Hi, I’m Trish.
I’m the voice and lens behind trishwhotravels. I am a traveler, storyteller, and photographer focused on cultural travel, authentic experiences, and the people who make each place memorable.
Why I Travel
This blog reflects the way I travel: with curiosity, openness, and attention to the details that give a place its meaning. I’m most drawn to experiences that unfold beyond the highlights and deepen my understanding of how people live and connect.
trishwhotravels is dedicated to exploring places through people. It is a space for thoughtful travel, meaningful encounters, and the people who shape the spirit of every place.
My Journey into Cultural Travel
My curiosity about people and cultures began long before my passport filled up. In college and later grad school, I studied psychology and international education—fields that allowed me to better understand how people live, think, and connect across cultures.
Up until my junior year in college, my international travel was very limited. That changed after spending a semester in Australia. This decision ultimately altered the trajectory of my life.
Where it all began
Living abroad shifted everything for me. Travel stopped being an idea and became a way of understanding life. Immersed in a place that felt both familiar and foreign, my academic curiosity evolved into a deeper desire to observe how people live, celebrate, communicate, and connect.
Nearly twenty years later, that same curiosity has taken me to more than 50 countries across every continent except Antarctica (although, perhaps one day). My goal has never been to check places off a list, but to learn from the people who call those places home.
The Moments That Stay with Me
Some of my most meaningful travel memories come from witnessing everyday traditions: watching a Buddhist ceremony unfold inside a temple, standing at the centuries-old Friday morning goat market in Oman, listening to monks chant before dawn in Thailand, or observing a family make noodles from scratch in their Cambodian home. I’m just as drawn to wandering through souks in Morocco or exploring the ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat as I am to stumbling into local markets where few tourists venture.
That said, my travels aren’t always deeply immersive. Sometimes I simply want to be surrounded by beauty. Santorini, Paris, Venice, London—these spots are iconic for a reason. Although I love to take the road less traveled, a popular city also has its draws. Together, these travel experiences shape the stories I want to share here.
If you believe travel is more about culture than crowds, tradition than trends, and human connection over checklists, you’re in the right place.
The Small Details Worth Observing
I’m drawn to the quiet moments of a place. For me, it’s about the early mornings before most people have woken up, the movement of someone’s daily routine, rituals observed rather than performed. Waking before sunrise, getting lost in side streets with my camera in hand—these are the moments that feel most rewarding.
I seek out places that feel lived-in rather than curated, listening to footsteps passing, conversations drifting by in a language I don’t understand, and the steady rhythm of the day unfolding. It’s in these understated moments when a place begins to feel less like a destination and more like someone’s home.
These details are subtle, but to me, they are special. They hold the character of a place: the habits, gestures, and small exchanges that rarely make it into guidebooks. Paying attention to them reminds me that travel is less about spectacle and more about presence.
My Photography
Alongside storytelling, I’m a travel photographer with a deep love for capturing the details that give a culture its heartbeat. I’m drawn to the expressions, gestures, and interactions that reveal how people live and connect beyond what’s immediately visible.
Portraits are my favorite because, to me, it’s the faces that truly define a place. A shy smile, watching two friends interact, or even a moment of stillness can say more about a culture than any landmark ever could. Through my photography, I aim to document people with curiosity and respect, preserving fleeting moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Over time, photography has become another way I listen, observe, and learn. It allows me to slow down, engage more deeply, and tell stories that live somewhere between image and memory.
What You’ll Find on trishwhotravels
- Cultural travel guides
- Immersive travel stories
- Photography tours I’ve participated in
- Travel photography from around the world
- Reflections on the experiences that have shaped me
Thanks for being here. I can’t wait to share my global experiences with you, one story and one photograph at a time.
Ready to explore beyond the typical tourist trail?
Dive into cultural travel stories, photography, and reflections from around the world.