My Story

Every journey tells a story. Here’s mine.

As far back as I can remember, I’ve had a restless curiosity for just about anything and everything. From rummaging through drawers and under tables and cabinets in my grandparents’ home as a child, to strolling city streets or back alleys as an adult—whether it’s Kyoto, Paris, or San Francisco—in search of anything hidden away or parts unknown. Just about everything catches my eye. Once I was so engrossed in a fashion exhibition with gowns worn by the queen in Scotland that the next thing I knew, I was dashing through the Palace of Holyroodhouse and across the grounds to catch my group before they left without me. Oops. (They waited.)

Memories.

My most enduring memories always touch on the same themes: curiosity and exploration, people and cultures, family, and travel. To me, nothing beats experiencing other cultures and sharing my discoveries with others to promote universal understanding.

Early days.

Growing up in Dearborn, Michigan, I was blessed to live near my grandparents, who were immigrants from Macedonia, and their close circle of friends from the Old Country. Always curious and eager to learn, at a young age my time was spent watching them follow, practice, and engage in the cultural traditions they brought from Macedonia and Bulgaria. The language, foods, music, church, dancing, and celebrations—I loved it all. And it lit a fire inside me

Life these days.

Moving to San Francisco after high school was a good match with a city full of cultures. I honed my French skills and traveled with my family to new destinations and began to share my travel stories.

One of my proudest moments was raising money for the first-ever museum in Kriva Palanka, Macedonia, in the town where my grandparents came from. Thrilled to return for the museum’s grand-opening celebration, I was featured on TV and in a Macedonian newspaper and was even awarded a leadership plaque from the town’s mayor.

Let’s share together.

There are so many cultures to discover and wonders to uncover in the world—it’s truly astounding. I’m excited to share my discoveries and my mission with you—To connect people to cultures—one story at a time.

I’d love to hear about your memorable travel experiences. Let me know what is interesting, missing, or what is important to you as you learn about cultures. I look forward to hearing from you! 

Remember to sign up for my email list to learn more about North Macedonia. In return I’ll send you my free checklist—Everything you need to have a great trip!

Why work with me?

A graduate of San Francisco State University with degrees in French and business administration, Carol is a travel blogger and multimedia content creator who has traveled throughout Europe and Japan. Her stories about culture, food, and travel have been published by the San Francisco Travel Association, the San Mateo Daily Journal, and The Skyline View. Carol is a lover of travel, cultures, bubbly, and beignets.