Welcome back to a journey within. As we go through our year of discovery, we are honored to continue Mahen’s Alphabet of Emotional Intelligence. First launched last January of 2025, this series remains a vital part of Mahen’s enduring legacy, exploring the inner landscapes that shape how we experience the world. Join us as we continue our trek through the alphabet, uncovering the emotional tools that continue to enrich our travels and our lives.
T: Transformation: Embrace personal growth and change.
Transformation through personal growth and change is a powerful journey. Embracing it means being open to new experiences, learning from challenges, and continuously evolving. It often starts with self-awareness, where we recognize areas in our life that need improvement or adjustment. This could involve adopting new habits, letting go of limiting beliefs, or finding new perspectives. Transformation is a profound process of change, often involving the shift from one state to another, whether on a personal, group, or even global level. It reflects growth, adaptation, and evolution—both inwardly and outwardly
The key is to welcome change with a positive mindset. Transformation doesn’t happen overnight, but with patience and persistence, each small step contributes to a more fulfilling and enriched version of ourself. Growth is an ongoing process, and embracing it brings resilience, wisdom, and a deeper sense of purpose. Transformation often begins within, requiring self-reflection, a desire to grow, and sometimes, overcoming challenges. Personal Transformation involves shedding old habits, beliefs, and attitudes that no longer serve us.
Let’s see about Health Transformation: Someone might embrace change by adopting a healthier lifestyle—starting an exercise routine, changing our diet, or addressing mental health issues like stress or anxiety. Over time, these small changes lead to better physical and emotional well-being.
Transformation through personal growth is not a one-time event; it’s a lifelong process. As we continue to grow, we realize there is always room for more learning, new experiences, and deeper self-awareness. This journey is powerful because it ultimately leads us to a place where we are more aligned with our authentic self, living with purpose, resilience, and inner peace.
Transformation is not just about changing what we do but evolving who we are — into someone who understands their value, embraces change, and thrives through life’s inevitable challenges. These small changes can lead to a richer, more fulfilled life. Transformation is deeply interconnected with human experience, spirituality, and the quest for meaning, making it a powerful topic to inspire and motivate others.
“Transformation literally means going beyond our form.” — Wayne Dyer
Stay tuned for letter U
This is your reminder that we are now just 90 days away from the start of the holiday travel season. There is still some last-minute holiday availability out there for your procrastinating travelers. Ask about it. And please let them know we’re thinking of them. In fact, we’ve derived a scientific formula to help identify where they are in their planning journey.
Introducing the ProcrastiWatch.
It seems that while some travelers may be running late on planning their year-end travel, they are always right on time for their favorite hobby, sporting event, or seasonal indulgence. So let’s combine the two.
365 Days Out
The spa weekends are booked as a mea culpa to the family for missing out on holiday travel this year. It’s also the perfect time to start talking about next year’s festive season.
120 Days Out
Final exams are approaching. The kids are stressed. The parents are stressed. The dog is probably stressed. Thoughts of getting away are elevated. Feed the urge.
90 Days Out
Pumpkin spice returns to Starbucks. It’s my birthday month. It’s not too late yet, but we’re becoming concerned. Holiday travel is still salvageable, but the runway is getting shorter.
60 Days Out
Halloween prep is underway. Baseball playoffs are heating up. College football is in full swing. NFL standings suddenly become very important. Holiday travel is on the to-do list. Tailgating is above it.
Nothing gets done. (Thanksgiving prep is already underway in Canada.)
30 Days Out
The NFL and college football are entering crunch time. The NBA season has tipped off. Thanksgiving prep is underway in the United States. The family asks, “So what are we doing for the holidays?” At this point, the procrastinator wakes up, laughs nervously, and begins quietly panicking. We can still help. But wow, this is getting last minute.
3 Days Before Departure
See Step 1.
Enjoy the video. 90 days left, go Gators
One of the reasons Big Five is ahead of the product curve, is our constant exploration. So far in 2026, team members have been in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Egypt, Japan, Kenya (twice), Uganda, India, and even Panama. Coming up, we have team members going to Colombia, Egypt again, Ecuador, and Peru. Speaking of Peru, which is Big Five’s top destination globally, we have 3 visits this year, by three separate team members.
Guess what? None of us are going to Machu Picchu.
At all.
Not even heading to Cusco!
We have a three part dispatch planned for Peru, from three separate perspectives. Below is part I, written by my colleague Susie, who found herself glamping in the Nor Yauyos Conchas Reserve. If you never heard of that part of Peru… we know. That’s why Susie was there.
Enjoy her dispatch and video.
“This was a much-anticipated trip, years in the making. Having traveled to Peru several times, I wanted this journey to be different – to go beyond “Peru 101” – the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco. I wanted to experience a side of the country where I wasn’t rubbing shoulders with other travelers. I was looking for something deeper and more personal, where the pace was slower, the landscapes more expansive, and there was time to pause and truly take them in without crowds competing for the same view. I wanted to engage with local communities rather than follow a line of visitors, and experience Peru in a way that felt less like checking off the highlights and more like uncovering something for myself. That desire took me well beyond the familiar tourist route, from Lima’s Barranco neighborhood to the remote cloud forests of Chachapoyas and, ultimately, the dramatic landscapes and welcoming communities of the Nor Yauyos Conchas Reserve. Along the way, I discovered that some of Peru’s most rewarding experiences are found far from its most famous sites. Void of tourists, there was time to slow down, notice the small details, connect with people, and appreciate the remarkable sense of place. And perhaps most surprisingly, traveling beyond Peru’s most iconic sites made a country I thought I knew feel entirely new.
I began my journey in Barranco, Lima’s bohemian neighborhood and one of the city’s most characterful areas. Colorful, creative, and full of personality, Barranco blends colonial architecture with contemporary art, independent boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. There is a wonderfully relaxed rhythm to the neighborhood, with locals lingering over coffee, artists and designers showcasing their work, and beautifully weathered buildings adding to its unmistakable sense of place. Hotel B, a restored Belle Époque mansion, captures the essence of Barranco. Artistic, relaxed, historic and just a little unconventional, it is much more connected to the personality of Lima than a classic luxury hotel.
And then there’s the food – which is, of course, a WOW! Peru has earned its reputation as the culinary capital of South America, and Lima is at the heart of it all. While the city is home to celebrated restaurants such as Maido, named the World’s Best Restaurant in 2025 and notoriously difficult to book, I found myself drawn to the smaller, more personal places that offer a different perspective on Lima’s food scene. Fernandini, also in Barranco, is one of those gems. Chef Rodrigo Fernandini draws on Peru’s rich culinary heritage while giving traditional flavors a contemporary interpretation, with ingredients representing the country’s coast, Andes, and Amazon. It is a wonderful example of how Lima’s culinary scene continues to evolve while remaining deeply rooted in Peru.
Another highlight was Horneando Ando, an intimate, closed-door restaurant that serves flavorful Peruvian cuisine in a warm, home-like setting. There’s nothing pretentious about it – the food is comforting, the hospitality is personal, and owners Kleiber and Mannie are right there in the kitchen. The experience feels genuine and unhurried, offering a wonderful taste of local Lima that you simply don’t get at the city’s more high-profile gastronomic destinations.
It was then off to Amazonas to explore Chachapoyas, one of Peru’s most intriguing and lesser-visited destinations, tucked away in the cloud forests of the Andes. Known as the gateway to the ancient Chachapoya civilization, which flourished centuries before the Inca, the region is a fascinating combination of dramatic mountain scenery, mist-shrouded cloud forests, archaeological treasures, and spectacular waterfalls. My deep dive into the Chachapoya began at the Leymebamba museum showcasing the archaeological treasures discovered in the surrounding cloud forests. The museum is particularly known for its collection of mummies and funerary objects, including more than 200 mummified individuals recovered from the nearby Laguna de los Cóndores. I explored Kuelap, an extraordinary pre-Inca fortress perched high above the Utcubamba Valley as well as hiked to the nearby Gocta Waterfall that plunges through lush Andean forest. The region is also home to the mysterious Karajía sarcophagi, impressive funerary figures carved high into the cliffs.
Another part of the appeal is the opportunity to stay in places that are as connected to the destination as the experiences themselves.
During my time in the region, I spent two nights at Rangra Wasi, a beautiful eco-lodge just outside Leymebamba. A true labor of love for owners Alvaro and Patricia, they transformed a once-overgrown slope of land into a thriving ecosystem of gardens and native plants. Birding is a real highlight here, with the surrounding habitat attracting a wonderful variety of species. What makes Rangra Wasi so special is the personal touch – it feels more like staying in someone’s home rather than a hotel. It’s peaceful, wonderfully remote, and exactly the place to linger a little longer.
Gocta Natura offered a different setting but created much the same sense of connection. Located in the countryside near Gocta Waterfall, the lodge is surrounded by mountains and open landscapes, making it an ideal place to appreciate the natural beauty of the region. The real heart of Gocta Natura, however, is its owner, Rocío. Her connection to the land, support of the local communities, and pride in what she has created are evident throughout the property, and her warm hospitality makes a stay here feel especially genuine. This is not about luxury in the traditional sense. It is about simplicity, comfort, beautiful surroundings, and complete immersion in the landscape.
And just when I thought the journey couldn’t take me somewhere any more unexpected, I flew back to Lima and took to the roads on a six-hour 4WD drive to the Nor Yauyos Conchas Reserve. The drive was not for the faint of heart. Much of the route is unpaved, with narrow, one-lane roads winding along steep mountainsides and around sharp bends. At times, it feels as though there is barely enough room for two vehicles to pass, adding a little excitement to the journey. Very few travelers make their way to the Nor Yauyos Conchas Reserve. In fact, according to official 2025 figures, only about 1,200 international visitors visited the reserve that year. To put that into perspective, Machu Picchu receives roughly the same number of visitors in just three hours!
Tucked into the highlands south of Lima, the reserve was the perfect way to end my Peruvian adventure and another reminder of just how much there is to discover beyond the country’s most well-known destinations. After the archaeological wonders and cloud forests of Chachapoyas, the reserve offered something completely different – dramatic mountain landscapes, deep valleys, turquoise rivers, cascading waterfalls, and small villages seemingly tucked into the mountainsides. But what stayed with me most was the strong sense of community. Communities such as Laraos come together to build houses, till the land, share their bounties, and break bread at the end of the day. This sense of community is also part of what makes traveling through Nor Yauyos Conchas so rewarding. Rather than just passing through a beautiful landscape, you have opportunities to meet the people who live here, learn about their traditions, and see how closely their lives remain tied to the mountains, rivers, and agricultural lands around them.
My base was Huaycana Glamping, which was an experience in itself. Set in the spectacular landscape of the reserve, the property offers a wonderfully different way to experience this remote corner of Peru. While Huancaya is a popular escape for travelers from Lima and other parts of Peru, drawn by its impressive waterfalls and striking turquoise lagoons, it remains relatively unknown to international travelers. The accommodations at Huaycana Glamping are simple but comfortable, allowing the surrounding landscape to take center stage. Waking up to sweeping mountain views and open skies, with the sounds of nature replacing the noise of everyday life, was a pretty wonderful way to start each day. A visit to the nearby community of Huancaya added another dimension to the experience, connecting the destination and its people.
The communities of Laraos and Huancaya are both small, with approximately 100–200 residents in each, and roughly 30% are involved in tourism. This makes the impact of each visit especially meaningful. Tourism allows residents to share their traditions and keep them alive – from agricultural activities and traditional pachamancas to music and other community experiences. Rather than simply observing, travelers have the opportunity to experience these traditions firsthand and gain a genuine glimpse into everyday life.
That was one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey through Peru. From the creative energy of Barranco and the ancient history of Chachapoyas to the remote landscapes of Nor Yauyos Conchas, each destination revealed a different side of a country I thought I knew.
After several trips to Peru, I came home with a renewed appreciation for how much there is still to explore and a reminder that the places farthest from the traditional tourist trail can often leave the deepest impression.
Normally, this week would be a static message about the long weekend. However, the Spirit of Big Five Foundation has been involved with key members of our community in Colombia to bring much needed relief to the area of Choco, Colombia, hardest hit by the recent earthquake. Aid has been very slow here, and as of this writing, the power has been cut off as well. This was after heavy rains earlier in the week caused flooding that prevented help from being deployed earlier.
This week also coincides with the next letter in my late father’s alphabet of emotional intelligence. S for surrender, which is pretty appropriate considering the topic.
Colombia has a way of staying with you. After 44 visits and running in-country operations since 2006, it stops being a destination on an itinerary. It becomes family.
When an earthquake hits, places like Quibdó—tucked deep along the rivers of Chocó—are too easily overlooked once initial headlines fade. The tremors tore through the town, and Doña Anna’s community center took a heavy hit: a collapsed roof section and destroyed cooking stoves.
Instead of waiting around for outside permission to rebuild, Doña Anna gathered her women’s cooperative and fired up whatever makeshift flame they could find. Working through rolling blackouts, they started cooking hot meals around the clock to feed frontline recovery volunteers and neighbors who had lost everything. That isn’t just resilience; that is pure grit.
Backing Anna through The Spirit of Big Five Foundation, alongside our longtime project partner Brian Johnston of Via Cocina in Medellín, was pure instinct. The local neighborhood around Via Cocina pulled together immediately, loading an overland truck with the unglamorous essentials of survival: construction bricks, commercial cooking burners, utility water tanks, and staple food supplies.
Then Chocó reminded everyone that nature writes the schedule. Right after the truck arrived, a massive storm flash-flooded Quibdó, submerging cars to their windshields and stalling deployment. But the water drained, the team pivoted, and the cargo moved through. Brian touched down in Quibdó on Tuesday, met at the airport by Sharon, ready to get to work alongside Sharon, Andrea, Mari, and Doña Anna.
In Chocó, plans are living things. You stay flexible, look out for one another, and move to the rhythm of the community. On Wednesday, the team spent the day at Doña Anna’s center tackling the project’s single biggest bottleneck: sourcing and hiring trusted local masons and builders. By day’s end, the crew was locked in, the debris was being cleared, and the truckload of bricks, tanks, and burners was staged to rebuild the roof and restore the kitchen.
Here is what the blueprint looks like on the ground for the rest of the week:
True impact is never about wiring a check from an air-conditioned office and calling it philanthropy. It is about showing up where it matters, listening to the local leaders who actually run the ground game, and getting your hands dirty with bricks, burners, and an apron.
Huge respect to Brian, Sharon, Andrea, Mari, and the entire Medellín community for turning solidarity into immediate, tangible action. Once the dust settles on this week’s work, we will know what phase two demands.
Because when a place is family, you don’t look away.
Mahen’s Next Letter
S – Surrender: Finding Strength in Letting Go
Autumn, with its fading leaves and rich colors, symbolizes the beauty of Surrender. Unlike the freshness of spring or the pride of summer, autumn teaches us the wisdom, the Surrender. It knows the limits of life and embraces them with grace.
Surrendering isn’t about giving up; it’s a conscious decision to release the need to control every outcome. It’s about realizing that while effort is essential, the final result is often out of our hands. Surrender asks us to trust the process—whether it’s in relationships, careers, or life’s challenges.
Surrender brings peace. When we release the need to manage every detail, we free ourselves from anxiety. Life flows naturally when we accept that not everything is in our hands, and that’s perfectly fine.
Surrender invites possibilities. By letting go of rigid expectations, we open the door to outcomes that might be even better than what we envisioned. Sometimes, the universe has plans far greater than what we could have imagined. Surrender doesn’t mean weakness—it’s a way to embrace life with openness and trust.
Surrendering is a way of making space for those blessings to unfold. When we Surrender, we acknowledge that we don’t have all the answers, and that’s when we allow a higher power, intuition, or the universe to guide us. This trust cultivates resilience and inner strength.
In the end, Surrender is about aligning with the flow of life, accepting the present moment fully, and letting go of resistance. It’s not about inaction but about releasing what’s out of our control. Through Surrender, we invite the possibility of living a life more beautiful than we ever dreamed.
Surrender to what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.” — Sonia Ricotti
