The Journey Begins
Those who know me know “global” is a strong personal brand. My wedding was travel-themed, my house is full of treasures collected during voyages near and far, and my social media offers a regular glimpse into my latest globetrotting adventures. My love is not just for traveling the world, but trying to know its people and places deeply, and help leave it a little better than I found it.
When the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) shut down this year, I suddenly found myself hanging onto tenuous part-time employment and without my professional compass of the last 20 years. My sense of purpose and pride had come from serving as a steward of American goodwill in some of the world’s toughest places, bringing education, health, safety, and hope to youth and communities struggling with poverty, HIV, and violent conflict. I love the world and its inhabitants fiercely: not just for their fascinating cultural traditions, incredible food, and inspiring art and music, but for their resilience, their indomitable spirit, their sense of pride, and their warmth. I’ve experienced nothing but openness, welcome, and friendship in the 50-odd countries I’ve traveled to, which has only continued to fuel my passion to reach out, to engage, to be an active part of an interconnected global community.
With the pathway to doing this in service of global development suddenly all but closed to me, the question loomed: What now?
Like tens of thousands of foreign aid workers whose livelihoods have also suddenly disappeared, I grappled with this question for months. I’ll be honest … it wasn’t easy. But with time, a path appeared: What if I could take my love of travel—the world, its people, its wildlife, its landscapes and cityscapes, its unique traditions and ways of existence and expression—and share that passion for connection and discovery with others? Is helping people see and experience the world in the ways I have another way to be an ambassador for it?
And so, East of Ordinary was born.
I am so excited to help you Find Your East: embark on thoughtfully-planned, bespoke, affordable journeys that reflect who you are, what inspires you, and how you love to travel. Whether it’s a thrilling adventure or a luxe getaway, every trip will be chic, organized, and unique—fueled by my experience from more than a few laps around the globe and the tricks of the trade I’ve picked up along the way.
Love, admiration, and humility toward the world will remain my compass as I seek to help others find awe and joy in our planet. Thank you for being on this voyage with me. Your engagement, your support, and—let’s be real here—your business mean the world.
With gratitude,
Alisha
