bonded over our love of culture and music. I remember being mother-henned in Japan after 24 hours of travel, sleeping on the floor with a rice pillow, and nearly fainting from a combination of jetlag and vertigo. I was plied with fluffy white rice, miso soup, and eggs. Once restored, my travel mates encouraged me to walk with them around town and absorb the sights, smells, and sounds. And as recently as this summer, I traveled around the southern part of Ireland with 7 other travel advisors, 1 supplier host, our 10 children, and 2 guides. Believe it or not, one of my most favorite memories from my Ireland trip was sipping on canned wine at a picnic table in the courtyard of Spike Island, a former island prison turned museum, while we watched our children play together on the playground. We cracked jokes about our kids having recess in the prison yard, slightly delirious from a long travel day, but over the hump of the inevitable awkwardness that comes when you travel with total strangers. (From my experience, it takes about 2-3 days and then it’s glorious!)
I share all this to say that I am an experienced group traveler and a recovering summer camp kid. There’s nothing like forced proximity, new experiences, and exploring a destination that nurtures new friendships, increases empathy, and fosters an environment that is ripe for meaningful connections.
That’s why I’m incredibly excited about Come TogetHER IL’s spring trip to Central Mexico and grateful that they asked me to plan it for them. It doesn’t hurt that Central Mexico is a vibrant place, bursting with flavor, history, personality, art, and natural beauty. Imagine being able to explore this part of the world, that perhaps you’re a little uneasy about navigating on your own, with a group of encouraging, smart, and hardworking women who crave discovery, trying new things, and forging deep friendships. They are graciously opening the trip up to all women. You don’t have to be a part of Come TogetHER IL to come. You don’t even need to be a resident of Illinois! Grab a girlfriend – or 2 or 3 – and consider coming along. I promise you’ll come away with more than you came with at the start.
For more information on the Central Mexico Trip: Oaxaca to Mexico City, please complete the form here or contact Meredith.
