Friday, January 31, 2014

Delicacies of Kyushu, Japan


What comes into your mind, when you think of Japanese food?
         ... Probably a lot of you would say, sushi.
Sushi tastes amazing, for sure, but there are many more sorts of Japanese delicacies! 
In this post, we look at two delicacies of
Kyushu, one of the 4 islands constituting Japan!  

Dazaifu in Fukuoka, Kyushu is famous for its specialties,
 'matcha' (fine powder Japanese green tea) & 'umegae mochi' (apricot flower mochi).
Matcha & Umegae Mochi (Dazaifu)
Matcha is a unique kind of Japanese green tea,
and umegae mochi is a apricot flower rice cake stuffed with subtly sweet red beans.
It is crispy outside and sticky inside!

Kumamoto in Kyushu is famous for its specialty 'donkotsu ramen'.
Donkotsu Ramen (Kumamoto)
It is said that Kumamoto and Hakata of Kyushu are the areas 
where original donkotsu ramen come from! 
Donkotsu ramen is a type of Japanese noodle in thick pork bone soup.

TRAVEL TIP #2: Actively ask questions to locals! Talk to tourist information center representatives and ask for recommendations to try the local specialties!

YUM! "I-ta-da-ki-ma-su" ('I will enjoy this meal' in Japanese)

Love, Hyuni

(All the pictures taken by the author, Hyuni)

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Sitting on Top of Capitol Hill

I know that summer seems forever away, but actually, now is the perfect time to plan ahead for that long vacation. This past summer, I had an amazing experience interning for a congresswoman in DC. So readers, while you're on the hunt for a new internship, take it as an opportunity to go somewhere new and exciting!
 http://watchdogblog.dallasnews.com/files/2013/01/National-Capitol-Building-Washington-DC.jpg
Since I'm from the DC area, I may be a little bias when I say, "Come and work on the hill!" You can intern anywhere from Congress to an Executive Department to a Government agency. Start by checking out the official government websites because there's usually an Internship Application section. If not, then be bold and see if there office would be interested in hiring a high intern or keep it in mind for future college internship. You'll not only get to immerse yourself in a dynamic poltical enviornment, but also get a taste of the real working world.
 http://www.abpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/georgetown-cupcakes-abpan.jpg
And when you're not working, take time to explore the museums, monuments, and, of course, to try all the amazing food. Every time I head back I always hit up Georgetown Cupcakes. So why not shake things up this summer? Come to DC and learn to be the next political power player.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

The REAL Happiest Place on Earth!

Hey girls!

I know you all think that Disney World may be the "happiest place on earth," but did you know that it's actually Denmark?!  One of the reasons (see all of them here!) this is so is because parental support and gender equality are prioritized - now that's cooler than some theme park if you ask me.

Other reasons why Denmark is a pretty awesome country:
  • Legos were originally designed there 
  • The words "please" and "thank you" don't exist in Danish
  • Denmark has a female prime minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt
  • They ALSO have their first queen since 1412, Margrethe II
A couple of little birdies told me that Margrethe II is quite an amazing lady.  Those little birdies would actually be my parents - who met Queen Margrethe II when my dad was knighted by her in 2003!
My parents meeting Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik - and my dad's medal
Farvel! (goodbye in Danish!)
-Sarah

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Where in the World is Hillary Clinton?


I can't think of anyone who has traveled to more countries than Hillary Clinton. As Secretary of State, she traveled to 112 countries!! Imagine how many different stamps she has in her passport!

A few quick facts about Hillary:
  • Secretary of State--Hillary helped represent the United States all across the world and focused on improving personal relationships with foreign leaders.
  • the Clinton Foundation--along with her husband Bill Clinton, she promotes global health, increased opportunities for women and girls and going green!
  • She always travels in style rocking her trademark pantsuit!
Next time you're thinking about planning a trip, try going to one of the many countries Hillary has already visited. Even if you're taking selfies on the steps on the Parthenon instead of schmoozing with the Greek President, you're still following (literally) in her footsteps!


In 2016, Hillary could be our first female president--so basically she's getting a flight upgrade from first class to Air Force One! Not bad for someone who loves talking, travel and texting--just like you!

For more Hillary fun, check out this link

Monday, January 27, 2014

The Wonders of New Zealand

 Happy Monday, everyone!

As I woke up this morning and bundled up in my puffy winter coat, hat, and gloves, my mind couldn't help but wander to a place far far away...with sunshine, adorable accents, and beaches galore.  Think I'm talking about Australia?  Close, but not quite.  I'm talking about its next door neighbor, New Zealand!


New Zealand scenery 
http://www.aptouring.com/Destinations/new-zealand


Fun Facts about New Zealand...
  • The Lord of the Rings movies were filmed there
  • Rugby is the most popular sport
  • Since it's in the southern hemisphere, it has opposite seasons as the United States
  • "Kiwi" is a name given to New Zealanders (and it is also the name of a fruit that grows on the island!)
  • Taylor Swift traveled there earlier this year as part of her Red tour!  

Taylor Swift enjoying the New Zealand scenery on her music tour
http://www.disneydreaming.com/2013/12/02/taylor-swift-shows-off-photos-from-waiheke-island-new-zealand/

We might not be international country/pop stars, but who says we can't still enjoy a trip to the beautiful country!  Here are a few things that are on my to-do list if I ever get the chance to go!
  • Hiking through the mountains 
  • Kayaking through the lakes and rivers
  • Attending the annual Pasifika Festival to celebrate the music, food, art, and dance of the Pacific Island communities.  


An indigenous dance at the Pasifika Festival 
http://www.newzealand.com/us/event/pasifika-festival/

Happy travels!  Or if you're like me, happy daydreaming ;)

-Lindsay 


Sunday, January 26, 2014

Sights in Scotland

I have always wanted to visit Scotland.  The history, culture, and of course the accents are all so enticing!

Ever since I visited Neuschwanstein Castle when I was younger, I became fascinated with castles.  As a history major, I learn a lot about monarchs, royal families, and the like.  Yet when you step into a castle, this history truly comes alive!  Scotland is home to many castles, two of which I would love to visit.

Stirling Castle is surrounded by cliffs, making it the center of many historically important battles in Scottish history.  Most of the standing buildings of the castle are from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.  And Mary Queen of Scots, one of the more famous queens in Scottish history, was crowned here in 1542...how cool!  Not far away is Edinburgh Castle, Scotland's most famous castle.  The castle is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Scotland - and not surprisingly so due to its rich history as an ancient stronghold, military base, and royal home.  After being crowned at Stirling Castle, Mary Queen of Scots resided in the Edinburgh Castle!
via travelsofadam.com and undiscoveredscotland.co.uk
Scotland is also the home of my favorite pastime - golf!  The Old Course at St. Andrews is commonly thought to be where golf was born.  The thick fescue grass lining the fairways, the deep sandtraps, and the pristine conditions would be a beautiful background yet a daunting challenge for a day on the links.  And walking across the bridge on the 18th hole like so many golfers before me would truly be a dream come true!
via golfdigger.co.uk
I'll leave you with one last reason that I want to visit Scotland - the official animal is the unicorn -  seriously!

Happy travels,
Sarah

Saturday, January 25, 2014

What City Should You Actually Live In?




I don't know about you guys, but now that I'm a sophomore I find myself thinking more and more about life right after college. Where will I work? Or will I be in grad school? But more importantly, where will I live? I always pictured myself moving to a big city, preferably New York. I would live in the most perfect apartment where my life would basically be like Gossip Girl. Or better yet it'll be like Friends or How I Met Your Mother. Well before I get too distracted, I wanted to let you all know I took this fun quiz that told me "What City Should You Actually Live In?" and got Barcelona! Then I retook it (because I really wanted New York or maybe London because, hello, British accents, One Direction, etc etc) and got Tokyo. Ultimately, all those places would be awesome to go to, but I know this quiz can't really decide where I should move to. If anything, it serves as a much needed distraction from all my homework and hopefully it'll help you guys on that front too! I mean everyone needs a break and what better way to spend it then daydreaming about all the places you'll go (hehe see what I did there).

Friday, January 24, 2014

Romantic Route & The Loreley

Loreley Rock on the Rhine River

Loreley Rock on the Rhine River
Have you heard of this famous German song "Loreley"?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c7ji5nHt6c

A TIP FOR HAVING A FUN TRAVEL: Visit a place that you have heard or read a story about, and actually see and feel the place yourself!

The legend of the Loreley is breathing as in the Loreley rock near St. Goarshausen in Germany. Many visitors from all over the world gather at this place and it has been a UNESCO world heritage since 2002 (source: *1)) . Because of its geographical features of the Lorelei rock and the highly fast, strong currents around it, it is said that many ships went through unfortunate accidents.The Loreley Legend is about a beautiful female siren named Loreley who merely by sitting on the rock dazzled so many sailors to crash their ships to the rock. (source: *2))

The road that leads to the Loreley is Romantic Route, one of the famous tour routes in Germany. On the driveway to the Loreley along the Rhine River, you can see many old castles of Germany and vineries.My host family and I drove all the way along the Romantic Route and visited Koblenz, St. Goarshausen, and The Loreley, and the sceneries were really beautiful!

Old castles of Germany on the way to the Loreley


Vineyard along the Romantic Route that leads to the Loreley

- source *1) : http://www.germany.travel/kr/towns-cities-culture/top-100/content/the-loreley.html
- source *2) : http://www.germany.travel/kr/towns-cities-culture/top-100/content/the-loreley.html
- Photos: all taken by the author, Hyuni.

Love,
Hyuni

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Meet Johanna Sigurdardottir: Prime Minister of Iceland

Before going to Iceland, the main things I knew about it were:

1. The band "Of Monsters and Men" originated there
2. They have a TON of geothermal energy (renewable energy coming from heat produced underground)
3. It has over a hundred volcanoes and thousands of earthquakes per year
3. It was settled by vikings
4. And, of course, ICE! (glaciers, that is)

All of these things certainly proved true when I traveled there this past fall with an Environmental Science class on Climate Change.



What I learned, however, was that Iceland also had a very interesting history of feminism. This originated with the viking culture, since men and women were often given similar societal roles. Today, Iceland is considered one of the best countries to be a woman in! Seriously, you can read about it here.

Photo from TIME
This is Johanna Sigurdardottir. I should probably explain her crazy-sounding last name. Icelandic last names are very different from those in the US; The first part (Sigurdar) refers to her father's first name and the second part (dottir) means "daughter of." Cool, huh?

Johanna Sigurdardottir has been serving in the Icelandic government since 1978 and was elected Prime Minister in 2009. She is Iceland's first female Prime Minister and the world's first openly lesbian head of government! 

Johanna was elected during an extreme economic crisis. She has since helped the economy recover significantly and led Iceland to join the EU.

With it's stunning landscape, geological wonders, and progressive views on gender, Iceland is easily my favorite place I've ever been!




Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Rocky Mountain High

Looking for something to do in all this snow?  Hit the slopes!  My family traveled to Colorado over Christmas break for some great skiing through the fresh powder.  There's no better place to ski or snowboard than the Rockies!

Travel Tips:

  • Pack lots of handwarmers! Nothing ruins a day faster than freezing cold fingers!
  • Be on the lookout for celebrities and Olympians!  They love it out West.
  • Bring some hot chocolate packets to make in your condo for a deluxe apré ski experience!

A picture I took from a mountaintop in Vail, Colorado

Spanish Specialties

I have to admit, one of my favorite parts about studying abroad in Spain was the delicious food.  Leonor, my host mother, was a wonderful cook; and I suppose it doesn't hurt that I am an adventurous eater!  Leonor ate very healthily and her cooking had many mediterranean influences, like much of the food in Barcelona.  My favorite recipe that she made was baked salmon with a creamy dill sauce.  Absolutely delicious!

I ate most of my meals with Leonor, but when I did venture to restaurants with my friends we tried all of the classic Spanish dishes.  One of my favorites was patatas bravas, cubes of potato in a spicy tomato sauce.  Patatas bravas is one of the most popular tapas dishes in Spain.  Tapas are like appetizers in America, but it is common to order many to share with friends and make a meal out of it!

Patatas Bravas via: unwindcooking.com
For those of you with a sweet tooth, my favorite dessert in Spain was definitely churros con chocolate.  This delicacy is made of pieces of fried dough coated in cinnamon sugar and dipped in a thick chocolate sauce.  Be careful - it's hard to eat just one!
Churros con Chocolate via bakingbites.com
One of the most wonderful things about food is that no matter where it originates from, you can make it anywhere that you have a kitchen!  For a delicious recipe for churros con chocolate, click here!  And for an authentic recipe for patatas bravas, click here.  Enjoy!


Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Freiburg im Breisgau





Hi all, this is Hyuni.
The first city I would like to write about is Freiburg im Breisgau, a city in the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) of Germany.

From the map below, please find the city that I marked with a pink heart!

Freiburg im Breisgau is at the southern end of Germany.

source: http://www.vidiani.com/maps/maps_of_europe/maps_of_germany/
detailed_administrative_map_of_germany.jpg 

The words 'im Breisgau' are added to the city name 'Freiburg' in order to distinguish it from another city in Switzerland with the name 'Freiburg'.

I arrived in Freiburg im Breisgau (from now on, simply called "Freiburg" in this post) on a Sunday morning in winter.


As I would always do when I visit a new city in Germany for the first time, I headed straight to the city halls ('Old' city hall and 'New' city hall) and the plaza around them. 

Altes Rathaus
The 'old' city hall of Freiburg city
At the time I visited the city, there was the tourist information center of Freiburg inside the building.
Neues Rathaus
The 'new' city hall
Rathausplatz
The plaza surrounding the city halls
Freiburg Bäche
The rill that runs throughout the entire Freiburg city

Freiburg is well-known for its eco-friendliness. It has kept a long rill that runs throughout the entire city. People try to keep the rill clean.







I'm sure the rill in the above photos is not the only remarkable thing you have noticed about the city!

As you can see, the entire town seems so quiet.

(The calmness, serenity of the town was certainly beautiful, though. Before I joined the tour, I felt I was the only one on the street, standing in the beautiful white snow that comes down so quietly!)

It was on Sunday morning that I arrived there, and I barely saw anyone on the street, except for tourists from other parts of Germany that joined me on the city guided tour and some families going to a church in a hurry. 

Almost all the stores and restaurants were also closed.

A friend of mine from the southern part of Germany explained that generally southern regions in Germany make it law to keep the shops closed on Sundays so that everyone who is willing to go to church can freely do so. 

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte
The cake made of cherries from Schwarzwald (the Black Forest)

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte is definitely one of the best specialty treats from the Black Forest region in Germany. 

Freiburg is a good point where you could enter the travel course of Schwarzwald (the Black Forest). 



I highly recommend you to travel to the beautiful city, Freiburg im Breisgau!





Love,

Hyuni


All the photos except for the map of Germany are the pictures I took when I traveled in Freiburg. 

Oh! all the stories of the places, the people, and the culture!



Hello, this is Hyuni, one of the co-authors of this blog, Oh! The Places You'll Go!
After I got into college, I wanted to explore multiple new places that I had never been to, so I tried to travel to a new city every break.
That marvelous ambition started off with my travel to Germany.
That had to do with my passion for the German language and German culture; while I was learning German in high school, I always dreamed of traveling to the amazing cities for real.
I mainly stayed in Bonn, a city in the western part of Germany that used to be the capital city of former west Germany before the reunification. From Bonn, I traveled to multiple other cities in Germany.
I will also share my stories and tips about traveling to countries in Asia, and of course, local regions in the U.S.A.
I would like to start sharing my travel experiences with you, with my following first blog post on Freiburg im Breisgau, the southern part of Germany.
Please stay tuned!

Love,
Hyuni

Travel Essentials!

Whenever I travel, there are always a few things I never leave home without. They help keep me organized and allow me to make the most of my adventures. Whether it's hiking in South America, to the beaches of the Caribbean or sightseeing in Europe, never leave home without these essentials in your suitcase!

  • A camera--the best way to document your trip for years to come. When you get home, make prints of the pictures and use them to make a collage!
  • Your passport (and some extra passport photos!)--Hold on to your passport and keep it safe. You wouldn't want to get stuck halfway across the world!
  • Comfortable shoes--if you're like me, your days will be jam-packed full of museum trips, hikes, and afternoons spent simply exploring the area on foot. Travel prepared for lots of walking and leave the heels and super cute (but also super uncomfortable!) shoes at home.
  • A light jacket or sweatshirt--it may be summer in Madrid, but sometimes museums and restaurants can get a bit chilly. 
  • An excited and enthusiastic attitude--get excited about your trip!
I hope this gives you some food for thought as you pack for your next adventure! Don't forget to plan ahead and always label your luggage!

Monday, January 20, 2014

Beaches and Buzzfeed


This morning, I went to the gym and thought “What better time than to catch up on my Buzzfeed?!” Now, I don’t know about you guys, but I go on that site religiously and while perusing the travel section I came across the list “27 signs you’re in love with the beach." I’m not that much of a beach person, but after reading the list all I could think about was a future spring break beach trip, maybe to Cancun, Cabo, or who knows! Hopefully, you’ll be able to find me at a beach when that time rolls around, catching up on my Buzzfeed as per usual.

Oh! The Things I'll Say in this First Blog Post



Hi!  I'm Melissa, yet another one of the lovely contributors for Oh! The Places You'll Go! I’m a college sophomore that loves fashion, photography, literature, and travel. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy this New England winter weather, but sometimes it’s nice to mix things up and find a new place to explore.
This love of travel didn’t exactly begin at home. I don’t even think I went to the beach until I was in the 3rd grade and if the family did go abroad, it was always to Bolivia. The Bolivia I experienced as a kid, however, was nowhere near as much fun as the Bolivia I got to know over winter break. Traveling has become that much more enjoyable because now that I’m older, I can decide where I want to go and what I want to see and do. And it’s only been within these last few years that I’ve to go to all these amazing places like Spain, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, and Peru!
 I wish I had documented my earlier travel experiences, but hey, there’s no time like the present. So here I am, ready to share with you not only some of my past adventures, but hopefully the exciting ones yet to come!

The Camargue: Travel to France's Wild West!

Whenever you're traveling, it's always fun to get "off the beaten path" and really experience the area for yourself. During my trip to France, we spent several days in the Camargue region, which is famous for its wild horses and flamingoes. In order to explore the local culture, we stayed at a manade (the French version of a dude-ranch) in Saliers--a tiny town that's hardly more than a church, a few houses and a dot on the map.

In the Camargue, the French raise bulls (les taureaux) for both food and sport. They host village festivals that include l'abrivado, a running of the bulls that wouldn't be out of place in Pamplona, Spain and taureaux piscine, an event that seems very similar to an American rodeo. Even in a completely different country, I kept seeing things that were so foreign to me, yet so familiar at the same time.

I got in touch with my inner cowboy when we saddled up to get a closer look at the world-famous flamingoes and bulls. Although I was a bit nervous at first, my training from riding horses as a child kicked right in and soon I was trotting along at the front of the group and loving every minute.

Whether it's on a hike, by Jeep, or on horseback, don't be afraid to get up close and personal with the local culture!




Cobblestones, Scones, and Women Prime Ministers!


Hello! 

It's Lindsay back again! As I mentioned in the "about us" section, I spent a few years living in England when I was younger and have been back many times to visit.  As much as I love the bustle of London, my favorite part of England is the countryside, particularly the charming towns in the Cotswolds whose cobblestone streets and thatched-roofed houses make you feel like you've walked onto a Hollywood set.

Travel Tips:
  • While it can be good to have a list of a few towns you'd like to see, a lot of the fun comes from stumbling across towns you don’t know anything about, so get a GPS and be adventurous!
  • Take a tea break and go into a local shop for a scone and crumpet.
  • Never leave your hotel without an umbrella...unless of course you're in need of a shower!  
A typical Cotswold village
(picture source: http://www.travelandescape.ca/destination/cotswolds/)


Did you know...
that the United Kingdom had a woman prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, from 1979 to 1990?  She led the Conservative Party and was known as the "iron lady"because of her strong leadership style.  No way was she going to be pushed aside by those men!
     Thatcher was the longest-serving Prime Minister of the 20th century and currently the only woman who has ever held the position.  Her strength and smarts always inspire me when I think of everything she did while in office.  It seems time for the U.K. have another female leader... and the United States to have its first!

Margaret Thatcher
file://localhost/Users/amymac13/Desktop/Unknown.jpeg

  

As you plan your trip to England, I'll leave you with a quote from Margaret Thatcher herself for some inspiration!  

     "You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it." - Margaret Thatcher (BrainyQuote)



-Lindsay :)
                                 





Oh the Places I've Been!

Hi!  I'm Sarah, one of the contributors for Oh! The Places You'll Go!  Welcome!  Allow me to tell you a bit about myself...

I grew up hearing countless stories from my dad about his experiences as an exchange student in Frankfurt, Germany in the 1960s.  The sights, the sounds, and the smells came alive through his stories and I knew that one day I wanted to experience them for myself.  We went on family vacations to London, Paris, Germany, the Grand Canyon...however, these vacations didn't seem to satiate this desire.

I was finally satisfied (albeit terrified) when I stepped off of the plane in Barcelona in January 2012.  No longer would I be "the tourist."  I didn't have a choice but to fully immerse myself - in language, style, food, and culture. Although it has been over two years since I stepped off of that plane, I can still smell the paella, taste the sangria, hear the Spanish and Catalán, and see the Sagrada Familia, and I look back on my time in Barcelona with buenos recuerdos una sonrisa. 

I regret not keeping a travel blog to document my experiences in Barcelona.  But I suppose they do say that hindsight is 20/20.  Distance, both physical and mental, from Barcelona has led me to more discoveries about travel and about myself.  I look forward to sharing these discoveries with you!

One of the first pictures I took on my study abroad - all of Barcelona!

Oh the Pictures You'll Take!

Happy Monday, everyone!

I'm Lindsay and for this first post I'd like to think back to sunshine and summer (instead of the winter and snow that claims our college campus today) to share with you one of my favorite place I've ever been... the Austrian Alps.

This past June I traveled with my family to Austria.  Instead of spending our time in the "tourist traps," we explored the rural countryside and spent a lot of time hiking through the breathtaking mountains.  

One of the most memorable parts of the trip was the night that we stayed at a hut at the top of the mountain where we were the only Americans.  It was an amazing experience to really get a genuine flavor of the people and the culture.  Although the cities like Vienna have a lot to offer, there is so much to do in the small towns and the countryside so I'd recommend taking advantage of the natural beauty!

Travel tips:
  • Pack in layers.  Even in the summer there was snow at the tops of the mountains.  You may be warm at the bottom but as you climb up the temperature will drop, so you don’t want to be caught off guard!
  • Bring lots of snacks and water on hikes...there aren't Starbucks in the mountains and you want to make sure you have plenty of energy in the high altitude.
  • Try a few German phrases!  Even if you don't pronounce them right, the locals will appreciate the effort.
  • Always have a camera with you...every way you turn is a photo op waiting to happen.

If you're anything like me and love the outdoors, experiencing a new culture, and have always dreamed of dancing through the mountains like Maria in The Sound of Music, this is the perfect destination for you!
   A picture I took from a small village we were hiking through.

                                   


Oh The Adventures I've Had!

Hello! I'm Mariel, a contributor to Oh! The Places You'll Go! Let me take a minute to introduce myself...

I've always loved learning languages--to me they seem beautiful and exotic, but also logical and easy to grasp. Speaking a new language gives me a window into a new culture and makes me feel like a local, though I'm always pulling out my map and taking hundreds of pictures. I really try to connect with people from other countries and immerse myself in their world--even if my insightful question or request for directions is quickly followed up with "Parlez-vous anglais?"

In July 2011, I decided to put those years of memorizing grammar conjugations and rehearsed French dialogues to the test. I embarked upon an intensive language immersion program in Provence, a region known for its unique culture, delicious food and incredible beauty. For three weeks, I explored olive oil museums and vineyards, dodged bulls and bubbles during the annual village festival and rode horses in the Camargue, France's version of the Wild West. My French improved exponentially and I savored every minute.

I hope that sharing my adventures will make you want to travel the world or even learn a new language. See for yourself--real life never does the pictures justice.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Oh! The World Around Us!

Hello! My name is Jill and I am one of the writers for Oh! The Places You'll Go! I have a great love for seeing the world- whether that be through traveling or looking at awesome pictures and articles on the internet. I'm hoping, through this blog, to share some of my experiences and findings to provide the latter for you all!

One of the most incredible places I've been is a small village in Brazil, called Serra Grande Bahia. My high school funded a trip for a group of students and teachers to go down to Brazil and work on a farm while learning Brazilian culture.


This trip combined my love for sustainability, seeing new places, and spending time in the outdoors! It was an amazing experience to fully immerse myself in the land- both literally (with much weeding and digging) and culturally. I learned capoeira, a Brazilian dance-fighting martial art, and enjoyed eating the local cuisine (very local- oftentimes grown right on the farm).

I hope you enjoy reading our blog and more than that, that you are able to learn something and share in our love for discovering new places!