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Earlier this year I left a horrible living situation that was so traumatizing to the point where I’d rather walk the streets alone at night than come home. I was so stressed that i had hives for 8 months straight. After my first monsoon to west africa with @monsoondiaries (another story), I finally decided to literally stop living in fear.
I scrambled finding a new apartment in the off-season, re-reading the fine print of my lease, finding a subleaser, and to somehow pick up my life and move (again) by myself. 2 weeks later I had a new home with a balcony and a gorgeous rooftop view of the city. i could watch the sunset every night and finally feel safe in my own home. my change in environment was definitely the biggest factor in my personality type change, which makes a lot of sense as to why i suddenly love staying in now.
…I wanted to really analyze how my life has been recently, & right now I feel like a different person, like I need to get to know myself again. I find my interactions with people now are not what I would’ve expected from the Jill I was a few years ago, or the Jill I thought I was until now.
…I’m very happy with my life & who I am now but I still want to be better, & I do so by surrounding myself with genuine people that make me want to be better.
Thank you for having me on this trip and creating an environment and space for strangers to meet each other where they would’ve never been able to under any other circumstances. This monsoon reaffirms my belief that we are all just looking for genuine human interactions, so we may feel less alone in this world and learn to be more confident in ourselves, especially during our darkest and loneliest times. That journey requires and leads us to reflect and refine our values, personalities, beliefs, behaviors, and actions. While I may not have been outspoken throughout this brief time together, it is not a sign of disinterest or apathy. Rather, I’m observing and reflecting, so that I can try to make some sense out of all these seemingly unrelated forces at play.
During orientation, you said you always fuck up somehow on your trips, and by default, disappoint people. I beg to differ. You brought people to together and allowed them to bond together to figure shit out. Thank you for promoting and cultivating such an inclusive experience that I will cherish forever. So, nothing to be anxious about. You’re doing a great job, and despite not having ramen, the ocean view from the restaurant is more than enough.
Thank you for leading each individual monsooners to have their special moments that are worth to remember life time. Just like [the movie] interstellar. Appreciate you! Look forward to skiing with you at Okemo and creating more “major” memories with the heart-warming community you’ve built.
Despite considering myself a decently travelled solo traveller to a number of off the beaten track destinations, having met Calvin in a chance encounter in Sydney i originally signed up with him to his recently organised trip to Armenia for the specific reasons that 1) it was very cost effective, compared to solo travel in that country 2) the itinerary and approach to travel appeared to be well aligned with my own, in that it was hard and fast, adventurous and hitting all the sights whilst still keeping flexibility to change plans, and 3) overall he seemed like a pretty decent guy.
What I encountered surpassed these expectations. On top of delivering on the above, I encountered a trip with like minded individuals sharing what was to prove a remarkable experience in a remarkable country. For many a traveller who prefers solo travel, there are times when you would prefer to give the sometimes rigorous amounts of organisation a break, whilst avoiding the cookie cutter approach of a tour or sometimes having to acquiesce to an itinerary planned out by friends that might not match your preferences. That is where for me Calvin’s approach really excels. We saw all of the key sights of the country, pushed the boundaries in our venture to the disputed region of Nagorno Karabakh, in an informal, flexible setting, and all the while making some personal friends whom I will no doubt retain for a long time.
Altruistic realism: to meet the urgent need for people throughout the world to see each other and reality fairly.
I just figured you should define it: I think you’re creating a home everywhere you go in your monsoons. You’re making a global home through the connections of the people on each trip. I was thinking the song [To Build a Home] says it all – and that you’re connecting the globe – showing people home is a feeling shared together. And we find ourselves in the insecurities of the unfamiliar…and so the people become the familiar. And the bond becomes home. Security through partnership.
Really grateful to you as well, over the last few years you’ve opened me up to so many new experiences/friends in New York and beyond and that has been so unexpectedly positive it makes me smile every time I think about it. An entire new city and groups of friends that support each other and make experiences together. Really what life is all about.
And guys, I unequivocally love Mali!!!! So highly recommend! Thanks Calvin . . . [What do I love about it?] Everything! Museum, recycle market, public market, art studios!!!!! So full of life here!
Hi all! Echoing everyone sentiments. Happy to have shared these countries with you . . . On my flight I was someone questioning my decision to change [flights], but everything happens for a reason and I just settled in and enjoyed the present moment. Something Dr. Sun taught me.
18 days ago, we had perhaps our toughest day of travel. Caught a red eye flight from Cairo to Addis Ababa, which is Ethiopian Airline’s hub. We stayed in the lounge for a couple hours, then found the rest of the Monsoon Diaries group near the gate. They are all fabulous. It’s also comforting to know that your tour group leader is an ED physician.
dear december & travelers, this year flew by fast. Over the past month, I’ve been traveling with friends from across the U.S. and around the world, exploring the beauty of this majestic planet together. Exchanging life stories at a family-owned coffee farm and authentic Japanese ramen shop made these small moments truly special. I’m deeply grateful for these wonderful people and my long-time friends whose paths have crossed mine, sharing laughter, tears, and bonding over shared experiences..
‘2024 es muy rico
Best first monsoon I could go on.
Part I: Rapa Nui (“Easter Island”) 2024 with @j.kailuna The legendary Moai were a sight to see on this tiny island. Our tour guide(s) over several days explained to us that what they know and assume is that Moai were carved from a mountain and transported to platforms for the aristocrats that could afford them. All of the materials used were from volcanic rocks (minus the eyes which were made of white coral, which is why many do not have eyes). I am glad I was able to go thanks to @monsoondiaries and was able to fulfill my 1 international trip
Bon voyage to everyone. It’s been so marvelous meeting and getting to know you! I really think it’s the people who tie me to a place.
Letti, hope you’re feeling 100% soon. Matt, hope you are enjoying the rest of your trip. Calvin, thanks so much for your energy, optimism, and leadership.
Yes, if you’re ever in SoCal, LMK! I’d love to meet up!
Hey, thank you for everything, my friend. What a great privilege to be on this special journey with you and our terrific gang. I look forward to keeping in touch and as others have said, please look me up if you come to Sin City #2 (SF)! Happy trails!
Got to celebrate the morning of my birthday with a sunrise with the Moai statues. And to my surprise, my group snuck up on me with a cake. It was one of the sweetest moments I’ve had with strangers-turned-friends. I cried.
I can’t find the words to express how incredibly grateful of my past year’s trip around the sun. I’ve been extremely fortunate to travel to all the places I’ve been this year while being surrounded by amazing people everywhere I go (and still having a job that I love).
Thank you for ALL the birthday love, big or small. My heart is SO full.
Can’t wait for another fun ride around the sun!
dear november & lessons, there were a few health signals that my body and mind was telling me to slow down and look around what truly matters around you. I am grateful for the people who are in my life and provide me support when I needed the most. Hope I can do the same for you all and continue to reciprocate the caring energy for each other
My travel hero Calvin is also running for office in NYC. Our country needs principled and knowledgeable people to be in office!
09/23/2024- Day 1 & 2
Eat, Meditate, and Learn in Bhutan
I’m the newbie and probably the youngest in the group. I was originally part of the Svalbard 2022 Trip but I missed it. Now, it’s been almost 2 years, and I’m here with them. From a more than 20-hour flight to almost missing my connecting flight from Qatar to Nepal, I ran with all my sweat (and my life) to Gate B4 while they were almost finishing boarding.
Firstly, I want to thank Calvin for connecting me to Sabrina who is from Toronto. On a side note, two days before our trip, I finally read The Monsoon Diaries: A Doctor’s Journey of Hope and Healing written by Calvin, who is the leader of the pack and to get to know him (through the book). Some people said the book talked too much about the PPE shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak but I think this is more like a gratitude journal that highlights the people who made Calvin a better person today and an inspirational leader not just in health care. From his dad, and grandpa to Sonia who told him the correct exam to take to become a physician, and to his countless friends who provided him with PPE and food, and to beat kidney cancer recently he has a bottomless grateful heart.
⏩Going back to Sabrina, and her last-minute decision to join the trip in Bhutan, we met at the Nepal airport in front of the Buddha’s statue. She welcomed me with a hug despite being a total stranger, and she made my short stay in Kathmandu smoother. 🙏🏻
9/26/2024- Day 3
Secondly, my Tiger’s Nest troop, Sujay then Letti plus Melinda and Sampson whom we got caught having so much photoshoot and time lapsing on the top of the staircase, I was really thinking of retiring at the first few miles of the trekking 😮💨Hahaha, 😂 the high altitude made me catch my breath every step of the way. It made me think, why did I signed up myself to suffer like this. If I didn’t saw Don or those older generation folks, I would never get motivated to complete it. It’s truly better trekking together. I’m grateful for the meaningful conversation we had going down and thank you for sharing a part of your life. To all of us infinite eight monsooners, who went together to meditate, learn, and climb down and up the main Tiger’s Nest super tiny, pitch dark mediation room in a cliff with the only light from the butter lamp, you are all amazing for accepting the challenge. 🙇🏻♀️🙇🏻♀️
Thirdly, I’m glad to meet you Mel, Calvin’s zen. You were like a supportive big sister when we saw Nepal’s Rinpoche. I felt blessed that I was not alone experiencing extraordinary things. 😊😊
To Bus 2, you were all welcoming to adopt me on the bus when I had a special mission to buy when you went earlier for shopping. Everyone was friendly and funny. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 Thank you Melinda & Corina for the donation too 😁😁
To the couple who were my seat mate from Bhutan to Nepal, Former teacher Nancy & cardiologist Dr. Drew, who were trekking at 70 years old is such an inspiration. Thank you for your encouraging parental words of wisdom. 🥹🥹
Thank you Calvin! I hope you made it to your Sydney flight with plenty of time to spare. It was so fun to see these islands with you guys and it went by so fast. We have to do an island hopping part 3 soon!!
Said goodbye to pristine natural landscapes, rich culture heritage, and overall peaceful and orderly vibes, as well as wonderful fellow travelers I’ve gotten to know the last 4 days. I have so much gratitude for that trip! … My day turned right side up when I finally met up with the fellow Monsooners that were only in Delhi for one night and ended my night at a rooftop bar – a full 180 compared to my 6 hours prior.
So amazing. What a week . . . Thank you so much, Calvin!! It was an amazing trip. Hope you reached your destination safely. See you soon and take care! Yes, I’m down for part 3! 😁 I’ll write more later, but thank you again for an amazing experience to places I’d never been. It was just what I needed ❤️
I’m here at edc and definitely thinking about you! I met all these people and I’m having all these great experiences because of you!!!!!
No crying only laughing. I’m happy that we added only joy to your life. You are an outstanding person. I just love how beautifully you put activities together. You are a genius. Your energy was so magnetic that it followed us all the way to the airport. So, I just want to say. Your parents did an incredible job. Peace and love
Thank you monsoondiaries for the adventure of a lifetime, I took a chance and it was definitely worth it! You curated curated a trip with so many different layers and brought together such a diverse group of amazing people.
Despite this journey being filled with the random and unexpected it was also structured in a way that everything flowed together seamlessly. Thank you for opening my eyes to all the adventure that life can have and a newfound appreciation and desire for the unexpected hope we have many more escapades together!
I was telling Natalie at [Raubern’s] birthday party that for some reason every time I meet a monsooner, even if it’s for the first time, it feels like home.
Oh, what an experience! There are no words to describe it, but to just be in it. Love you guys, here’s to the next one!
Thank you for organizing this amazing trip. Tomorrowland was an incredible experience.
Monsooners, have a safe trip back home or on your continuing travels. It was nice to meet you all. Stay safe and healthy until the wind blows us together again.
Thanks again for an amazing trip!! We had a great group, appreciate you for organizing everything so well!!
Heading to airport now!! Thank you guys for such an amazing time. From Belgium to Paris I’ve had a blast getting to know you all and feel like instant family. It’s rare to find good souls like that♥️ I had so so so so much FUN. thank you for adopting me and see you guys soon?! Sooner than later? Mon-soon?
Heading to NYC with Yuhan now ! Happy to meet so many new adventurers 💙
Calvin, thank for being a dynamic host. I’m in awe with your energy. The Uber driver was so gracious, he parked his car, and helped Ed bring our bags into the terminal. What a beautiful way to say goodbye to Paris. Continue to be who you are. The world needs more folks like you. Ed and I had an amazing time. Take care, hug your wife for me. Peace and love – Ed and Julie Peroune
This trip to Libya was supposed to occur in late November. Although, I wanted to go, I was also a bit hesitant due to the growing conflict in Israel. I ain’t scared but it wasn’t sitting well in my soul. Things didn’t align well so the trip was moved to April and, as always, I was late to sign up but it all worked out.
We had a much cozier group than Syria on this trip, as there were only 6 of us. Due to our group size and fight times, we were able to have a last minute brunch at the Four Seasons in Tunis, when we returned, to relax, decompress and have our final goodbyes.
Thanks again to @monsoondiaries for curating a great group of humans and fellow travelers for your trips.
Feel like I still owe you a proper thank you message for everything but haven’t had time as been busy being in the moment😜. So I m sending you this instead which will invariably stress me out about having to send something later and about the fact that it will for sure be underwhelming after this entire unnecessary setup.
Or maybe I don’t send anything and in between the lines of this is actually the message.
Hey brother, hope you got back to the US safely. I know I tend to keep my birthday on the down low but for what it’s worth what you guys put together on the last day really meant a lot to me. Just wanted to mention that. Much love and until the next one 🤙
Thank you for cultivating and sharing your community with me.
Incredible. Truly. This trip was just absolutely incredible. You are one of a kind, and I want to thank you for sharing your gifts with us. Don’t be a stranger.
Thank you for letting me tag along with you! It was definitely a once in a lifetime trip and now I want to see the rest of the pacific islands! Isaiah is awesome and I hope we can go on a trip together.
I’m looking forward to more details about the next island hopping. Have a good flight home!!
dear february & inner voice,
with no expectation i followed your little trace on the snow and found myself ending up in the magical land, japan.
throwing snowballs, riding side by side with new friends we just met, drinking tasty sake, eating bowls of ramen after snowboarding, taking care of each other & making sure no one fell on the slippery night street, having conversations until our eyes couldn’t open anymore.and numerous more beautiful & unforgettable moments that makes this trip dreamy and real at the same time.
..can we have the dream again, inner voice?
Life long friendships…Thank you Calvin for putting this trip together and you are amazing! Also, Megan was a rockstar for showing us the Hokkaido mountain
[Video]
Lydia: OK Nat, how was your first monsoon?
Nat: I loved it, I don’t know how I’m gonna go back to reality.
Lydia: What was the best part?
Nat: Just hanging out with people who are so fun, who are so spontaneous, who are so friendly, and doing things I really like doing.
Lydia: Did you like the extra [perks]?
Nat: Who doesn’t.
Lydia: Was it nice?
Nat: Yes.
Lydia: Would you come on another monsoon?
Nat: Yes!
Lydia: Next week?
[sends podcast video] A long video but this clip of this podcast made me thinking of monsooning. Delayed gratification doing things that in the moment might be hard but ultimately are good for you and most importantly the confidence you get from traveling is very transferable to the rest of your life.
That last day I went down that black bc I knew me challenging myself was more than about snowboarding but doing something I was uncomfortable with.
Reunion labor day weekend in atlanta for dragoncon!
Niseko 2024 🇯🇵⛷️🏂 Unforgettable memories with some amazing people 🙏🏼💙🙌🏽
So many memories!!
Thank u for being the best planner and arranging all the jigsaw puzzles together ❤️. I had a wonderful time!!!
Thank you everyone for a remarkable powdery Japan ski trip. I am grateful for all these memories and laughter we had together.
Sorry didn’t had a chance to properly say good bye to each one of you before I left this morning. I am on the bus to New Chitose Airport now. Hope to see you all very soon on the future trip.
If anyone is visiting San Francisco let me know! Happy to show you around and take you to yummy food places. 🙂
Dang I’m like really sad lol. Which means! I had to have been really happy while I was here.
Yes! So happy I decided to full send it and join this trip with a little fomo induced convincing by @Sujay Sheth and @YuHan Lee. Cannot wait to see you all (mon)soon! 🙂
Great seeing old friends and meeting new ones on this trip! Had an amazing time in such a beautiful place. Thanks to all that helped organize and safe travels – looking forward to many more adventures soon!!
I must have gotten so bored of smiling 😂😂😂😂😂
This one really came out of nowhere and turned into an unforgettable trip! Grateful to travel with such amazing people!!
Sometimes the most rewarding experiences lie outside your comfort zone.
Put me back in the waitlist for Tomorrowland, final answer. If I get a ticket I will find a way to make it, no matter what.
If I’m gonna go tomorrow land there is literally no other group of people I’d rather go with.
Thank YOU for being so organized, generous & awesome 🥹 had so much fun with everyone.
Best week ever 🫶
CALVIN!! Monsoon in Korea!!
I must admit, Calvin D. Sun picks some really good Michelin restaurants for these trips
I’m out here now in [Hawai’i] for a week doing a surf camp and just wanted to say if I had not traveled with you I probably would have never done a solo trip like this.
I told my friends that it was one of the most fun trips I had in a very long time. . . . You’ve built something …truly meaningful.
I had such an amazing trip. Literally the best in years.
Jean claude van DAMN we look good 😎
Awesome week with all you amazing people. 🙏🏾. Calvin and I are going to buy the apartment between us and have Monsoon headquarters NYC. When that happens you will have a permanent couch to sleep on.
It’s ok, we’ve had 6 straight days of 🍀✨
Med school sucks but you guys are amazing. Thanks for teaching me how to board! And thanks to everyone else for cooking and cleaning. This past week is definitely the happiest I’ve been in a long time!! See you all sooner or later 🙂 🙂
😘😘😘😘😘😘😘 It was so so so nice to meet all of you and enjoy Niseko together. From the 1st YOLO gondola run to Karaoke! Hope to see u soon! ❤️
CALVIN ❤️❤️❤️. Thank you so so so much for such an incredible trip! It was amazing to be a part of it 🥰
Thank you – for being you, for bringing the right vibes, for making it all mesh beautifully. Love you all.
[About not saying goodbye in person] . . . Means we’re meant to meet again even sooner 💕
[About making sure this is just the beginning of her adventures] . . . I am 😉
Everything reminds me of niseko
Have a safe flight everyone! I’m honored to have met an awesome group of people on this trip. Thanks TJ for inviting me and thanks everyone for being chill af. If yall ever come to Korea please let me know! I got uuuu 👊
I’ve transcended to the next level of sushi heaven
Fancy dinner time at KAMIMURA in Niseko Hirafu Village. That truffle butter was amazing.
Some items were a bit much (potato marinated for 510 days?), but such an amazing experience overall and with great company. I heard the Japanese riesling was top notch.
How is it only a wk ago we were scrambling for the 7am bus.. feels like a lifetime ago !! I miss our trip!
So honored to be part of this community!!
[shows photo of Jimmy Butler as his iPhone background] This was my phone background for the last month or so as I was finishing up preclinical.
It’s a picture of jimmy butler, a star player on the Miami heat during the 2020 finals and it’s a photo of him bent over in exhaustion trying to will his team to victory. I used it as motivation to push me through my last little bit of exams.
Calvin: One day you’re gonna put a photo of yourself as your background!
Bruce: I just changed it to this [sends new iPhone background photo of himself on this trip] bc this makes me happy and gives me motivation in a different way . . . That day is today! Haha
Dear lovelies,
I am grateful for the grace, smiles, patience, passion, and warm hearts you shared with me
It was one of the most memorable trips for me because of you
Much gratitude for your presence & sharing
I wish you nothing but love, peace, happiness, joy, and good health
“See you on the road” – Jack Kerouac
“We are all walking each other home” – Ram Dass
🌎🇸🇹🇬🇭🇧🇯🇹🇬🌍
much love.
. . . . Although the vigorous tempo seems intrinsic to [my friend] Tiger, he attributed this style of travel to his friend Calvin, who had inspired the itinerary for his trip…“Buffet style,” he drew the picture: just a quick sampling of places because, as Calvin reasons, you can always go back after you see what you’re drawn to. Calvin had already taken groups to Iran and North Korea, Tiger informed us. He was planning to do Cuba over Thanksgiving weekend. And he scheduled all of this on breaks from med school. Even as I was undertaking my own adventures, I remember feeling envious of such an intrepid and enterprising spirit.
. . . . Perhaps the most remarkable consideration concerning Calvin’s compelling argument to travel is that there is no compelling argument from Calvin. He does not push unwilling souls to take the plunge. Instead he inspires by example, moving along his (loosely) planned route on his own accord and, much like the force of nature for which his travel approach is named, leaves you to (re)act as you see fit.
I had too much fun on this trip, Calvin
Thank you for making this trip so effortless!
Safely landed in HK!! Miss you guys already.
Everything has been amazing
This trip is already so memorable. I love it.
My people. I didn’t get to say goodbye 🙁 I’ll see you soon! Thanks for an amazing adventure. Just landed in Cairo – missing y’all.
I struggle with putting my rambling thoughts and all sorts of feelings into words that make sense in text and in voice. So, I admire people that can speak effortlessly and engaging, even telling the simplest stories.
One of those people is Calvin.
Calvin’s writing is captivating. In his latest blog post about Syria, the trip I had the privilege of being a part of, captures all the feels I had and the things I miss about the surreal week we shared together in a wonderful country. Have a read! I love it a lot!
Thank you for making the trip an experience.
Calvin your last blog post was really beautiful … glad to have been [apart of it] … Anyone else feeling like all of it is a bit surreal? Having gone to and left the area when we did?
Thank you Ophelia and Calvin for an AMAZING week in Syria!
I had a great time and glad I signed up…Everyone was very welcoming
Thank you all. Hope everyone enjoyed this trip. Thank you Calvin for organizing this trip.
Yes, so much so.
This was my absolute favorite monsoon. I say that a lot though? 🥰
You make my life much more hopeful and complete. It’s your special day, but you’re the gift.
I did a random search for adventure travel and came upon this company (@monsoondiaries) that had a trip planned to Syria (a country I had been wanting to visit prior to their civil war). So I signed up.
We met up in Beirut the night before our drive to Damascus, and although, I was the odd man out as the only person who didn’t already know anyone, I immediately clicked with one person, then more as the trip went on. I went in with no expectations beyond hoping my roommate and I would get along (we did – she’s been to over 120 countries).
We road, ate, learned, hammamed, danced, sang (WAP included), laughed and sweated together (that #Syrian heat was a killer) and I miss them.
I’m glad I jumped in and took a chance going to this fascinating and wonderful country with an amazing bunch of strangers.
I’ve always traveled with a small group of friends or family. But only since last October, I’ve found a joy in #solotraveling. I love the flexibility and freedom in it.
I’m not a very social person in a new setting with lots of strangers. So knowing that it’ll be a large group, I was still drawn to signed up for the 7-day #Syria tour with @MonsoonDiaries x @Golden.Team.Syria. It was my fourth multi-day tour ever, and it was my longest – and it was amazing!
I’ve met incredible people.
We explored and learned together. We ate and drank together. We danced and sang together. We created wonderful memories, in a beautiful country, that’ll last a lifetime.
Hi! Just wanted to personally thank you for inviting me to the Syria trip. My heart still feels so full. I feel humbled and grateful at the same time! Beyond the amazing group of new people I met, my eyes have been even-more opened to the beauty and importance of traveling and experiencing other cultures. I can’t believe Syria was my 4th country to ever visit!
I think this trip has been one of the most monumental moments of my life thus far, and I cannot wait to see more of the world. Thank you!
My heart is still so full lol 😭❤️
JFK bound! Leaving with happy memories, new friends, and lots of saltwater in our clothes. Worth it to spend time with you all in my favorite country 💙
CanNOT wait to see you all again! Greece was fantastic and I couldn’t imagine exploring it with any better people. Safe travels and until next time 🥰
Couldn’t have asked for a better yacht!
…
Hi Calvin. I didn’t get a chance to say farewell, but I wanted to say thank you so much for this week!
Nothing but good times and good times only.
Honestly a trip of a lifetime, still feels unreal … I see more monsoons in my future ❤️
Looking back on it, me signing up for a trip with @monsoondiaries (first time meeting him) on a random night in December to go on the most insane week long yacht party with 40 random people who ended up becoming amazing friends with lifelong memories is a perfect way to sum up year 31 in a nutshell.
EPIC Summer in the Mediterranean @theyachtweek … thanks @monsoondiaries – definitely one for the books…
…
Hey 👋 still wanted to thank you again (and of course Koichi) for inviting me to be a part of TYW. I felt at home w the group! Everyone is super nice … overall i can say it’s one of the BEST summer trips I ever had. So many friends of mine now want to attend and experience TYW haha.
When a CEO, CAO, CRO, & CMO get together, you make some unforgettable memories. Thank you @monsoondiaries for taking me on this adventure and grateful for everyone who was part of it.
Melinda and I are flighting out tonight from Santorini. It was great meeting you and the gang. If you set anything up in the city let me know. I’ll stop by.
Best week of my life.
When no expectations lead to stronger connections in a week like no other 💙🤍 thank you Michelle & @monsoondiaries for this unreal experience!
Thanks for letting Maggie and I stay with you guys! We loved the people! Have a fun and safe time!! See ya at the Syria orientation!
Thanks @monsoondiaries for setting this amazing trip to meteora! Met some great people and love hearing their stories on why they are on this trip.
Had a blast with you all this week. Requesting a reunion hangout in NYC soon.
Awww Ty love!! I had so much fun with you!! Thank you for such an amazing trip as always! See you back in NYC for the reunions 💗💗
From a calm solo trip in Crete to a raging Yacht week with 39 mostly strangers living on a boat, the experiences and emotions I felt over the course of 1.5 weeks were so just eye opening and in some sense, humbling/inspiring.
To ALL the people I met along the way, thank you for making the whole trip so memorable and LIT. To everyone else…yes you super missed out so get yo asses out of the clubs/couches/festivals and get TRAVELING
This trip really instilled confidence in my ability to get along with different groups of people and hold my own … I never felt out of place (which is something I was worried about)
Thanks for setting everything up & running it so well even with hiccups 🙂 I had a great time
You’ve impacted many lives including mine, and super thankful for it.
I’ve been taking your advice to journal. This reminded me of what I wrote this weekend (not polished or refined by any means, but a note to myself after time spent pondering life while walking in the city):
“I have come to realize over the course of this past year that it no longer matters so much what I do, but with whom.
Surround yourself with people of all different walks of life; backgrounds, passions; emotions; experiences. And share life with them from the mundane to the “significant”. We are all just visitors in these bodies so we might as well enjoy the trip together. Our time will always be too short. Let us not waste it.”
Thank you Rowan and everyone for making my first African adventure extra spectacular. Meeting all of you and listening to everyone’s stories was just as special as the Mundari experience.
Had such a great time with you all!! Get some safe and stay in touch ❤️😎❤️
I am on my way to Seoul. I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience. A first for so many things in life. I met some lovely people and I look forward to doing another monsoon very soon.
Friendlier skies this morning, our first monsoon and each of you and our merry collective energy made memories for a lifetime.🌸🌸🌸 Bravo Calvin for being the Northstar and glue for this group adventure, we made it intact, inspired and with visions for another monsoon. We’ll see everyone somewhere on the road ahead, or most likely in NYC🗽!
Just boarded my international flight in Seoul to start my long journey back to KC. Thank you y’all for such a wonderful monsoon!! It was extremely meaningful getting to experience my own culture and where I’m from for the 1st time, and you all made it special. Lmk if you’re ever in KC and I’ll take you for bbq🤩
Sad that the Monsoon is over but have lots of memories, new friends, and reconnecting with old friends. It isn’t goodbye but see you soon Korea!!
Thank you everyone. Had an amazing experience with all of you. Though it was only a few days for me, it truly felt that I spent the whole week with you guys. I’ll see you all either in Seoul, nyc, and happily anywhere in the world.
At my gate headed to Seoul! It’s been awesome meeting and traveling with all of you! See some of you in Seoul and the rest very soon in future trips!
This memory will last a while, thanks @monsoondiaries along with those long convos in Part Il.
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And yes Calvin reminder to us all to listen closely to our intuition and meaningfully – esp post COVID – that fellowship is the point after all.
Thanks for doing Korea justice 🙏 better than expected for all🌞
Thank you to everyone who I met on this epic Monsoon. So many adjectives to describe how this adventure was. It is hard to put into words. Love to each and every one. I hope to see you in NYC or on other Monsoons. Miss all of you already!! This is not goodbye but see you later!❤️❤️
Had an amazing time with you all! Safe travels and look forward to many more adventures 🎉
Back in Seoul~ lovely meeting all of you, such a great group of people💛 reach out if you ever want to come back and our times align again~ see some of you back in New York or this summer! 🌞
“Thank you for spoiling us with all the good variety of delicious and interesting food Calvin. I for one appreciate it.
Made it home! Thanks again for all the memories! Best moments in three sentences or less would be…running to catch the DMZ bus and making it by the skin of our teeth, 90 second dance party in a photo booth for 10 with 20 people crammed in, and sunsets with peanut ice cream by the ocean. So many more to choose from but y’all are amazing and I couldn’t imagine traveling with anyone else ♥️
Flew to JeJu Volvanic Island. Got stuck in an elevator. Sang karaoke. Hit the cafes, lava tubes, beaches, and waterfalls. Frolicked in the flowers. Jammed to K-pop. Awed at the cuteness of EVERYTHING. Thank you @monsoondiaries for leading the way and all the other monsooners for making South Korea such an incredible trip
Thank you everyone for making this monsoon possible. I truly enjoyed all of the conversations I’ve had with each of you, however long, brief, or fragmented they were. I believe those are more memorable than the places we visited. Ok, maybe the following are comparable:
– finding famous Netflix lady’s stand and seeing some of you eat a second dinner, or to the point where you almost vomited.
-shisha LED lights
-when I posed for a pic thinking I was a flower
-picking live seafood for dinner
-listening with wide eyes to a 6am history lesson
-cooking then eating ramen on the steps by a river, like a hobo
-being rejected by an inanimate object: nasam cable car
-seeing 6 napkins blocking the millions of bbq pork oil particles from splashing on your skin
– tangerine coffee
– view of seoul from the mens restroom
Guys, I’m legit tearing. Writing this makes me reflect a lot.
Walking home in the rain feeling slightly defeated after another 12 hour day in the office… shove my hands in my coat pockets to stay warm only to find my visa line number from Côte d’Ivoir. Smile quietly to myself at the memory of being in a completely different world only a few short days ago ❤️
Despite the heat I’m really glad I pushed myself to go! Thank you for having me and for doing all the research you did about the area so I didn’t have to. My parents can’t wait to hear all about it!
Thank you for showing me some of africa and asia for the first time 🤩 can’t wait to come back to istanbul for meat moot and hamams and i’ll update you about the wedding on sunday!!
It’s good to be back, can’t put into words how much I’ve missed this. And it’s also amazing to see the growth you’ve made since I last saw you. Thanks for … St Louis … It means so much to me.
Next Monsoon in Florida?
You know… all the feels, been writing a bit off and on this time though. Processing it all. Thank you for helping me get out of my comfort zone once again in a place I would have never dreamed of going before. Feeling very tired and reflective. And very glad to have kbbq to look forward to this weekend ❤️❤️❤️
