So often when I return from a lengthy trip I am confronted with the statement, "so tell me ALL about your trip!" I kind of "er" and "um", I mean, WHERE do I begin?!! I have had so many experiences, I couldn't quite possibly tell them all in one sitting.
So after many requests, and to help keep my mom's sanity, I've decided to blog on this trip. I promise to update it as much as my schedule and internet access allows. Go easy on me now, I'm no fancy dancy travel writer here.
I will share with you the everyday humor I run into being in a foreign country, and what goes through the mind of this 30 year old female as she makes her way through the world solo. I will also incorporate some of the stories from my previous trips, since it would be a shame to keep them all to myself :) For some odd reason, I'm a magnet for bizarre and seriously funny situations. I'm always having something CRAZY happen to me! At least it makes for good blogging.
With my brain constantly being stimulated by new environments and cultures, the thoughts provoked have helped create some pretty interesting journals (and dreams!).
During this adventure, I will spend the majority of my time in Asia. I'm also traveling to the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
Everyone asks me: "how long will you be gone?"
This is my answer: I don't know.
6 months? At least. 1 year? Maybe.
Traveling through the world will undoubtedly change you. Join me on my adventure and witness the change that occurs. Perhaps it will inspire you to throw on a backpack and explore this beautiful world!
Off to far away lands!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Goodbye Girdwood
In just 3 short weeks I will say goodbye to my favorite town in Alaska~ Girdwood. This is the longest I've lived anywhere since I graduated college 7 years ago. Naturally, it feels like home to me. This town is in my blood, and has become so special to me. There's a vibe here that I can't quite explain. It's an aura I felt the second I arrived in this quirky little ski resort town with a cozy population of less than 2,000. It's my refuge from all the stress in Anchorage at the hospital. There's a way about this relaxing town that will steal your heart. It's like living in a little forest, with all the unique log homes nestled in between, as to not disturb the nature around them. The residents here are often called hippies, but to me they have the best philosophy on life. They are carefree, healthy, and in touch with nature. Thats the way it should be.
Some residents, like me, make the 45 minute commute to Anchorage for work, weaving along the elegant mountains. The windey road provides majestic views of the ocean with the sweeping mountains as it's backdrop. This is the most beautiful stretch of road in Alaska , unfortunately it's also the most deadly. I've driven that road hundreds of times, and each time I'm in awe of it's beauty. I won't lie, I'm not a fan of Anchorage. Compared to Girdwood, it doesn't even seem like Alaska to me. In Girdwood, the mountains are my backyard, they are so close I feel like I could touch them. There are no big stores here, no fast food joints, and no long lines of traffic. The air is cleaner in Girdwood. Nothing beats the smell of nature on a cool, crisp morning. I mustn't forget to mention the bears of Girdwood. They share this magical place with us too, mostly harmoniously, except when they think it's a good idea to have my garbage as a snack, and leave me to clean up the mess they made of my front yard. Thank you, Yogi :) Or when they make a surprising appearance while I'm walking my dog. It's nearly impossible to not have bears on your brain each time you leave your house. But you just learn to deal with it. The people of Girdwood are very outdoorsy, and they're not going to let some measly bears get in the way! Oh, no! That's what bear spray is for!
I'm going to miss the house I've called home for both the times I've lived in Alaska. I'm grateful that I was able to find this perfect place, it was just meant to be. I'm going to miss the 3 glacier view from my deck, the sound of the rain on my tin roof while I sleep, the glitter of the ice on the trees in winter, the insulated, quiet feel I get when I drive through the dirt roads that wind among the log cabins, the Christmas lights that bring cheer during the long winter nights, the warmth of Chair 5, and the locals that gather there, wearing their xtra tuffs. I'll miss seeing the ski lifts light up the white mountain at night as I drive into town, the graceful fall of the enormous, fluffy snowflakes, and seeing happy people walking, running and biking through this eccentric town surrounded by the mountains. I'm going to miss seeing the husky dogs with mesmerizing blue eyes running around freely with no owner in sight, the fact that no one has a lawn to worry about mowing, or keeping curtains over their windows, and the pitch blackness at night due to the absence of street lights. I'm going to miss the " Merc", the tiny over-priced grocery store in the middle of an almost non-existent town center, the lady that works at the post office that's took a liking to me and is always so friendly and helpful, the signs the locals post on the billboard at the post office, and the unique locals that read it when they stop to get their mail from the p.o. boxes. You see, there are no mail boxes in this cute little town, only one paved road that runs through town, and most of all, no worries. It's laid back like that.
Me and this town.... we just fit.
Some residents, like me, make the 45 minute commute to Anchorage for work, weaving along the elegant mountains. The windey road provides majestic views of the ocean with the sweeping mountains as it's backdrop. This is the most beautiful stretch of road in Alaska , unfortunately it's also the most deadly. I've driven that road hundreds of times, and each time I'm in awe of it's beauty. I won't lie, I'm not a fan of Anchorage. Compared to Girdwood, it doesn't even seem like Alaska to me. In Girdwood, the mountains are my backyard, they are so close I feel like I could touch them. There are no big stores here, no fast food joints, and no long lines of traffic. The air is cleaner in Girdwood. Nothing beats the smell of nature on a cool, crisp morning. I mustn't forget to mention the bears of Girdwood. They share this magical place with us too, mostly harmoniously, except when they think it's a good idea to have my garbage as a snack, and leave me to clean up the mess they made of my front yard. Thank you, Yogi :) Or when they make a surprising appearance while I'm walking my dog. It's nearly impossible to not have bears on your brain each time you leave your house. But you just learn to deal with it. The people of Girdwood are very outdoorsy, and they're not going to let some measly bears get in the way! Oh, no! That's what bear spray is for!
I'm going to miss the house I've called home for both the times I've lived in Alaska. I'm grateful that I was able to find this perfect place, it was just meant to be. I'm going to miss the 3 glacier view from my deck, the sound of the rain on my tin roof while I sleep, the glitter of the ice on the trees in winter, the insulated, quiet feel I get when I drive through the dirt roads that wind among the log cabins, the Christmas lights that bring cheer during the long winter nights, the warmth of Chair 5, and the locals that gather there, wearing their xtra tuffs. I'll miss seeing the ski lifts light up the white mountain at night as I drive into town, the graceful fall of the enormous, fluffy snowflakes, and seeing happy people walking, running and biking through this eccentric town surrounded by the mountains. I'm going to miss seeing the husky dogs with mesmerizing blue eyes running around freely with no owner in sight, the fact that no one has a lawn to worry about mowing, or keeping curtains over their windows, and the pitch blackness at night due to the absence of street lights. I'm going to miss the " Merc", the tiny over-priced grocery store in the middle of an almost non-existent town center, the lady that works at the post office that's took a liking to me and is always so friendly and helpful, the signs the locals post on the billboard at the post office, and the unique locals that read it when they stop to get their mail from the p.o. boxes. You see, there are no mail boxes in this cute little town, only one paved road that runs through town, and most of all, no worries. It's laid back like that.
Me and this town.... we just fit.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Saturday, July 03, 2010
The luck of the Irish
After an overnight flight I finally arrived in beautiful Ireland. I attempted to get some zzzz's on the plane but it felt like an ice box and I'm positive I looked like a dork wrapped up in 3 blankets. Nonetheless, we landed safely and I stepped off the plane to thaw out, hello Ireland! Land of Guiness and gingers! My first impression of the Irish: they are kind, humorous and like to have fun!
I meet a girl in transit from the airport, a teacher from New Jersey, and we have been exploring the city together since. Mom, i know you will be happy to hear this. I'm rarely ever by myself during my travels. Backpackers are like a secret society, I went so many years without knowing these people existed. When I discovered them, I thought "oh my God, they are just like me!" They have an insatiable thirst for travel, like me! One of the things I love about traveling is the people I meet on my journeys. I've met some pretty amazing human beings over the years.
Dublin is a fairly small city so it's easily seen on foot. St Patricks cathedral is amazing. Trinity college, Molly Malone statue and the Temple bar are must sees. Me and Lauren did a day trip tour to Kilkenny. We saw a castle that was built in 1170! Whaaattt?! That's difficult to comprehend. The fact that I'm standing in a building with so much history blows my mind. I love you Europe for being so old :)
The girl at the front desk of our hostel decided it would be a good idea to put us in a mixed dorm of 16 beds. After hiking up 3 flights in a stifling hot staircase, jet lagged with our shoulder-crushing backpacks on our back we finally found our room... which came with an old drunk Irish man sleeping with his pants undone. Brilliant! Ok, so I gave it a chance and gave him the benefit of the doubt. After he woke up he actually turned out to be a pretty friendly guy (maybe too friendly) but then when another man whom was as old as my dad comes in and passed out in a bed I thought, "oh, hell no. What is this? The dorm for old drunken men?" I requested another room which put me and Lauren safely in an all girl dorm. Ah, the joys of staying in a hostel! Lots of stories which I'll save for another day. We ended up meeting some very interesting Canadian and German girls and didn't have to sleep with one eye open :(
The Irish like their meat but I have managed to find some good vegetarian grub. However, they have an odd obsession with mayonnaise, yuck. We ate a traditional Irish meal along with a must-have Guinness beer, which tasted lovely.
Whats the story behind leprachauns? Leprechauns are small shoemakers and for every shoe they make they get a gold coin which they keep in a pot at the end of the rainbow. Still no leprechaun sightings but my eyes are peeled...
Another tidbit I learned while in Ireland: The famous Kennedy's are Irish and were cursed for 5 generations after they knocked down a fairy ring in order to build a mansion in southeast Ireland in the 1800's. Don't believe it?Think about it, they HAVE had a ton of bad luck. Lesson learned: don't mess with fairies.
I meet a girl in transit from the airport, a teacher from New Jersey, and we have been exploring the city together since. Mom, i know you will be happy to hear this. I'm rarely ever by myself during my travels. Backpackers are like a secret society, I went so many years without knowing these people existed. When I discovered them, I thought "oh my God, they are just like me!" They have an insatiable thirst for travel, like me! One of the things I love about traveling is the people I meet on my journeys. I've met some pretty amazing human beings over the years.
Dublin is a fairly small city so it's easily seen on foot. St Patricks cathedral is amazing. Trinity college, Molly Malone statue and the Temple bar are must sees. Me and Lauren did a day trip tour to Kilkenny. We saw a castle that was built in 1170! Whaaattt?! That's difficult to comprehend. The fact that I'm standing in a building with so much history blows my mind. I love you Europe for being so old :)
The girl at the front desk of our hostel decided it would be a good idea to put us in a mixed dorm of 16 beds. After hiking up 3 flights in a stifling hot staircase, jet lagged with our shoulder-crushing backpacks on our back we finally found our room... which came with an old drunk Irish man sleeping with his pants undone. Brilliant! Ok, so I gave it a chance and gave him the benefit of the doubt. After he woke up he actually turned out to be a pretty friendly guy (maybe too friendly) but then when another man whom was as old as my dad comes in and passed out in a bed I thought, "oh, hell no. What is this? The dorm for old drunken men?" I requested another room which put me and Lauren safely in an all girl dorm. Ah, the joys of staying in a hostel! Lots of stories which I'll save for another day. We ended up meeting some very interesting Canadian and German girls and didn't have to sleep with one eye open :(
The Irish like their meat but I have managed to find some good vegetarian grub. However, they have an odd obsession with mayonnaise, yuck. We ate a traditional Irish meal along with a must-have Guinness beer, which tasted lovely.
Whats the story behind leprachauns? Leprechauns are small shoemakers and for every shoe they make they get a gold coin which they keep in a pot at the end of the rainbow. Still no leprechaun sightings but my eyes are peeled...
Another tidbit I learned while in Ireland: The famous Kennedy's are Irish and were cursed for 5 generations after they knocked down a fairy ring in order to build a mansion in southeast Ireland in the 1800's. Don't believe it?Think about it, they HAVE had a ton of bad luck. Lesson learned: don't mess with fairies.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
countdown
With only one week left in NYC I am becoming anxious to leave. I'm going to miss this city and everyone that I met here. I had so many fun times here! This city fits my personality so well. So fast paced and exciting! Last night was exceptionally fun. My 2 BFF's came down from Boston and we had an epic night filled with hookah smoking and bum fights. Ha! I wish I had a video.
I've had a few hiccups recently, I dropped my iphone on the street and shattered it, so I guess I will be getting a new one. Seems like I tend to have problems right before I leave my destinations. The last week that I lived in Hawaii was the worst~ I lost my blackberry and my car was towed. Ugh. Also, I'm really stressing out about my India visa. I discovered I'm unable to get my visa at the consulate here in the city and have to obtain it in Chicago since I am a Minnesota resident. So I decided to do something completely insane: I mailed in my actual passport to the consulate in Chicago! It sounds crazy I know but I guess you have to in order to get one. So now I wait, with only 2 weeks before I leave the country, I am biting my nails and praying that nothing happens to my passport in the mail. It's getting down to the wire. I was talking to one of the doctors at work and he said when he mailed his in, he got another persons passport back! wtf. I felt instantly nauseous when he said that. I understand that things can get a little hectic at a place like that, but for the love of God, PLEASE don't let anything go wrong with my visa! But I have faith, I have really good luck for the most part (except for my last week in Hawaii) and things usually end up going my way. My passport is one of my most valuable possessions, and it's not easily replaced. Stay tuned....
Saturday, May 22, 2010
I can't believe it is just a little over a month before I leave New York to start my globetrotting! I've read up on all the places I will be going and am fully prepared. I can't wait to get there! My first stop will be Ireland. Over the next month I need to get my visa for India and get a few vaccinations and I am set! Hepatitis A, yellow fever, polio, Japanese encephalitis, uffda! I've never even heard of that one before! Anyone that knows me well knows how anti-vaccine I am so I'm not too keen on getting them but if I have to in order to travel I'll do it! I have a 5 inch thick book on India that I have put a pretty good dent in, reading it on the subway to and from work. I have been working so many hours here to fund my trip. It will be worth it in the end. Burning the candle at both ends by getting out to explore the city in between. I'm in constant motion. I need a vacation :)
I love the fact that I will be going solo and can go anywhere and do anything that my heart desires. Independence at it's best. I feel the most alive when I am traveling. And I'm never really alone, there are so many backpackers out there and it's so easy to make friends. So often I get the reaction of "Aren't you scared?" from other people, some people that are maybe less traveled. But really I'm not, I look at it as an adventure and memories to last a lifetime. I will come back a better person with a huge collection of awesome pics and memories that will be with me forever. Journaling is perfect to capture all my feelings and details that I would otherwise forget. The sights, smells, and sounds... Reading the journals from my past trips brings me right back to the moment, love it!
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