Swinging the door open with a metallic thud, Santiago walked into the waiting room. He pivoted around as if he were a washed-up dancer, greeting me and apologizing. “Disculpa la demora… Que pena.” I gazed upwards at him from the stiff sofa, petting Miel the house cat, as I’d been doing for the last hour … Continue reading A Room with a View
Well before I’d read The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, and possibly even before Jack Kerouac changed my life with On the Road, there was just something about road trips that lured me in. I imagined myself hopping into a colorful bus or van, joined by a variety of open-minded, wanderlusting individuals, getting ready for the … Continue reading Going Further on the Magic Bus: Kerala Blog Express
I wanted to see Iceland before anyone even knew it existed, save Icelanders. Before the Blue Lagoon, before the Ring Road or cooing over the cuteness of arctic foxes, I’ve yearned to see this land of extremes. See, before all of the hype, there was a girl standing in her kitchen, brunette buns wound tightly … Continue reading Purring Voices, Alien Landscapes, and Psychedelic Lights: Why I’m Going to Iceland
I sip on a six euro coffee and whiskey, feeling the sun gently warming my skin. The foreign, sticky layer of sunblock shines upon my face; I’m no longer in Portland. An aroma mixed of coffee, cigarettes, and wine hangs in the air despite the slight breeze, and dozens of people chatter in Babylonian tongues. … Continue reading Cafe Iruña Musings
I've waited over half of my life for this trip. Its main purpose is to finally visit the first foreign country I ever longed to see: Spain. As someone who has dedicated her life to literature, learning Spanish, and understanding the roots of Latin American culture, this is a dream come true for me. Over the … Continue reading Literary Heroes, Vegan Fare & Creativity in Europe (and a bit of North Africa!)
It's about time I lose my innocence. Again. This fantasy of mine has been swelling up, transforming, and growing beyond the limits of my imagination for 17 years now. Many people think that innocence is something that is lost once we hit adulthood. Once we have sex, fall in love, become heartbroken, try a drug, … Continue reading Losing My Innocence in Spain
We all have our lists of things we'd love to have. But let's admit it, everyone is into different things, and some people are more difficult to buy for. If there is an avid female traveler in your life, chances are she doesn't want another box of lotions or pair of stilettos she'd only wear … Continue reading 15 Christmas Gifts Female Travelers Will Love
When I was young, I promised myself I wouldn't learn to cook because I didn't want to be a housewife. The majority of my existence, I suppose, has revolved around wanting to be free, wanting to avoid domesticity. I haven't wanted to be tied down by possessions, relationships, or negative thoughts that I couldn't do … Continue reading The Dangers of a Domestic Life
Do I over-analyze age? Is it, really, just a number? In my opinion, it is not. Through the decades of our lives, we go through a variety of different stages. If we are living as we should be, we experience many things that throw us up to the highest altitudes and the lowest depths (hopefully … Continue reading 33 Goals, Desires, and Aspirations for My 33rd Year
Another year of my life has come and gone, filled with hopes, aspirations, daydreams, adventure, and a whole lot of hard work. It's hard to believe that I'm 33, when I still feel like I'm 27. Nonetheless, if years are representative of what one learns, explores, sees, and accomplishes, then bring them on. As long … Continue reading Birthday Wishes
Chronicles of a Travel Addict 