Hello, I Am Here: Backpacking Through the '90s with Candace McPhie

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, I sit down with author Candace McPhie to discuss the third installment of her Back in a Year series, Hello, I Am Here.We take a trip back to the 1990s for a hilarious and messy backpacking adventure that spans from the cobblestones of Europe to the blistering heat of the Middle East. Candace opens up about the kryptonite that kept her waiting in Prague for a man who didn’t love her, and the strength it took to finally get on a plane and reunite with her friends.From dodging bed bugs and camel spit between Amman and Cairo to navigating the unexpected challenges of a felucca trip down the Nile, Candace shares how the grit of travel serves as a powerful catalyst for self-discovery. We discuss the Architecture of Resilience required to find beauty in the chaos and why, in the end, the thing she was missing wasn’t a peanut butter sandwich—it was herself.Topics discussed in this episode:* The ‘90s Travel Experience: Navigating the world before constant connectivity.* Emotional Kryptonite: The difficulty of leaving behind people who don’t serve our journey.* Middle East Adventures: The reality of haggling, bus hierarchies, and “hairy nemeses” on the Nile.* Finding the “Me”: Why the messiest stories often lead to the most profound healing.Get the BookPick up your copy of Hello, I Am Here to join the journey through the sweaty, dusty, and hilarious reality of the ‘90s.Purchase here: Hello, I Am HerePublished worldwide in print and e-book formats! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit saimarie.substack.com