Hi, I'm Karyn. Welcome to Old Bitch Travels.
64 countries and counting. Layover? Love it. Passport still working overtime.
Originally from Cranston, RI. I grew up across the street from my grandparents (ala Everyone Loves Raymond). My grandmother would constantly call us and say “who’s over there” when someone randomly parked anywhere on the block. She was the epitome of McGruff the crime dog! My grandfather would cook us every dinner and then proceed to call you at 10p for a “snack” which consisted of a quart of ice cream on two waffles. No joke. Every Wednesday was Prince spaghetti night and all the cousins would come over and we would EAT. It was a good time had by all. Went to college, studied Zoology. I wanted to train Flipper or be Karine Cousteau…..however, those jobs don’t pay the rent. First life pivot……
I left the state to move to the big city of Boston after college. Found an apartment in the North End by charming a Nonna outside with my last name, Manocchia. Enough vowels for a lease! Waited tables, made some good cash but then my place of employment caught fire and I was jobless. Second life pivot……
Took a chance on a new friend, who suggested I come with her to winter in Vail, CO. Good money, 6 month commitment, a change of pace. Hopped in her car and a mere 36 hours later we were there! My 6-months turned into 10-years and I don’t regret a second of it. I call it my “missing years” as social media was non-existent, no cell phones, and no proof! Met the best friends on the planet & my husband. Now, fast forward those ten years and life pivot number three……
Now in our 30’s I felt like it was time to get back to my East Coast roots and get a “real” job. Moved to NYC where my then fiance said: “you find a job and a place to live and I’ll come”. I had a 3-month deadline. Much to his chargrin, I managed to do both about a week before my deadline. Welcome to the Big Apple! Oh my job you ask? I was the events manager for the Big Apple Circus. No, not a joke, it’s real and it’s spectacular. As the newly minted clown pimp, we traveled all over the country doing shows for corporate events and even a 90th Birthday Party at the Greenbriar Hotel (very fancy). Then Britney came calling…..the Circus Tour. Yup, I got to ride in the big pink tour bus and our folks opened for her! Crazy experience, or so I thought. We were then asked to come perform for a month at the summer in Abu Dhabi festival. and was that a wild ride! So many stories, I’ll have to do one just on that. But then….sadly, they went bankrupt. I needed a new job again.
Got very lucky, I am currently the Events Manager for the CUNY School of Law (yes! Union job!!). Not as exciting as the circus but now I get to travel on MY TIME. To MY PLACES.
Enter OLD BITCH TRAVELS: I'm the person who accidentally drinks beer in a Cambodian brothel, celebrates Holi in a tuk-tuk driven by someone's drunk cousin, and says yes to dinner invitations that could go very right or very wrong. (Usually very right.)
The best stories happen when the plan goes sideways. When you book the connection that turns into a two-day adventure. When you try the thing you can't identify. When you trust the stranger who ends up changing your whole trip.
This blog is travel without the filter. Real stories. Practical hacks. Good Stories & Great Food!
Not slowing down. On my way to 100 countries before I croak.
