My background
I grew up in a small town, but always wanted to see the world. I took the plunge and at 19, boarded my first flight ever and spent 6 months studying abroad in Germany. I spent as much time as I could doing homework on the trains as I ventured out and back from my tiny German village. Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria, people and food and languages and music: these things feed my soul and make me whole. My travels through Europe solidified my passion for exploration and I’m still out there putting my footprints in as many places as I can.
Favorite Activities
Food is a major travel motivator, and I try to take a cooking class whenever I can find one to learn how the locals cook. I will try everything from midnight street food to tasting menus at fancy restaurants, and I am always interested in the local beers. I played French horn for years, and still play occasionally and take ballet classes, so when I’m out traveling, I always find myself drawn to music and dance. I especially love folk music and dance, and the beautiful and intricate costumes that go along with it.
Top destinations
I’ve been so fortunate to see many places throughout Europe, from the beautiful castles of Ireland to the stone-patterned sidewalks of Portugal to the amazing cuisine of Hungary. I’ve dipped my toes in the Atlantic Ocean from both sides, and traipsed through the medinas of Morocco. I’ve road-tripped across the United States, and I’ve explored lots of fun places in Canada and Mexico.
But seriously…
I guess after some time of reflection, I wanted to put a slightly more serious note here. I know that first paragraph up there talks about adventure and fun. But it’s also about opportunity. I really did dream of traveling when I was a child. I wanted to see the world. And I was in a place where I was absolutely certain none of that would ever happen. I didn’t feel like these were things that were available to me, and I was always made to feel that they were unreasonable. I just want to say that I fully realize what an immense privilege it is to travel. And every time I get an opportunity, no matter how difficult it is to prepare for or how tired I am or what fears and obstacles would hold me back, I feel like I owe it to my younger self to get over it and get out there. It’s like an internal moral imperative to seize every opportunity and make the most of it. With travel and with life in general.
Disclaimers
I love visiting new places and seeing new things. And I like meeting new people. I truly believe that all people are equal and all experiences are valid. To that end, I try my best here to be honest and as reflective as possible, sharing my own observations about the similarities and differences between the culture where I am and the culture of the places I visit. I think it’s very important to be able to observe that there are differences and cherish the fact that we live in a world where those differences exist. It would be terrible if we were all the same. With that in mind, though, I do try to avoid any language that would indicate that one way is ‘better’, and I try to avoid colonialist language suggesting that faraway lands are exotic or barbaric. Sometimes I miss and stray into things that sound judgmental, and I am definitely open to changing those things, revising, and discussing them.
Next on the list?
The number one question I am asked is: “What’s next?!” In the moment, I often draw a blank. But my long-term ideas that I’ve held for years are here:
Travel
- Machu Picchu – I want to do the hike up the mountain to the ruins and take the fancy train back.
- India – I have always wanted to visit India, but I’m not sure I want to do it as a tourist, and I’m pretty sure I don’t want to go alone. But, given the chance, I would love to go with a friend and visit their family or go to a wedding and see the days-long festivities.
Cooking
- Croquembouche – One of these days, I will find a reason to make one of these. It seems completely over-the-top complicated and I would probably need to wait until next time we move, so I have a bigger kitchen.
- Georgian food – I have researched recipes for Khinkali, but I haven’t found a reason to have a Georgian dinner party yet.
Sewing/Crafting
- Learning – I have a few sewing projects lined up that are not at all exciting. No intricate costumes… but I am trying to improve my sewing techniques by practicing some more technical skills
- Decorating – We are looking at buying a house, and with any luck, I’ll have a huge kitchen and lots of rooms that need curtains and any number of paint/tile/trims/lights, etc. I am very much looking forward to having a giant project.