About Debby Jagerman

To quote Debby from her recently created travel photography book, "One of the reasons I love to travel is to unlock my curiosity about other people and to open myself to other cultures and religions. Through my love of taking pictures of windows and doors when I travel, they make for a very welcoming entrance, both literally and figuratively, into other people's lives, their cultures, and beliefs." Spanning 10 years of travel, and representing 10 of the 34 countries she has visited, "To Open and Unlock: A Collection of Photographs of Windows and Doors from Ten Countries," is filled with her favorite subject of her photography, windows and doors, as well as reflections about her travel experiences within the countries, and great quotes about windows and doors. Just one picture shy of 250, and one page shy of 100, Debby says that this book is a representation of her travels.

*****

In her twenties, Debby asked herself, "Why wait to travel when I retire? Why can't I travel now?" So she and a friend hopped in an R.V. and toured a large portion of the United States for several months. Since then, the travel bug, her curiosity, and her inner desires of exploration and learning, keeps her traveling.

Debby considers herself a backpacker/budget traveler, but she will also pay for something that she really wants to do. In fact, her travels are a quite a mixture. From traveling solo, such as five-months backpacking in Europe, and a pilgrimage across part of northern Spain; to traveling with friends in New Zealand, and with sisters in Alaska, Iceland, and Belize. She has lived in Australia. Her adventurous side has hiked the Wonderland Trail and Northern Loop, has cycled and trekked in parts of Vietnam, and has explored the Galapagos Islands.

Sometimes Debby's travels are planned; other times they are spontaneous. She can get creative at times with her itineraries, such as circumnavigating the Baltic Sea. She combines cultural activities, connection with the local people, and getting off the beaten path, with tourist activities, museums, art, music, and history. She enjoys learning about religions, including visiting various places of worship, and Debby purposely goes to certain locations for the flora and fauna of nature.

Debby's 25-day trip into the country of Bhutan in October 2011 brought together her mixture of travels, including combining solo travel and traveling with friends. She created most of her itinerary. The adventure of trekking, observing the Bhutanese culture, engaging with local people, participating in their Buddhist religion, learning some history, exploring museums and local arts, and the beauty of nature were all merged in this rich and rewarding journey. A trek to the remote village of Laya was a highlight of these travels, as well as briefly meeting the King and Queen of Bhutan the day after their wedding!

Her first Press Trip took her to Montréal and Québec City, where both with tour guides and on her own, she discovered the endless opportunities of both cities.

Most recently, in July 2012, walking slowly, day after day after day, meeting people from all over the world, seeing amazing varied scenery, enjoying the food and wine, and gaining personal insights, Debby walked 150 miles of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route across northern Spain. Her plan in the future is to walk the entire 500 miles of the Camino Francés route.

Debby enjoys her pre-travel experiences just as much as her travels themselves. Prior to her travels, she appreciates researching, especially through watching movies, reading books, and eating food about where she is going. Her post-travel experiences of sharing photos, scrapbooking, telling stories, blogging, and now creating her travel photography book, allow the memories to continue.

While she has previously blogged under the name "Tea, Sugar, a Dream," please join Debby's Departures as she takes you to her destinations. And please enjoy her book, "To Open and Unlock."

Thank you, and Sweet Travels!