It’s been just over a week since my wife and I came back from our backpacking trip through some of Central Europe. We visited 4 countries and 8 cities in 18 days and it was one of the best trips we’ve done. Now that we’re back it’s taking me a full week to recuperate from jet lag and to get my head around everything that I need to do in the upcoming months.

I’m still in the middle of organizing my projects and coming up with a schedule that will allow me to produce content for the blog, manage its weekly tasks, work on my TEFL certification, as well as attend events and activities taking place in Toronto – and all while keeping a full-time job. It’s all very overwhelming but at the same time very exciting.

I wouldn’t be able to do all of this without the support of my wife. She’s been aiding and abetting all my undertakings, and my accomplishments are largely due to her. So here I am after almost five months of running this blog feeling very good about it. Allow me to share some of our accomplishments:

• Have started to work with Toronto Tourism and some of its partners.
• I Will Travel made it on Flight Network’s list of the Top 100 Canadian Travel Blogs.
• Received an opportunity to become a regular guest blogger on Bogotá Eats and Drinks.
• Received a special invitation to meet with the Bermuda Department of Tourism (an awesome opportunity).

I can’t deny it. The list above is great, but in all honesty, the greatest accomplishment to date is my following, and I am not referring to numbers because my blog doesn’t have “superstar” statistics. What I mean is that it humbles me to know that you, the reader, actually take the time to read what I write. I would like to personally thank every one of you who’s subscribed to my blog. You fuel my desire to keep writing no matter what. Furthermore, I’m thankful for everyone who’s taken the time to write comments and provide feedback, as well as for those who regularly share my content. I’m also thankful for the great community of travel bloggers that I’ve met so far, in person and online. They’ve been very supportive and I’ve learned a great deal from them. Attending TBEX earlier this year was a good decision because it gave me the chance to meet some great people in person.

Maybe you’re a bit surprised to read this because this is not my traditional post but it’s been my intention to do this for a while. Starting this blog has been one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made and I’m extremely grateful for what it’s allowed me to do so far. I hope I can continue to inspire and motivate you to travel, to pursue your goals and dreams, and to see the world through a different set of glasses. I am truly having the time of my life!

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero