5 Things-To-Do Before You Visit A New Country
I love to travel. My favorite thing is to travel to a new place. Even better than that is if that new place is a country that offers me a fabulous new stamp on my passport. In the past year, I traveled to the Netherlands, Italy, the U.K., and China all for the first time. I loved exploring these new lands and indulging in the culture. In Amsterdam, I ate Dutch Pancakes and took a boat cruise along the canals. In Italy, I ate and I drank, then I ate and drank some more. In Manchester, I ate Sheppard’s Pie, Blood Pudding, and toured the city’s oldest pubs. In China,…
The Hostel Life: The Good, The Bad, & The Smelly
Growing up I always imagined having that grand European adventure where my only belongings were stuffed in a backpack and I’d find lodgings in local hostels along the way. But in between those daydreams life happened and my adventure never did. Then at thirty, my opportunity for a European adventure finally arose. And for a few nights in the Netherlands, I got my hostel life experience. Backpacking through Europe and staying at hostels felt like a rite of passage. It’s just one of those things you do when you’re young and hungry to see the world. While thirty might not be the age of a spring chick, I say to…
When in Amsterdam . . .
Amsterdam has lots to explore, but on my visit, I had about forty-eight hours to take in the city. I had a general idea of the things I wanted to see. knew I wanted to visit a museum, explore a local park, try the local cuisine, and get a true feel of the city’s tone. Unfortunately, forty-eight-hours isn’t nearly enough time to spend in Amsterdam, but that’s okay, I’ll be back. As for my first Amsterdam adventure, here were my favorite to-dos. Go For A Canal Ride One of the most striking and memorable attributes of Amsterdam is its canal system. It’s breathtaking to look out at the flowing streams…
The Secret of Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a city with a secret. I knew it the second I stepped out of the train station and into the streets. There was a feeling in the air and a certain look on the faces of the passing cyclists. I was instantly intrigued. I knew these people weren’t all vacationing like myself. These folks were locals and they looked happy. Within moments of my arrival I realized I wasn’t in Amsterdam simply to explore a new land. I was there to learn the secret of Amsterdam. The Amsterdam Way of Life Amsterdam has a lot of history. You’re reminded of it by the statues decorating the streets and…
Eat, Pray, Love Didn’t Make Me Do It
How is this for an Eat, Pray, Love experience? I’m sitting in my New York apartment practicing Italian phrases in preparation for my first European adventure. A few weeks ago, I read a collection of essays , Eat, Pray, Love Made Me Do it. Each essay detailed how the book had influenced people’s lives. It was incredible to read these stories and realize how one person’s story could impact the lives of millions. As someone who often writes about personal experiences, it reinforced my belief that even if your writing only impacts one person, it’s worth the effort.
