“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

If you’re like me, those words are truly iconic and perhaps have changed your life.

I can still remember picking up a well-worn used copy of the Hobbit when I was a pre-teen, and it wasn’t long before I was truly engrossed in Middle Earth. Without realizing it, Oxford Professor J.R.R. Tolkien ignited a passion around the world for his writing. Generations of readers like me hungered for his stories, his adventurous sagas of hobbits and elves, tales of good versus evil that have shaped many of us, and turned us all into great readers too.

Fanatics or superfans, us Tolkien nerds recognize each other and understand how much this writer meant to us. It’s no surprise his work has been sold over 150 million times. People love Middle Earth.

Before the age of iPhones and social media, I was thumbing through my copy of the Lord of the Rings every summer break, eagerly devouring Tolkien’s iconic tales of Middle Earth and immersing myself into his worlds.

Why is his work so enduring?

I think it’s because The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings carry themes that anyone can relate to. They are powerful stories of friendship, adventure, triumph over evil, of forgoing what’s comfortable and easy and doing what is right, that even the smallest person can change the future.

And Tolkien backs it up with decades worth of histories and legends he created, using his extensive knowledge of early history and linguistics to create a Middle Earth so real, it feels like our own past. A professor of Anglo-Saxon and British literature at Oxford, Tolkien often lamented that English history was so “Frenchified” and he longed for an English mythology.

He spent decades creating the histories and languages of Middle Earth, of which the Lord of the Rings is only a small glimpse. His canon is immense and so detailed, that it confuses even the most ardent of fans.

The depth of his writings is so real and profound that you can so easily get lost into his worlds and stories. It’s easy to read and accept the histories and narratives as facts. Tolkien doesn’t ask us to believe in these worlds, he tells us.

There and Back Again: How the Hobbit Inspired Me to Travel

Being the massive Lord of the Rings fan that I am, I don’t often share that that’s the very reason I moved to New Zealand in the first place. In high school the films came out and I binged all of the making of previews and behind the scenes extras and learned that it was filmed in this mountainous tiny nation at the bottom of the world so magical and ethereal it didn’t seem real: one day I would go there.

Here I am six years later, a kiwi resident and living in the real Middle Earth, home of places like Edoras and Hobbiton.

But another little known fact about me is that I also studied medieval history in university, even spending a summer researching at the Bodleian Library in Oxford on a grant, once again familiar with Tolkien’s work as a scholar, and frequenting his favorite haunts and pubs around town.

So I was incredibly excited to learn that my favorite museum in New York, The Morgan Library and Museum, would be home to a once in a lifetime exhibit about Tolkien’s life and work this year, celebrating the man and his creations.

Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth

The exhibit was originally in Oxford before being switched up and moving to the Morgan, an incredibly unique and once in a lifetime opportunity to see the most extensive public display of Tolkien materials for several generations.

It runs until May 12th, 2019.

The Tolkien exhibit at the Morgan includes family photos, his original drawings and writings, draft manuscripts and maps, and all manner of personal memorabilia loaned to the Morgan from Tolkien collections around the world.

It’s an incredibly rare opportunity to see all of his work together in one space. We’ll likely never see it compiled together in one place again anytime soon, and the exhibit isn’t traveling anywhere else.

Organized by the Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford in collaboration with the Morgan Library & Museum, New York with the support of The Tolkien Trust, if you are a fan of this work, get yourself on the next plane, bus or car to NYC before May.

My best friend from university, Marika, who studied medieval history with me and a fellow Tolkien fan, now lives in Portland, Oregon with her one year old baby. Knowing that I would be in the States during the Tolkien exhibit, we decided to meet in New York for a few days, a place she had never been.

Her first trip away from her son, it was a great reunion in the Big Apple, made all the more wonderful by our morning spent at the Morgan Library.

The admission to the exhibit is first come first serve and is included in the museum entrance cost. So we got a little sneak peek early before it opened to the general public and where I was allowed to take a few photos and videos (normally no photos are allowed in the exhibit).

It’s difficult for me to articulate how special it was to see Tolkien’s work first hand, to lean in close and see his scribblings over old exam notebooks and how he drafted out his Elvish scripts.

It’s certainly one thing to read about this in a biography but it’s another matter entirely to see it firsthand.

The exhibit it beautifully curated, taking your through his life’s work, and you really leave with a fuller and deeper understanding of the man behind Middle Earth, the father who just loved a good story. For someone like me who is a creative and dreams of being a published author, it was outstanding.

I could (and did) spend hours pouring over the exhibit, and it was packed as soon as the doors opened. We weren’t the only Tolkien fans in Manhattan, it seems.

After finally emerging back into the sunlight of the atrium and immediately gorging on a massive lunch at the museum cafe, including the Tolkien-themed menu, we obviously jumped in-depth about how special that experience was for us.

And of course we couldn’t leave without picking up hefty copies of the exhibit catalogue (which you can also order here).

Fat and happy, us little hobbitses were ready to venture back out into the big city again, full of joy and euphoria for finally getting to see something so close to our hearts up close and personal.

Are you a fan of Tolkien and his work? Did you see his exhibit at Oxford or will you journey to the Morgan to see it in NYC? Spill!

Tolkien: the Maker of Middle Earth exhibition runs at the Morgan Library in NYC until May 12th, 2019 more info here

The post Tolkien: the maker of Middle Earth at the Morgan Library appeared first on Young Adventuress.

A travel website dedicated to providing information on outdoor activities and photography tips via my Canada, Iceland and New Zealand Travel Guide. Over a year ago I moved to Canada on a Working Holiday Visa with one purpose: to hike and capture the beauty of the Canadian Rocky Mountains through my camera. Luckily hiking and photography go hand in hand here. In just one year I have managed to walk hundreds, if not thousands of kilometers of trails and I’ve narrowed them down in this post to some of my favorite hikes in the Canadian Rockies. Enjoy!

I’ve also still got spots left on my autumn photography tour next year in New Zealand. Use code “youngadventuress” to save 5% on your booking.

1. Berg Lake Trail 

One of the first multi-day hikes I completed here in the Rockies was the Berg Lake Trail. It finishes at an icy blue glacial lake at the foot of the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies – Mount Robson.

Just under 4000 meters, the summit slopes are home to many glaciers, the most prominent being the Berg Glacier. When camping at the nearby Marmot campsite, at night, all you can hear is the sound of your own breath against your sleeping bag and the vibration of your heart beating until suddenly a loud ear-shattering crack, then a deep thunder like rumble, a splash and then several echoes later again complete silence, the unmistakable sound of a glacier carving into a lake. This is the experience camping on the Berg lake trail summed up in one sentence.

Certainly enough to make you sit up alert in your tent. I spent 3 days on the Berg Lake Trail listening to this each night. You can read more about it in my hiking guide to the Berg lake trail, completed with hints and tips about tackling one of the best multiday hikes in the Canadian Rockies.

2. Larch Tree Valley 

I’ve heard that 95% of people who visit the iconic Moraine lake make it only as far as the famous rock pile at the southern tip of the lake, without realizing how much they are missing out on! The car park of the Moraine lake is where a myriad of hiking trails veer off into the backcountry.

One of the hikes is the Larch Tree Valley. During early fall, usually around mid September, when the larches’ needles turn from green to yellow, many hikes become absolutely breathtaking.

Larch trees are the only conifers that loose its needles for the winter. The Larch Tree Valley Hike, as the name suggest is full of them and will guarantee a few hours of pure amazement.

3. Lakes Agnes/Beehive/Mount Saint Piran 

There’s several great hikes around Lake Louise but these 3 are some of my favorites!

A 3 in 1 mega deal of the Canadian Rockies! That is if you are an early bird! You can start with hiking to Lake Agnes, then continue to Little Beehive and if you still have energy in you, you can even tick off the nearby summit of Mount St Piran from where you can stare at the mind-blogging turquoise color of Lake Louise, and the peaks that tower over it. On the way back down you can stop again at Lake Agnes for afternoon tea and biscuits at the famous teahouse!

All together it shouldn’t take you longer than 5-6 hours return. Make sure to leave early. Because of the relatively easy access and minimal views to effort ratio both Lake Agnes and Little Beehive can attract quite the crowd. However only a small fraction of the hikers continues up mount St Piran, so if you are after solitude make sure to complete all 3!

4. Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park 

Mount Assiniboine is without a shadow of a doubt my favorite multi-day hike in the Canadian Rockies and one I will be returning to very soon! There are three paths, all similar in length (around 30 km) to get to Lake Magog and the domineering Mount Assiniboine, the main attractions of the park.

The most popular route is from Sunshine Village over the Citadel Pass, the second one is from Mt Shark Trailhead via the Wonder Pass and the third one via the Assiniboine Pass. If you plan a visit to Mt Assiniboine, make sure to spend at least 4 days in the park to fully enjoy the stunning views it offers.

I’ve created a hiking and photography guide to Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park including information about the area and how to book a helicopter to fly you in if you can’t make the walk.

5. Tonquin Valley 

The first time I did the Tonquin Valley trail was during some pretty bad wildfires happening on the other side of the Ramparts – a mountain range in the Tonquin Valley which divides the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. The wind, which was blowing to the east, took the smoke into the nearby valleys, where the 44km long trail ambles through. A thick haze blanketed the mountains. When the sun was high in the sky, the light pierced through clouds striking the haze and creating these incredible sun rays.

I didn’t come out with the photos that I’d hoped for but I came out with something even better. A story and some unique pictures. As soon as I emerged from the backcountry I headed straight to the nearest café and booked another 4 nights on the trail in September.

With so many amazing hikes here in Jasper National Park and with my time in the Rockies running out, to do a trail twice, must mean it’s a special one! The Tonquin Valley certainly is. Just make sure to plan it correctly.

Tonquin Valley is notorious for mosquitos in July when the trail finally becomes open to hikers. If you want to get the best experience, wait until later in the summer or early autumn. Otherwise prepare for a mosquito battle of biblical scale!

6. Edith Cavell meadows 

The Edith Cavell meadows hike offers an incredible view to effort ratio. Because of the collapse of the Ghost Glacier in 2015 that flooded and destroyed the adjacent parking lot, there is currently restricted access to the area.

The visitor center in Jasper gives out 180 permits a day to visitors at varying time slots. On the positive side, it means the trail isn’t overcrowded.

In the height of summer, the adjacent meadows turn into a beautiful symphony of colorful blooming wildflowers. It’s also a perfect place for spotting the cute pikas and marmots!

7. Pocaterra Ridge 

Kananaskis country near Canmore, where I spent most of my time when working on my guide to Canada, is an area often omitted by international tourists. The locals however know it very well! It also happens to be a perfect playground for hiking enthusiasts like me!

Pocaterra Ridge is an undulating ridgeline filled with jaw dropping views in every direction! It’s an unofficial hike that starts 80km south of Canmore near the Highwood Pass. Considered by many locals to be one of the best hikes in Kananaskis Country. I’ve done this hike in June, when I saw a 24-hour clear weather window in forecast. Unfortunately, the colloquially known June Monsoon didn’t agree with my plans and I had a real eventful, and at times scary, realization how treacherous the mountains can be.

I came away with so many beautiful photos though, that I felt compelled to share them in a photo essay along with the full story of my experience on Pocaterra Ridge.

8. Ha ling Peak 

The most popular hike in Canmore and certainly one of the best day trips in this area. The views from Ha Ling peak are spectacular, but the hike can get busy. If you’re brave, and maybe a little bit crazy, then consider doing it through the night, arriving at the Ha Ling summit for sunrise. If you do, chances are you’ll be all alone on the trail. It’s never easy to wake up early, but you’ll come away with photographs, and more importantly an experience, that you’ll be telling all your friends and family for years to come.

9. Indian Ridge 

A lesser known hike in Jasper National Park, Indian Ridge starts at the top of Jasper SkyTram. Majority of visitors take the Gondola and hike up the the nearby Whistlers summit.

If you are looking for solitude in the mountains you should break away from the crowds and continue toward the Indian Ridge. I can appreciate views much better when there’s less people around me. Less noise, less chaos, less garbage, all in all a much more relaxing. It’s not an easy hike though.

A little scrambling is involved and the hike should take around 5/6 hours in total. 

10. Parker Ridge 

One of the my favorite spots on the Icefields Parkway, the famous stretch of road that connects Jasper with Lake Louise. The short hike takes you away from the road along a very well-maintained trail to a ridgeline, where the Saskatchewan Glacial Tongue can be seen protruding out of the Columbia Icefield.

It’s a popular spot to view wildflowers in the summer and should take around 3 hours to complete. The hike is awesome for beginners, who want to experience Canada’s rugged landscape. It will give you an opportunity to see a glacier that sadly might not exist in a few decades. 

11. Lake O’hara Alpine Circuit 

Lake O’hara alpine region might be the most sought after backcountry experience in the Canadian Rockies! What’s the fuss you may wonder? Every square kilometer of this place is filled with the most awe inspiring views.

The added bonus is the shuttle bus that will transport any keen hikers into this alpine paradise. There is a catch though! The bus only runs few times a day, spaces are very limited and prior reservations are mandatory. Only those with perseverance and patience of a saint will succeed in securing a spot. Your efforts however will be rewarded!

Lake O’hara is a place that will always be dear to my heart as that’s where I got engaged!

12. Rawson lake/Sarrail Ridge 

A favorite hike for instagrammers and another trip in the Kananaskis region that you shouldn’t miss. The hike starts along the shoreline of Upper Kananaskis lake.

After a mere 20 minutes, it starts gently climbing up to Rawson lake. A site to behold in its own terms. Those who like me, just can’t get enough of beautiful views should keep going. After circling around to the other end of the lake you will start a relentless ascent to the ridgeline. It may seem close, but mountains always like to play visual tricks on you. It’s definitely harder and longer than it seems! After another hour you will be compensated for your efforts with some of the best views in the Rockies! 

I hope this has filled your mind with possibilities, if you’re looking for more advice on hiking check out my Canada Travel Guide. Hiking is something very close to my heart and I’ve noticed a huge shift towards the outdoors in recent years. Whether it’s modern society being influenced by all the Instagrammers posting photos of the mountains or whether it’s a profound realization that we are part of something bigger, some kind of unified underlying global rising consciousness that we are one with nature. One thing is certain, the more people start to appreciate our beautiful Mother Earth the better, for her, and for us! So if you are planning a road-trip around the Canadian Rockies, make sure to squeeze a hike or two!

Have you been hiking in Canada and the Rockies? What’s your favorite? Share in the comments

The post 12 hikes in the Canadian Rockies to fuel your wanderlust appeared first on Young Adventuress.

2016 was a year of many firsts for me, of trying new things and having new experiences.

It was also the year I truly fell in love with winter, making it a specific part of my travel plans. I love nature and being in the mountains, and nothing compares to seeing places like that in the coldest months, when everything is a white winter wonderland. Cold is beautiful.

And nowhere does winter better than Alberta, Canada, especially in January.

2016 was also the year I felt my coldest EVER – a balmy -30° celsius (or -22°F) in Banff. That is NOT something I’m likely soon to forget.

To be totally honest here, I fell in love with Alberta even before I arrived. It was an easy sell. I had seen pictures of it over the years on Instagram, and it looked so similar to New Zealand (except 100 times more extreme) that I knew I’d love it.

And oh boy did it live up to expectations.

Its hard for me to pick a favorite moment from my time in Canada in winter, but if I had to chose, it probably was when I went for a sunrise hike in Johnston Canyon near Banff, which also happened to be the coldest morning I had ever felt to date.

Colder than a witch’s tit, as we say in the South.

It had been a clear, still night full of stars, white walker weather as I like to say. Shivers. Literally.

It was so cold when I went to bed that night in Banff at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge, the snow outside didn’t look real. It was so still and cold, the snow was so dry it sparkled, like nothing I had ever seen before. It was so dry you couldn’t even form a snowball with it. Perfect, perfect powder.

It was still dark with a few stars twinkling before the dawn light began on the horizon as I layered up in my warm, cozy cabin room and packed my camera gear. Glancing at my phone, I almost couldn’t believe it when it said-30° C. I never felt temperatures that cold before.

Check out my post about traveling in extreme climates and not destroying your things.

The cold was dry with no wind so it wasn’t so shocking when I went outside to get picked up by Discover Banff Tours. No white walkers or ice spiders, a good sign.

I was joining in on one of their guided tours of Johnston Canyon since I was traveling on my own, an iconic spot in Banff I was dying to check out. I made sure to go on their very first early morning trip so we had the canyon to ourselves.

While you can definitely visit the canyon all year unguided, I wanted to learn about the area and I wanted to borrow the right gear for it in winter. The river and waterfalls freeze in winter, and the path is covered in snow and ice which gets compacted down and even more icy with all the visitors walking on it, and is super slippery.

While you don’t need crampons, you should definitely borrow some ice/snow cleats that slip over your shoes, or are provided along with warm gear if you go on a guided tour.

I wore two pairs of thick leggings, thick wooly merino socks, and my heavy duty winter Parajumpers Musher jacket. My breath froze on my hair immediately and all along the edges of my jacket, and my iPhone died within seconds of my taking it out of my warm pocket.

I feel like I should also take this opportunity to mention that it is NOT always that cold in Alberta, I think the usual January average is around -15°C, but because it’s so dry, it’s much more bearable than a damp cold. Ugh, not my favorite.

But I will say I loved experience the icy winter wonderland of Johnston Canyon in those temperatures because it made it seem even more eery, still and mystical. The dry snow sparkled in the early morning light and the ice seemed the most insane shades of blue.

Didn’t take long for me to start humming the Frozen soundtrack in the back of the group. FREAKING magical guys! Let it snow!

I was always last because I couldn’t stop taking photos and ogling the amazing ice formations. I had never seen anything like that before! Ice and frozen waterfalls that looked like blue stalactites in caves, I was in awe!

In one section you pop out at the bottom of a frozen waterfall, and you could still see the water tumbling down behind the ice in the most mesmerizing scene.

There are two sections of track leading to the upper and lower falls in the canyon, and definitely do both. If you go on a guided tour, you can warm up at the top with hot cocoa (YUS!) and maple cookies (OMG YUS I love Canada!).

You’ll probably get the chance to even see ice climbers at the top too, and can even go out yourself if you’re keen (it’s fun but hard).

We spent a few hours wandering up and down Johnston Canyon and finally made our way out just as the sun began to climb above the steep cliffs promising a beautiful bluebird day in Banff.

It’s hard for places to live up to expectations when you put them on a pedestal (like I have the tendency to do), but oh man, did Johnston Canyon and Banff live up to the hype!

I’d go back in a heartbeat!

Where’s the coldest place you’ve ever been? What temperatures? Do you enjoy winter travel? Would you visit a frozen canyon like this? Spill!

Many thanks to Travel Alberta for hosting me in Banff – like always I’m keeping it real – all opinions are my own, like you could expect less from me!

The post Exploring Johnston Canyon in winter appeared first on Young Adventuress.

When I imagine a perfect winter wonderland, Alberta, Canada immediately pops into mind.

From the dense pine trees caked with snow, to log cabins covered in icicles hidden away by frozen lakes to the towering Rocky Mountains to more winter activities to chose from than anywhere I’d ever been, I was in love. At first sight. I’m an easy target, guys.

I’d never seen such dry powdery snow that sparkled. In fact, I hadn’t seen that much snow ever! Seeing it piled a meter high on the roofs was able to give a bit of scale of how much snow this area of Canada actually gets in the year – a whole hell of a lot!

Alberta definitely fits the “winter wonderland” cliche to a T. And there’s nothing wrong with that, especially if you love winter travel like me!

I’ve already shared my favorite photographs and memories from Alberta on the blog a while back, but this time I wanted to go ahead and tell you guys about one of the best days I had in Canada – going dogsledding. I’ve dogsledded in New Zealand and in Finland before, but I think Alberta was my favorite – don’t tell anyone.

Bring on the snow! And the husky puppies! YEOW!

It was also the very first activity I experienced on my way towards Banff National Park in Canmore Kananaskis Country, so it was the perfect introduction to the Rockies and the Canada I had always imagined.

After a few days hanging out and eating my way through Calgary, I was ready to finally see that pure Canadian wilderness for myself. Driving straight to Canmore from the big city , I made it just in time to the Snowy Owl Dog Sled Tour office just in time to check in for my afternoon adventure.

Putting on all my winter layers and borrowing their boots, I bundled up and got ready for an afternoon with the pups dogsledding in Alberta.

I grew up with dogs and I love being around animals more than anything, so any opportunity I have to ethically interact and be around animals on the road I jump at. Any kind of animal-based activity for tourism nowadays can be a touchy subject so I am always careful about what I endorse and which operators I work with.

Snowy Owl has an awesome mantra about how they breed, work and interact with their dogs so it was easy to get behind them. They also adopt out their retired dogs to the right people which is pretty rad. And kinda intense which shows how much they care about their four legged family.

Back in the day dogs were used all over North America and Canada as transport, explorations and even in the Gold Rush, and were probably used for far longer than that. The breeds you meet dogsledding like huskies and malamutes are strong energetic pack dogs that can run and pull for hours and hours. And they love it! This is literally what they’ve been bred to do for centuries, and man oh man are they good at it! But if you aren’t holding on, you will go flying!

They are made for very cold weather and even on these runs they get really hot, and roll around in the snow to cool off when they get the chance.

As we matched up and picked our teams the dogs knew they were getting the chance to go running, and began to howl! Excitement was in the air! Literally.

MUSH MUSH!

Sometimes the sled dogs wear booties to prevent abrasions on their paws from the snow and ice

I’d driven the sleds before (ungracefully hanging on for dear life) and this time I was keen to get more photos so I opted to sit bundled up in the sled for the ride instead – the lazy girl seat. Oh well, embrace it. Even though it was January, it wasn’t super cold (by Alberta standards) that day, so I didn’t have any problems staying warm.

Before I knew it we were off. The musher behind me on the sled was super knowledgable about the dogs, photography and all things Alberta, so we had no shortage of things to talk about on the ride.

This was my first proper introduction to the mountains of Canada and I think my jaw hung wide open in awe for the first part of the ride. That is until one of the dogs heard the call of mother nature and took care of business in the middle of the run – after that I kept my mouth shut.

When you notice one of your dogs needs to go to the bathroom you slow down and stop the sled by pushing down on the bar with your feet. If you don’t keep a solid grip and have your feet firmly planted on the ground, you might find yourself flat on your back and your dogs and your friend in the sled a kilometer down the trail.

I think I was mostly impressed by how smart and agile these dogs are. Even though they are working dogs on a job, which they take very seriously, they are super friendly and happy. You can just feel the excitement when they finally get to run.

Each dog has a role to play in pulling the sled, from the lead dogs in front setting the pace and keeping everyone in check to the swing dogs behind them which help steer around corners to the team dogs in the middle helping to pull the weight and finally the big brawny wheel dogs in the back by the sled that take a lot of the weight.

It’s like a well-oiled machine at work that sometimes has to stop and poop.

While I’m usually right in the thick of it traveling, it was really really nice to just sit back and enjoy the ride that afternoon. Out in the wilderness we passed glittering snow covered trees, huge mountains, rode by beautiful rivers and across a huge frozen lake as the sun was starting to set. We even (quickly) passed a moose! Canada turning on the goods!

I definitely had a few “pinch me – is this real life?” moments in the Alberta backcountry that afternoon. Magic, guys, pure magic!

Eventually we arrived back where we started and enjoy a nice hot cup of cocoa by the fire as the dogs rested, as you do when you are in a winter wonderland.

Have you been dogsledding before? Is this what you imagined? Would you try it in Alberta too?

Many thanks to Travel Alberta for hosting me in Canada, like always I’m keeping it real, like you could expect less from me!

The post Dogsledding in Alberta, Canada appeared first on Young Adventuress.

The gateway to Alberta is Calgary, a bustling big Canadian city that I didn’t have a lot of expectations for. My mind was more on the mountains.

I’m going to be totally honest here; I was not expecting a foodie scene and so many epic meals. Hell, I love surprises when traveling! But more on that in a minute.

But I love giving cities a chance, and I think it’s important to be openminded about places when you’re exploring the world, don’t you? Don’t judge a book by it’s cover and all that shit.

Anyways, I arrived in Calgary late in the evening right after New Years and headed straight to the Hotel Elan and planted facefirst into the comfiest bed ever.

The next morning I woke up early with my mind on coffee and headed over to the Simmons Building in the East Village. An old mattress factory converted into a thriving foodie center that just opened this year, I was really excited to see what was in store for me there.

Cough cough, hot coffee. Show me the beans!

Right next to the frozen river, the old school urban feel of the Simmon’s Building reminded me a bit of my old haunts around New York and New England, but I wasn’t prepared for just how an amazing experience it would be until I walked inside.

Wow, Alberta, you are full of surprises!

Tucked away in the heart of the up and coming East Village, the beautiful wooden beams, exposed brick and soft lighting of the building created one of the most welcoming atmospheres I’ve experienced in Canada. It felt like it’s own little market.

Right next to me as I walked in was Phil and Sebastian, an open coffee shop that you could immediately likely serves the best coffee in Calgary. Normally when I arrive in a city I seek out cafes like this, minimal with a focus on high quality coffee. It’s like they read my mind.

I’m such an addict.

In the back I could see the Charbar and Sidewalk Citizen Bakery, and my nose and interest was piqued. Without skipping a beat I ordered my standard latte before grabbing a seat and waiting for company. I was immediately curious about what made this place tick. Sometimes you just know when a place has a story.

And I was right, a rare occurrence.

When I walked inside the Simmons Building, I was immediately blown away by how cool of a spot this was. If you value quality food and meals prepared with mindfulness and love, THIS is the place for you!

A building destined for the wrecking ball, it was saved with the idea of turning it into a community space. Hundreds of people vied for the lease to set up shop but three innovators won out – a cafe, a bakery and a restaurant, none of them typical of course.

I’m not a food writer but this was too good not to share. Here’s their story along with my favorite bites from Calgary.

Phil and Sebastian

Phil and Sebastian studied engineering together at university, working as lab partners. They became friends over good food and better coffee. You can probably see where this is going, the result of which is amazing coffee in Calgary that Me (and probably plenty of you guys) couldn’t get enough of.

Read more of their epic story here. Trying to summarize it would just do it an injustice.

I like my coffee with a story so I was lapping it up when I was hearing the story of engineers turned award winning baristas. Isn’t that something we can all relate and aspire to? Leaving the comfortable to follow your dreams in the hopes that they pay off?

It’s an inspiring space, and I love that you see every angle of how the coffee is prepared, even it seems a bit intimidating. I’d rather learn that not, you know.

Sidewalk Citizen Bakery

After a couple cups of coffee, I wandered over to the Sidewalk Citizen Bakery. I needed something to stuff my face with after so much coffee. I was jittery.

With a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean menu and a no BS attitude, this Israeli owned bakery combines tradition and innovation in every bite. I knew I was going to like this place when the owner asked if she could feed me. Um, duh. Yes please!!!

With almost every ingredient made in house, including the yeast that makes the bread, there is though, purpose and love in every dish here to make you want to stay all day and try everything.

Charbar

Where do I start? The best brunch I’ve had EVER of all time was at Charbar. Omg did it blow me away. And I don’t say that lightly.

Blending together Argentinian, Spanish and Italian flavors over an Argentinian woodfire grill, I wish I hadn’t eaten for days to prepare me for this meal. But don’t worry, my mom raised me right and I didn’t leave anything. What was left came with me as leftovers. Obviously.

It’s also a really funky space. Definitely try the pizzas and ceviche mixto. ZOMG.

Working together with Phil and Sebastian and the Sidewalk Citizen Bakery, they all compliment each other and really show off the best there is in Calgary.

Yellow Door Bistro

The rest of my time in Calgary I ate pretty well too, with dinner one night at the Yellow Door Bistro, an eccentric restaurant with a fine menu. In a different part of the city from the Simmon’s Building, it was the first time I tried pierogies in Calgary, a local staple.

As someone with a Polish ancestry who is not the best chef, I’ve always struggled with making pierogies so it had been a while since I indulged. GOD, they have to be one of my favorite dishes. And honestly, what more could you want when it’s a balmy -10 degrees outside?

I couldn’t get enough of the delicious perfect sized mains or the regal throne chairs. This place was cool.

Red’s Diner

My last morning in Calgary I found I was quite bummed to leave the city. Living in one of the most remote, rural areas of the world here in New Zealand (wouldn’t have it any other way) I can fully appreciate it when I get to spend time in the big cities. Until I got a damn parking ticket. Seriously Calgary?

Starting with variety and ending with an ample selection of diverse and delicious food. Yum. I headed over to Red’s Diner, a local fave for a hot brunch before driving out to Canmore and the Rockies.

Ok, I am going to admit that I SERIOUSLY miss diner style food when I am outside of North America. It just takes me back to university and hanging with friends late at night or recovering from a big night out.

My spicy breakfast burrito with a whopping portion of guacamole was my last Mexican fix before heading back to a world without good Mexican food. And obviously we shared a plate of pierogies.

Calgary, I blame you for me not fitting into my snowpants when I arrived in Banff.

Have you ever visited a place with a surprising foodie scene? Have you been to any of these spots in Calgary?

Many thanks to Travel Alberta for hosting me in Canada. Like always I’m keeping it real – all opinions are my own, like you could expect less from me. 

The post Calgary’s epic foodie scene appeared first on Young Adventuress.

Icefields Parkway

Wow, just wow did Alberta, Canada blow me away this January!

As an American, I’ll be the first to admit that I am totally one of those people who never appreciated my own backyard until I left. When I was I kid I dreamed of Peruvian jungles and sipping coffee by the Eiffel Tower. North America was only on my radar as a place to leave.

In fact I’ve never really been anywhere in North America. Time for that to change.

Now that I have been overseas for most of my adulthood, I’ve come to really appreciate everything there is to be found right back where I’m from. And only when I moved to New Zealand a few years ago and my love for nature was rekindled did I start to look to my longtime neighbor to the great white north – Canada.

Bow Valley Parkway

So many of my friends in New Zealand have traveled to Canada and shared their amazing stories with me. It was easy to get inspired. And when I spent the winter hanging out with my Canadian buddies Hecktic Travels in Wanaka, did I really start to imagine visiting Alberta and finally getting to rest my eyes on the Rocky Mountains.

Spoiler alert – it blew all my expectations out of the water!

While I can’t wait to dive in and start sharing all the amazing stories and memorable moments from my 10 days road tripping around Alberta, I thought I’d start off with a little inspirational feature about my favorite 20 photos from the trip that convinced me that I loved this mighty epic area of Canada!

Enjoy!

P.S. if you’re curious about my camera gear that I used on this trip, be sure to check out my post about it here. 

Johnston Canyon

The tasty Calgary food scene

As a general rule, I’ve found that the colder the country the less exciting the food scene generally is. Is it just me?

Anyways, I was surprised and elated to discover that Calgary has an awesome growing foodie scene. What an introduction!

And not just Calgary, I ate really well my entire time in Alberta. But what was most standout for me was my very first day in Alberta I spent the whole morning hanging out at the Simmons Building, eating my way through the best of the best. Don’t worry, I have so much more to share about this soon, but my brunch at Charbar was one of my favorite meals in a long time.

The mindblowingly awesome road trips 

In hindsight, while I was in Alberta for 10 days, I didn’t cover very much ground, which was perfectly fine by me. I like to take things slow and really get to know the places I visit, what about you?

I had a really nice SUV rental (4 wheel drive) which is essential on a winter road trip in Alberta. All the roads are covered in ice and snow and it was great not having to worry about chains or not being able to go where I wanted to go.

My favorite drive was on the Bow Valley Parkway between Banff and Lake Louise. Seriously, don’t miss this one, it’s epic! And there is usually wildlife about too!

Bow Valley Parkway

Icefields Parkway

Road 724 out of Canmore

The frozen lakes that made me a bit nervous 

It’s been a long time since I’ve experienced a “real” winter and one of my favorite surprises was seeing all of the frozen lakes. How magical!

At first I was a bit skeptical to walk out on them but considering the highs when I was in Alberta hovered around a balmy -15 celsius and the lakes were covered in footprints, snowshoe prints, and ski tracks, I thought my chances of staying above water were fairly good.

It had been a long time (since I went to college in New England) since I played around in so much snow and was in such a winter wonderland of frozen lakes. Man, it was beautiful!

Lake Minnewanka

The fairy tale frozen waterfalls

Again, I don’t think I had ever really seen that many frozen waterfalls before I went to Alberta, and definitely none as beautiful as the walk along Johnston Canyon near Banff.

I woke up bright and early super excited to finally see Johnston Canyon. It was the coldest day I’ve experienced in my whole life around -27 celsius, but it was so still and pure I loved every minute of it.

Even when my hair froze.

I joined the first tour of the day with Discover Banff Tours out to the canyon, and the snow was still sparkling and was so dry it squeaked under my feet. I couldn’t believe it. It was definitely the most fairytale moment of my trip!

Johnston Canyon

Mush mush dogsledding time!

I was so excited to try dogsledding in Canada. I had been once before in Wanaka, but I was dying to try it out in a place where it was really renowned.

After leaving Calgary, I drove straight to Canmore and hopped on a dogsled adventure for the afternoon with Snowy Owl Tours.

And it was all kinds of magical, guys. Between zooming through the frosted trees and getting my first real glimpse of the Rocky Mountains to playing around with the pups, I was in heaven. HEAVEN!!

This was the Alberta I had been dreaming about!

Quite a few of you guys have been asking me about my red jacket – I wore the Musher jacket by Parajumpers (which is on sale now btw) during my trip to Canada and holy crap did it keep me alive. You need a really solid jacket to visit Canada in January, and this one was amazing. I’ll be writing more about them soon as I am collaborating with PJ this year on some fun frosty projects.

Working on my snowboarding at Sunshine and Lake Louise

Ok, I’m not going to lie. One of the main reasons I wanted to go to Canada was to have my first real snow trip. Because I just properly learned to snowboard in New Zealand this past winter, (I’m using the word “proper” veeeerrrry loosely here guys haha) I was dying to hit the slopes at some of the big resorts in North America, and the Big 3 around Banff was at the top of my list.

I caught the gondola up to Sunshine Village at sunset after arriving in Banff and was blown away by the sheer size! I stayed at the resort for the night and woke up to a layer of fresh snow before hitting the slopes. I loved the mellow wide runs and getting to glide through the trees for the first time. It was amazing!

After that I spent two days at Lake Louise getting better and enjoying the amazing views (and food)!

Basically I decided I need to move to Banff to do a proper snow season, what do you guys think?

Admiring the starry skies

Just like New Zealand, Alberta has some beautiful dark skies. Besides the chance of seeing the Northern Lights, visiting in winter means you have much longer nights and you don’t have to stay up quite so late to stargaze, which obviously I am a big fan of.

My favorite memory of watching the stars was just outside Canmore. I drove up there at night and had the place to myself, watching the stars twinkle over the warmly lit town surrounded by the Rockies.

It was a beautiful moment I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

Hanging out in the cozy cabins

I was so excited to stay at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge in Banff because it looked like just what I imagined – rustic, cozy wooden cabins complete with clawfoot tubs and your own fire.

I never wanted to leave this place it was heaven!

It was tucked away just outside town with the most beautiful views of the mountains, and it was snowing when I arrived. Seriously couldn’t have been more idyllic!

Pretending to be good at snowshoeing

Sometimes I really have to wonder what it must be like to be naturally athletic. Seriously, what is it like??

As much as I struggle with all sorts of sports and outdoor activities, I still love them and throw myself into them wholeheartedly. And in the case of snowshoeing, throwing myself through the snow, usually on my face. Walking is hard guys.

I LOVED snowshoeing! While in Canmore I flew up by helicopter to the nearby Kananaskis Country (where they filmed parts of the Revenant btw) with White Mountain Adventures for some heli-snowshoeing. Yes, it was super epic. The perfect alternative for winter backcountry adventures for people who aren’t serious skiers, it was the most perfect way to experience the pure wilderness of the Rockies.

Pigging out on poutine

Enough said.

*Here’s an amazing article about how awesome Poutine is.

I chowed down on some amazing poutine at the Eddie Burger Bar in Banff, along with a great burger. Oink oink!

Walking around the frosted forests

If I had to chose one thing that I absolutely loved above all else in Alberta, weirdly enough it would probably be the forests.

One thing we don’t have enough of in Wanaka is old forest, and I really really miss getting to explore the woods in my free time.

And Alberta has no shortage of massive old forests just waiting to be explored. And the best part of going in winter besides seeing the trees heaving with snow? All the grizzlies are sleeping.

Somewhere on the Bow Valley Parkway

On the shores of Lake Louise

Learning about the hot pools and the history of Banff (because I’m a history nerd guys)

One of the first spots I checked out in Banff town was the Cave and Basin, a historical site with thermal hot springs.

In the mid-1800s the springs and cave were “discovered” by explorers and railway workers and it was turned into a reserve which eventually became the birthplace of Canada’s national parks in 1885.

You can’t swim in them today but you can dethaw and warm up at the nearby Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Finally getting to visit Lake Louise

I know Lake Louise is iconic but I can’t help it, it was a place I was dreaming of visiting on this trip. And I was super excited to see it in winter, instead of from the stock standard Instagram photo of it from the blue lake from a canoe.

There wasn’t a hint of blue when I was there, it was covered with a layer of ice and snow and the trees were frosted in the distance.

I had a great view of the lake and glacier from my room at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and was up every morning before sunrise to inch my way along the lake admiring the amazing scenery.

Alberta, you rock.

Have you guys been to Alberta? Do you enjoy traveling in winter? Any spots here you dream of visiting too? Share!

Disclaimers: Many thanks to Travel Alberta for hosting me in Canada. Aaaand some of the links in this post are affiliate links (I gotta pay the bills). But like always I’m keeping it real – all opinions are my own, like you could expect less from me. 

The post 20 photos that made me love Alberta appeared first on Young Adventuress.

Ok, maybe I should be less dramatic and rephrase: I left *part* of my heart in western Massachusetts.

It’s not often I feel inspired to write about America on here. Either because whenever I spend any significant amount of time in my home country it’s usually with the thought of leaving, I’m just never there, or I am caught up in the thrill of exotic lands far far away from Virginia, who knows.

With the holidays slipping past me in a blur while I was in the South Island, any thought of homesickness was quickly dissipated and replaced with the excitement of travel adventures. How can you be sad in a place that looks like this?

But I would be lying if I said that I never got homesick, or I was so wrapped up in my travel life that it was easy to forget home. It didn’t take long this last year to realize that I’m not a global nomad. I’m not one of those people who can live for years and years out of a suitcase without a return ticket home always looking ahead to the next adventure. I’m a homebody, a nester through and through. I need stability and a place to call home, even if it’s just for a little while.

For some reason now that I am back in Wellington, Christmas is over and done and while I wish I could focus on all the great adventures that lay before me, somehow my mind keeps ticking back to the US, and the life I’ve left behind for New Zealand.

While I spent the good majority of my adolescence in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area, perhaps the place that had the biggest impact on me was Massachusetts, where I went to college. While I consider myself a southern girl through and through, I absolutely adore New England.

This is the part of America where I could see myself settling.

The humid summers spent hiking the hills and swimming in the lakes. The stunning autumns that are unparalleled in the rest of the world. The harsh winters filled with snow and ice. The happiness that comes when spring finally FINALLY arrives and everything blooms green again.

This is where I have both great and horrible memories. Western Massachusetts was transformative for me. These might have been the most important years of my life, the years that changed me, shaped me, helped me get to this point in my life.

While a degree in Medieval Studies hasn’t outwardly helped me so far in New Zealand, once I began to scratch beneath the surface,  I realized that it did, in fact, change me considerably. Maybe I say this to justify my massive student loan debt to myself, maybe not, but if anything my 4 years in South Hadley, Massachusetts taught me to think. They taught me to have an opinion. They taught me to be brave in my choices and have the courage to face hard decisions and challenge myself.

And there’s something to be said for that, am I right?

While I share so much of myself on this blog in terms of my hopes, fears and classic travel fuck-ups, I thought I would take the opportunity to share a side of myself that I tend to keep hush hush, though I’m guessing it’s a side that more of you can relate to, rather than the globe-hopping adventuress.

No skydiving. No hitch-hiking. No epic road trips.

Here is a glimpse into what really matters to me. Here are the simple things that I miss the most. Here is what’s on my mind when I get homesick. Let me take the chance to share with you an area of the US that means so much to me, that I think about all the time.

Western Massachusetts.

1. The Bookmill

Ok guys, are you ready? I’m about to give away one of my biggest secrets. Here’s one of my favorite places in the entire world. Not some cozy cafe in Scotland or an amazing town in Italy or even one of the glorious hikes in New Zealand.

Nope. My favorite spot in America, and quite possibly the entire world, the Montague Bookmill in Massachusetts.

With the slogan “Books you don’t need in a place you can’t find,” it couldn’t be more fitting. This was my kind of place.

I first heard about the Bookmill way back in my university days, but didn’t start spending hours and hours of my time there studying, reading and/or napping tucked away in one of the many hidden alcoves and corners til I was almost done with school.

The Bookmill became my retreat, my hideaway when I needed to escape the crowded, stressful crowds of South Hadley, Amherst, and Northampton.

Old books? A cafe? Historic mill? Green trees? Roaring river? What more could a girl ask for in a quiet country escape?

Housed in a mid-nineteenth century old mill, it was eventually restored and turned into a cafe and used bookshop absolutely LOVED by locals in western Mass.

You have to pull directions from their site; the Bookmill isn’t easy to find, tucked away in the woods far from the main towns. Even a GPS will give you wrong directions to get there, making it quite the adventure to find the place, hence the slogan.

Part of me doesn’t even want to write about this place because it’s so special to me, and because I have so much history there. But I love the Bookmill so much, I feel like I have to share it with you all, if you ever make it out to Massachusetts.

Do you have a favorite place like this?

2. Cozy B&B’s

I’ve hinted here and there that I am pretty much an old lady in a 25 year old’s body, which is none so evident as in my love for B&B’s and historical hotels and properties.

Ever since high school, when my dad was living in Boston, and throughout college when my parents would visit me, we would always stay in some of the cozy B&B’s around New England. I have amazing memories growing up and becoming adult staying in places like this.

Nowadays I make a point of staying in charming, character-oozing B&B’s whenever I can.

While there are plenty of cute places to stay in western Mass, quirky, hippy Northampton is usually my favorite town. Near downtown there is a wonderful B&B that’s my personal fave, the Sugar Maple Trailside Inn.

A mid-18th century restored farmhouse turned cozy bed and breakfast, I couldn’t have been happier to rest my head here last spring for a few days. It was the embodiment of my college years, bring back great memories of charming New England with old friends and family.

After a hectic trip, it was exactly what I needed to rewind and explore my old stomping grounds. Oh, and don’t even get me started on the breakfasts.

But maybe what I loved the most about the Sugar Maple Trailside Inn were the owners, Craig and Kathy. For me, when people really care about a project, about their work, it’s obvious. You can tell in every inch of the Inn that they’ve put in so much love and care into it. Welcoming you with open arms, walking through the front door feels like coming home.

Passionate cyclists, the house sits near an old railway line that’s been converted into a bike trail, and there’s hints of bike culture around the house if you look hard enough. The house also has ties with Sojourner Truth and with plenty of abolitionist history surrounding it, giving the B&B even more depth and culture than you might initially realize.

New England has a fascinating rail history, and now that so many of the trains are long gone, it’s nice to see the old rail lines being put to good use and being converted into bike trails.

Are you a fan of bed and breakfasts?

3. Classic coffeeshops

While America isn’t exactly known for fabulous independent cafes among my international friends. Helllloooo Starbucks francise! I’ve found that if you search hard enough, you do find pockets of great cafe culture around the country, and in western Mass that’s no exception.

Thanks to the prevalent universities and thriving intellectual scene, there are tons and tons of fabulous cafes and coffeeshops sprinkled throughout the valley.

There are few things I love more than a nice steaming cup of coffee with a fine layer of frothy milk on top. Yum.

When I went to Mount Holyoke College, I often would escape the hustle and bustle of campus in favor of some of the cafes in Northampton and Amherst nearby.

My go-to place to work was Amherst Coffee or Northampton Coffee. Simple, clean spaces, with high ceilings, great lighting, and most importantly, amazing coffee, I could (and did) spend hours tucked away in a corner typing my thesis or even just reading a book for fun.

While there are many fab cafes in the area, all with distinct ambiances, I have no reservations saying that this small cafe chain has the best bean.

And the best part about returning after a few years abroad? They expanded into a bakery! Tart Baking Co. opened in Northampton while I was gone (shame) but holy crap did I take advantage on my last trip up there. I definitely had some of the best fresh pastries I’ve had outside of Europe there. I hope the rest of New England steps up to the plate soon!

4. Historic Deerfield 

I discovered adorable Deerfield by happy accident the summer after I graduated from Mount Holyoke. I was working for a nonprofit, canvassing doors all summer attempting to raise money for the environment (and my god was that hard!) when one day the town I got to canvas was Deerfield.

Reminding me of colonial Williamsburg and many similar historical towns back home in Virginia, I immediately fell in love with this little slice of Massachusetts.

I’ve been back a few times, but I’ve always been in a bit of a rush, and haven’t gotten the chance to spend longer than a day in Deerfield, something I hope to change soon.

5. My Alma Mater, Mount Holyoke College

Ok, I have a confession. Well, I’ve already confessed this before when I moaned on about travel and the issue of nostalgia. This confession of course is that I have problems going back to places that I’ve lived for any significant amount of time.

I didn’t realize this about myself until last spring when I was visiting western Massachusetts for a few days. After touring around my favorite haunts outside of South Hadley and Mount Holyoke, where I lived for 4 years, the time finally arrived for me to head over for a visit.

Sitting in my car in a parking lot in Amherst, it started pouring rain. And in typical me fashion, I completely lost my shit and started sobbing.

Mount Holyoke holds so many memories for me, both good and bad. It’s a place that changed me. It’s a place that challenged me. It’s a place that helped me grow up.

But I wasn’t ready to face it again.

If there was one place I could see myself living in the US, it was western Massachusetts. But in May, with the impending move to New Zealand in a few months and then a summer in Europe traveling around, I knew I couldn’t bear to say goodbye to such a place.

Yeah yeah yeah, I’m an emotional mess, I get it.

But the hardest part of all would be going back without all of my friends that helped make those 4 years so special. I think that’s what scared me the most.

I like to think of myself as someone who can face her fears head on, learn from mistakes and move forward. But this time I was defeated by memories.

With so much ahead of me, I just couldn’t bring myself to look backwards, especially any further than I already had on that trip. It was all I could to stay focused on my big move, and I knew going back to Mount Holyoke at that particular time would have done me in.

So I stayed in my car, and spent the rest of the trip exploring more of the other towns in the area.

I know I’ll go back soon, but not yet.

Has a place ever had a hold on you like this? Do you struggle going back to somewhere you’ve spent a lot of time and loved? Or am I just crazy?

Many thanks to the Sugar Maple Trailside Inn for hosting me in Northampton. Like always, I’m keeping it real – all opinions are my own, like you could expect anything less from me. 

The post I Left My Heart in Western Massachusetts appeared first on Young Adventuress.

For the past two months I’ve been hip-hopping around Europe by train with my Eurail pass, in a new city every day or two. Usually I am so tired I can’t even remember my own name when I go to bed at night, not to mention my back is so sore from hauling around my overweight backpack. Seriously kicking myself in the ass right now for packing for 2 months in half an hour. Super fail.

My grand ol’ tour of ye olde world began back the first week of June, when I kissed my family goodbye and hopped on a flight to Toronto and the great white north for TBEX, a huge conference where travel bloggers converge for a weekend and talk about fun things like SEO and content creation, whatever that means.

After recovering from an intense six days of hardcore networking and even hardcore partying, usually at the same time, I grabbed a flight back over to London with Icelandair to begin the Great Euro Adventures of 2013, aka Liz’s farewell tour of Europe before I move down to New Zealand in August.

Before I knew it, two months had gone by though it felt like years. It was both the best summer of my life and the most intense summer of my life, and all I know now is it’s going to take a little while to both process everything that happened and recover.

While I am preparing the first couple posts about my epic badass solo trip in Europe right now, I realized I owed you all a massive update! Things have been a little too quiet here on the blog (interpret that however you will) and it’s high time I begin tossing out some mysterious hints and

Lately (and by lately I mean the past 8 months) I have been on a huge Instagram kick. I’m addicted. I’m obsessed. Every time I take a photo with my iphone (which if you know me is pretty frequent) I make sure it will fit in a square. I eat images for breakfast. This photo sharing app was made for me.

I will take this opportunity to shamelessly self-promote and ask you to go ahead and give me a follow on Instagram @YoungAdventuress if you don’t already. Don’t hate the player!

And what better way to give you an update and tell a story than to do it visually? To give you some idea of what I’ve been up to along with some sneak peeks of fun adventures and misadventure stories that are coming out in the next few months, I’ve compiled some (way too many) of my favorite instas of the summer so far!

Toronto, Canada

To be perfectly honest, I didn’t love Toronto. I wanted to love her, I really did, but it just didn’t happen in the week when I was there.

Granted, I barely got to know the city while I was there for the conference, but I did take a few tours around town which all had a very similar theme: beautiful, Victorian downtown Toronto was ripped to pieces a few decades ago to turn this big city into the financial capital of Canada.

Now there are some things I can forgive, but destroying beautiful old historical buildings in the name of banks is not one of them. Til next time Toronto!

Brighton, England

I had a few days to kill in the UK on my way down to Puglia in southern Italy for a blog trip, so I decided to trek down to Brighton on the south coast, about an hour-ish from London where my favorite Brit lives.

Brighton is vibrant, young, hip, trendy, beautiful, and well, to be cliche, it’s bright. If you’re looking to see a different side of England that’s not London, I suggest you hop on the next train to Brighton. I’ve been coming to Brighton almost every time I fly through the UK and honestly, it never gets old. I could see myself living there, I know I say that a lot, but it’s true here!

If it wasn’t for the general crap weather, stringent visa regulations and a subtle air of anti-American snobbery, I’d move there in a heartbeat.

Brindisi, Italy

Though I’d been to Italy many times over the years (I can only go for so long without proper Italian food), I’d never strayed too far off the beaten tourist track. When the opportunity arose to check out Brindisi in the southern region of Puglia, I jumped at the chance. I was ready for a different side of Italy.

In and around Brindisi took me by complete surprise. In the short week that I was there, I feel head over heels for beautiful southern Italy. For those of you looking for a true “authentic” Italian experience, wave goodbye to Rome and the north and head on down south to the pristine beaches and ancient olive groves around the port town of Brindisi.

Corfu, Greece  

Looking back I don’t know why it took me so long to haul myself down to Greece. For some unearthly reason, it was never on my radar until now. And after this summer, all I can think about is when I can return. Our Brindisi trip ended in Corfu after following along on a famous sailing regatta, and we had a few days of relaxing on the island before my insane backpacking trip resumed.

My memories from Corfu are magical. Orange sunsets. White sails. Blue water and all the greek yogurt and honey you could possibly want. I was in heaven.

Did I mention I got to ride around on Vespas exploring the island with two Italian boys? Ladies, dreams do come true.

Paxos, Greece

If you go anywhere in Greece, go to Paxos. Right now. Please.

Seriously, this was one of my favorite places I got to explore this summer. After a sad farewell of all my new friends in Brindisi, I boarded a small ferry out to the island of Paxos. Relatively unknown to the rest of the world, it is an island of crystal clear water and the laidback lifestyle we all imagine Greece to be. With few tourists!

I can’t begin to tell you how many times I ended up having a beach to myself! It was perfect! If I ever go back to Greece, I will head straight here.

Meteora, Greece

Meteora was on my radar for many reasons, but mostly because it was on the cover of my Lonely Planet. In Central Greece, it’s famous for having beautiful old monasteries clinging to the tops of pinnacle-like rocks. It’s like nowhere I’ve ever seen before. It was definitely worth hiking all the way to the top of all them.

I’m a big fan of traveling to places unlike any other, and Meteora tops that list, especially for Greece. The small town vibe has yet to be ruined by an influx of tourists and every night I was graced with a ridiculous sunset. I could easily have spent a week here hiking around and checking out all the adventure activities.

Delphi, Greece

Being the total history nerd that I am, a trip to Greece would be incomplete without visiting Delphi, the home of the famous ancient Greek oracle. Having made visiting as many ancient sites as possible my own personal life mission, to say I was excited to visit Delphi is a massive understatement.

Though it was hotter than Hades (see what I did there?) I had a great time exploring the site.

Hydra, Greece

I was hoping for one last beach hurrah before sailing back to Italy, and the island of Hydra near Athens sounded like the perfect place for me. No cars are allowed on Hydra, only way to get around is on foot, boat or donkey. Though way overpriced for just about anything, I still had a great time exploring the old town and sailing around to hidden beaches. I even made friends with a few Athenians, making the trip even more memorable.

Athens, Greece

I hated Athens, to put it mildly. I wasn’t even planning to stop here at all, except I figured I would hate myself later on in life if I missed out on the chance to visit the Acropolis. Though way overcrowded with massive tour groups, I lucked out and the late afternoon sky treated me to an awesome show, illuminating the city in the most beautiful light. I guess it wasn’t so bad after all…

Matera, Italy

While I was laying on a beach in Paxos, I met two couples traveling around from Australia. Sometime over lunch on the beach between the tzatziki dip and seafood pasta, we got to talking about lesser-known spots in southern Italy. trying to pick their brains for ideas, they eventually brought up Matera, a place I had never heard of.

HOLY CRAP MATERA BLEW MY MIND. Seriously, this had to be the biggest surprise of my trip. I was in love. I never wanted to leave. Speechless.

A quick background into this city was that people were living in the caves (Sassi) in town for thousands of years. It’s one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Until the 1950’s when the government realized people were still living in these caves in squalor and forcibly removed everyone into new housing outside the old quarter, leaving the Sassi abandoned for decades. Nowadays, these houses and caves are being renovated and people are moving back in.

Basically, this means that Matera is the most historically well-preserved place I’ve ever visited. Walking around the Sassi literally feels like I’ve stepped back in time 1000 years; it’s just incredible. In fact, it’s pretty well-known because Mel Gibson chose to film the Passion of the Christ there.

Salerno, the Amalfi Coast, and Rome, Italy

After a sad farewell from Matera, I hopped on the train to Salerno and the Amalfi Coast for a few days, exploring the towns and seaside that I fell in love with back in 2008. Positano still has to be one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever visited in Italy, but let me just say that visiting in July, everyone has the same idea.

I was excited to visit the seaside town of Salerno for the first time and get to know a more local side of Italy. The highlight there had to be the food. ALL THE FOOD. SO good.

On my way north, I stopped in Rome for a few hours only to meet up with friends and see Muse in concert. After a stressful month of travel, it was great to rock out next to the stage and get a little wild. Though I am definitely not 17 anymore and it took me a full two days to recover. But it was worth it.

Tuscany

Tuscany, Tuscany, Tuscany. This is what I think of when I think of Italy. Me and about half the women in America, to be sure. Tuscany is warm light, wheat fields and olive groves; it’s red wine and Cyprus trees. There is a reason Tuscany is timelessly popular. It’s ridiculously charming and gorgeous.

And like so many other things in my life, my love for Tuscany started almost a decade ago when I watched Under the Tuscan Sun for the first time. For years I had been trying to make the trip to Cortona, where the author Frances Mayes lives but it never worked out. Until now.

My dreams came true a month ago, sleeping in a restored medieval farmhouse outside Cortona and getting to visit all the places inspired by the books. It was perfection.

Did I mention I shot a video in Tuscany? More on that soon.

Florence

After a sad goodbye to Tuscany, I headed up to Florence for a few days to recoup. And let me just say, Florence in the summer was brutal. SO MANY PEOPLE OMGZ! I couldn’t deal with the crowds. It was hell. Plus the rainy, humid weather made it pretty uncomfortable. Luckily, Florence is such a magnificent city, you can’t help but love it, no matter what.

From sunrises at the Duomo to sunsets from the top of the city, my memories of the fabulous Florentine architecture and gardens are perfect. If anything my few short days in Florence reminded me I need to head back for a longer trip soon. Just not in summer.

Switzerland

Then I went to Switzerland, where this happened. More coming soon.

Iceland

The grand finale of two months in Europe was our #IcelandChallenge with Tiny Iceland and Icelandair, taking in their transatlantic 7 day free stopover. How much can you see and do in Iceland in 7 days?

A whole hell of a lot, that’s what we quickly found out.

I took so many iPhone photos in Iceland, I could write a dozen posts about just that. But in an effort to exert some semblance of self control, I just chose my 5 favorite pics from our week in Iceland driving around the entire country. From giant waterfalls to glacier sunsets to green mountains and black beaches, Iceland looks like no other place in this world. Why it isn’t everyone’s number 1 travel destination right this minute, I have no clue.

All I know is that 7 days wasn’t enough, and I am going to spend the next year figuring out a way to snag a long-term visa to Iceland. Anyone know a blonde viking wanting to get hitched?

Well I am home now, and beginning to recover and process what has to have been one of the most intense and epic trips I’ve ever undergone. Give me a few more days, and I’ll start resembling a human being again.

In the meantime, all these photos were taken and edited on my iPhone 5 (except the one of me skydiving, that was on my GoPro Hero 3). I get asked pretty frequently what apps I use for my photos so I figured I’d go ahead and share my favorites:

• Pro HDR
• Snapseed
• Picfx
• Beautiful Mess
• Pic Tap Go
• Insta Collage for collages and Color Cap for writing words on the photos

I’m always on the lookout for new fun iPhone photo apps, have any tips for me or ones I should try? Spill, would you like to visit any of these places? Have you ever considered backpacking around Europe with a train pass? What’s at the top of your bucketlist?

Now I’m home to these smiling faces. After two months on the road, all I need is some TLC and puppy kisses

The post Summertime Instagram Catch-Up appeared first on Young Adventuress.

Do you ever feel so overwhelmed with something in your life that you start to feel suffocated? Like the days seem so endless like you’ll never get through them all?

I used to feel like that in college, super stressed and stretched out, like I was always on a breaking point, mentally and physically exhausted all the time. Then Spain became home and most of my anxiety floated away, simply because stress is such an abstract concept there, at least compared with America.

Now that I am back home in the US, that ugly monster has started creeping back on me, thank you corporate America job. Right now my plan is to live at home for a while and squirrel away as much money as I can before moving abroad again this summer; I have got to be a grown-up for once and get my student debt and savings under control before I embark on indefinite round-the-world adventures in June.

Being home is challenging for me; I feel like I lost my freedom and independence. Now that I have a goal of becoming a professional travel blogger and writer living around the world, being holed up in my parent’s house outside Washington D.C. is like a prison sentence, even though I know I am doing the responsible thing and I’m happy to spend time with my family after being gone for years. But every day on my newsfeeds I see pictures from my friends and fellow bloggers doing amazing things around the world, while I put on ugly black slacks and a button-up and drive to a windowless office where I end up staring at a cubicle wall for 8 hours a day. Shoot me now.

I was doing really well up until Christmas, then after that I started to get really depressed. I felt like I was at the bottom of a big hole looking up at a mountain that seemed so far away it will never happen. I had nothing planned, nothing to look forward to for months and months. I felt out of touch with my friends in the US and even with my family, who I still think don’t understand my dreams. I felt sad and alone for the first time in years, a feeling I never want to experience again. It’s like I went back in time and became a whiney, moody teenager again.

Boo hoo, woe is me.

It didn’t help that I was experiencing my first proper winter in years. It was dark when I got up and went to work in the morning and it was dark by the time I got home in the afternoon. It was also cold as fuck and sometimes my hair would freeze by the time I got to work. The icing one the cake was one day the air compressor in my car broke, crippling my car and costing me the equivalent of a first class flight to Europe to repair for a car I don’t even want to drive to a job I hate.

Bottom of the hole. I’m a little ray of sunshine today, right?

It reminds me of Dr. Seuss’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go! I felt like I was stuck somewhere between a Lurch, Slump and the Waiting Place. Does anyone else love that book or is it just me?

Then one day I realized something. Two things actually. Nothing profound, nothing special, nothing unique. I realized that I needed to man the hell up and look on the brightside. I realized that instead of being depressed that I spend every hour of daylight cooped up in an office like some corporate chicken in dress pants, I got to drive to and from work during a spectacular sunrise and sunset every day. This realization hit me in the rearview mirror of my car on my way home from work.

It all started out with this photo.

I have a beautiful drive on the back roads of Maryland over the hills and through the woods, literally, even past a lake and a bunch of farms. All of this beautiful, wide open space I never had in Spain. Spain, being comprised of mostly urban spaces and people closed up together in apartment buildings and blocks, is bereft of the long drives just to get from one side of town to the other. America is much more spread out. When I was in Spain, I never got to see big sweeping sunrises and sunsets like I do when I’m home.

Being unlucky, I drive away from the sunsets every afternoon so I never took the time to stop and turn around to really appreciate them. Then one late December day, I was sitting at a traffic light on my way home and looked in my rearview mirror and saw the most spectacular orange sunset behind me. Grabbing my phone, I took a quick picture if it from my sideview mirror before the light changed to green. Then everything changed (figuratively).

I started thinking, hey, things aren’t so bad; I’m privileged enough to get to see a beautiful sunrise and sunset every day, and I’m going to take advantage of it. Then and there, somewhere on 115 around 370 between Rockville and Olney, an idea popped into my head. I would take a picture with my phone of the sunset everyday for a month. This would give me something to look forward to everyday, and a project to keep myself occupied and to remind myself that being home isn’t so bad.

Of course the next day it rained so hard on my way home there was no sunset at all.

Revised plan of attack: the sunset and sunrise project. Over the course of January, I spent a few minutes every day, either at home or on my drive somewhere, stopping and looking for a sunrise and sunset, tapping away on my iphone to remember it later. My goal was to collect 31 days worth of sunsets and sunrises and then share them on my blog. 

One girl’s quest to find a little slice of happiness in the ordinary.

A project so simple, yet fulfilling. So whether you a world wandering stuck at home with the blues and not traveling or you feel like you are stuck in a hole, or a rut, or even a Lurch, a Slump or god-forbid, the Waiting Place, my advice is find a little project. Think of something that makes you smile and turn it into a hobby. Do something to distract yourself and give yourself something to look forward to. Whether it’s take iphone photos of the sunsets every day for a month, trying a new recipe a week, or joining a dance class, find something small and simple you enjoy and work on it. Trust me, it really works.

Check out my 31 days of sunsets (and sunrises) outside Washington D.C.

What do you do if you ever find yourself in an unhappy place? Are you a big traveler? How do you cope when you aren’t traveling?

Tip: I took all these photos with my iphone 5. Anyone can take great photos with a phone. My favorite photo-editing apps are the following:

• Camera +
• Picfx
• Pro HDR
• Snapseed
• PS Express
• Pic Stitch

The post The Sunset Project: A Month of Finding Happiness in the Ordinary appeared first on Young Adventuress.

In the beginning of last summer, riled up by all my problems with Spanish bureaucracy, I wrote a post entitled 12 things I miss about America. Little did I know I hit on such a hot and controversial issue! Fights were breaking out in the comment section and on twitter about touchy topics like to-go coffee in Spain and customer service disputes! Now that the tables are turned and I am back home in the US for a while, I thought I’d go ahead and share with you 12 things I miss about Spain (and see how many more of you I can inadvertently piss off)! Just kidding 😛

1. La vida tranquila

I think the thing I singularly miss the most about Spain is the lifestyle. It is completely different way of life there that I love. I always feel like there are enough hours in the day to get done what I needed to, and I don’t feel as stressed or as pressured as I do back here in the US. I feel like I can be spontaneous in Spain and make spur of the moment plans, whereas my life in the States is so planned out down to the hour and I feel guilty if I don’t get everything done. I know that speaks VOLUMES about Spain’s economic crisis, but whatever. Truth be told, it’s nice living in a country where your own life and happiness come first and your job second.

2. The food and wine

Good lord, where do I even begin? I miss the simple, delicious healthy (and unhealthy) food and wine to be had all over Spain. I miss how diverse every region is when it comes to comes to food, and how every city has it’s famous local dish. But by far I miss the tapa and pincho culture. In Logroño, it was pretty much standard practice to meet up with your friends after work on a Thursday and Friday and go pincho bar hopping downtown for dinner.

I love getting to try all different things for very cheap prices. Living in the Rioja wine country last year didn’t help, and I was very spoiled when it came to drinking fine wine for low prices. Most of the time we would get a decent glass of red for under 2 euros paired with a pincho for 1,50. Can’t beat that!

3. The low cost of living

Damn, I had forgotten how expensive America is! I went from paying 25 euros a month for my cell phone to over $100. From 1.20 euros for a cup of coffee to $4, and let’s not even get into rent and grocery costs! Spain is a cheap country to live in by European standards, and I felt like I could do and buy a lot for little money. Now that I am home I feel like I throw money away left and right and I can’t even remember what I bought!

4. Tortilla de patata

Spanish potato omelette is a fundamental food group in my opinion, and not being able to find it at every bar, restaurant and cafe around town for $1 is actually killing me.

5. Besos

In Spain we give two kisses when we meet up with friends or when we are introduced to people for the first time, kiss on the left cheek, then a kiss on the right cheek. These besos are a fundamental way of life in Spain, and one of my favorite little nuances of Spanish culture. It reflects how warm and touchy Spaniards are, and shows how welcoming and affectionate they are to everyone. Though not with hugging, people get awkward when it comes to hugging in Spain.

In America we shake hands. Then wipe our hands on the back of our pants and sanitize them as soon as we leave the room. Sometimes when I meet new people here, I wonder how they would react if I ignored their outstretched hand and grabbed them firmly by the shoulders and smacked two big kisses on their cheeks. I would probably would get hit with a lawsuit.

6. Free healthcare

Can’t argue with this one, unless I have some secret die-hard republican readers. When I was in Spain and I got sick, I would go to the doctor and pay NOTHING. No copay, no big fat doctor’s fee, no test charges, nada! Then I would take my prescription down to the pharmacy and pay under $10. I don’t think I have ever payed more than 10 dollars for medication in Spain.

Since being home I got very sick twice and had to go to urgent care. I also have “good” health insurance in the States through my dad  in the federal government (thanks Obama!), and can you guess what I have sitting on my desk right now? Over $200 in doctor’s bills! WTF?! That isn’t even including the $100 I dropped on all the medication and prescriptions. Living in the States I feel like I can’t afford to go to the doctor’s when I need to, which is a horrible and twisted idea, right?

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7. No tipping

I love NOT having to leave tips in Spain for anything. I do realize that no tips is directly correlated to abhorrent customer service, but I don’t care! More money that I am not giving away that goes to my travel funds. I went out with friends in Oregon when I got home to the US, only to be gently reminded that I have to tip the bartender. Call me stingy, but I can’t believe I have to leave an extra dollar for someone to open a 6 dollar bottle of beer for me. I can open the damn thing myself for $1. And don’t even get me started at a restaurant. I would much prefer to see that money included in the original price than being forced to cough it up at the end. Makes me regret ordering so much.

8. Normal weather

In Spain we don’t have giant superstorm hurricanes, freak lightening storms, tornado warnings and monster blizzards that knock out the electricity for days. The only time my electricity went out in Spain was when I plugged one to many hair appliances in or when I “forgot” to pay my electricity bill.

9. Independent shops 

One of my favorite things about Spain was all of the independent shops and markets. I used to go weekly to the same butcher’s shop for my favorite steak cuts, to the greengrocer’s down the street for fresh veggies, to the fish shop for salmon, prawns and clams and to the bird shop for chicken breasts. The chicken would still have bits of feathers sticking out of it and the veggies would be dirty and as fresh as could be. And all the shopkeeper’s knew my name and what I would order. It was a taste of what life used to be like before giant grocery stores called Giant and Safeway conquered America.

10. The holidays

Now that I am home again and have (shudder) a big girl’s job, I’m talking salaried, benefits, flex time and something called a 401K, I have to deal with America’s concept of vacation days, which is pretty much nonexistent. I get 20 paid days off a year that I have to earn first! This means I have no vacation now, at all. In Spain, I had a holiday about every month, not to mention the puentes! Puente means bridge in Spanish and it means that many holidays are scheduled on Tuesday or Thursdays so that those Mondays and Fridays will also be taken off for a 4 day weekend! In Spain, I had 2 weeks off for Christmas, this year I have only 2 days off. Woof. I need a vacation already.

11. Easy travel

Speaking of vacations, in Spain it was relatively easy to travel around the country and around Europe. The bus and train system was fantastic and there are many quick and cheap flights around Europe. It was easy to escape to London or Paris for a long weekend, even risking a Ryanair horror story. Here I am lucky if I can make the trip up to NYC or even into downtown DC. Usually I am so wiped from my corporate ladder job that by the time Friday night rolls around, all I want to do is put on my snuggie and pass out watching reruns of Glee and Downton Abbey.

12. The parties

There are few comparable nights out in America to your average Saturday night in Spain. Spaniards sure know how to throw down and have a damn good time, and we haven’t even begun to talk about the festivals and special occasions. I can’t even count the number of times I have gone out for a glass of wine and a pincho with friends and ended up coming home at 6am. Parties and going out and having a good time with friends and family are a big part of Spanish culture, and it’s been an integral part to helping me make friends with locals and coming out of my shell in Spain, not to mention helping me improve my Spanish. Remember Spain is the country with famous food and wine fights and running with the bulls in Pamplona. There ain’t no party like a Spanish party.

What do you miss when you come home from living or traveling abroad? Do you ever compare your home country with another place you have lived?

  Rough translation: “In Spain, coming home before 3am isn’t going out, it’s going to dinner

The post 12 Things I Miss about Spain appeared first on Young Adventuress.

Nothing makes me happier than when the leaves begin to change. Shades of gold, red, orange and yellow blanket the ground, crunching under my feet as I would rush off to class in university in Massachusetts or hiking around my parent’s home in Virginia.

Without a doubt, autumn is my favorite season. I love fall, when the nights get chillier, when the air gets crisper and smells like a fireplace. I look forward to breaking out sweaters and scarves, and finally getting to wear my favorite fall colors again, cranberry reds, burnt sienna oranges and golden yellows, mimicking my favorite trees.

I love what fall symbolizes, change, the end of summer and the beginning of the harvest. I love the back to school themes and seeing the yellow buses around town filled with smiling and screaming children with big backpacks.

At the risk of sounding like a complete tool, or at least revealing what a total nerd I really am, I always think back and reflect on one of my favorite sonnets by Shakespeare when October hits (forgive me, I am feeling poetic tonight.).

“That time of year thou mayst in me behold,
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
In me thou seest the twilight of such day,
As after sunset fadeth in the west,
Which by and by black night doth take away,
Death’s second self, that seals up all in rest.
In me thou seest the glowing of such fire,
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the death-bed whereon it must expire,
Consumed with that which it was nourished by.
This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well, which thou must leave ere long.”

Sonnet 73

I love cloudy, overcast fall days, tucked away in a cafe reading and writing, sipping hot pumpkin spice lattes and people watching. Even better, I love those perfect fall days where the sky is a vibrant blue and cloudless, with the landscape painted bright in all my favorite colors. I’ll go hiking and walking outside, camera in hand, trying to take it all in, basking in the glory of the end of summer and the beginning of winter. I love apple picking and pumpkin hunting, trying to get in the spirit for Halloween and Thanksgiving.

The spectacular east coast autumns are one of the my favorite things about America. And one of the things I miss the most when traveling the world.

When I lived in southern Spain, we didn’t get much fall at all. Those olive leaves don’t like to change colors. Last year I moved to Logroño, in La Rioja in the north of Spain after falling in love with the landscape on a train tide during the fall of 2007. Though Spain doesn’t have the lush forests and bright leaves like back home, fall is just as beautiful in it’s own way. In La Rioja the best time to visit is in the fall because all of the leaves on the vineyards change color during and after the wine harvest. Last year I would spend my weekends hanging out in the medieval villages around La Rioja, like Laguardia, walking amongst the vineyards and munching on grapes.

Fall comes later in Europe, even in late November you can still find it lingering around, especially in places like London or Italy. One of my favorite parts of Milan wasn’t the beautiful architecture or the glamourous shops, it was spending time in the numerous parks around town, walking along creeks and lakes under yellow trees.

Over the years I hoard fall tree photos like treasure. It’s one of my quirks. Between October and December I take my camera with me everywhere. I’m that person that pulls over on the side of the road just to take 20 pictures of a tree. I even plan my trips now around the seasons, trying to be in a certain places at the best time, especially when it comes to the changing leaves.

Here are some of my favorite pictures over the years of autumn around the world, of places that have a truly spectacular fall that I’ve been to, as well as a few places I want to go to.

What is your favorite season? What is your favorite thing about fall? What places has the best fall for you? Are you a secret poet too?

New England (USA)

Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, where I went to university.

 Seattle, Washington

Washington D.C, Virginia and Maryland

La Rioja, Spain

Laguardia

Driving in the Sierra de la Cebollera

Laguardia

Ortigosa de Cameros

San Vicente

Mansilla

Valvanera Monastery

 Navarra, Spain

Olite Castle

England

London

Italy

Milan

Lake Como

Now these are the places on my autumn travel bucket list:

Japan

 Kyoto

Kyoto

China

Great Wall of China

Argentina

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Chile

Patagonia

New Zealand

Kawarau River

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The post Autumn around the World appeared first on Young Adventuress.

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I’ve never considered myself to be particularly patriotic; I spend as much time living outside of the United States as I do within, and I spend as much time grumbling about our government as I do about Spain’s. Half the time I consider myself to be an expat, especially when I hear about some new problem or issue in American politics. I become angry when I hear about some new fanatical group or how our government is constantly at war between the two parties but I become even angrier when I hear stereotypes and generalizations about the States from people abroad. In spite of my own problems with my country, at the end of the day, I’m American, and this massive, stubborn country is mine, and I am proud about where I come from.

America has freedoms and its own special (occasionally annoying and proud) culture that few other countries even come close to. There is the possibility, the opportunity here, that I have yet to find abroad. Paths are open here; not as open as they could be, but they are open, and I still believe in the American dream; that if you work hard enough, it will pay off. You can become whomever you want to be here, that your voice truly matters, and I feel like that is something so incredibly rare and precious and needs to be held on to. Americans tend to throw words like “freedom” and “liberty” and “rights” around a lot, but it goes to show what our values really are. I believe in freedom; I believe in choice; I believe in opportunity, and at the end of the day Spain may be my country, but America is my home.

When the planes hit the Twin Towers ten years ago, I was sitting in my 8th grade geography class in Virginia; I was 13 years old. I remember the announcement over the PA system. I remember my teacher running out to see what was going on. I remember watching the news and seeing the second plane crash into the second tower. I remember people crying. I remember the announcement that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. I remember trying to call my dad because he works for the government in D.C. I remember watching the news all day and night with my mom and stepdad, wondering what the world had come to. I remember trying to understand how some people could hate us so much that they could do this. It is a day that I will remember for the rest of my life.

That summer my family took a trip to NYC; it was the first time I had ever been there. We walked along the fences at Ground Zero; a huge hole where the two skyscrapers used to be. I can still remember seeing huge tarps and canvasses covering the windows of the surrounding buildings where the glass had blown out, and I remember all of the signs, all of the notes, all of the candles, all of the flowers, and all of the photos covering the fences.

3,000 people died that day. 3,000 innocent people. More than 3,000 families and friends were hurt and changed forever. It is hard for me not to feel patriotic when I think I about 9/11. I get angry and sad, and I want to scream when I think about it. But it is important that we never forget what happened ten years ago today, and more importantly that we learn from it. If anything, it reminds us that we need to become united again; to have pride in ourselves but not be think we are invincible. We need to move forward and not get lost in same blind zealous hate as our attackers. We must not forget.

Where were you on September 11th? How did this tragedy affect you?

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