Sometimes, I'm a Little Epic

Now, I don't want to brag, but I've been known to seek out some pretty intense adrenaline rushes.

I recently visited Jimmie from Tales of a Traveling Texan, and discovered a somewhat silly, but also incredibly entertaining travel quiz. The concept is to answer a handful of questions to discover your "Travel Sign." I thought it was intriguing enough to take the quiz, and while most of the online quizzes I've taken in the past really have turned out to be silly, this one piqued my interest.

My result?



"Farbarian, Farbarian, where for art thou, Farbarian? Off on some epic quest, no doubt. Your name belies your need to wander. Along the spine of the granite peaks to the west and among the rolling hills to the east. Farbarian, you make your mother weep with your wild travel adventures. But, Mother Nature weeps with joy."

And you know what? It pretty much hit the nail on the head. I love adventure. I love challenge. I love doing things that will probably end in making a fool out of myself, because life is too short not to have a good laugh, even at my own expense. I love taking risks, and I love the rush or adrenaline I get when I jump out of a plane or zip line across a valley. There's nothing quite like that feeling of heightened awareness, and I tend to go to places that offer me an opportunity to do something crazy.

And as it says (and my mother would probably agree), "you make your mother weep with your wild travel adventures." She's told me before, go and do, but go and do before telling me where you're going and what you're doing--at least when it comes to jumping out of planes.

Take the quiz! What kind of traveler are you? Do you agree with the result?

Looking Back at My Semester Abroad

It's hard to believe that my semester in Rome is finished.

The semester flew by, and it was probably the best semester of my life.

During my time in Europe I was able to do a lot of traveling.

I made it to 11 cities in Italy, 9 countries in both Western and Easter Europe, and 22 cities across the continent in total.

Talk about the travel bug.

But even before coming to Italy I had already done my fair share of travel. At this point, I've been to 17 countries. I (more than) doubled my country count this semester (by one country!), which was impressive, by my standards at least. I certainly wasn't expecting to make it to that many places, but I am really glad I did.

I met some amazing people and did some amazing things.

My flight got canceled because of a freak blizzard the night I was supposed to leave and made friends with a guy from Michigan who would end up being one of my closest friends abroad. I saw the Colosseum for the first time the very first night I was in Rome. I got lost more times than I can count the first two weeks of the semester. I spent Valentines day with my girls and Bob Marley. I had the best week-long date in Rome with my amazing boyfriend who visited for his spring break and my birthday. I had a blast on my birthday, too. I discovered the Appian Way, the Cappucin Crypt and dozens of churches throughout the city. I got lost amongst the canals of Venice. I hung out with two of my housemates from the States when they visited. We traveled four cities of Tuscany and discovered the leather market of Florence. I took midterms and did better than expected. I hit four countries and 5 cities in 10 days over my spring break. I traveled to Budapest by myself, explored caves with a Finnish guy, took a tour of Communism with a German couple, and went to a Salsa club with Croatian students. I swam in the Adriatic off the coast of Capri, enjoyed the artisan market of Sorrento, and explored the ruins of Pompeii. I went clubbing in Testaccio. I visited the gardens of Tivoli. I played cards outside of a train station and sang Sara Barielles with friends. I basked in the sun in Croatia, took an tour of the Island of Brac, ate a seafood dinner in Trogir, and lost my toe nail in Split. I had a formal at my apartment for all my friends in Rome. I went to the AS Roma vs. AC Milan soccer match. I took finals (and passed!) and I finally flew home.

What are some of your best memories from traveling to different places?

The Essentials of Packing Lightly

Because I'm no stranger to travel at this point, I've done quite a bit of packing, which is precisely why I want to share with you my Essentials of Packing Lightly.

Before I start to go more in depth, I'll tell you now. This list is a list that works best for me. What is best for me, might not be what is best for you. Additionally, if you're the kind of person who doesn't want to do Budapest on a budget with a backpack, then obviously this list isn't for you. However, if you're looking for a list of clothing and items for the hardcore, 25-pounds-or-less, I'm-kind-of-grungy-but-having-an-awesome-time-anyway route, this might help you gather ideas for your own list of what to pack.

The kind of packing lightly that I'm talking about isn't easy. It means sacrificing the luxuries you get to have at home. But at the same time, they're called the essentials for a reason. It means you need them, while the luxuries you can leave at home. Trust me, packing lightly makes everything easier. You wouldn't want to end up like me, facing the wrath of the theives of Costa Rica and Rome, and losing all of your valuables that you really didn't need to bring with you on your trip anyway.

So, without further ado! My Essentials of Packing Lightly.

Tips for Pre-Packing
1.) Pack layers. Especially if you're traveling to several different places with a variety of climates in the same trip, you're going to want to pack layers. That way, when it's cold, you can pile them one and when it's hot, you can strip them off. Easy-peasy lemon pie.
2.) Pack the bare minimum. Maybe this means you'll be wearing the same shirt over and over again throughout your trip, but especially if you're backpacking, you won't want 12 shirts for a 12 day trip. You're going to want 2. Because that pack will be heavy... and on your back... hence it's name: backpack.
3.) You might not need that lip stick or cologne. Decide accordingly. Sorry ladies and gents, but leave the niceties at home for certain trips. Ladies? The lip stick won't matter no matter how many times you reapply throughout the day if you plan on chowing down on a whole fish or sharing some Mate tea. And gents? You certainly won't need that cologne when you're riding a camel, cause you'll stink just the same by the end of the day anyway (have you smelled a camel?!)
4.) Dark colors for the win! That's right. Wear darker colors as much as possible. Unless you're going to be in the middle of the Sahara Desert for you're entire trip (where you will want white and egg shell colored clothing), you're going to want to stick to browns and blacks. They don't show dirt, pit stains, or that green-chili curry you spilled through the hole in your bottom lip last night at dinner.

The Basics (Meaning you're traveling the back-country of the Midwest, the countryside of Eastern Europe, or the cloud/rain forests of Central America, etc etc...)
1.) 1 Pair of Long Underwear: If where you're traveling is going to be cold, pack a pair of long underwear, preferably silk or synthetic ones. Yes, they'll cost you an arm and a leg at an outdoors store, but you won't regret it. They keep you warm and dry, both of which are essential in colder climates. Not to mention, you can wear them as layers or by themselves as PJs.
2.) 1 Heavey-Weight Fleece Jacket: You don't need a name brand like Northface, but having a fleece jacket ensures that you'll stay warm. Even in countries that have warmer climates during the day can drop their temperatures pretty low at night. Stick with a black fleece and you can wear it with pretty much anything without feeling too touristy or American.
3.) 1 pair of Synthetic Quick-dry Shorts: They won't chafe you, and they dry super quick. What more could you ask for? Plus, they come in handy if you want to stand under a waterfall or ride a horse through a creek and be dry within half an hour of doing so.
4.) 2 Synthetic Quick-dry Shirts: Same story as your synthetic-quick dry shorts. And they won't get you as smelly as cotton, because they wick the sweat away from your body and help it evaporate quicker.
5.) 3 Pairs of Long Wool Socks: I prefer the SmartWool variety. I've used them for essentially every trip I've taken both in and out of the U.S. for the past 5 years and I'm not going back. They keep your feet warm, dry, and less-stinky than cotton socks do. Win!
6.) 3 Pairs of Liner Socks: Again, I prefer SmartWool, but any liner socks will do. And trust me, you're going to want liner socks if you plan on doing a lot of walking with a heavy pack. Having liner socks means no blisters (hurrah!) and it also means your feet stay even dryer. Double win!
7.) 1 Pair of Super Sexy Hiker Pants: I have a pair of these from R.E.I. and while they scream "tourist!" to anyone who sees me, they're literally the most incredible pants I own. Do I want shorts? Yes, I do. So I zip off the pant legs. How about pants? Zip the pant legs back on! Capris? Roll up the cuffs and snap 'em up. It's like having any kind of bottoms I can imagine in one pair of pants! Sure, they're ugly (aka, I lied when I said they were super sexy), but they're so handy.

8.) Medium Weight Hiking Boots: I prefer medium weight hiking boots because I rarely do any form of traveling that requires more than that. Light weight boots also tend to be not enough for some of the more serious hikes I've done. However, just like Goldilocks with the Three Bears, mid-weight boots are just right.

9.) 8 Pairs of Cotton Blend Underwear: One for each day of the week, and then some! The reason I like cotton blends is because they're breathable, but they dry quicker than full cotton undies after you wash them.

10.) Heavy-Duty Space Coat: These coats are the kind that make you look like you just landed from mars and you're 100 pounds overweight, but thankfully you only need it if where you're going is really cold.

Rain jacket, synthetic shirt,
hiking pants, mid-weight boots-
check, check, check, and check.

A Little Fashion (Meaning you're traveling more within civilization and urban areas, but still want to pack light...)

1.) 3 Solid Colored T-shirts: They're versatile, they're colorful, and they can go with lots of different things. Depending on the colors, you can dress them up or down, as well. Think darker colors though, because, as I mentioned above, they hide stains and dirt better.

2.) 1 Pair of Comfortable Dark-Wash Jeans: Dress 'em up, dress 'em down, wear 'em with any of your tops. They're versatile just like your solid colored T's and they don't need to be washed that often. So bring a pair and wear 'em often.

3.) 1 Pair of Black Flats: I love having flats because they're comfortable, not as chunky as sneakers, and not as bare-bones as flip-flops/sandals.

4.) 1 Pair of Black Sandals/Flip Flips: For those beach days, hot days, rainy-but-warm days, gross hostel showers, dressier occasions or any other occasion you can think of.

5.) 1 Pair of Sneakers: You can feel free to go with black again, because they're less noticeable than white sneakers, and don't look as dirty after wearing them often.

6.) 1 Long Sleeved Solid Colored Shirt: I usually go with a dark color, but any color will do. Just keep in mind that black is versatile, dark colors hide dirt, and it isn't noticeable if you wear it often as if you're wearing a baby-blue shirt.

7.) 1 Light Weight Zip-Up Hoodie: They're comfortable as all get-out, and they are great for layering, and they give you a hood during impromptu rain showers. Again, I always go for a darker color.

8.) 2 Patterned Wrap-Skirts/Sarongs: They work as skirts, dresses, beach blankets, picnic blankets towels, or any other imaginative thing you can think up. 

9.) 8 Pairs of Cotton Blend Socks: Same with the underwear as above, you have a pair for each day of the week and one extra for good luck. Then they dry fast after you was them.

10.) 2 Solid Color Tank Tops: I don't think I have to say it at this point, but I often opt for black or another dark color.

Other Various Goodies

1.) Toiletry Pack: I'm talking tooth brush, tooth paste, hair brush, q-tips, floss, face wipes, deodorant, contact-solution, extra contacts, and whatever else you see fit that can make its way into a 3 liter zip-lock bag.

2.) All-Purpose Soap: This works wonders for not only washing your hands and face, but for your hair, your clothes, your dishes--basically anything you need washed, an all-purpose soap will wash it.

3.) Sunscreen: I literally don't leave home without it because I was blessed with the skin of the Irish. It's 75+ for me, but feel free to go with a lower SPF.

4.) Chapstick: It's necessary for rain or shine, cold or warmth. I get chapped lips in all types of weather, so I always carry one with me.

5.) Mini First-Aid Kit: Talk about essential. If you want to know why I recommend this, check out my post about what I left in Croatia to find out why a mini first-aid kit comes in handy.

6.) Body Spray: Call me vain, but I like to smell good. Small body-sprays make this possible. Currently I'm using Hawaiian Ginger. 

7.) Travel Pack: This is where I keep all of the little luxuries that I can afford to carry with me. Things like ear plugs, a face-mask, an inflatable neck pillow, aspirin, any other medication you might need, copies of your important documents and itineraries, etc.

8.) Extra Camera Battery/Memory Card: Because chances are, at some point, if you travel a lot, you will lose, break or have one of these stolen.

9.) Earrings: Ok, maybe you won't pack these, but I do--because earrings are my thing, and I love to wear them.

10.) Minimal Make-Up: This includes face-powder, mascara, and eyeliner for me. No, it's not essential, but like the earrings, sometimes I'm a little vain and like a small luxury.

What are some of the things you pack when you go traveling? Do you travel with a backpack or a suit case, usually? Have you ever had to pack light for a long trip?

100 Steps Toward Happiness: Part 2

Happy Thursday everyone!

As promised last week, here is the second installment of my 100 happy things! Enjoy!


11.) Color. When I was a kid I colored all of the time. Even when I ran out of coloring pages in coloring books, I'd draw my own pictures in pencil or pen and proceed to color them in. It's something about coloring that's calming and therapeutic. Even to this day, I will admit, I still color in order to de-stress. I worked as a tour guide and office worker last summer at my university, and in between tours and jobs me and all of my co-workers would sit quietly in the back with crayons and colored pencils and computer coloring page printouts of Tinker Bell, great white sharks, palm trees, Power Rangers, and puppies. Granted, we were all between the ages of 19 and 22, but that didn't stop us from happily coloring away.

12.) Go to a pet shop and play with puppies or kittens. This one is almost self-explanatory. Unless you have allergies (in which case, I suggest you skip this one) check out a local pet store or shelter and play with the puppies and kittens. This is another great stress reliever, and puppies and kittens are just so adorable that it's impossible to be unhappy while watching them puppy-waddle-around in circles or kitten-swat at fake mice. Seriously. Cutest. Things. Ever.

13.) Buy some new socks. Whether you like them white and fluffy, bright and colorful, or fuzzy and warm--go buy yourself a few new pairs of socks. There's nothing like having a new pair of socks to walk around in. They're soft, they smell nice, and they've never been worn until now!

14.) Cook one of your grandmother's recipes. It might not come out exactly as she made it, but try it anyway. But don't cook alone--ask your sister or brother or mom to join in the experience. And while you're at it, reminisce about all the good memories you have of your grandmother. Because let's face it, grandmothers are happiness. They bake cookies and read you bedtime stories and take you to the park. So remember her through one of her time-honored recipes!

15.) People watch. There really is nothing funnier than people watching. I've never been disappointed and always had a good laugh while people watching, because people do, wear and say the darnedest things. Bring a camera along and snap a few discreet photos if you can, too. It's definitely a good way to bring a smile to your face.

16.) Say "I love you." I feel like so often today, people are resigned to saying, "love ya," "luv u," or "wuv youuu!" People resort to these abbreviated ways of saying, "I love you" because of technology--it's easy to shorten it when you're e-mailing or Facebook chatting someone. But it's important to say the entire phrase, because "I love you" carried so much more meaning than a simple, "love ya." It makes others feel, well, loved--and that will not only make them happy, but you happy, as well!

17.) Go yard-sale shopping. What could be better than some old records, a set of antique silverware, a vintage t-shirt or a barbie doll from the 60s? That's right! Nothing! Even if you end up buying nothing and only "window shopping" your way around your friendly-neighborhood yard-sales, it's a relaxing way to spend a Saturday morning. Plus, you never know what you'll find.

18.) Plant a seed. Growing a plant is a great way to nurture something, while also maintaining a hectic lifestyle. Owning a dog isn't for everyone, and even goldfish can be time consuming because of tank maintenance--but a plant? It just needs water, sunshine, and love. So plant a seed of some easy-to-grow vegetation, and watch your love blossom!

19.) Eat breakfast. Seriously. What better way to start your day? It's an instant mood booster. Bowl of cereal? Delicious! Eggs and toast? Perfect! Buttermilk waffles? Leggo my Eggo! Eating breakfast guarantees that you'll perform better throughout the day, which means you'll be much happier. So go chow down on some blueberry muffins or English muffins, oatmeal or grits, pancakes or french toast!

20.) Play a board game. Gather some friends, settle down into a cozy room, whip out the Monopoly, Sorry or Scrabble, and get ready for a night of laughing, memories and fun. Whether you play Risk for six hours or Scattergories for one, you'll have a good times in the midst of your friends without the brain-drain of TV or the clean-up of throwing a party.


What are some things that make you happy? Share them here and I might credit you next week with one of your ideas!

Take the Plunge

I've done my fair share of plunging into water these past couple weeks.

I've dipped into 38 degree C bath in the Szechenyi thermal bath house in Budapest, Hungary (hot, hot, HOT!)
I've jumped off the side of a small motor boat into the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of Capri, Italy.
I've dived into the Adriatic Sea off a yacht in Brac, Croatia.
I've been drenched by freezing cold torrential rain in Prague, Czech Republic (okay, maybe not my own doing, but certainly still water...).
I've leapt into the Cetina River from a 3 story high cliff outside of Omis, Croatia (twice!).

And currently, the heavens just opened up and released its bath water upon the city of Rome. Thankfully, this time, I'm safe inside of my lovely little apartment listening to the pounding rain instead of standing in the midst of it.

Throughout all of my diving, dipping and plunging I've found that sometimes the water is hot and sometimes the water is cold and sometimes the water is just right (granted, I might have stolen this from Goldilocks and the Three Bears, but "bear" with me). Regardless the temperature of the water, I wanted to jump into it anyway.

It's about the experience, and this is what I often write about--the experience.

What if I had not jumping to the numbing Adriatic Sea and had stayed on the boat instead? Well, I wouldn't be able to say that I swam in the Adriatic even though I'd been to Capri. If I hadn't gone to a bathhouse in Budapest, I would have been missing a crucial part of the culture of the city. And if I'd not ignored my fear of jumping off a three story rock in Croatia? I wouldn't have had the adrenaline rush I got from the thrill of leaping into the crystal clear Cetina River of Croatia.

It might seem like such a small and insignificant thing in the grand scheme of traveling the world--but next time, take the plunge and jump into a body of water. It's invigorating, refreshing, and sometimes the best memory you have from a place!

When have you taken the plunge? Were you nervous to jump into water you knew was really cold or too hot? Were you unsure about cliff jumping or leaping off a boat? Did you ignore those feelings and dive in anyway?

You Leave a Part of Yourself In Every City

You know how the saying goes: "I left my heart in San Francisco."

The same is true whenever you travel. You leave little bits and pieces of yourself in every place you go. It's hard not to--you get attached, you form relationships, you eat delicious, interesting or weird new foods that you can't get enough of, you do new things and you see places you've only ever seen pictures of previously.

I've definitely lefts parts of myself in every place I've visited. Croatia is lucky enough to have claimed my left foot next-to-pinky-toe toenail.

I bet you did not expect this post to go in the direction it just did.

Well, regardless of what you were expecting ("I left my heart in Croatia!"), I did, unfortunately, leave a more gross part of myself in Split, Croatia. Being the klutz that I am, I tend to not watch where I'm walking more often than I care to admit and then trip or fall over things just a little less often than not watching where I'm going (although, I will admit, the two go hand-in-hand).

So, Croatia wins this round. "How?" you might ask? On my way to dinner with three girl friends I walked into a chair. That's right: a chair. Once again I was not paying attention to where I was walking, and walked directly into the leg of a chair. At first I thought it was a standard stub-the-toe-and-wince kind of accident, only to look down and discover a less than enjoyable scene. Sucking it up, I told the girls we had to backtrack to my hostel so that I could perform emergency first-aid on my toe.

It wasn't pretty. It wasn't fun. But looking back, it makes for a good story.

My moral for you this time takes several forms, and you can decide which direction to take (kind of like those childhood books where you pick your own ending! So fun!): either wear close-toed shoes and continue to be clumsy, or begin to pay attention to where you place your feet so you can avoid the entire situation completely.

I'll be opting for the latter of the two in the future. I just can't give up my sandals!

Have you ever done something clumsy and literally left a part of yourself in a city?