An Update-A gift from the heavens! Also, a tour of the West!

Wow. I have been thinking about blogging a lot lately and decided to maybe transfer some of my pen and paper thoughts to the world wide web. Man… I have really dropped the ball on this one. So, I am back! Things have changed, and things have stayed the same since the last time I posted. I am still living most of the year in Europe working for Bus2alps, a student travel company, and traveling more than I do really anything else, save for clean myself, eat, love, hate, etc. I have been traveling a lot! That is my point here. Also, I still love Terravision, and can’t help but think of all of my experiences with this company over the past year. Alas, I should move on. Loving Terravision is all fine and good, but will it ever love me back? No…no, no. It will not.

Over the past 10 days, I was on a journey of my own…doing a bit of travel in the good old homeland of America. I spent a few days in Seattle, a few in Vancouver, BC (Sooo I guess I left America after 3 days in Seattle?), and just got home this afternoon from Colorado. Now, Seattle and Colorado were basically places I had heard enough about. I saw them to tell the world I saw them and get their evangelical residents to get off my dick. (Pardon). Seattle was cool. It was beautiful, and the weather was great. I walked most of the city and thoroughly enjoyed the whole homeless vibe going on. It provided a nice contrast to the annoyingly successful and active west coasters that have found their place in the world. It must be nice… Unfortunately some of us still meander about this world aimlessly… making those who aren’t doing the same feel bad about their so-called happiness and stability. Sucks. Anyway, Seattle was cool except you need perfect change to take the public transportation. Shit is weak. I had to walk about 4 and 1/2 minutes in the Washington suburbs to find change, despite being offered half the sum in cash by a nice local who I had ambushed for advice at the bus stop. I survived in the end, but it is a good thing to keep in mind in case you are taking a jaunt to that part of the world. The bus I took downtown was $2.50. Take note cheapos.

In a nutshell, my 3 favorite things about Seattle were:

1.) Homeless characters propositioning guilty middle/upper class for cash.

2.) Waterfront parks- I like sitting in the grass and calling it “sightseeing”

3.) The slight hint of marijuana flowing regally through the air currents of the city. Laws are confusing.

After Seattle, I hopped on a bus to Vancouver, BC… because it is an “AWESOME city,” said a bunch of people who had never been there. I went though. I had to take a taxi to the train station, which seems counterintuitive, because I couldn’t get my shit together until I was down to the wire. When I got there, it was a simple process of “I’d like a ticket for the next bus to Van… Thanks.” And then, I handed over 45 or so USD. 15-20 minutes later, I was on a journey of mythical proportions with 2 elderly foreign people who asked too many questions and had a rental car waiting for them halfway through the drive and some other decently cool seeming chick. 3.5- 4 hours later and an interestingly flirtatious encounter with the border police, I was chilling in Canada… a dream I thought I would never realize after a minor misdemeanor plagued my college years. Whatever dude. They let me in. And they should be celebrating this and loosen their policies in the future as their country is….. crazy expensive. I picked up a pitcher (on a pitcher special night!) of beer for a group of guys celebrating a friends wedding one night…and learned my lesson the hard way. Find some other way to show good vibes. Cash is not the best option in this case. I hear AUS and NZ are more expensive in the end, but I have never been there, SO LAY OFF. Vancouver was cool though. I enjoyed the city, the Canadians, and the 2 Asian ladies that gave me my first bikini wax on special. Luckily, as for public transport, Canadian city workers are simply looking to help and will help idiotic young women from Ohio buy passes for the SkyTrain, which is lovely as anything. It is the SkyTrain in Vancouver right? I think so yes, or some variation anyway. Vancouver proved in the end to have a lot to offer a girl like myself, and I want to share my favorite things in list form, so you might actually read them.

In a nutshell, my 5 favorite things about Vancouver were:

1.) Stanley Park and English Bay- 2 things yes, but I was able to spend the majority of my time doing the same thing in both areas– laying down. I read, I laughed, I cried, and essentually transcended the boundaries of ethereal perception… Granted, I don’t even know what that means, it was real, and it was good.

2.) The homeless were less impressive, but I was glad to see them still showing up and doing their part.

3.) The slight hint of marijuana flowing regally through the air currents of the city. Laws are confusing.

4.) My bikini line cleaned up and free from razor burn.

Last but not least,

5.) The random girl who was my dorm roommate who woke in the middle of the night and pissed for 10 minutes squatting in the middle of the wood floor at the hostel. Thanks for that Goodbye.

As per my last moments in Vancouver, taking in the smell of piss and disgust, I was ready for the next venture, which would be Colorado. Visiting a dear childhood friend and her boyfriend, I was prepared to have normal conversation and not just stare at the wall and lie down for fun. It was nice and helpful to cross Colorado off the list of places I would like to live. I stayed in Boulder and found the town quite cheesy. Chock full of rich people who think they understand everything enough to be activists and arrogant about it, I had my fill of Boulder after 3 minutes driving through the center. I am sure there are some great people there, but I am of a simple mind and will choose to stereotype them all as one instead. I like the idea of it all, but found the town of Nederland way more my jam. Then again, was it? Who was I really? Where would I fit in? Colorado didn’t answer these questions for me, so I will forever judge it for not living up to what I needed. Thanks a lot Colorado. You let me down like everyone else I have ever known. Dramatics aside, I loved seeing my friend and her man friend and seeing their little life. The landscape was beautiful, and there were a healthy portion of good looking men of all ages. So for that, Colorado, I salute and thank you. I will likely return and come to find that you and I can be good friends. That is what I see. Again, here are a few of my favorite things.

In a nutshell, my 3 favorite things about Colorado were:

1.) The homeless… who I suspect were actually just on a weekend getaway from their family’s ranches seeing if they could survive without Whole Foods for 3 whole days!

2.) The slight hint of marijuana flowing regally through the air currents of the city. Laws are confusing.

3.) The one old hippie who I saw hitchhiking that took his hand down in defeated disappointment upon seeing my friend and I driving towards him.

4.)I can’t forget those masculine specimens of all ages living there and avoiding the coffee shops and organic food markets to hunt and handle graciously the coyotes in the wild… I presume at least.

These descriptions on my experiences are based on a disrupted eating and sleep cycle, too much time alone, and not enough going on in my native Ohio where I am currently hanging my hat. These cities/places are all obviously the cat’s meow and can use a bit of snarky literature on them. It is only fair and right. Don’t hate the hater. Hate the hate.

Terravision: A Love Story

When I studied abroad in Rome, Italy, I was a typical, unknowledgeable young American girl. I paid for cabs to try to make it to class on time. I was a newby traveler of the highest order. I had traveled plenty with my parents luckily throughout high school, but I never had to do much thinking of my own. Now, working abroad in Rome, I have discovered the millions of ways I just threw money down the toilet. I met “someone” truly wonderful. I met my first Terravision bus. For the meager fee of 4 euro, one can find their way, in a fairly comfortable environment, between the Termini strain station in Rome and the Ciampino Airport. 4 euro! Do you know how much money I squandered traveling every weekend to the airport via taxis? A lot. Alright maybe it wasn’t that bad because it was usually split between a few of us, but even still, I have spent far more than I ever should have. But, I had not had the pleasure of meeting sweet Terravision yet. I had no idea that things could be so lovely. Coming from a midwestern, suburban girl, a bus from “home” to the aiport for less than the price of 2 gallons of gas is a mindblowing concept. I might be exaggerating, but it is still a great option for anyone on a budget. With transports to and from both of Rome’s airports for 5 Euro or less, it is a great thing to know about before you hop into one of the city’s price-hiking, albeit charming and fearless, taxi cabs!

…Terravision, you had my heart from the start!

Croatia: Checking out the Dalmatian Coast

I had the pleasure this weekend to check out Split, Croatia with Bus2alps. And, seriously, what an amazing city it is. Lining the coast and stocked up on historical gems, Split offers an abundance of things to do, eat, see, and experience.

Dinner at Fife in Split!

 

I really cannot wait to get back now to dig around some more. The people were amazingly friendly, and the overall ambience of the place was romantic in every sense, with its winding streets made only for pedestrians and the fish markets packed with locals doing their shopping.

Island Hopping :)

 

 

 

 

To make matters even better, the weather was positively perfect. Going rafting on the Tesina River and hopping over to Brac and other islands are great ways to make the most of Split and the surrounding area as well.

 

 

 

 

One of the most amazing parts of the trip was checking out Krka National Park on the way as we were leaving Croatia. Bring your camera and your swimsuit because the views are amazing and you will want a picture of yourself in front of the majestic waterfalls, trust me.

Just swimming in a dream at Krka National Park

Amalfi Coastin’

I am going to be honest about the widely revered coast of southern Italy… It is truly a treasure. Although certainly abound in tourists and overpriced everything, the place really is all it is cracked up to be. It is absolutely breathtaking, and that is coming from someone who does not get visibly or audibly excited about much.

View from the top of Capri

Walking around Capri and taking in the amazing coastal views or laying on the beach of Positano looking up at the cascading city built into the rock, has the power to reform and renew your day, year, or life. Just being there, even without the fresh sea food, the gelato, the romantic locals, or the vitamin D pumping sun, makes the money, time and energy spent in getting there worth every moment. There is enough beauty to ignite wonder in even the most seasoned of travelers in that corner of  Campania, Italy. Amalfi is a must experience destination.

There are various ways to get there in one piece as well. Trains are an option, although increasingly expensive and always unreliable. There have also been a number of issues with theft in Naples on the public transportation, so that is certainly something to keep in mind when planning. Many older, more established travelers are a more apt to rent a car for a few days and

Walking down to Positano

make it on their own. Obviously, this comes with a host of potential problems and setbacks and is, of course, very expensive. One great way to get to the Amalfi Coast for the lowest price possible and least amount of traveling time is to go with a group on a tour. It is a good option for young people and for solo travelers alike. Taking advantage of group discounts on safe, reliable transportation and on accommodation makes the investment worthwhile from the start. Travelers are free to take advantage of what the group has to offer from that point on or to fly solo and explore on their own. For students traveling to the Amalfi Coast, group travel is a no-brainer.

Positano

Even if you only have a few days to devote to this sure to amaze destination, you simply cannot miss out on the Italian treasures of Capri, Positano, Pompeii, Sorrento, and more.

Check out http://www.Bus2alps.com, a student-focused travel company, for trips to the best places in Europe, including the Amalfi Coast.

Tarragona- a lovely afternoon :)

I had the lovely opportunity to check out Tarragona this weekend and left really loving that city. I am a huge lover of history, and this city maintains a perfect combination of modernity and history. Plus, it is on the coast and has beaches. I was already sold. However, the beaches are not what make Tarragona. What makes Tarragona so great are the Roman ruins of the amphitheater and the circus as well as the amazing Cathedral overlooking the city. The streets were alive but not crowded, and tourists didn’t overwhelm any aspect of the city. The Roman Circus ruins were especially cool and definitely worth the admission price, which our Bus2alps trip includes anyway. It was huge and was really a cool experience. Studying in Rome, I had Roman ruins at my fingertips every day. Students studying in Barcelona don’t have that, so I think a trip to Tarragona would be a great way to incorporate that into their European experience. I am really looking forward to the trip and to getting students excited about the city, as well as relaxing on the beaches of Sitges :) 

Packing Tip for the Imaginitive Traveler

As far as travel tips go, we have all heard the tried and true advice countless times. I know that I am supposed to pack light and only bring what I will need. As I try to travel more and more and have the opportunity to make the same mistakes that every novice traveler makes, I find I have a little advice to share as well these days!

I just began working with a student travel company called Bus2alps a week ago, and I picked up and moved to Barcelona with just a day’s notice. I only had a few short hours to gather my “life” together, not to mention say goodbye to friends and family. That was a little over a week ago. Now that I am finally unpacked and semi-settled in the apartment in Barcelona, I have a serious bone to pick with the Grace from last week! But, alas, I cannot contact that less intelligent and less self-aware version of myself, so I will have to settle for sending my message out into the Internet void and hope to do some good. All dramatics aside, I did come to one crucial conclusion since arriving that will manifest itself in the first travel tip of this blog:

Travel Tip #1:

Pack according to who you are and what you do, NOT who you want to be and what you wish you did.

I have the inconvenience of a fanciful imagination. I like to imagine all of the amazing things I COULD possibly do and the glamorous and infinitely cooler versions of myself that I COULD be. All of that is great, but I almost never take into account the person that I currently am and all of the things that I will ACTUALLY be doing with my time. And, unfortunately, I am human and care to a certain degree about what strangers who I will never see again think about me.

When packing, I imagine myself as an extreme minimalist rejecting all norms and conveniences of modern society in favor of a connection to nature and all the gross things that accompany that way of life. A large part of me suspects that this is merely an indication of an imaginative but lazy packer and overall human being. That being said, as I now look at my essentially empty shelves and unimpressive appearance, I wish I had stayed truer to myself and honored my own idiocy rather than hope to magically become someone else overnight.

If you like to dress with a certain style or image, just let yourself do it. Pack for it. Plan for it. Embrace all the silly things that make you happy and confident for some stupid reason and do it on purpose. Sure it is still silly in the long run, but you will be a more secure and confident person and, in effect, traveler if you stay true to your own form and don’t try desperately to fit some sort of traveler stereotype, whatever your imagination may make that person out to be. It is important to know what is appropriate, convenient, etc. when packing, but you should always be honest with yourself about who you are and what will set that goofy and lovely ego of yours at ease.