About me - Iris Avenues

Hey, I’m Iris!

I’m from near Bonn, Germany, but honestly, I could probably feel at home just about anywhere in the world – or at least I would like to. As a teenager and in my twenties I spent most of my summers in the U.S. – Georgia to be precise. That’s probably where my love for travel and the home away from home really started. It was always exciting for me to meet people from other cultures, hear their stories and immerse myself in their world. Atlanta and its people, who became family, changed me forever, as the USA was the cultural melting pot I had always imagined. Here, young people of all backgrounds, religions and idetities sat together over coffee and exchanged ideas – without reservations.

So for me, traveling is so much more than just seeing beautiful places. It’s about building bridges, creating understanding and showing how good and helpful most people really are – even if the media often paints a different picture.

How I travel now:

I’m not a perfectionist when I travel but I always have a rough idea of what to expect and a basic framework of preparation. However, I leave plenty of room for spontaneous encounters and experiences. For me, culture and food are at the heart of a trip – it is often how I find the best access to people.

I love browsing markets, talking to the locals, and coming home with a new favorite dish or an exciting story. Nature? Sure – but only if it doesnt mean hours of walking – I’d rather go into the city, where there’s a much better chance of stumbling across a small café and drinking a surprisingly good coffee wheile people-watching are so much higher. Viewpoints are more my thing! Here I have a perfect overview of the area I’m in.

As a woman who often travels alone, I’m always well prepared when it comes to safety but that doesn’t take away from the joy of drifting away in unknown places and discovering new things.

My favorite places

USA: My second home. I worked there, spent a lot of time there and learned to love the people.
Oman: I experienced hospitality here that went far beyond the ordinary – meeting the people there touched my heart and left a lasting impression.
Mexico: I went to a winter school there and was able to spend a lot of time amongst the students. I really enjoyed the incredibly lively interaction and the vibrant atmosphere there.
Tanzania: A business trip that changed me because I learned so much about the power of simple encounters and really listening to what people have to say.
Spain: Spain is always a good idea. I love the language and the attitude to life and I always enjoy traveling there.

My Motto and other things

The best encounters happen when you have no expectations!

I have to take a souvenir from every trip – but please not a typical souvenir like tacky magnets or postcards. It has to be something I can really use: a scarf, a beautiful piece of jewelry, or something practical. That way, everyday life will always remind me of the wonderful moments when I was traveling.

Why this blog?

I write this blog because I firmly believe that traveling brings us closer together. The world is a wonderful place and I want to show why. Whether it is through stories, tips or inspiration, I hope you will find something here to take you on a little journey or inspire you for your next trip.