Highlights from a Year of Travel

With a career in travel, there is a definite air of glamour and excitement to my work. Jetting off from country to country for the past year was an incredible experience, as I hiked the Inca Trail in Peru, took an open air jeep safari in India, and discovered the westernmost point of continental Europe in Portugal.

Travel can be exciting, overwhelming, dangerous, magical, and educational, but most of all it is exhausting! After a year on the road I was ready to return home for a while. So I returned to New York City in a strange juxtaposition of past and present. My apartment looks the same as it did one year ago, but there are subtle differences that I notice. My backpack lays forlorn in the corner, my camera is full of past memories, and my brightly hued Sari is folded in my nightstand.

I will never forget this incredible past year and I now have a room full of daily reminders. Will I stay in New York for good, or will I feel the need to hit the road again? After just a few short months here, I am already feeling that familiar itch of the travel bug. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but I do know that I will be eternally grateful to myself for taking this leap, and forever changing the course of my life.

One Year Blogiversary

It seems hard to imagine that just one year ago I was working at a fashion house, itching to leave New York and have an adventure.

When I started this blog last July, I had no idea that it would change the entire direction of my life in such a positive way. When I left my job a few weeks later and decided to plunge into the world of freelancing and self employment, I set a goal for myself. I would dedicate the next year of my life to following my dream and passion for travel, fashion, and writing. If at the end of that year I felt that this wasn’t a viable career option, or I just simply couldn’t make things work, I would return back to the world of corporate fashion, and simply remember this year as one of the most exciting times of my life.

Well, its one year later and it has truly been an incredible journey. I have road tripped through Northern India, backpacked through Peru, wandered through Europe, and explored a bit more of my hometown, New York City.

While this year has been more than I could ever have imagined, it is the future that truly excites me now. My trial year has passed and has proven to be a success. Each month brings new and exciting opportunities, and I now know that this is what I want to keep doing, as long as it continues to bring joy to both my life and my readers.

Whats up next:

I am currently on a short layover in London, before my month long trip to Barcelona, Ibiza, and Madrid. I have some really exciting things planned, including a week long teaching stint in the Madrid countryside and a 9 hour ferry ride to the island of Ibiza!

My promise to you:

Now that my trial year is up, I truly feel it is time to take this site to the next level. Over the next few months I will aim to make my site more efficient and reader friendly. If you have any suggestions, or would like to see certain things in my site, please feel free to leave your comments below! I truly enjoy hearing from everyone, and hopefully inspiring a few people out there to travel more and worry less.

Street Vendors of Peru

One of my favorite things to do when I travel to a new place is check out the local bites being served on the street. Traveler discretion is definitely advised when choosing which street stall to eat from, (especially with undercooked meat as I learned the hard way in Thailand..), but for the true flavor of a country, try shopping locally and see what happens! You never know what locals you will meet and who will end up inviting you home for dinner..

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Seven Super Shots From Around the World

One of my favorite things about the travel blogging world is the friendliness of its members. Perhaps it has more to do with the nature of fellow travelers, but in one moment, a complete stranger can become an instant friend, whether through twitter, connecting via a blog, or even just over a cocktail on your latest adventure.

I’d like to thank Jenny Neill for introducing herself to me through email and connecting over our shared love of travel, blogging, and photography. She has also invited me to participate in the latest travel blogging meme, Seven Super Shots.

As photography is one of my favorite ways to share the sights and feelings of a place, I am happy to share with you all my Seven Super Shots from traveling to over 15 different countries around the world.

1. Takes my breath away

Sunset in Huanchaco, Peru.

This photo was taken in Huanchaco, Peru without any filters or special settings. I did not edit it at all. I am constantly astounded by the amount of natural beauty in this world. This sunset was so warm and inviting, and watching the golden orb dip lower down was truly a magical moment I will never forget.

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An American Girl in Transit on Film

In order to add another dimension to my travels I have recently created a YouTube account, where I will be sharing all my latest video adventures from across the globe. Watch me ride a sand buggy through the dunes of Huacachina, explore the “poor man’s Galapagos” by boat, hike the Inca Trail, dig into local delicacies and more.

You can subscribe to get alerts for each new video added, or just watch and share as you like.

I hope you enjoy, and see you on the road!

The Versatile Blogger Award

I would like to thank mrsbr at http://willshegetaway.wordpress.com/ for nominating me for The Versatile Blogger Award! 

In the past eight months I quit my corporate job, started writing about something I was actually passionate about, backpacked through Peru for two months, and organized trips to India and Europe.

I never imagined that following my dreams was actually a viable option, so I would just like to take this moment to thank all you for following along with my travels, adventures, and life discoveries. Its been quite a year, and it just keeps getting better!

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5 Things to Do in Miraflores, Peru

When getting to know the capital city of Peru, head straight to the neighborhood of Miraflores, for a scenic introduction to Lima’s charms. Taking cues from its name, Miraflores is peppered with flowerbeds and grassy parks, just calling for you to enjoy it’s lush greenery. From jagged cliffs overlooking the Pacific and the centrally located Kennedy Park, to some dazzling gems in Peruvian cuisine, Miraflores offers the perfect beginning to your Limanian adventure.

  1. Wander along the boardwalk

With giant, jagged cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the boardwalk through Miraflores is the perfect way to take in Lima’s ocean views. Wander towards the city’s lighthouse and join in with locals for a yoga class or a lesson in Capoeira, a Brazilian mixture of martial arts and dance. Feeling lazy? Settle down in the grass for a picnic and some people watching. You may catch a glimpse of some local tightrope walkers practicing their skills! As the sun sets, grab your loved one and follow the path to the Parque de’ Amour, as you watch the sky change colors surrounded by brilliant mosaic patterns.

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