About The Author
About the Author
M. Eric (Marty) Adler is a retired Foreign Service Officer now living in Maui, Hawaii. For more than two decades, he served as a U.S. diplomat, moving across borders, navigating complex international landscapes, and forming human connections that stayed with him long after the assignments ended.
Beyond diplomacy, Marty’s life has taken many forms. He has worked as a language teacher, a Red Cross shelter manager, a court interpreter, a Peace Corps volunteer, a waiter and busboy, a construction laborer, and even a sanitation worker. Each role added another layer to his understanding of people, work, and dignity.
His life has been shaped by service, humility, and a deep curiosity about cultures and human behavior. Fluent in seven languages and experienced from living for extended periods in nine foreign countries, Marty brings to his writing a lifetime of experience and reflection. The stories he tells grow out of challenge and connection, moving easily from formal embassy halls to quiet village roads, always guided by honesty, humor, and empathy.
More About His Journey
Lifelong Learning:
I love stretching my mind by learning something new—these days, that means studying Mandarin and getting lost in the grooves of jazz piano.
Staying Active:
Movement keeps me balanced, whether I’m swimming a mile three times a week, flowing through yoga, or putting in time at the gym.
Mindful Stillness:
Meditation helps me connect my inner world with the outer one through quiet focus, deep listening, and presence.
Sharing Small joys:
I believe in planting and collecting smiles—not as a stand-up comic, but through simple, human moments: a smile exchanged with a checkout clerk, a friendly nod at Costco or the pool, or the kindness of the hundreds of strangers who helped me while hitchhiking 15,000 miles across the U.S., Latin America, and Europe.