From JuJu with Love

Some people travel with lucky socks, a favorite hat, or a well-worn guidebook. I travel with… a University of Michigan flag.

Yes, really.

Long before airport security learned my name and passport stamps became my favorite souvenir, I fell in love with both travel and the University of Michigan. So at some point, I decided that if I was going to see the world, my beloved maize and blue should come with me. And just like that, a tradition was born: wherever I go, the flag goes, too. And not just tucked inside my suitcase—it gets a starring role.

Over the years, that flag has become my most loyal (and photogenic) travel companion. Together, we’ve crossed oceans, climbed mountains, braved polar winds, and collected stories that make me smile every time I unfold it.

Seven Continents. One Flag. Infinite Pride.

It still amazes me to say this, but my Michigan flag has officially been to all seven continents—yes, even the really chilly one. There I was in Antarctica, bundled up like a Michelin woman, grinning ear-to-ear while my maize and blue flapped in the icy wind. Somewhere, I hope a penguin is now a Michigan fan.

From there, the adventures kept coming.

I’ve held it high on the ancient steps of Machu Picchu, where Incan history whispers through the clouds. I’ve waved it proudly while on safari in Kenya and Tanzania, not far from elephants, lions, and more giraffes than I could count. (No wildlife converted to Michigan fans that I know of… but it wasn’t for lack of trying.)

It’s traveled with me to Australia, Iceland, and Greenland, where the landscapes look like they were painted by Mother Nature herself. It’s posed for photos in the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by lakes so blue they looked Photoshopped. It’s soaked up the rhythms of Cuba, the spirit of Spain, the history and heart of Israel—and every time, that familiar block M felt like a tiny piece of home.

A Flag, a Passport, and a Sense of Belonging

Wherever I go, the flag starts conversations.

Sometimes it’s a fellow alum shouting “Go Blue!” from across a plaza or trail. Sometimes it’s a curious local asking about this mysterious university with such bold colors. Sometimes it’s just a smile from someone who recognizes the joy of carrying a little piece of your identity with you.

And honestly—that’s what I love most.

Travel changes you. It pulls you out of your routines and drops you into unfamiliar streets, languages, foods, and ways of seeing the world. But having my flag with me reminds me that I’m still me—a traveler, a storyteller, a Michigan Wolverine with a serious case of wanderlust. (I’ve even been recognized in the Michigan Alumnus magazine as a “perennial globetrotter” and several times they have posted pictures of me and my flag in the magazine!)

Why I Keep Doing It

At this point, the flag is more than fabric. It’s a scrapbook. A witness. A symbol of curiosity and pride and joy.

It reminds me:

• that the world is big and beautiful

• that home can travel with you

• and that Wolverines really do show up everywhere

Plus, there is nothing—nothing—quite like the thrill of hearing “Go Blue!” while standing in some far-flung corner of the world.

What’s Next?

Wherever the next stamp in my passport comes from—Japan, Alaska, or somewhere I haven’t even dreamed up yet—you can bet the flag will be there, too. Folded carefully. Ready for adventure. Waiting for the next unforgettable photo.

Because for me, travel isn’t just about the places I go.

It’s about carrying the things I love with me along the way.

Go Blue—wherever I roam. 〽️💙💛

From Juju, with love ✈️💙