I'm Back!

It's true! I have returned! I don't know if anyone missed me, but I have definitely missed you. Let's see, since my last post I have moved to a new city, traveled to new states, countries and continents, and I'm feeling older, wiser and ready to offer new stories and advice.

But before I do, I want to be completely transparent with my audience. I have started up this blog again for more than one reason; first and foremost, I miss writing about my travels in more than just my personal travel journal. I love sharing my tales and reading about others' and doling out advice that you may not have heard before. There is another reason though, and that is that I hope to make a little spare change from this site using affiliate links. I had the idea a few months ago when I was on the lookout for new travel gear for my next trip. I wanted a quick-drying microfiber travel blanket, a new eyemask and packing cubes, but I had trouble figuring out exactly which product would work best for me. There are hundreds of brands selling similar products at various prices, and I wanted to get a deal without ordering something that would fall apart after its first use. That's when I came up with the idea for a review site. Sure, most web sites offer reviews, but it is so difficult to wade through them and figure out who is being paid by that company to say good things or who is the person who has a complaint about everything. It can be hard to know what you're getting before it arrives, especially when shopping online. So, with that in mind, I had the idea to write up some reviews for products I already use and love (and some I have tried and hated) as well as new products I try along the way. I promise my reviews will be objective and honest (I was a journalism major after all) and if you think a product would work for you, I hope you will click through and buy it after doing your own extensive research. No pressure.

With that said, I would love to have some recommendations for what people are looking for in travel products. I have some ideas already that are forthcoming, but knowing what other travelers are interested in would be a big help. So if you are in the market for a specific product OR if you have any advice for integrating affiliate links in a non-obtrusive way, I would love to hear from you!

I also promise that not every post will be a product review, because that can get boring and alienates my audience if you already have everything you need for your travels. So I will continue to post tips, advice, stories and other travel-related content that I hope you will enjoy.

Thanks to any old readers who have returned and welcome to any new readers who are visiting for the first time! All feedback is appreciated!

Safe travels,
-Sam