MEET FRANKIE

Who is Frankie and where is her flight going?

Hey! Amanda here, aka Frankie. After my first international solo trip during my senior year of High School, I've been taking flight ever since! So, where is my flight going? Who knows?! But that's the exciting part! Blind optimism has been my best friend and I'm ready to board whatever flight has an open seat! *window preferred

Where is Frankie from?

Born and raised in South Florida, after undergrad I moved to Chicago, IL. Yes, I know what you're thinking, "What? Why??" After 10 years in Chicago, I still don't have a good answer to that frequently asked question! But, what I can say is, after moving to Chicago with $900 in my bank, no job, and no apartment, I am proud to have called it home for the last 10 years! Between the hustle and bustle of the city life, the seasonal changes, summers at the "beach," aka Lake Michigan, mixed with the Midwestern charm, I'd argue it's a great place to have called home!

So, what does Frankie do?

If you asked me this question in 2018, the answer was, "I work with survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking within the criminal court system. I have my master's in Forensic Psychology and I use travel as my self-care."

In 2019, I left my career after 10 years, gave up my apartment, sold my car, moved everything I had into storage, packed a bag, and left on a one way ticket to Zambia. I've always had an interest in providing assistance to enhance human welfare and most recently discovered additional happiness in taking it to a global level.

So, NOW, the answer goes a little something like this... "I am the Founder/Executive Director of the Non-Profit Okodwela NFP. I am also an online Adjunct Professor in a masters program at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I travel and help curate authentic, unique travel experiences!"

It took a lot to get to this new answer, but I just love saying it!

Solo or Group Travel?

BOTH! Solo travel has taught me a big lesson, "I'm pretty freaking awesome and I really enjoy hanging out with myself!" No, but all in seriousness, traveling solo forces you to make your own decisions, your own mistakes, and gives you that forced space to reflect on it and grow. Being solo and placed out of your comfort zone is where some of the greatest growth moments occur!

Group Travel can often have similar effects, it just looks different. Experiencing new places and adventures with others, whether you know them or just met, can lead to some amazing memories!

Describe your best travel day.

Wake up just before sunrise to catch the rays begin to shine upon the world. Grab a cup of tea, find a spot where the sun hits my face just enough to bring chills to my skin, and enjoy the quietness of the area before the day begins. After breakfast, head out to a market to wander around and explore. Eat lunch at a locally recommended spot and then spend the afternoon riding a bike through the back roads or relaxing at a beach. Dinner outdoors, then live music with locals! And off course, sprinkle in some good convo here and there throughout the day.

Okay, so what's Frankie's Flight?

After traveling to remote areas around the world, like visiting the Tribes in Omo Valley and setting sight on the breathtaking islands of the Philippines, I thought it would be selfish to keep all my travel 101 to myself! So, my mission is to share those experiences and knowledge about these places by helping you get there, one (cheap) flight at a time! I'm also super passionate about supporting the communities in every way we can which we travel to.

I want to work together to create your next unforgettable travel experience. I am passionate about the effects traveling can have you on and how important it is to our personal growth. I want to take you beyond the tourist lines and out of your comfort zone! You ready?