Open Doors With Words

Travel Blogger/Writer & English Teacher
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Yearly Recap & Looking Ahead!

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Reflecting on the Past Year

As this is my last blog of the year, I am using it as a time to have a yearly recap and reflect on the year, to look ahead, and to connect!

More importantly, I am using it as an opportunity to chat with you!

I really hope that you will chat with me in the comment section below because I will use your comments from this blog as a planning guide for next year’s blogs!

This is where what YOU want comes into play!

Please tell me –

  • What do you want to read about?
  • What kind of travel tips or recommendations would you like to hear more about?
  • Which blogs did you enjoy the most?
  • What kind of travel recommendations or stories would you like to read about?

...And you? I want to hear about you!

Tell me a bit about yourself. 

What kind of travel do you prefer?

What kind of traveller do you consider yourself to be?

  • adventure
  • luxury
  • sports
  • music events
  • camper
  • RV
  • road trips
  • all inclusive
  • resort
  • ‘travel like a local’
  • group tours
  • expeditions
  • spiritual
  • business
  • a mixture of them?
  • any others?

Let me know your style!

Personally, I truly believe that variety is the spice of life. I love most types of travel, and I plan on bringing a variety of types of travel blogs to you!

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What are you interested in reading more about?

I am curious about what interests you…

So, to recap:

  • What do you want to read & learn more about?
  • What kind of travel blogs do you want me to write?
  • What was your favourite blog so far?
  • What kind of traveller are you?

Please do write lots of comments as I want to give you what you want with my travel blogs.

Question for readers

Location, location, location!

So far, what has been your favourite place that you have travelled to? 📍

Do you have a favourite vacation destination? 🗺️

Do you have a regular vacation spot that you like to visit often?

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Review of my year!

It has been a very interesting year for me.

This was my first year as a travel blogger! 

I created digital downloadable products to help people with learning English. 

I also now have 8 different courses that I teach online as an English teacher.  Feel free to check them out at the English Shop.

I have also re-created my website, although it is still in constant change, as I update it regularly.  Some kinks are still being worked out, but overall, all is good!

I already had my Facebook business profile and business page, which I continue to post on regularly.  If you don’t follow my page, I invite you to do so at: Open Doors With Words.

Next, I added Pinterest which I post different content on as well. If you’re not yet following me on Pinterest, I also invite you to follow me at: Pinterest-Open Doors With Words.

The latest news, and this one is so BRAND NEW, it’s not even all the way set up! So, I am letting you in on my new surprise super early!

The last business update is that my travel blogs will be released more often starting in 2023, so keep checking your inbox starting in January!

So, those are some of my business updates, now on to some great travel recaps of the year!

I enjoyed so many countless sunsets in Mexico! I enjoyed the board walk and created this Ultimate Guide to Puerto Vallarta Boardwalk

I savoured a beautiful fall in Canada!

You can read more about the Canadian fall and the beautiful colours of the leaves here: Fall Colours in Southern Ontario, Canada.

Beautiful sunset with palm tree and arches
Laying in the fall leaves

I just love those spontaneous moments, sometimes they make for the best times that you will always remember. 

I enjoy mingling with people, traditions, culture, and nature in new places. It is so beautiful to me!

The surprises that travel bring are awesome in my opinion!

Whether it’s a crazy experience like tropical weather storms, surprise nighttime parades on the street, live music in the middle of the street starting at exactly midnight, getting rid of a scorpion that we found inside, or running to catch a boat – I love them all!

I love travel so much, that I took a leap and left my ‘regular’ job, so that I can live the life that I’ve always wanted!

No regrets here! 😁

Surprises, things I didn't expect to do this year!

An opossum in someone's hands
A tequila shot up high in the mountains.

Well, I pet an opossum in Mexico! Someone had a pet opossum at the boardwalk, and everyone was gathering around to see it.

I was curious, so I went to see what it was.  I didn’t know the name for opossum in Spanish at the time (NOW I do) and at first I thought it was an exotic type of pet, but NO. It was an opossum! lol!

I had a shot of freshly made tequila at the top of a mountain, after crossing the longest suspension bridge in the world! Check it out! ⬇️

This was not planned, I actually didn’t even know that the suspension bridge was the longest in the world! I just went and learned all about it, as I did it!

This trip was arranged for me! Basically, I just got ready and off I went up into the mountains! 🌄

I am so glad that I went, it was fantastic!!! 

You can read more in Longest Suspension Bridge in the World! travel blog.

So many unique and interesting experiences! I can’t wait to see what 2023 brings!

Restaurant in a cave
Dried up yellow corn stalk in a field

I ate in a cave.  Not only was it a restaurant in a cave, it was also next to pyramids! That was epic!! If you would like to know where, check out Restaurant in a Cave – Mexico

I got lost in a corn maze, but not for too long! lol! Good fall fun!

If you want to you can go to the Corn Maze & Fall Farm in Ontario.

Your bucket list

So, what are your travel plans for next year?

I have some great destinations in mind! I can’t wait to share them with you!

Where will you be going? 🛫

Can’t wait to hear about where you’re headed!

Travel bucket list poster

How ever you choose to celebrate this December, I hope it goes exactly as you want, or even better!

Wishing you all the best over the holidays!

Wishing you a/an Amazing Awesome Successful Happy new year!

Thanks for taking the time to like, share, comment and join my pages & channels! It is greatly appreciated! 😍 You’re awesome! I can’t wait to share what’s coming next year with you!

  • Thank you! You are awesome!
Lorraine Black, travel blogger -Open Doors With Words

Happy Travels! Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Saint Nicholas Day! Happy New Year!! …plus anything that I may have missed! (Definitely not intentional if I did).

Signing off until 2023 ✈️ ,

Lorraine Black

~Founder & Owner of Open Doors With Words~

Besides being a travel blogger, I am also an English teacher. I have an English shop with courses, classes, and downloadable products.  Check them out here.

Leave a Comment

The Comments

  • Cindy
    December 25, 2022

    I plan on heading to Costa Rica or Cuba in 2023.
    I would like to learn about more fun places to check out like the suspension bridge or the restaurant in the cave.

    • Lorraine Black
      > Cindy
      December 27, 2022

      Nice! Sounds great Cindy! Thanks for letting me know about which blogs you have enjoyed the most! More of that coming your way!