Around the fire, the world feels smaller and our hearts feel bigger. Come and join me? This space isn't about glossy itineraries or picture-perfect travel guides. It's about the in-between moments you don't plan for but remember forever. A stranger sharing a story on long train ride. The smell of rain-soaked streets after a storm. The silence of a trail where it's you, your thoughts and the sound of your own breath. I created Speak & Spark as a place to collect those sparks-

The last time I left you was over 6 months ago just before I got back home from my mis-adventures abroad. I’m here to tell you that a lot can happen in such a short period of time. See below for a rough timeline of the events that brought me back and my life since then. December 1: Wonderful Café owner purchased bus ticket from Figueira da Foz to Lisbon Portugal December 2: Bus trip to Lisbon December 2-5: Lisbon stay while receiving help from the U.S. Embassy to get a flight

There's a version of travel we all like to romanticize: the one with dreamy sunsets, cheap wine, and those cinematic moments where the universe feels like it's finally on your side. But nobody warns you about the other version. The one where you're broke in a foreign country, running on fumes, pride, and the kindness of strangers you never expected to need. I always knew life was hard, but nothing hit quite like realizing adventure doesn't magically erase struggle. It just re

Traveling internationally for the first time, I can say with certainty that Americans and Europeans have very different opinions on what it means to live. Even with all of the research I did before departing on my trip, the culture shock was still a gut punch to the system. Add in the time difference and jet lag, and I needed a vacation from my vacation. I knew, though, once I landed in London to begin my journey, there was no going back. So, I forged ahead with regret and

"Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision." -Winston Churchill Bravery isn't about being fearless, it is about doing things in spite of the fear. We talk about courage like it's a loud battle cry or fearless leap. Most of the time it is quiet. It is the small decision to keep moving, even when your stomach is in knots and your voice shakes. Fear doesn't really disappear; it just becomes part of the rhythm. I used to think I had to wait until I wasn't afraid to start somethin

I am not an art student, so I may not be able to tell you the difference between Impressionism and Baroque styles of art. What I can do, though is appreciate a good piece of art when I see one. From a [cardboard toilet] to [graffiti on the side of a building], (see below) in the last few weeks alone I have seen art that defies the definition of the word and enough to make da Vinci roll in his grave. I don’t know about you, but I don’t recall learning about these art styles wh