One Last Taste of Summer, New Movie Alert, Mexico Super Peso

A Mediterranean side dish we've got on repeat, a different kind of cruise and sunny escape tips  ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Hello friends, We’re back from sailing the Adriatic, and apparently, there’s a first time for everything. Including me shouting, “Pass me the noodles!” to a ship’s Sports Team. No, I wasn’t calling for pasta. I wanted pool noodles so I could float in the sapphire waters off the ship’s stern. As someone who recently celebrated a milestone birthday (that had me questioning my fearless-traveller credentials), I surprised myself on this cruise by saying yes to a few new adventures. But that’s what I love about travel. Experiences that stretch us a little are often the ones we remember most. So this issue begins with that Royal Clipper sailing adventure, plus some tips for planning a sunny escape and global recipes to celebrate the final days of summer: 🥗 Green Bean and Potato Salad – Inspired by the salads we enjoyed in Italy, this version also has radishes and a tangy mustard vinaigrette. 🍠 One-Pan Sweet Potato Black Bean Hash – A protein-packed, Tex-Mex recipe with sweet potatoes, black beans and vegetables that’s ideal for back-to-school lunches or weekend meal prep. 🍅 Tomatillo and Tomato Salsa – Make the most of late-summer tomatoes and tomatillos with this bright, tangy salsa. Serve it with tortilla chips, spoon it over tacos or keep a batch in the fridge for easy meals. Let's dive in! Michele of A Taste for Travel Travel Tips and Planning A Different Kind of Cruise Imagine swimming directly from the stern of a five-masted sailing ship, exploring tiny ports and waking up somewhere new each morning. I share what it’s really like aboard Royal Clipper, from our sailing through Croatia and Montenegro And if the Adriatic isn’t calling you, Star Clippers also sails to hidden Caribbean islands and the Panama Canal. Read What It's Like Forget mega ships and crowds. Try a sailing cruise instead! ​ Timely Travel Guatemala Easier to Reach While Fuego volcano has been making headlines, more news that caught our attention is Air Canada’s nonstop Toronto–Guatemala City route launching in December. Timing is perfect to add an overnight in one of our favourite Guatemala City hotels before heading to Antigua, Lake Atitlán or Semuc Champey. Explore Our Guatemala Guides Explore Semuc Champey and other natural wonders. Global Tasting Table Mediterranean Green Bean and Potato Salad This easy, fresh Mediterranean-inspired salad combines new potatoes, crisp green beans, radishes and a tangy mustard vinaigrette. Serve it as a colourful side dish or add some tinned tuna or white beans to transform it into a satisfying 30-minute meal. Get the recipe Easy green bean and potato salad. Beach & Foodie Buzz Notable news, updates, and happenings 🇲🇽 Mexico Travel Tip: Don’t Let the “Super Peso” Cost You More Mexico’s peso has strengthened, which means your Canadian or U.S. dollars may not stretch as far as they once did. But there’s an easy way travellers can save money: decline the suggested exchange rate when using an ATM. Always go for the market rate. And choose local currency on POS machines and compare fees before withdrawing. Get more Mexico travel tips in our Huatulco Quick Start Guide.​ 🍿 What We’re Watching: Tony, The Anthony Bourdain Story Food and travel lovers will want to add Tony to their watch list. Now playing in theatres in Canada and the U.S., this new film explores the early years of Anthony Bourdain’s life where he dreams of becoming a writer but finds his path transformed by the restaurant kitchen. The film stars Dominic Sessa as young Bourdain and Antonio Banderas as the chef who helps shape his future. 🌊 Celebrate World Lake Day (August 27) – Lake Atitlán has been called one of the world’s most beautiful lakes (and the hype isn’t overblown). Beyond the volcano views, lakeside Maya towns like Santa Catarina Palopó and Panajachel offer a gateway to traditional weaving, local cuisine and village life. Got a minute? We'd love to hear what you're most interested in! 🇲🇽 Mexico Travel 🏖️ Caribbean Island Travel 🥑 Authentic Recipes from Guatemala and Mexico 🌎 Money-saving travel tips ​ P.S. Don’t forget to check out our Subscriber Benefits page for exclusive deals and free ebooks—perfect for planning and sharing! Disclosure: Links in this newsletter may be affiliate in nature. Get more details on our Disclosure page. ​ For the latest news, follow A Taste for Travel on social media! ​​​​ Copyright © A Taste for Travel All rights reserved. 600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246 ​Unsubscribe · Preferences​ ​

On what ticket sales for my live show taught me about showing up for friends’ (and your friends of friends) events.

͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­

	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more “Obligation” isn’t a dirty word in a friendship On what ticket sales for my live show taught me about showing up for friends’ (and your friends of friends) events. Nina Badzin Aug 25   READ IN APP   Dear Nina Live 2026! Showing up to friends’ events —Yes, you should really try to make it there. It’s been almost a month since 200 people came to a sold-out “Dear Nina Live” in a suburb of Minneapolis to help me celebrate five years of the podcast. It wasn’t my first live show. I did a smaller one last year in Highland Park, IL, which is my original hometown, but I haven’t lived there since I graduated from high school in 1995. Still, it felt like a “safer” place to plan the first live show. In hindsight, I made that choice out of fear. The event went really well last year! (Phew!) But to be honest, I was scared to plan one in Minneapolis where I’ve lived for over 26 years. WHY? I didn’t want to obligate my friends, family, and wider community to show up for me. I was worried that people would be mildly (or majorly) annoyed at the ticket prices and at the idea of taking a summer night to listen to me talk on a stage, especially when many of them have been supporting my work in various ways throughout the years by reading my stuff, listening to the podcast, and following me on social media. (All of which I already worry is a burden and/or eye-roll inducing. I discussed that a bit at the end of episode 208 this week.) It can be exhausting to have a friend (or sister-in-law, cousin, etc.) who produces so much content! All that said, I’m happy to report I got over my fears and planned my five-year anniversary show right here in Minneapolis and that not all 200 people were personal friends and family. But plenty of them were! I was able to feel supported and held by my friends and community AND satisfied that I could sell tickets to strangers too. :) With my assistant producer Rebekah Jacobs at Dear Nina Live in Chicago in July 2025 and in Minneapolis in July 2026. Since I was the one receiving the emails when people bought tickets, I got to experience the joy all summer of noting the generosity and support of people I know in this community. Yes, my good friends showed up for me. But so did friends-of-friends, people I don’t know well, and people I’m very friendly with, but whose ticket purchase taught me something about what showing up can feel like to the people in your orbit if you push yourself out of your routine to cheer someone on. I think I can do better on that front, and I plan to. Nobody says it better than former Dear Nina guest, Matt Ritter “known as the friendship guy.” You can read Matt’s full post on his Instagram page. mattritter1 1,052 likes Matt Ritter on Instagram: "Somehow, “going to see your friend’s… View on Instagram The free newsletter gives you the big friendship ideas. The paid version is where I answer anonymous friendship letters with detailed responses and give you access to the growing Dear Nina Library of Friendship Dilemmas. Upgrade to paid Don’t miss Harlan Cohen on Dear Nina! Finding friendship—at any stage of life—requires the risk of hearing “no.” And that “no” rarely comes directly. That’s one of the ideas I dig into with Harlan Cohen, a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Best First Year, a college success coaching program for students and parents. So much of what Harlan teaches incoming college students and their parents applies just as much in your 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond. If you’re starting over socially, hoping to expand your circle, or just tired of feeling bruised by the ups and downs of friendship, this one’s for you. See more about episode 208! Books, Shows, and Other Finds LISTENING: The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett on audio is a masterpiece. I even downloaded the Kindle version so I can keep the story going in bed at night, but I’m experiencing the bulk of it on audio. READING: I’m also reading The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 1 by Beth Brower. I can see that volume one is setting up everything for later volumes, which I have a feeling I will enjoy more. I like where things are going! See my updated 2026 book list for all the pithy reviews so far this year. TV: I’m watching Ted Lasso’s newest season, Five Star Weekend, and Ride or Die. From the DEAR NINA FRIENDSHIP DILEMMA LIBRARY Two (recent) anonymous letters you might have missed. She Wants to Be Friends, But Has No Follow-Through Nina Badzin · Aug 11 Read full story How Do I Take This Friendship to the Next Level Without Being Weird? Nina Badzin · January 11, 2024 Read full story A great deal for Twin Cities readers! MK Aesthetics, one of our “Dear Nina Live” sponsors, has a deal for readers of this newsletter! This will be the best facial you’ve ever had! Let’s connect outside of this newsletter: You can find me most often in the Facebook group, Dear Nina: The Group. All the social media links are below. Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | LinkedIn | My Website You’re a free subscriber to Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. Curious about those once-a-month emails behind the paywall? The anonymous letters (and my answers!) come from the rawest places of friendship uncertainty. They deserve the most sensitive readers who are not going to roll their eyes, leave troll-ish comments, or make the letter-writer feel foolish for asking. If you’re willing to upgrade to this part of the newsletter, I know you’re there with the best intentions to be part of a community that’s not afraid to ask the tough questions and who will read the answers with an open heart. If that’s you, I’d love to see on the other side. :) Upgrade to paid Share   Like Comment Restack   © 2026 Nina Badzin The Great Midwest Unsubscribe