My Favorite Travel Experiences

Let me preface this by clarifying something: These are my favorite experiences while I was doing my round the world backpacking trip --- NOT necessarily my favorite places in the world.

An experience could be just that - an occurrence... or a moment... and could have nothing to do with the place I'm in. 

Well... could... not that it didn't.

It was hard to choose because I really had some of the best times of my life while I was doing this round the world backpacking trip, and there were so many moments worth mentioning. I wanted to put more, but I consolidated it to about 10. It's still a lot - but all worth it, I promise.

If you've been reading this blog from the beginning - get ready to be nostalgic. If you've just stumbled across this blog - then get ready to have your mind blown. :)

Here it is...

10 of my Favorite Travel Experiences (in no particular order)

*Click on the titles to read the full stories behind these moments

1. George's Heroic Rescue - Rio, Brazil

On my last post about my worst travel experiences, I talked about how my friend, George, who was still practically a stranger back then, saved me from what would have been a horrific Couchsurfing Experience. To recap: after finding myself in a very compromising position with my Couchsurfing host - George swept me off my feet and offered his home to me, a stranger, with no questions asked... which basically restored my faith in humanity. His kindness kept me going, realizing that there is still genuine goodness in this world. He is why I love traveling to begin with! Meeting people like him!

2. The Japanese Tea Ceremony - Tokyo, Japan

How many of us could say they've been dressed up in an authentic Kimono and served authentic green tea by actual Japanese tea masters in Japan? I had such a fun time feeling like Mulan while I was being dressed, and I was so impressed by how delicate and graceful the whole ceremony was. 

Please bring honor to us... Please bring honor to us...

The Japanese Tea Ceremony, I felt, was an exact representation of Japan: Traditional, simple, beautiful. I was so sad to get out of that Kimono, but will always be grateful for the time I spent wearing it, drinking this wonderful tea.

3. The Wall At Gubbio - Perugia, Italy

While I was volunteering at a small, posh, bed and breakfast in Umbertide, I had made a special friendship with 2 of my fellow volunteers - Eduardo and Riccardo. On one beautiful, sunny day, our hosts gave us their car for the day to explore and enjoy our time off. We ventured out into a small walled city, Gubbio, and just hung out and spent the entire day there. We stopped walking for a bit to take a break, and we sat - literally on the wall of Gubbio, overlooking  the beautiful country, and basking in the sun.

The three of us spoke about how similar our stories were... quitting our jobs to explore the world and explore ourselves... Trying to find our bliss. Eventually all our hearty chatter turned into transcended silence, as Riccardo played an Italian classical song, aptly called, "The Journey" on his phone.

Three strangers - turned good friends - on an old historic wall overlooking a field in the blazing sun- right smack in the middle of nowhere, Italy - enjoying life and each other's company. It was then that I realized how content I was with who I am, and with where I was at that point in my life. I was just there, completely present, and insanely happy. It was - the very definition, of feeling infinite.

Eduardo, Eartha, Riccardo = Love

To this day - I think about that wall and remember... that that feeling is what everyone should be able to experience, at least once in their lives. And I will forever be grateful that I did.

(*Editor's Note: My article - "Finding My Bliss In Italy" is still one of my favorite blog posts. It's not as popular as the others, but it's one of the ones where the words truly flowed from my heart)

4. The North Island Road Trip - North Island, New Zealand

At the first leg of my trip, going around New Zealand was the first time I was actually completely alone.  I had rented a car to drive a completely foreign land, all by myself, on a right hand drive car (read: completely opposite of what I'm used to). This experience was special because this is when I truly felt like I was out of my comfort zone. I was scared, yes... But I think this was also when I found real courage.
I drove through a high and dark mountain during a hail storm in a tiny car, literally thinking - "I could die here, right now..." but being okay with it, because I was just ape-shit happy I was out in the world, doing what I really wanted to do... Instead of being stuck in a cubicle. And I was in New Freaking Zealand... I just had laser eye surgery a couple months prior, and my eyesight was just beginning to heal. I remember thinking that everything started to look like it was in high definition, which even heightened my experience further. The country is just so devastatingly beautiful, I was constantly out of breath, even if my jaw was on the floor from awe the whole time.

YES. This is a photo I took after the freaking Hail Storm! I know, right?

I was so in tune with the Universe, I kept feeling like I just knew I was on the right path. It was amazing... and I can't wait to go back to explore the South Island the second time around.

5. Impromptu Snowboarding in Sierra Nevada - Granada, Spain

I was in Granada and I had no idea there was even snow! When I found out that Sierra Nevada was basically not even an hour away from the hostel I was staying - I was determined to snowboard up there, no matter what!

And so at dinner in the common area of the hostel - I announced to anyone who would listen that I was going Snowboarding in Sierra Nevada the next day, and asked if anyone was interested in going with me. One of the girls who just arrived said - "I'd go! I just don't know how..."
"Well..." I said, happily... "I happen to be a very good trainer! Buy me a drink and we're even?"
"Done deal," she said! And off we went!I love it when things like these work out... It was almost too easy :)

It was so beautiful up in the mountains, she turned out to be such a great student, super fast learner, and after about an hour of training in the Bunny Slope - she was up there with me doing Black Diamond runs! Ah-may-zing!

This was a completely unplanned event, we had a wonderful time, came back to the hostel exhausted but soooo satisfied.

I love this experience because it was totally unexpected, unplanned, but completely worked out - like they always do in the end. It was nice to have a little break from the whole backpacking trail and venture out into the snowy mountains just to have fun.

6. The Scottish Highlands Bus Tour - Scotland

I've always said that Scotland is my favorite country in the world. After this tour - I basically sealed that statement forever, locked it down, and threw away the key. I am obsessed with this country! The MacBackpackers Bus Tour we had was made epic by our tour guide, Graeme... A kilt-wearing true blue Scot, whose heritage runs deep in his veins. He had stories and fables and legends for days... His passion flowed through his words - made me want to pledge my allegiance to Scotland and take a knee!

Castles and Mountains and Glens and Faeries and Rivers and more Castles. It was like a fairy tale come to life - with amazing tour mates to boot!
I love Scotland forever!

7. Ayahuasca - Cusco, Peru

Of course, Ayahuasca. My mind-altering hallucinogenic encounter with Pacha Mama. I went to Cusco to take a 3 day Ayahuasca retreat to go through this intense experience, in the hopes of achieving clarity... To know what to do with my life as my round the world journey was coming to a close.

Because of this, I've known what it's like to die and be reborn. I've been put in touch with the universe and my own divinity, and everything... EVERYTHING became clear after ingesting this drug or medicine or brew. It changed me completely... And once you've gone down this path of enlightenment - there's no going back.

It was because of Ayahuasca that I decided to take a leap of faith yet again, and move to Brazil. Apparently, it was something I knew I wanted all along - I just couldn't see it because of my fears. This is probably one of the most monumental and noteworthy things I've ever done - not just on this trip but in my entire life.

8. Volunteering in Huaycan - Lima, Peru

What really led me to Peru was the opportunity to volunteer at the organization called The Light And Leadership Initiative. As a volunteer, I taught English as an after school program to these underprivileged kids in the poorest section of Lima. I lived in a volunteer house with 11 others, the fiercest, most kind-hearted people I've met, right in the middle of the little Huaycan community.

It was just so rewarding, being allowed to be a part of this organization that helps out this much... And I was so excited to be able to contribute my skills and talent, to benefit these beautiful and sweetest children who were just so eager to learn. I fell in love with these kids, the organization, and the simple lives we all led back in Huaycan. Even if I was only there for a short while, the experience was so special, that Peru will always hold a soft spot in my heart. What an amazing organization - and how lucky am I to have been a part of it...

9. On Calling Brazil Home - Sao Paulo, Brazil

When I moved to Sao Paulo after my Ayahuasca "visions" told me to go back to Brazil, I didn't know what to expect. I was broke, running on credit, and had no idea what I was getting myself into. But the stars aligned right from the first day I got there. I was surrounded by good people, I found an apartment after 8 days, got hired by 3 different companies as a "Freelance" English teacher (read; Under the table), and acquired 4 private students. I knew I was there for a reason...

It wasn't without its struggles though... I had to learn a little Portuguese to get me by because people hardly spoke English. It was a little expensive over there that I was living from paycheck to paycheck. But what the hell... I was living in Brazil and I lived like a local! Ate their food (more like devoured), used their public transportation, tried to dance the samba, pretended I was interested in football, and towards the end - got mistaken for a local Brazilian! I've made it!

It was great to experience life in Sao Paulo. I felt like I truly blended in, was so blessed to be constantly surrounded by such bright lights - amazing people, literally friends that I will have for life, and I will always think of Brazil as one of my homes...

Surviving in Brazil was something I consider to be one of my greatest achievements. I had nothing when I got there... I completely relied on blind faith and pure determination that I was going to do my best to make it work - and it did. I worked my butt off, but also felt like something cosmic was helping make doors open for me. I was being guided (as I often felt like I was during this adventure) by an invisible force... And as incredibly cheesy as this may sound -- I really think that it was the force of love that made things so great for me. The Universe knew that I summoned all my courage to be there because I was following my heart.

It was in Brazil that I realized that what my friend, Maui, told me was true: I really DO bloom where I am planted. If I made it there, I can make it anywhere. :)

10. The Shanti House - Borzonasca, Italy

My short stint of volunteering at the Shanti House completely shaped my Italian experience. We had Italian guests (who are more friends than guests, really), Italian owners, an authentic Italian cook (with a moustache and a permanent cigar on his mouth), way up in the mountains in the small little village of Borzonasca, away from civilization. Seeerrriously... can't it get any more Italian than that!?

It was my first volunteer experience via Help Exchange - and is probably the best, too. So many things happened at the Shanti House, from discovering my inner Italian, to being featured in a documentary, to having a little Italian romance, to being a part of this huge Italian family (who, to this day, still asks me to go back there).

When I think of Italy, I think of the Shanti, and our many nights filled with food, wine, cheese, great music, friendship, passion and love.

Italy is not Rome or Venice or Florence. 
Italy is a very small little commune in the northwestern part of the country, in the province of Genoa, up in the region of Liguria. Where the earth is lush and the wind is fresh... The heart of Italy is in the Shanti... and my heart will always be with them.

TADAAA!

That's 10! It has been such an awesome journey... And it's exciting to think that there's so much more to look forward to. 

I really wanted to add a lot more to this list... But I guess that's the beauty of keeping this website running... You can always just poke around my blog archive and see for yourself.... Then you can let me know which stories you liked best. :)

I realized I've frequently been looking back on the stuff that I've done in the past... My glory days, so to speak... I think maybe it's time to start talking more about the things I have been up to as of late...

Until next week :)

Honest Truths About Traveling Alone

People usually gasped anytime I said that I was out there (wherever I was at the time) backpacking by myself… And even more gasps and fake faints upon the realization that I was traveling by myself – as a woman.

I get it, but at the same time, I don’t.

What are we all really afraid of? Is it because, as women, we are prone to more danger than men? Is it because we are really perceived as the weaker sex – that we need people around us to protect us all the time? Or is it because of just the mere fact of being by one’s self that we fear? The loneliness… The being alone part?

Well, do you want to know the truth? 

In my experience… When you’re traveling by yourself, you’re hardly ever alone. Not really. Unless you want to be.

I was gone for over 18 months. The trip was mine.

And most of the time, I was only really ever truly alone while I was traveling from one place to the next. On the plane, the bus, the train, or the car. Yes, there were moments when I chose to wander off somewhere by myself, but I think a little isolation is part of the experience.

If I weren’t visiting my family or my friends, I was either Couchsurfing, Voluntouring, or staying at hostels.

ACCOMMODATIONS = LOTS OF PEOPLE

Couchsurfing

When I Couchsurfed, I was very lucky about the hosts that I stayed with. They were very accommodating, generous with their time, and I ended up either hanging out with them, or with the other couchsurfers staying there, same time as me.

This is my Couchsurfing host, Karen, and fellow surfer, Dulce :)

Work Exchange/Volunteering

When I was “voluntouring” via Helpx and Workaway, I was working with other volunteers, and I usually found voluntary employment in hostels or B&B’s. I was constantly surrounded by people, and constantly meeting new travelers!

This is how we did lunch while I was working for a hostel in Italy

These were my fellow volunteers working for a luxurious B&B in Umbria, Italy

This is us, folding sheets, while volunteering at a hostel in Tel Aviv, Israel!

When I stayed at hostels… well, this is when I had to get a little smart and creative.

First of all – I chose to stay at hostels that had a really nice common area. I had a tendency to choose the smaller ones with a more homely vibe. I was very diligent in doing my research, and I read a LOT of reviews. It’s just that the smaller ones with a good common area sort of draw people in, and the space invites the guests to hang out… therefore making it SO much easier to meet people.

HBB Hostel in Sao Paulo during the World Cup!

I have NEVER been in a situation where I didn’t make at least 1 friend while staying at a hostel. As a matter of fact, the acquaintances usually start right at the moment when I check in. If someone there sees you with a backpack, it’s automatically – “Hey! Where u from? What’s your story?” And BOOM. Instant best friends.

Instant besties at our hostel in Lisbon, Portugal

Second – when you are by yourself, and people see that, they usually are the ones to approach you anyway. I’ve always believed that people, in general, are kind. And if they see that you’re alone, they’ll reach out and include you. 

Instant Friends from our hostel in Rome!

So if your excuse is that you’re shy --- then tough luck. You can’t wiggle your way out of this one because people come to you regardless. They introduce themselves to you, they invite you to tag along with them… Trust me. There’s usually always at least ONE person in the whole hostel who will act like the host/ess, or the glue that will turn the whole joint into an organized (sticky) group tour. And most of the time, if you’re lucky, that person is me.

Obviously it helps if you have a more outgoing personality, and making friends with strangers is second nature to you. But even if I think of myself as one, I do have moments when I get a little shy or embarrassed to start up a conversation. I learned though, that sometimes even just a little smile goes a long way. Or a stupid question like – “Do you know where the toilets are?” or “Hey, what kind of currency do we use in this country?”

Once when I tagged along with these Danish girls to go and get all muddled up in the Dead Sea! This mud is magic, BTW

One time, I bumped someone on purpose and said, “Omg I’m sorry! HEY! Nice shirt! Where are you from? I’m Eartha.”

Lame. I know. But we ended up being friends and traveling together for 3 days!

Just remember that most of the time, they are just as scared as you are when it comes to these things… you know, like meeting strangers. But keep in mind that strangers are friends you just haven’t met yet!

TOURS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER

Another thing that I did quite frequently was go on Free Walking Tours, or random city tours and excursions. These usually lasted for about 1 to 3 hours long, and about 80% of the time, the whole group ends up having lunch, dinner or drinks together afterwards. Instant buddies in a strange land!

Friends I've made on a walking tour in Athens

I went on a Greek Hiking Tour once and I was in Santorini by myself. On the boat on the way over, I met a few groups of girls, and we all just sort of ended up in a little pack. We exchanged emails and we basically hung out with each other the whole time I was there. I even ended up traveling to Mykonos with one of them randomly, and her and I became really good friends.

My ladies in Greece! We are still friends :)

DANGERS ARE EVERYWHERE ANYWAY

OK. When I look back on all the places I visited, I think I was on my guard the most while I was in Argentina, and Rio. I was heavily warned by both travelers and locals, mostly about pickpockets and such. And I did see and feel danger while I was there… that everyone was just wary of one another.

My bag got stolen when I was in Buenos Aires. It was a rookie mistake. I was in a very posh area of the city, having lunch with a friend. I usually do not let my purse leave my body, but on this occasion, I put it on the ground next to the wall and I was stepping on the strap. Sadly, it was still swiped from under me without me even noticing it. I regret being stupid. But then again, I was having lunch with this gorgeous Uruguayan model and I think anyone else would have been just as distracted.

He is a real person. His name is Fernando. Dangerous.

In Rio, during the 2014 Carnival, it felt like the dangers were a lot worse. So I didn’t even bring anything out with me. My money and my lipstick were stuffed in my bra, and I had nothing in my hands. I hardly even brought my camera out. I relied on others to just send me the photos they took.

Trying to protect my dignity in Rio!

But in all of these instances, I always had my wits about me. I was smart. I never walked alone in the dark by myself, and I never allowed myself to put myself in dangerous situations. I always had a keen sense of awareness, and I always carried my pocket pepper spray!

In hindsight, I was very lucky that in all the traveling I did – getting my bag stolen from under my nose was the worst thing that happened. And I’d like to think it’s because I put my adult hat on and took care of myself pretty well.

THOUGHTS ON BEING ALONE

During the moments I was actually on my own (pretending he's beside meee...), it wasn't so bad. The thing is, when you are in some form of isolation, you really end up learning a lot about yourself.

For instance, I learned that when I'm by myself, there is a LOT of internal monologue going on. I talk to myself constantly, and I narrate as if I were telling myself the story of what is currently happening to me. 

For example... "Oh... I can see that there is hail. Right. I am right in the middle of a hailstorm and I am freaking out. It sounds like someone is shooting a machine gun at my car. Oh my God. What shall I do? I will stay calm and keep driving. Just keep driving... Just keep driving driving driving.... Oh look, a rainbow!"

Is that weird?

Yeah this was my drive during the internal monologue you just read above.

One of the most significant alone times of my journey was when I was driving through the North Island of New Zealand. It was during the first leg of my trip, and I was driving through the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen in my life, on a right hand drive car, up and down a mountain. I was completely out of my comfort zone in a completely strange land, populated by mostly sheep.

Meh-eh-eh-eh-eh!

I felt completely isolated - and with that, came a little fear, but that's okay... Because along with the fear came a little courage, and a very strong sense of self awareness. I realized that as I was talking to myself... comforting myself through this whole process - I made myself laugh. It wasn't so bad learning that I actually liked my own company -- and THIS is very important self-love stuff.

One of very many "scared" selfies I took, driving in NZ on my own

Your location plays a lot into the experience too, because it's hard to achieve a good sense of solitude when you are surrounded by the noise of the city and society.

But when you are in a place as beautiful as this....

Gasp.

...things become really clear. Outward silence bring inner silence, and it is usually then that you learn your life's greatest lessons. 

I remember feeling that I was exactly where I was supposed to be at that exact moment. I remember feeling grateful that I made the decision to take a leap of faith. And I remember thinking to myself, that I must always remember that when I am alone, I am not necessarily lonely. 

All I know for sure is that I felt more alone when I was living in LA than I did when I was traveling the world solo. And while I was out there, I learned a great deal about myself that I never would have known had I stayed in the comfort of my old life... trapped in the four walls of society.

These experiences of solitude tested and challenged me to understand who I really am and what I really wanted out of my life. And because of this, I am a better and happier person. 

AND SO

Now that I have experienced both traveling by myself and with a partner, I can definitely say that there are perks to doing both. It's great to travel with someone, yeah... But it's equally satisfying going on a trip by yourself.

I just think that if you've been wanting to go on a trip of a lifetime but you're putting it off because you're still waiting to meet that one person to go and travel with... Well, you may as well toss that suitcase out because I think you may end up waiting a very veeerry long time.

Don't postpone these kinds of adventures because of the fear of being alone. You're never gonna get to do anything if you keep giving into those reasons why you shouldn't do it.

Believe me, if you go, you'll end up having a great time, make a ton of friends - real ones, and I bet --- you're probably even going to meet someone special while you're on the road. It's happened to me a few times... and trust me... A little romance never hurt anybody ;)

I heard someone say that the "You only live once" quote is false. "You only DIE once," is more accurate. And I completely agree. You do only die once - but you live EVERY DAY. 

So let's make it count. 

My Top 13 of 2013

Happy 2014 everyone!!!  

Has it really been a full year since my Top 12 of 2012?? Everything seems to have gone in a blink of an eye. I distinctly remember writing the best things that happened to me in 2012, thinking to myself – “Wow… It’s been one heck of a year…” And there was a mixture of nervousness and excitement, because I knew that 2013 was going to be even better.

And what do you know… I was right!

Can I just say – and I hope I’m not coming across as boastful or self-involved – that I had SUCH a difficult time picking only 13 AMAZING things for 2013’s “Best Of” list… It’s like trying to pick only 13 of your favorite children, out of a hundred.  It’s just not possible!

I did my best nonetheless. And the 13 that made it to the list are the events, moments, or experiences that were special…unexpected…  Moments where I felt infinite. Special circumstances where I just went, “Holy macaroni. How on earth did I ever get so lucky… Thank you… THANK YOU…”

And so without further ado, here it is… The best of the best. My Top 13 of 2013!

1 FAREWELL LOS ANGELES

Leaving Los Angeles was particularly special to me, because of the two send-offs I received. The one from work, and the one with friends.  At work, we all gathered at the conference room as my bosses and coworkers said all these really nice things about me, thanking me for “my services”.  I was glad to be leaving corporate, but it sure was nice to be appreciated like that. I basically ugly-cried the whole day.

Then on my last day in LA, night before I flew out, I invited my friends to come down to The Garage, this local pub in Culver City, just to hang out so I can see them before I left.  I remember inviting about 40 people or so, hoping at least 25 would show up.
Well, on that night, 53 people came. I counted. There were 53. I didn’t even know I had THAT many friends in LA! Every single person who came showed their support in what I was about to do, and they all wished me luck and sent me off with a lot of love. I was completely touched… SO touched, that it made me wonder, for a split second, if I was making the right decision to leave. 

Well, we all know that I DID leave eventually… but that night only confirmed the fact that I will always ALWAYS have a home to go back to in LA.

2 GETTING INKED FOR THE FIRST TIME

I planned this tattoo for a year… It was tiny, pretty simple… but just what the doctor ordered for what lied ahead of me.  I got it ON my birthday – which was crucial, because I do “something I’ve never done before” on my birthday every year… and getting a tattoo fit the bill perfectly.
The icing on the cake? IT DIDN’T HURT! :)

3 RECEIVING THE GIFT OF SIGHT

Thanks to Asian Eye Institute, I have brand new eyes! I CAN SEE! This PRK procedure was and still is a blessing… I never knew how difficult it’s been having to wear glasses and contact lenses all the time, until I didn’t have to use them anymore. My eyesight was so bad, I came close to being half blind… But now, I look up at the sky at night and see the entire milky way and I get emotional. Now I can see the world for its true beauty in High Definition. It’s amazing… Thank you, Asian Eye!

My post-op visit with Dr. Ang
I could not see anything yet. Haha

4 THE NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE IN NEW ZEALAND

I was driving from Rotorua to Gisborne in the North Island, completely out of my element because I was maneuvering a tiny right hand drive car around a mountain, when I got stuck in a LIGHTNING HAIL STORM.  Having just visited Hobbiton, I was in a very Lord Of The Rings-ish mindset, and so my imagination went wild as the lightning roared and the hail hit my car like bullets.  In my frightened state, I thought I was in Mordor… about to plunge into my doom. 

I had half a mind to keep going… and thankfully I got out of it in one piece. And just as I was catching my breath from the traumatic incident, I reached the bottom of the mountain and was greeted by a full-on double rainbow.  It was quite miraculous, I couldn’t describe the joy I felt when I saw it. It was almost like a clear cut sign that everything was going to be okay… That I was going to be okay. 

As I explained in my blog post on this experience, I didn't have time to switch lenses when I saw
the rainbows. My zoom lens was attached, and I only managed to take this photo. STILL
pretty good though, right?

And as if that wasn’t a miracle enough, the next morning, I saw the firstsunrise of the world in Gisborne… before anyone else. The experience was just… MAGIC.

5 JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY EXPERIENCE

Ohhh definitely one of my favorite things about this year… It was just the COMPLETE Japanese experience. I was dressed up in a kimono and I felt like Mulan and Julia Roberts combined. Read my full post on The JapaneseTea Ceremony at Hotel Chinzanso here. I still dream about that Matcha Green Tea.

6 GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL

5 days camping in a huge farm with hundreds and thousands of people for food, love, and music… And seeing The Rolling Stones and Mumford and Sons (and a whole bunch of other talented musicians) play live? AH-MAY-ZING!!!

7 ANOTHER PLACE – THE IRON MEN OF CROSBY

When my friend, Andy and I went to Liverpool, we took a quick detour on our way back to see about the Iron Statues of Crosby Beach. He’s read about them and heard they were brilliant… I had no idea what he was talking about then… but when we got to the beach, I was floored! 100 cast iron statues of men were scattered across Crosby beach, and it was sooo eerie and beautiful… I felt like I was in a movie.  I remember staring into one of them, secretly wishing they were alive and that they had a story. Some of them were even submerged in the water… and appear and disappear depending on the tide. Seriously one of the best art I’ve ever seen.

8 FAERIE ADVENTURES IN THE ISLE OF SKYE

My whole experience with the Isle of Skye tour with MacBackpackers was  sooo awesome, but there was one day in particular that stood out…  On the third day… We started out the day storytelling by the Sligachan Bridge, then we dunked our faces in the water for 7 seconds because legend says it will give you eternal beauty… Then we headed over to Faerie Glen, a place so green, so beautiful and so special, that apparently the fairies of the glen whispers responses to your life’s unanswered questions. I don’t know if that’s true, but I definitely felt a different energy vibrating from that place.  Finally, we ended up at the Faerie Pools, which are the most beautiful little rock pools that are dotted along the path going up to the mountain. The waters were so clear, so fresh, and so beautiful… we dove straight in even if it was freezing. Even jumped off a cliff!! (A tiny one) This day did it for me. It sealed the deal. It is because of this experience that I decided that Scotland still is my favorite country, ever! :)

9 THE SHANTI HOUSE EXPERIENCE

I’ve written about The Shanti House numerous times. It is my first Help Exchange Experience… a rustic B&B that attracts only the best people in the world. There was glorious and fresh food, constant music being played, and the most amazing Italians you’ll ever meet…. And while I was there, I was able to take a day trip to Cinque Terre (A MUST DO!), and somehow ended up in a documentary about Voluntourism! Italy will ALWAYS be special to me… and I have The Shanti House to thank for that.

10 THE WALL AT GUBBIO

While I was working at La Preghiera in Umbria, the other volunteers, Richard, Eduardo, and I, went to Gubbio on our day off, just to get out of the hotel and hang out. At this point, the three of us have already become very good friends, having very similar reasons for traveling. As we were walking around the old town, we came across a wall with a view and just sat there. We sat, we talked about how grateful we were… About how happy we were about the decision that we made to travel… And about how great it was that we met and became friends. We shared beautiful moments of silence where we just sat there with our eyes closed, basking in the sunlight… 

“And in that moment, I swear… we were infinite.”  - Stephen Chbosky

I love that wall…

11 HEARING MASS WITH POPE FRANCIS AT THE VATICAN

I never got the chance to write about this… I’m not sure why… BUT YES. I am one of the lucky ones. I got to hear mass with – currently one of my favorite people – Pope Francis, Time Magazine’s Person of the Year, at the Vatican.
I never actually got myself inside the church… I was with thousands of other people in the crowd OUTSIDE The Vatican, hearing his mass via the speakers, and seeing him through those huge monitors.
STILL… I consider myself quite fortunate to have experienced being within his presence. I’m not going to win any Catholicism awards, not having practiced the religion for years… but I really like and admire the pope. He just gets it… you know? He’s special, and open minded, and both his head and his heart are in the right place. This guy is the type to move mountains… And I’m proud to have breathed the same air as him. :)

12 THE OVERSTAY EXPERIENCE

OK… I know a lot of my Jewish friends might not appreciate this, but I am not the biggest fan of Israel. Let’s just say that it isn’t my taste when it comes to places to visit. Like… for example, I’m not a big fan of olives either… but it’s a perfectly good fruit! Tons of people can’t get enough of it… It’s just not my thing.
HOWEVER… I did enjoy the experience of staying and working at The Overstay Hostel in Tel Aviv. I don’t think I’ve ever worked as hard as I did over there… Cleaning, cooking, managing some of the events and some of their social media… But I learned SO MUCH from the experience, and I have met the most amazing people… some of which, I’m sure, will be my friends for life.
I also had the opportunity to visit Jerusalem, The Dead Sea, and take a 2 day excursion to Petra -- which is definitely a highlight of this year as well... I went with new friends I never would have met, had I not worked at The Overstay. I had a really good time there… made me think that maybe I have what it takes to run my own hostel one day. :)

13 NEW YEARS WITH THE FAM

And by, “The Fam”, I mean my UK family… 

Because of these guys, I can proudly say that The UK is my official third home. I visit them so often, they’re getting sick of me, I think. But in a good way, I hope.
It was always my plan to spend the holidays in the UK with my friends… I think it’s a fitting end to a year of traveling, and jumping from one place to the next, to end up in one place that is comfortable and familiar, with a whole group of great friends all together. We didn’t do anything crazy or fancy… Really, as long as we had some food, booze and a few fireworks to keep us entertained, we were all pretty satisfied. Me especially… knowing I’m gonna have to get a move on pretty soon, it was really special having the gang together for the year’s end. 

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AAH! Best Year Ever!!! It has truly been a remarkable year... And my year of travel isn't even over yet! There are still so many things to look forward to.... and I'm so excited to see what 2014 has to bring.

To those of you guys who have gone through my journey with me, and are still reading this blog... THANK YOU. It's nice to know people are listening to what I have to say... and I hope I inspire you somehow... not just to travel, but to do something with your life if you're stuck or feeling unhappy. I hope that through my story, you'll be encouraged to take a leap of faith yourself... and trust that if you are in the pursuit of your own happiness, the Universe does conspire to make things happen for you.

It won't be easy... but it will be worth it. I promise.

Start with today. :)

All my love to you guys, and have a great 2014!!!