I’m a former journalist and current design director living in the Bay Area in California. My passion for travel has always been about connections. I am not just interested in the sights themselves but how they connect to big-picture stories about the surrounding region, the geography, the people, their history, their culture. I like stories told through a personal lens, a guide who can share not just the details of a place but their own context – the excitement of new experiences, the stress of unexpected setbacks, the exultation of lucky breaks, the insights and epiphanies brought on by making connections. Also, jokes! Hey, we’re trying to have some fun here.
I am also kind of obsessed with maps and travel planning. The moment I’m struck by inspiration for a new trip, I’m making documents, dropping pins, charting routes, estimating timetables, and capturing absolutely everything – history, customs, roads, trails, weather, pricing, opening hours, lodging, restaurants. I weigh the nature of the people coming with me and adjust my estimates. Is the itinerary too aggressive? Is there something else to do in that town if we get done with the other thing early?
But all of this planning is just mapping the path. The trip itself never adheres to your expectations. And that’s where the story begins.
Mathew Burns
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