Young woman with braided hair in casual clothes, crouching on stone ruins at an ancient Mayan archaeological site with stone stairs and structures, surrounded by green trees and under a bright sunny sky.

Field Notes from the Road

Real stories from the road—wins, weird moments, and the “wish-I’d-knowns.” These posts are my unfiltered take on places I’ve actually traveled, with honest opinions and the simple tricks that help solo women feel confident. Expect practical takeaways tucked inside personal tales, from budget blunders to street-food gold. No fluff, no filters—just the truth and a nudge to go.

Guatemala Blog #3 — Bryce Arrives: Airport Chaos, “Mommy Is Waiting,” & The Road to Antigua
Guatemala, Central America, Travel Blog Unsettled JD Kerwin Guatemala, Central America, Travel Blog Unsettled JD Kerwin

Guatemala Blog #3 — Bryce Arrives: Airport Chaos, “Mommy Is Waiting,” & The Road to Antigua

After five years apart, Bryce finally landed in Guatemala — and our reunion was pure chaos. From holding a ridiculous “Mommy Is Waiting” sign at the airport to rum-and-Gatorade adventures, secret bars, hangover recoveries, wandering through Antigua, and an accidental two-hour walk to a coffee plantation… here’s how our trip together officially began.

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Guatemala Blog #2 — Semuc Champey, The Caves, the Chaos & the Road to Guatemala City
Guatemala, Travel Blog, Central America Unsettled JD Kerwin Guatemala, Travel Blog, Central America Unsettled JD Kerwin

Guatemala Blog #2 — Semuc Champey, The Caves, the Chaos & the Road to Guatemala City

After a peaceful stay on Flores Island, I set off for Semuc Champey — the caves, the turquoise pools, and one of the craziest travel days of my Guatemala trip. From climbing rusty ladders underground to tubing through the jungle, cacao tasting, the viewpoint climb, a freezing tarp-covered truck ride, and getting dropped on the wrong side of Guatemala City… this day had everything.

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