Note from the Editor:
It feels as if it’s been a year since I sent the last issue a month ago, is time feeling this way for anyone else?! Last month, my husband and I took a much needed vacation to Mexico City. Before going and during our trip, we were inundated with suggested social content about the city’s top stops and multiple friends lovingly sent their personal lists of places too. Certain destinations come overflowing with recommendations that it becomes overwhelming to sort and plan. I think it’s the perfect reminder to forgo a list or award-winning spot and just go explore and find your way somewhere without any plan in place. We went to a couple of the bars on the World’s Best 50 Bars list and were totally underwhelmed and had a much better time at lesser known spots we found via friends.
This experience in Mexico City, where long lines of tourists wait for mediocre tacos, reaffirmed the whole reason I believe in been. Travel is about having a real, personal experience and part of this is a sense of discovery. Word of mouth, personal recommendations by locals and people intimately familiar with a place means more than a 30-second video of a content creator listing off the same 5 places that are on every list.
New Orleans is another one of these cities. There is no place like New Orleans, it is uniquely special in and unto itself. I have only had the pleasure of going once and hope to return again. While there are overly popular spots and well known classics, it’s a city that can surprise you no matter what you choose to do. Everyone has a different experience of a place like New Orleans and Evan’s is one full of taste. Her in-depth knowledge on the best of boutique hotels and food and beverage make her guide rich with flavor and chic vibes for the best stays.
Bon appetit,
Mariah
P.S. Don’t forget to tell a friend about been and forward this email to everyone you know! Word of mouth is a love language.
CHECK-IN
👋 Evan Rauch
🎂 29
💼 Founder of Rauch Studio, a PR practice for F&B, Hospitality, and Lifestyle
♍️ Virgo Sun
Hey there!
You’re reading been — a people-centered, culturally focused newsletter about the places we've been. Every issue brings interviews with interesting people and their takes on a destination they know well. Let’s go.
THE INTERVIEW
Favorite Travel-related Experience:
Discovering the KOGEI Art Fair in the hotel where I was staying in Kanazawa, Japan, in December 2025. Artists and galleries took over three floors of the hotel, turning hotel rooms into shoppable suites.
KOGEI Art Fair in Kanazawa, Japan.
Where are you a local?
Currently based in Austin, Texas, with plans to move to Houston next month after almost twelve years in ATX.
How do you approach travel planning?
I used to try to plan every minute of each day, but since meeting my fiancé Adrian, I have learned that one or two anchor activities or reservations per day with time to explore without a plan is the perfect balance for both of us. I like to research before traveling, using food and travel publications I trust to discover exciting neighborhoods and must-dos.
What do you prioritize?
Restaurants, without question.