THIS IS US
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Rimi had never heard about João's homeland before they met. The two are now dedicating themselves to show it to the rest of the world.
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Until I was 17, my world was 400 square miles of Atlantic paradise. Then I met snow in Boston. Today, I'm at ease with my Azorean and American identities. I feel truly bilingual and bicultural. For the past 20 odd years I've been a writer and editor for newspapers and magazines. But, deep inside, I longed for home. What would bring me back?
The Azores are kind of a hidden secret. Only four-and-a-half hours from Boston but yet so far away. The islands are an outdoor paradise, a volcanic wonderland, a place to be savored. Yet, they're fairly undiscovered by destination-makers. This got me thinking... During my travels, I always enjoyed myself the most when I connected to a place. Having a friend in Rio certainly helped me gain a better perspective and appreciation. When I stayed with a mother and son in Ireland, I got to find about their "secret" after-hours local pub. Wouldn't it be awesome if I always had a friend waiting everywhere I went? Well, with minuvida that's what we intend to do. We want to be your friends in the Azores and give you the insider's view of my wonderful homeland. |
I always aim for success. I am Indian after all. To my parents the only career options were “doctor, lawyer, or engineer.” So, I graduated magna cum laude in engineering from an ivy-league university, worked on Wall Street, and at age 26 became a manager for a multi-billion-dollar company. I earned an MBA at one of the top three business schools in the country. It was during the business school application process that I did some serious soul-searching to answer a simple essay question: "What is most important to you and why?"
After writing and rewriting this essay about a dozen times I realized: Most important to me is helping people foster deeper connections with themselves and their world. I obtained my yoga teaching certification and started teaching Forrest Yoga. I was helping people connect. A seed had been planted. And then I met João. “You’re from where?” I realized that for me, being successful wasn’t just about status or wealth, or things I could acquire. To feel truly successful, I needed to be living my purpose, every day, and not just through my hobbies. I often look back on that essay question, especially during those “holy @!!?” moments when things are hard and I think about what I gave up. But here, in the middle of the Atlantic, I am helping people connect. And what I’ve gained? Well, it’s simply priceless. |
"Rimi and Joao are two of the best hosts you'll ever meet. They go out of their way every single day to curate a remarkable experience for their guests." |
"Every aspect of our trip was thought out by Rimi and Joao; from our host-led magical hike to a stunning waterfall, to helping us plan our own adventures, to the delicious multi-course dinner at the end." |