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In this issue:

• Life in a backpack: Show up like Christie and do what you want

• Pack that suitcase: Featured location—Krakow, Poland

It was 3 months into the (most recent) Ukrainian/Russian war.

And—like most people—I was devastated.

If you know me personally, you know what that region of the world means to me.

I spent two years living over there, four years studying Russian, and six years working for a company in their Ukrainian and Russian markets.

Needless to say, a huge part of my heart is in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.

When the war started, it left me wondering:

How can I help? Do I donate money? Do I contact close friends to see what they need? How does an outsider handle this situation?

Fast forward 3 months when a close friend contacted me to ask for a donation for her trip to Ukraine to do some legal work for refugees.

I thought about it for about one second and called her back.

“Hey, Nanette! It’s Ashley. Yes, I’m obviously happy to donate, but what do you think about an extra set of hands on your trip?”

And that was that. 3 weeks later, Nanette and a group of other lawyers, plus one Russian speaker (me), were flying to Poland to cross the border into Ukraine and do what we could.

Now, I’m just a woman with a large support network, a useful language skill, a remote and flexible business, and a couple of free weeks to spare.

Showing up wasn’t a big sacrifice for me. It was the obvious thing to do and something I wanted to do.

But we did meet someone extraordinary who went ABOVE and BEYOND and taught me more lessons than one.

Her name is Christie.

She doesn’t speak Ukrainian. Or Russian. She’s not a doctor. Not a lawyer. She’s not a leader of an NGO. She doesn’t have an influx of money from an organization like UNICEF.

She’s Christie—a woman with the hugest heart, and I’d say not a lot of effs to give.

When the war started, Christie SHOWED UP TO THE POLAND/UKRAINIAN BORDER BY HERSELF to help refugees.

Upon arrival, she immediately realized no organizations were there to support women and children.

So, she put her job on hold, pulled her individual resources together, started fundraising (ON HER OWN), and set up a tent in Medyka.

She stocked the tent with supplies. She made it a comfortable place for Ukrainian women who had walked across the border to Poland, where they didn’t have a home, friends, a common language, or jobs.

She created a hub where they could rest, nurse babies, and get information on how to try and move forward.

She also traveled to the other side of Poland, purchased an ambulance, and used it to transport goods between Poland and Ukraine.

I left 11 days after I got to Poland.

Christie stayed.

Christie is my hero for many reasons.

I’m not sure I know anyone who has up and left their life, showed up in a war zone, looked at what needed to be done, and then found a way to do it.

The language wasn’t a barrier for her.

The war zone wasn’t a barrier.

The lack of support from international organizations wasn’t a barrier.

Nothing was.

Above all, Christie showed me what true love, human compassion, and deep-rooted kindness is.

She showed me what an angel is.

On a more superficial level (and more relevant to this newsletter), Christie gave me a glimpse into a world and attitude that’s served me well as a digital nomad.

You don’t need permission to do what you want.

You don’t need special qualifications.

You don’t need to speak a language.

You don’t need unlimited funds.

You just need to identify what you want. And then do it.

So, in this issue, I say: Be like Christie.

Decide what you want to do/what business you want to build/where you want to go. And then press “go.”

Thanks for reading,

Ashley

Ukraine is gorgeous, and so is its neighboring country, Poland. Here’s a deeper look at Krakow, Poland

What to do:

• Explore the Wawel Royal Castle. This historic castle complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes the Royal Castle, the Wawel Cathedral, and numerous other buildings and fortifications. It offers a deep dive into Polish history and stunning views of the Vistula River.

• Visit the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny). The largest medieval town square in Europe, it is surrounded by historic buildings, including the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and St. Mary's Basilica. It's a vibrant area with cafes, shops, and street performers.

• Tour the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This mine features stunning salt sculptures, chapels, and tunnels, offering a unique and fascinating experience.

• Discover the Kazimierz District. Once the center of Jewish life in Krakow, this historic district is now filled with synagogues, museums, trendy cafes, art galleries, and a lively nightlife scene. It's a great place to explore both the city's history and contemporary culture.

• Walk around the Planty Park. This beautiful park surrounds the Old Town of Krakow and is one of the largest city parks in Poland. The park offers a peaceful and scenic walk with pathways lined with trees, gardens, fountains, and benches.

What to eat:

• Pierogi. Dumplings filled with various ingredients such as potatoes, cheese, meat, or fruit.

• Bigos. A hearty stew made with sauerkraut, fresh cabbage, and various meats.

• Kielbasa. Traditional Polish sausage often made from pork, beef, or a mix of both.

• Żurek. A sour rye soup usually served with sausage and hard-boiled eggs.

• Placki ziemniaczane. Potato pancakes typically served with sour cream or sugar.

• Gołąbki. Cabbage rolls stuffed with a mixture of rice, meat, and onions.

• Barszcz. Beetroot soup often served with sour cream and sometimes with small dumplings called uszka.

• Sernik. Polish-style cheesecake often flavored with vanilla or lemon zest.

• Pączki. Deep-fried doughnuts filled with sweet fillings like jam, custard, or fruit preserves.

• Oscypek. Smoked cheese made from salted sheep milk, traditionally produced in the Tatra Mountains.

Where to stay:

Hotel Stary. This luxurious boutique hotel is cool because it combines historical charm with modern amenities. It features beautifully restored interiors, original frescoes, and elegant decor. Additionally, it offers a rooftop terrace with stunning views of Krakow's Main Market Square.

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