While I have taken many, many trips since I first visited the Grand Canyon, it stands out clearly in my mind as if I had just returned last week. Whenever someone visits the United States, it is one of the first recommendations that I offer, aside from the imperative exploration of the San Francisco hills … Continue reading The Grand Canyon’s Rustic Alchemy
By the time I had arrived, it was almost one in the morning and I was exhausted from the journey. I had traveled through five countries that day by car, which, in Europe, is completely possible without even realizing how far you’ve gone. We arrived at someone’s house, and stepping out of the van, I … Continue reading Big Berry, Slovenia: My First-Ever Glamping Experience
Inspiration is one of those intangible things that make this chaotic, and sometimes mundane, life a bit more magical. Whether it comes from art, music, deep conversation, nature, or exposure to something new, inspiration cracks our minds open, revealing fresh possibilities and realms unknown. This inexplicably beautiful experience brings creativity, motivation, and ingenuity to human … Continue reading Who, Me? The Very Inspiring Blogger Award
Just the other day, I met up with two new friends (one of them a friend of a friend I met through Travel Massive in San Francisco) who had just arrived in Portland. They were doing a cross-country trip from New York, stopping by national parks, checking out cities, and having some great adventures. Portland … Continue reading What Hiking Multnomah Falls Taught Me
The first time I went to Ecuador, I was on a massive road trip across South America. At this point, my experience with horses had been limited to seeing ponies at fairs when I was a child, and a scary horse ride in Northern Argentina. However, when I was in Ecuador later on in the … Continue reading The Wild Horses of Cotopaxi
Animal rights have always been very important to me. I support causes like PETA, WWF, The Jane Goodall Institute, and even "adopted" an orangutan for a couple of years via The Orangutan Foundation International. At the age of 11, I became a vegetarian, and a little over two months ago, a vegan. I know I … Continue reading Avoiding Wildlife Exploitation While Travelling
Even though the rain has ceased, Spring has sprung, and cherry blossoms are in full bloom throughout the city of Portland, their pink and white petals boasting vitality, my mind still wanders. I suppose this will always be the case; if my feet cannot roam, my imagination will. Meditations of the Caribbean pervade me: warm … Continue reading Things Remembered, Names Forgotten
Admittedly, the beginning of 2013 was quite a dreary one. As I wrote in the past, the months of February and March meant the end of an engagement, but also the beginning of a completely new life for me. I realized what it truly meant to love myself, and what I had been giving up in a futile attempt to … Continue reading 13 Unforgettable Moments in 2013
Addiction. It's a strong word. It is also very, very much overused and, in my opinion, not taken seriously enough anymore. People commonly refer to themselves playfully as "shopaholics", "chocoholics", and so on. "I'm so addicted to that show!" "I'm totally addicted to cat memes!" "OMG, I have a major shoe addiction!" Sure. You like something- … Continue reading The Truth about Travel Addiction
Stir-crazy I sit here Wanting to be there, anywhere, everywhere I’m a caged lioness A stadium-raged bull A wasp in a jar An alien in the womb An elephant in a plastic swimming pool I am A voice unheard A word unwritten A breath unreleased A future untold A trip not taken- A moment ready … Continue reading Boxes are not My Reality
Chronicles of a Travel Addict 