About Me

Hey fellow wanderers! I’m Victoria, a curious traveler,  reader, and writer of The Road Read. Here’s a little about the woman behind the words:

As a kid, I’d daydream about stepping foot on the islands my parents grew up in. My mother, born and raised in Havana, Cuba had stories for days and days. From my Grandpa fighting against Castro and ultimately becoming a prisoner of war, to her electrifying nights in Cuban carnival. My dad was born in Elias Pina, a rural countryside of the Dominican Republic. Though he was raised in the capital Santo Domingo, filled with buzzing neighborhoods and historical sites. What was it like to live 20 minutes by the sea, where late-night hangouts along the Malecon would never tire? Where old Town charm, pulsing music, and wafts of fresh meals greet you around every corner? My curiosity always had a strong pull to absorb as much information into my seeking mind.

Down the line, my worldly passions led me to want to experience new lands and people first hand and I stumbled across travel blogs. The liberating tone of travel blogs added a refreshing balance to the dense information of social science information I typically delved into. I have intrigue and respect for the power of words and enjoy transferring my thoughts onto paper. The process of filling a blank canvas with my authentic words is creative, healing, and empowering all in one.

My journey to bridge the realms of literature and travel began after obtaining a Bachelor’s in English from Arizona State University. My academic journey only deepened my intrigue for the humanities and writing and traveling allow me to weave together such topics through personal experience.

However, I’m not always able to travel as I please, and that’s where books come along.  Travel books serve as portals to experience foreign lands and the minds that explore them. I’d also bring them with me on road trips to enhance my excitement and curiosity (Hence why I named my blog The Road Read!). I value the inspiration other travel writers offer, through their bravery, curiosity, and ultimate transformations. The first travel book that inspired wanderlust within me was “Tales of a Female Nomad” by Rita Gelman. She defied the taboos of being a divorced middle-aged woman traveling solo. 

When I’m not writing,  I indulge in physical activities such as yoga, dance, and pilates. My newest muse is aerial arts. It has taught me to embrace the beauty of fluidity in movement; useful aspects to approach in life and travel.

The Road Read is an invitation to explore my canvas of vivid experiences through words, wanderlust, and self-discovery.  My writing will reflect the various aspects of me through introspective, investigative, or humorous tones. Some of my travels may be serious through exploring history, spirituality, or ancestral roots. But sometimes it’ll just be good old mundane fun of cute cafes and beach bum days. Experience them with me through my travel narratives,  listicles, and book reviews.