My name is Barbara Weibel and I’m the owner/publisher of Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel. I’ve always envied people who love their jobs. Unlike those lucky souls, my various careers over the years (marketing, advertising, selling real estate, working in a retail store, owning a public relations firm, and selling snow cones in the largest water park in Puerto Rico, among others) were just means to an end – a way to earn money and have a comfortable lifestyle. I never loved what I did and I can’t really say I was ever really happy, but I plodded on because I was raised to be dependable, to always give 110%, and to work hard in order to be able to enjoy a comfortable retirement. All of which meant going to work every day, regardless of how much I despised my job.
I knew I wasn’t being true to myself. My inner voice constantly nagged, “Who am I, why am I here, and what is my purpose in life?” I had often heard that we should do what what we love, what makes us joyful. So I asked myself, “What makes me joyful?” But I had no answer. I knew there had to be something better out there; I just didn’t know what it was. Then I got sick. Really sick.
My health had been failing for some time but the doctors couldn’t determine what was wrong. More than once it was implied that my illness was all in my head. Finally, after five years of suffering, I was diagnosed with what had by then become chronic Lyme disease. During the initial treatment I was practically bedridden. Since I could barely drag myself from the bed to the couch (much less go to work) I had a lot of time to examine my life. I decided that things had to change. I was like a donut – a wonderful outer shell with an empty, hollow inside. I could no longer ignore the need to feel that I was living a purposeful life. I needed to fill the hole in my donut. Again I asked myself, “What brings me joy?” This time, I had some answers. Photography. Writing. And travel. I promised myself that when I recovered I would find a way of living that focused on those things that bring me joy.
As soon as I was healthy enough, I left my job, strapped on a backpack, and traveled solo around the world for six months, determined to visit the places I’d always wanted to see. I traveled without major plans, took thousands of photos along the way, and blogged about every place I visited. Upon returning to the States in September of 2007, I rented an apartment in Florida and continued to travel more than half of the time, while simultaneously pursuing freelance writing opportunities. By the end of 2009 I was traveling so much that it made no sense to maintain a home base, so I sold or gave away my remaining furniture and hit the road full time.
For the next eight years I traveled perpetually, staying long-term in many countries in order to immerse in the local culture. But with age came some new challenges. In my early sixties, I began to experience hip and knee problems that were likely effects from my long bout with Lyme disease. More and more, I found it difficult to carry a suitcase up and down the stairs of railway and Metro stations around the world. I began to worry that my traveling days were over.
Fortunately, I was able to correct my joint problems through stem cell therapy. But the mobility issues I had suffered convinced me that it was time to have a home base again. Thus, in December of 2017, I rented an apartment and became an expat in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I’m still traveling a significant amount of the time each year but now I can return to my home base whenever I need a rest, and I no longer need to carry everything with me all the time. It has made a world of difference, and I once again believe I will continue to travel well into my 70’s or even my 80’s.
Throughout my years of travel, I have continued to publish stories on Hole In The Donut Cultural Travel that feature the destinations I visit, the interesting people I meet, the crazy (and often humorous) things that happen to me along the way, and the never-ending spiritual lessons that come from travel. With its self-deprecating humor and focus on the inner journey as well as the outer, Hole In The Donut has attracted a loyal following of readers who travel with me vicariously. So grab a chair and settle in for some unique and interesting travel stories.
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Hey Barbara, I wish I had your courage and determination. I am currently working the 40-60 weeks but would look to get an opportunity to travel and see the world. For you travel blogs and the stories of others will have to do.
Kirk: If you can envision it, you can do it. We create our own reality; at
least I’ve always been able to do so, when I can let go of fear and trust
the Universe. Thanks for traveling along with me and taking the time to
leave a comment. It’s very much appreciated.
Great blog Barbara! I live in Sunny Florida and have a blog that I use for release however I am still in the 40+ hours per week club. I applaud you for doing what you wanted and hope you continued success.
Thank you WH&T – glad I can provide some relief from the work-a-day world.
Wow, that’s great! I can’t wait to see your post on that. Definitely we have amazing beaches here. And surely you’ll love the weather too. If you don’t mind, I’d like to add you on my blog list. I hope it’s fine with you. 🙂
Janice, I’d be honored to be added to your blog list 🙂
Hi Barbara,
I am really amazed with your blog. I have seen the movie ” Eat Pray Love” and it came up to my mind how similar situations you are with Julia Roberts on that movie. Maybe you could come here on the Philippines for a new different adventure. Me too have fun writing a bit about beautiful spots in my place.
Hi Janice: I definitely have the Philippineds on my wish list. I will get
there some day for sure; I hear you have the most spectacular beaches in the
world.
I would like o be in contact with you about some corrections in your Urique canyons story and the Tarahumara runners Richard Fisher [email protected]
Dear Barbara, I was just browsing the internet, looking for an unique job that my husband and I could do together. Like drive someone’s car to different locations. We just recently moved to Centural Florida from Southern California. We left behind our Daughter and her family. Two beautiful granddaughters 8 & 3 years old. My mother, my brother and all of our friends. Would love to be able to visit them at least once a year.
Have you used this from of travel yourself?
Please write back.
Thank you,
Le Ann Heinrich
St. Cloud Fl
Hi Le Ann: I have not used it myself but have friends who have. However, I’m
not sure it would be a cost effective way for the two of you to make trips
to California a couple of times per year. The cost of gas and hotels would
likely be more than airfare for two, if you watch the specials. If you’re
anywhere near Orlando, Google the airport site and find out which airlines
fly into it. Then go to each airline’s website and look at their route map.
If they fly to California, sign up to receive their specials by email. If
you can be flexible with your travel times and leave with short notice, you
can probably fly for less than you can drive.
We’re in Key West and I wanted more information on the cigar industry. Through Google I found your article and decided to sign up for your blog. I have one suggestion – I wanted to see if you had written any other articles on Key West and had difficulty checking on that. Would it help if your blogs had dates on them? That would aid in going through the Archives link on your site to locate articles in the same area. Maybe I missed something but it seemed that I pretty much had to scroll through the archives to look for past articles. Thank you and I know I am going to enjoy following your travels.
Hi Cathy: Thanks s much for signing up to receive my emails. There’s a
couple of really easy ways to search my whole site. From any page on my site
scroll down in your browser and a black bar will appear at the top of the
page. On the right-hand side there is a search box. Type in Key West and
select “Search Key West.” A pop-out box will then display photos from
Google, followed by a map, then a list of all the posts I have written about
Key West.
Alternatively, if you navigate back to the article I wrote about the cigar
industry (
https://holeinthedonut.com/2009/05/12/cigar-making-key-west-florida/) and
scroll to the bottom of it, you will see that I have “tagged” the article
with the term “Key West” (the tiny type in blue). If you click on this blue
link, it will return all the articles I have written about Key West. It will
include some that are not specifically about Key West, but do reference Key
West, as for example, one that I wrote about Ybor City in Tampa, Florida,
which is where the Key West cigar industry moved to when the industry
declined in Key West. Tagging is used by most, if not all blogs, so you
should be able to do this on any site. Hope that helps.
Great work with bowling balls. I also use bowling balls in art, I would love to send you some images. Mostly carved, but also in sculpture.
Hi, Barbara!
Saw your reply to Todd’s post on Travel Blog Challenge. I thought I had subscribed before, but somehow …didn’t! Glad I found you again. Self-deprecating humor is a big part of my blog, so learning the different ways that you do this will be a lot of fun.
I don’t know how much you are into spirituality and metaphysical-type philosophy, but your story really stands out to me as being what Dr. Mona Lisa Schulz, among others, talks about all the time: your body is very intuitive. I have a similar story, although I had already begun the transition to blogging. I guess I wasn’t doing it fast enough!
Anyway, very nice to have found you and look forward to reading your posts.
Hi Tour Absurd: I’m grinning. As you begin to read about my journey you’ll
discover just how much I’m “into” spirituality and metaphysics; although I
don’t talk about it directly, its effects are woven through my words.
Welcome aboard!
Hi Barbara! Congratulations for following your heart! A lot of us are in this place right now. I’ts always inspiring to see other women like you doing it, while some of us, for some reason, are putting ourselves on hold.
Martine: Thanks so much for your comment. I realize that things have to be
put on hold sometimes but don’t wait too long; I almost did!
Hi Barbara,
enjoyed reading ur story i also think a lot about the way i lead my life
i am a teacher and i enjoy my work its is quite fullfilling but many a times
i wish could travel a lot in search of something which i dont know i feel one with nature when i am alone
u r quite inspirational
hope and wish u get all the happiness in life
take care
Hello Mandar and Happy New Year. Thanks so much for visiting my blog and
leaving a comment. I certainly understand that feeling of something being
missing and, in my case, travel was the missing piece of the puzzle. Wishing
you success in finding our path.
Dear Madam !
I have read your written at this site, I thought you are philosopher for the men and women of the world. Your writing who will be read he/she will be thought positive for his/her whole life.
Thanks.
Hi Barbara, you are a true inspiration. I’m really enjoying reading your blog. All best to you and stay well. Stan
Thank you Stan. Hearing from people who actually read what I write,
especially when they say such nice things, always makes my day!
Need cargo van or small truck one-way from Bakersfield, Ca or Los Angeles, Ca, going to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma asap. Call anytime: 661-615-0395.
Hello Barbara,
What an inspiring story!
Like you I also decided to do something differently and went traveling to Hong Kong and Bali.
I am fascinated by people who have the courage to change and recently launched Career Change Research project where I collect career change stories and share them with the public to inspire and help people make better career choice.
Will you please share your story and take career change questionnaire on my website http://www.careerchangeresearch.com
Thank you and all the best,
Ziva
Hi Ziva. So glad you enjoyed reading about my story. I’ll fill out your
questionnaire right now.
Thank you Barbara! You are truly an inspiration for all of us. Best, Ziva
Hi Barbara, I plan to publish your story next week. I am thinking of adding your website as part of the story as an inspiration to people. Let me know if you are ok with it. It will help driving traffic to your website. Ziva
hola me gusto. soy sergio de bubba gump aeropuerto, cancun. espero que estes bien te mando un gran abrazo
Gracias Alexdm07: Estoy my bien y un gran abrazo para ti tambien!
Dear Barb, It`s the first time I read your story, and I´m so surprised to see how much it sounds like mine, I´ll follow your steps in two years, Beleive me, I couldnt be more serious about it ! Thank you, for opening my eyes and see that it is really possible to do what you really want in life !! God always bless you !!!
Hi Romy: Just hold that vision in your mind and I know you’ll do it! You can do anything that you envision.
Hi Barbara,
Just came by your blog site throught facebook…
I can see by all the comments, we can all relate to your post – …I always envied people who love their jobs.”
Also in my fifies and now semi-retired from being an Executive Chef for over 35 yrs, even though I love to cook – I never really enjoyed the hustle and bustle of cooking for up to 3000 customers per day (from wedddings, graduations and private functions)
First starting out as a Chef you get this wonderful idea that you will be exploring “culinary arts” (which is my background – arts) but the truth is long hard working days of 14 hours stretches and up to 28 days straight without a day off. Not to mention to become an Executive Chef takes a good seven years of training besides the three years of college.
I’m impressed by your strenght of determination, getting the option of exploring our beautiful planet. Of course you most likely heard this before :
How do you make a living doing this?
( please excuse me if you have already blog about this – but I just found your website)
I’m guessing a good business plan – but how do you approach a hotel and its facilities in order to receive a complimentary product?
Or… do they approach you?
In my times as a Chef I wrote a book : Canadian Recipes of the Great White North by Chef Bari and have presently sold 3000 copies throughout the world, but I feel I can do better…
Thanks for your blogs – very interesting 🙂
Bari
Hi Bari: Well, it has been a long, hard road to making money. I started out
as a casual blogger and then realized I needed to treat it like any other
business. I subsidized my travels for three years, going through what little
money I had left and finally this year have begun to break even. I have a
number of revenue sources, which include selling ads on my blog, writing for
other online travel venues and traditional travel publications, selling my
photos for publication, web site design, and affiliate marketing. It’s a
ten-hour per day, 7 days a week effort that includes being very deeply
involved in social media/networking.Basically, that means I am tied to my
computer much of the time, with twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon, etc. Like
your executive chef experience, this job involves things that I never
imagined I would have to do when I broke away from corporate life. As for
hotel comps and press trips, they usually find me. I frankly prefer not to
do too many of these, because while getting a freebie is nice, they involve
a lot of work and usually take me off the track I’ve set down for my
travels. But it is nice, once in a while, to set to stay in a luxurious
resort.
Thanks Barbara 🙂
Recently I came across the music of the mexican singer Jose Alfred Jimenez, today I googled his name, wanting to know more about him, – up came your story and photograph of his grave. Something tempted me to look up your blog,and the fascinating story about your life and what you became when you finally grew up.
I am 66, and still wondering what to become when I grow up. (I`m afraid I`ll not live to see the day. )
Wish you all the best in your calling. (Must be difficult to live by pen and camera in an age when people queue up to give away words and pictures for free.)
Hi kAl: So glad you stopped by my blog. You are correct that it is pretty
hard to live by pen and camera these days, but the universe has been very
good to me in sending me great advertisers on my blog, so I manage to scrape
by and that allows me to do what I love so much. I must tell you, however,
that I have not grown up (jut ask my Dad, who thinks my lifestyle is a crazy
choice when I could be earning good money in a corporate environment) and I
hope I never do! I want to hold on to that childlike wonder that serves me
so well on the road, to my dying day. Thanks so much for your well wishes
and hope you continue to read about my adventures around the world.
I would like to know what you estimated for a budget when you started and what it was when you finished. Thanks.
Elaine: Well, I’m almost embarrassed to say that I had no budget when I
first set out. I’d been very sick, so my intent at that point was to visit
all the places I’d always wanted to see before I died. I bought a RTW ticket
for, if I remember correctly, about $5,700. It sounds like a lot, but it
took me to five countries in Africa, three in Europe, several in SE Asia,
Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, etc. The bulk of my expenses after that
was accommodation. I stayed in budget hotels on that trip and have gradually
changed over to hostels and home stay guest houses. These days, I budget at
most $30 per day, including food and accommodation and usually come in
closer to $20-25 per day, so I can actually live cheaper on the road than in
the U.S. Of course, my flights and other transportation are extra, as are
any sightseeing costs or entrance fees, but I keep the budget pretty tight,
as it all comes out of my pocket, and I am definitely not a wealthy woman. I
do suffer some discomfort at times; the places I stay in are not always up
to our standards of clean, but I do that willingly because it lets me stay
on the road, which for me is the most important thing. Hope that helps.
Hey Barbara!
I loved reading your post.
That’s all that matters in the end, right? Being true to oneself.
lots of love,
Nuno
Nuno: You hi the nail on the head. I’ just sorry it took me 54 years to
figure it out, but I’m grateful for the time I have left!
I LOVE WHAT YOU SAID IN THIS POST IT SO TRUE.ITS LIKE WHAT THEY SAY IN ANTS THE MOVIE. THERE HAS TO BE MORE TO LIFE THEN SHUFFLING DIRT.LOVE YOUR BLOG
Bettytoosexy: What a hoot – I had never heard that expression because I’ve
never seen the movie, but it’s a perfect analogy. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Barbara,
I saw a picture that looked like it was taken in Malaysia (where I’m from), so I came here to read your about me page. Just wanted to say I am impressed with your writing and will read some more later…
Hi Mvmaithai: Thanks so much for stopping by and so glad you enjoy my
writing and photography. I was really impressed with Malaysia and am sure I
will be returning.It’s now on my list of favorite places around the world.
hi, how was ur nepal trip..hope u had a nice journey from KL to Nepal..
issac
Just stumbled across your blog – you are my new idol! I am also fifty something, and have the travel bug. I have been hesitant to travel alone however, but your experience has given me some strength to just do it! Thanks and keep up the great postings and wishing you lots of good health!
Thank you, Alwayssewbusy! So glad you like it and that I have given you the
confidence to consider solo travel, as it’s a wonderful experience.
Dear Barbara Weibel,
So glad to know that a real traveler like you is traveling in Nepal .Now the Traveler can read some information about the Nepal and know how beautiful and adventure Nepal is.As you wrote on your blog that the trip of China, Hong Kong, and Malaysia was the hardest trip ever no worry all the pain and headache will washed and recover here in our Himalaya kingdom with the beauty of Nature and specially with the smile of Nepali faces es even they are in pain.
i hope you will have a good time during your days in Lord Buddha land and wish too.
Hi Laxman: I hope to see you again soon!