I know I will love Cambodia before stepping foot on solid ground. I gaze out sleepily from my early bird flight from Singapore, and down on a vibrant green patchwork of farm land interrupted only by an occasional tiny village or range of craggily black almost-mountains. Even from 10,000 feet, Cambodia is charming. I land in Cambodia’s capital city, clear […]
Because, unfortunately, I’m not Elizabeth Gilbert, and did not return from my big trip with a best-seller and a hot Brazilian–but rather to my parents house, broke, carrying nothing but rotten clothes and happy memories, I decided it may be time for me to nab a job and “get a life.” I figured that job should be in a hip city like “Austin,” “New Orleans,” or “Denver,” or any city where there would be food trucks, thrift shops, moonshine distilleries; and as many quirky/eclectic attractions as possible. And that life should include lots of cool, new friends who have interesting hobbies. I could take up a few of my own new hobbies such as canning, shuffleboard, twerking; and maybe finally fitting in that “wood-working for women” class I’ve always wanted to take. And I could start dating guys who bike, or guys in bands or guys with beards; bearded guys in bands who bike! It could be fun. Maybe then, I could fulfill my overwhelming desire to constantly put myself in strange new settings. I could mimic those things I loved most about traveling–learning, meeting new people, challenging myself–right here in the USA. The new life I find doesn’t have to be one I’m not ready for (husband, babies, houses, cars). But first, I was due (and wanting) to play catch up with my wonderful family. Which worked out well, because, as mentioned above, I’d barely enough money to do anything else. So, […]
I knew all along it wouldn’t be easy. Spend a year doing anything and it can be difficult to transition into something new. Spend a year exploring exotic new places, meeting inspiring people, having the time of your life, with complete freedom from a job, house, car and most regular adult commitments–how do you cope with the end of that? In so […]
Best of the Big Trip, a set on Flickr. A compilation of my favorite photos from my last year
1. Because you’ll meet Mexicans of all backgrounds–not just the waiters, taxi drivers and those who work at your hotel. When you meet the locals who aren’t being paid to be nice to you; you’ll be pleasantly surprised by their pure kindness and hospitality. 2. Because you’ll eat the street food–instead of Italian, Mediterranean or the Americanized version so commonly found in […]
I’ve done a lot of living these last 12 months (details from the first 6 are in italics). Here are the details… The Highlights Click here for full details from the First 6 months Highlights of the last 7: *75 hours of one-on-one Spanish Classes + 2 weeks living with a family in Guatemala. *6 hour kayaking adventure through a […]
I was preparing myself to be surprised by the food of Mexico. I had a feeling the Americanized– crunchy tacos with ground hamburger, shredded yellow cheese, iceburg lettuce, tomato, cheese sauce, sour cream, tortilla chips and jars of chunky red salsa, etc.–had little to do with the real food from a country with a cultural tradition hundreds of years rich. […]
I find myself, in Mexico City. Somehow, an entire year has passed and still I travel. I`m amazed and saddened by how quickly 12 months have passed by me. May 5, 2012, I eagerly woke at the crack of dawn so my parents could drop me at O`haire. A goodbye that was exciting and happy, though tearful. My layover flight, […]
lindsayleaps.com 