travel blog
It’s almost the new year, and while I look forward to the adventures and self-discovery that 2014 will bring, I think it’s also a good time to reflect back on 2013. I can’t say that 2013 was an especially good year for me, all things considered. The first six or so months were some of
Well, my first three months of travel are over! And as you read this, I am en route back to the States, where I will spend just over a month catching my breath, hopefully making some money, seeing my friends and family, and kissing the shit out of my dog. But don’t worry–I’ll also be
I just counted: I’ve been on the road for 80 days now; 69 of those outside of the US. To say that I’m exhausted is kind of an understatement. When planning my travels, I didn’t really take into account that this isn’t just a two-week holiday that I can muscle through and then go home
I’ve been hesitant regarding finally writing about my time in Scotland, wanting to almost skip that chapter in my travelogue completely. It has nothing to do with the actual country, because let’s face it: I absolutely adore Scotland and loved every day of my time there in some regard. But, it was also my first
There are some moments while traveling when I find that I’m almost embarrassed to be an American. I am grateful for the many things that my birthright has given me, don’t get me wrong–I have a passport that allows me to go most anywhere in the world without hassle, and I was lucky enough to
What this post really should be titled is “getting a great thigh workout in Edinburgh.” But, I digress. I haven’t been on this journey for all that long, but to stay it’s been hard is an understatement. I’ve never traveled alone extensively and so planning a several-month solo trip was ambitious, to put it lightly.
“How long are you in Scotland?” inquires the passport control desk agent. I always feel incredibly uncomfortable landing in the UK and being interrogated by passport control. Somehow, I always feel like I’m a common criminal due to the line of questioning and I get flustered, red, and sweaty, hoping that they’ll let me stay
When I slowly started telling people about quitting my job and traveling for a few months, the reactions were varied, but fell under one of two categories: “Oh man! That’s so awesome!! Tell me more.” And, “Oh, well that’s.. neat?”
I calmed my nerves enough to stop from shaking uncontrollably as I took that fateful walk–ten feet from my cubicle to my boss’ office. This part is always the worst–the overwhelming anxiety over, and the insurmountable guilt for what is about to transpire. “Do you have a few minutes?” “..sure.” (Does she already suspect what’s