Two weeks in Ireland is behind me, but a newfound love for Irish culture, its people, and its cottage-coated countryside lives on.

It's been a beautiful ride, with ups and downs, and today, in perfect timing, I'm left with one big, bow tie lesson for the whole experience - a gift for the road.

Time to catch you up on the adventure that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish, and without a second to spare to send you my usual travelogue updates.

Managua pleasantly surprised me, as have the locals. In my first 48 hours in Nicaragua, I've felt nothing but welcome, as my route through this entirely unfamiliar country seems to be materializing.

A quick, flight's-about-to-board recap of the final week and three days of my Costa Rica adventure, one that taught me through experience just what "pura vida" means.

Getting over my sinus infection, being a beach bum on sands all over the Nicoya Peninsula, and making friends with Capuchin monkeys that seem to make daily appearances in these parts of Costa Rica

Headaches and congestion weren't quite the start I had in mind for my Costa Rica adventure, but I'm learning to roll with it - and that I believe is the lesson.

Daily updates from Panajachel on Lago Atitlan in Guatemala, a place that took on new dimension when I unexpectedly tested positive for COVID.

Antigua was only ever supposed to be the “start here” for my unplanned Guatemala adventure. Days turned to two full weeks climbing its volcanoes, meeting its cafes, and chatting up strangers-turned-friends all over town.

A perfectly chaotic airport entrance followed by a majestic drive through jungle-coated landscapes to my cobble-stoned and volcano-surrounded destination: Antigua, Guatemala. My first day recounted in one short post.

Cancun, Mexico happens to be the first scene of this grand new adventure, one that involves following my heart over my head step by step by step.