About
Hi, I’m Ingrid. In 2016, I took early retirement from software engineering at age 43 to pursue my passions for language learning, travel, and photography. This site is called Second-Half Travels because at my age I optimistically estimate I have half my life left. My goal is to spend as much of it as possible doing the things I love. Read More
Watching popular German TV shows is an excellent way to learn about the culture while practicing vocabulary and listening skills. Luckily for us language learners, Netflix and Amazon Prime have started adding German TV series to their streaming lineups. Read More
Love to seek out unique bookstores when you travel? Add to your bookshop bucket list with the best bookstores in the world as selected by professional travel bloggers (and bibliophiles). Read More
In fall 2018 I visited Russia solo. Since English is not widely spoken in Russia, I dedicated myself to learning basic Russian for travelers prior to my trip. Here are the free beginner Russian resources I found most useful. Read More
Mayan mud mask in the Yucatan. Early retirement has given me the luxury of doing slow travel with a focus on language learning.
In 2016, I took early retirement from software engineering at age 43. Software development is a great way to make a living, but working full time never left sufficient time and energy to pursue my many interests and hobbies. Read More
As an introvert, I have my own style of travel. I love quietly observing other cultures and connecting with fascinating new people, but crowds and too much small talk wear me out. I crave regular doses of peace and solitude to balance out the sensory and social overload of travel. Read More