Broke and Backpacking

Where to eat in San Francisco

2014-07-30T19:52:00.002-04:00

San Francisco is known for its food. I might have made that fact up. But if that's not true, it should be. The food here is amazing. Each section of town is totally different. Mission restaurants are either famous for their burritos or trendy in some farm-to-table, unique combination of ingredients type of way. Bernal Hill is my personal favorite right now, as it's less cool and more delicious. FiDi boasts a lot of amazing lunch spots that I have barely tapped into yet. The rest of the city is just an unexplored goldmine of delicious foods. I can't provide an expansive list as I am pretty sure that's impossible in this city, but here are the restaurants I have tried. Stay tuned for updates. And sorry, no photos. I'm just not that much of a hipster.

The Mission:

Trendy restaurants everyone has heard about. Usually overpriced. Often delicious.

Mission Chinese Food

Hard to find... unless you spot the 30 people waiting outside.
Don't try to go in to talk to a hostess unless you want to prove you're a tourist. They will simply point you to the long wait list posted right outside of the main entrance.
Just as spicy as it is overrated. I say go to Big Lantern 2 blocks away. Unless of course, you'd rather be seen than have a great meal.

Big Lantern

I'm generally not a tofu person, but Big Lantern's vegetarian chicken balls are better than chicken. I'd eat Big Lantern any day.

El Farolito

My former roommate exclusively ate dinner at this taqueria until he exhausted the menu. It's good. It's probably not that good.

El Metate

My favorite taqueria. The outside area is great and they just recently ramped up their salsa selection with fresh fruit varieties.
Delicious $3 veggie taco was big enough to be a meal.

Radish

Their home fries are the best.
I'm partial because I have been to the farm in Sonoma and watered the farm-to-table ingredients myself. I know it's fresh.

Wise Sons Deli

Thought I would love this Jewish deli, but didn't.
The challah french toast was nothing special and over priced.
Great atmosphere.

We Be Sushi

I'm not a huge sushi lover and really only like vegetarian options, but I would go here any day.
Super intimate space makes for a great date spot.

Flour + Water

Incredibly pricey.
Walk-in was a surprisingly short 2 hour wait.
Walk-in seating is at the bar, which is actually the best seat in the house. You can see into the kitchen.

Bi-Rite Creamery

Yes, that is a red carpet rope outside.
Yes, that rope is to control the 20 people waiting in like to order ice cream.
Yes, the ice cream is worth it.

Sunrise Cafe

Finally, a brunch spot without a 2 hour wait.
Delicious food. Great chai.

Curry Up Now

Oh god, their Indian fries! What is on them that makes them so good?
I actually want those fries right now. Yum.

The All American Grilled Cheese Kitchen

They put mac and cheese on a grilled cheese. Now if that's not genius, I don't know what is.
Don't get me wrong, it was pretty delicious. But it can't measure up to Cowgirl Creamery in the Ferry building.
The tomato soup was just meh.

Dosa

Too spicy. Way too spicy. What were they thinking spicy.
Lots of people like this place. It was seriously packed.

Frances

Two words - bacon beignets. Think bacon doughnut, but way better.
We were intimidated by the 4 month waiting list to get a table, but found the walk-in situation to be pretty easy.
I wasn't big into the dessert, but the dinner was outstanding. Just give me more of those little bacon doughnuts.

Local Mission Eatery

All of the food is locally sourced from Farmer's Markets around the city. The menu changes based on whatever looks good at the markets.
I saw the chefs cook my dinner right in front of me.
Worth forking over a little extra for this super delicious dinner.

Bernal Hill

There's no "scene" in Bernal, but the food is delicious.

Little Nepal Restaurant

Yum. So good. I have had many a curry, and this one is at the top.
Definitely a hole in the wall.

Zante Pizza

Biggest mistake was only ordering one slice.

Emmy's Spaghetti Shack

Limited menu. They are serious about their spaghetti.
Delicious. One of the better Italian restaurants I have been to in SF.
Didn't kill the bank.

FiDi

Here's where you go on your lunch break when you run out of food. It's a good thing you have a job, because these lunches could run you broke.

Onigilly

This place is amazing. For around $3, you can have a healthy brown rice thing stuffed with deliciousness and wrapped in seaweed. Buy two. Or three.
Try the spicy bacon.
Just when you thought it couldn't get better, you realize... free tea.

Sushirrito

The made-to-order, over-baked agave-soy king salmon burrito with tempura asparagus, cucumber, butter lettuce, avocado, pepitas, and wasabi dust was the best thing I have eaten in months.

Plentea

Fail.
Sandwiches don't belong on waffles. The end.

La Pasilla

Great salsas. Free chips.
Chipolte-style salads, but this is the real deal.

El Faro

Don't go here. It's trying to be El Farolito, but it's not. It's a trap.

Banana House

This is one of my favorite lunch spots in the Financial District.

Galette 88

Great atmosphere. Offers a much needed break from office lighting.
Like the other Kearny Street restaurants, you have to go early or you'll regret it.
The food is OK. It's gluten-free and offers lots of healthy options.

Boxed Foods Company

I can make a better salad.

Still on the to do soon list:

State Bird Provisions

Bar Tartine

Range

Delfina

Highway 1: SF to Big Sur for July 4th

2014-07-09T00:42:00.000-04:00

San Francisco is not known for its fireworks. It's foggy, there's a drought, the temperature hovers around 60 degrees, and unknowing tourists flock to the city. Blessed with a four day vacation, we decided instead to make our way from San Francisco to Carmel and eventually to Big Sur by driving down the infamous Highway 1.

It was challenging to drive more than two miles before wanting to stop in front of an abandoned barn, a cliff leading into the ocean, or a field of bright yellow flowers. The only advice I'd give roadtrippers is to go slowly.

Some of the highlights of the trip included the scenic 17 mile drive past the 18th hole at Pebble Beach (which come to find out isn't a beach, but a golfer's dream), a sunset picnic on Carmel Beach (an actual beach), an adventure across a newly built (and mildly terrifying) bridge to reach one of the best views on Highway 1, a drive across Bixby Bridge (and a pit stop to take pictures while standing on the side of a cliff), a visit to the Henry Miller Library, a short hike to McWay Waterfall, and a visit to Pfeiffer Beach (seriously the most beautiful beach ever).

Pfeiffer Beach can be tricky to find, but if you can find it, it is absolutely worth it. The best advice I was given was to locate the only road between the State Park and the Post Office. That road takes you 2 miles down a one-lane drive that seemingly leads to the middle of no-where. Eventually, that road drops you off at a tiny parking lot that leads into a secluded beach surrounded by rocky cliffs. It's exactly what you imagine but a million times better.

The drive from Carmel to Big Sur takes about 40 minutes if you drive it without stopping, but no one should stay in their car that whole time - it's simply too beautiful. One of our stops on the way from Carmel to Big Sur was at Bixby Bridge. Most tourists stationed themselves on the coastal side of the bridge, but we ventured out to the other side, which I highly recommend because it provides a view of the cliffs, the bridge, and the coast.

One of the most iconic stops we made was at The Lone Cypress in Carmel. If you Google it, you'll likely read that it is "the most photographed tree in America." One crazy writer even says, "It stands along famously scenic 17-Mile Drive, raked by wind, swaddled in fog, clinging to its wave-lashed granite pedestal like God's own advertisement for rugged individualism." I don't know about all that, but it was pretty cool to see a single tree growing out of a cliff in the middle of the water.

Another often photographed spot is McWay Falls. The real directions say to go to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, which straddles Highway 1, about 36 miles south of Carmel. But if you want the easiest way to find it, simply search for a ton of cars parked on the side of the road and gaggles of tourists toting large cameras set to automatic. Follow the half-mile trail and you will have amazing views of the tiny but dramatic waterfall and the beautiful coastal bluffs. Just be careful not to block anyone's view with your selfie.

All of the "official" stops along Highway 1 are great, but also be sure to stop at the less touristy runoffs as well. You'll find great views of the coast (and of the fog).

It's a super fun place to take photos. Tim gets all the credit for these last three...

One thing that caught me off guard was that one beach would be foggy, chilly, and windy and then a beach 2 miles down the road would be calm, sunny and warm. It makes it hard to know what to wear. I ended up wearing a bunch of layers and bringing an extra "summer" outfit in the car. Don't leave your bathing suit behind just because it seems cold - who knows, you might find a beach that's 80 degrees!

Sausalito

2014-05-05T22:07:00.000-04:00

Sausalito is only a boat ride away from San Francisco, but it feels like a different universe. I have been to Sausalito 5 or 6 times now, but only recently have I discovered the real heart of Sausalito. Many may see it as a tourist trap or a ferry stopover, but for those who actually live there, there is a rich community behind the facade of touristy perfection on the main drag: Caledonia Street. If you want real Sausalito, that's where you should go.

Go eat Indian Food at Sartaj.

Go shop for antiques at the John Wilmer Studio.

Go sit by the dock.

And go ride the ferry.

A Weekend in Fort Bragg, CA

2014-04-25T13:54:00.001-04:00

Deciding to drive out to Fort Bragg was a last minute decision. We knew we wanted to escape the city for a weekend, but were unsure of where to go. Frankly, we were overwhelmed with options. Should we stay in a tiny house in the middle of wine country? What's Big Sur like? Is Portland too far for a weekend? Fortunately, a friend suggested we stay at her aunt's Airbnb in Fort Bragg. Knowing next to nothing about the area, we rented a car and headed out there to explore.

The drive alone was amazing. We rode through wine country, up and down rolling hills, past random strawberry stands, then finally reached our destination: a tiny cottage in the middle of the redwoods. It couldn't have been more picturesque.

Starving, our first adventure was to find the main strip and seek out dinner. We quickly discovered Piaci Pizza, a clear favorite among locals. The tiny establishment was overflowing with people, and the menu looked so good that we ordered not one but three pizzas.

The next morning, we decided to venture out to the neighboring town of Mendocino, which overlooks the rocky coast of the Pacific Ocean. We spent some time wandering the artsy main drag, but the majority of our day was spent hiking along the coastline in awe of the crashing surf and nearby whales.

After checking Mendocino off of our to-do list, we headed to Glass Beach, a former city dump site that is known for having "copious amounts of sea glass." Let me start off by saying that the beach was absolutely beautiful. In fact, it was one of the nicest I have ever been to. The water was a striking aquamarine, the beach was deserted, and the rocky surroundings made it feel as though you were the only one for miles. The beach, however, was made of sand, and not sea glass like I had imagined. Perhaps there were pockets of glass elsewhere on the beach, but I didn't find any. After some research, I found out that tourism has depleted the sea glass stockpiles and what remains is a beautiful sandy beach. I couldn't really complain.

My only real complaint was that we only had one weekend. I can't wait to go back!!

Muir Woods and Sonoma

2014-04-02T14:26:00.000-04:00

This past weekend, we went to Sausalito, Muir Woods, and Sonoma. I was quickly reminded that I don't leave the San Francisco bubble nearly as often as I should.

For this trip, I rented Zipcar for the day so that we would have enough time to see all three sites. First, we headed to Sausalito, one of my favorite places in the Bay Area. As you walk along the coast, you have a spectacular view of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, and the city. We didn't stop for lunch in Sausalito this time, but I have eaten at Sartaj on other occasions. Sartaj is a hole-in-the-wall Indian cafe with tons of choices and lots of character. Another go-to restaurant in the area is an amazing Puerto Rican restaurant called Sol Food. Get the lemonade or you will regret it.

After leaving Sausalito, we headed to the redwood forest to hike through Muir Woods. Hike might actually be a bit of an overstatement. Muir has both wood planked walking paths and winding trails through the woods, but we chose the easier of the two since it had recently rained and the trails were pretty muddy. Regardless, the woods were serene and beautiful, despite the large numbers of visitors passing through on the busy Saturday that we chose to visit.

After a morning hike, we set off on Highway 1 towards Sonoma for a wine tasting at Bartholomew Park Winery. Upon entering the vineyard gates, we immediately wished we had more time to spend on the 400-acre grounds. In addition to the wine tasting and museum tour, visitors also have access to picnic grounds and hiking trails. We had just enough time for a tasting before heading back to the city.

Dallas, Texas

2014-03-06T13:54:00.000-05:00

A few weeks back, I went to Dallas, TX for a weekend of professional development at an event hosted by the Schusterman Foundation.

I spent much of my time in the hotel attending workshops and hearing from incredible speakers like Howard Behar (of Starbucks) and Ethan Zohn (winner of Survivor). The hotel itself, the Hyatt, was a destination and was home to Reunion Tower, which offers a 360 view of downtown Dallas.

The hotel was just a couple of streets away from where JFK had been assassinated at Dealey Plaza. I made sure to walk over to the Sixth Floor Museum, the site from which Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired the deadly shots.

One of the highlights of the trip was dinner at Life in Deep Ellum, a converted warehouse that is now a coffee shop-art gallery-performance space-cultural center. We had exceptionally good barbecue from Pecan Lodge and learned about the experiences of non-profit leaders in Dallas and beyond. At my table, we spoke with David Eisner, CEO of Repair the World, about the potential benefits of mandatory service post high school or college graduation. We also heard from a local restaurateur who started an organization that teaches culinary skills (and all of the skills associated) to young people leaving jail. Some of the participants in that program were serving dinner as part of their hospitality training. We ended the night with a concert put on by Michelle Citrin at the event space. It was a whirlwind trip, but it couldn't have been better!

The Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets

2014-02-03T16:04:00.000-05:00

I have mentioned this company before, but it is worth mentioning again... check out The Flight Deal Daily and sign up for their newsletter to find the best flight deals if you are flexible about dates and locations. Just as an example, one of today's deals is on American Airlines from NYC to San Francisco, and costs $272 for a round trip flight. Not bad... especially if you want to come visit me!

What travel tool should you use to book your flight? My three favorites are Kayak, ITA Software's Matrix Airfare Search, and Hipmunk. Keep in mind, Southwest intentionally opts out of travel tool websites, so be sure to check directly on the Southwest webpage to compare fares.

As a side note, make sure you are always signed up for the frequent flier program for the airline you choose to fly. Even if you don't fly often, it is worth doing. Who knows, you might end up on an international flight with an affiliate of the airline, racking up enough points to score a free domestic trip. Right now I am sitting on enough points to take a free flight on Delta and a free on Southwest. Where should I go?

Trading in the Backpack for an Apartment!

2014-01-29T13:27:00.000-05:00

I am trading in my backpack for keys to an apartment in the Mission district of San Francisco!

The end of the backpacking run is bittersweet. I have been on the move since last June, and have had the opportunity to expand my world, to volunteer, to meet amazing people, and to visit places full of history. It is difficult for me to give up the flexibility of being able to book random flights to places like Florida or Hawaii on a whim. But I am excited plant roots and to start a new chapter here in San Francisco. Don't worry, I will still be traveling! Dallas, Texas up next in two weeks!

“San Francisco is a city where people are never more abroad than when they are at home.”~Benjamin F. Taylor

Baker Beach, San Francisco

2014-01-27T22:02:00.000-05:00

Out of all of the beaches that I have been to so far in San Francisco (disclaimer, I have only been to 3), Baker Beach has been my favorite. While the sun is more of a guarantee at Stinson Beach and the surfing is better at Pacifica, the view at Baker is unbelievable.

When I first arrived at Baker, I almost left because the parking lot was thick with fog and it looked like there was no hope for sunshine. Fortunately, the fog quickly rolled out, leaving us with a postcard view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

I definitely plan on going back, but next time I will bring not only a bathing suit, but also a parka. It's SF. Who knows what the weather will be like.

Top 10 Travel Apps

2014-01-24T11:24:00.000-05:00

1. Day One - Keep a record of your travels in this digital diary

2. Whatsapp - Send free texts to other users via WiFi when traveling abroad

3. Swell - The Pandora of podcasts is perfect for long car rides

4. Uber/Sidecar/Lyft - Travel like a local using one of these car service apps

5. Venmo - Split checks with friends using this easy money transfer tool

6. RunKeeper - Keep track of how long your epic hikes are

7. Airbnb - Find cool housing options

8. Kayak - Book cheap airline tickets

9. iMovie - The only thing better than selfies is a movie about your trip

10. Duolingo - My favorite free language app

3 Myths About Maui

2014-01-23T21:27:00.002-05:00

Myth #1: Going to Hawaii will break the bank!

Some people are under the impression that going to Hawaii is one of those trips that is just too expensive to ever actually go on. I am here to dispel that myth.

~~$188 - flight~~ -refunded due to delays

$400 - hotel
$90 - groceries
$18 - restaurants
$120 - snorkeling
$75 - rental car
_______________
$703 - total cost for one week in the sun

Don't get me wrong, this is no small sum, but it is doable. I traded a year's worth of chai latte's from Starbucks for a trip to Hawaii. It's all about priorities.

Myth #2: I can't wear sunscreen if I want a tan!

This should not still be a myth with all we know about the effects of the sun, but somehow there are still people who think that wearing sunscreen means you won't get tan. I wore SPF 30 the entire time and not only did I not burn once, I am plenty more tan than when I first stepped foot on the sand.

Myth #3: There will be people my age

I guess this one isn't true if you are reading this and you are 70. Or 80. But if you are between the ages of 20-35, you probably aren't vacationing in Maui. There were a few exceptions here or there. Some honeymooners or families were on the younger side, but the majority of vacationers were post-retirement age. Apparently Oahu is a better island for younger people.

Where to Snorkel in Maui

2014-01-20T19:54:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we booked a last minute tour to snorkel at the Island of Lanai. Booking one day in advance is not recommended - you have more options if you plan 2-3 days in advance. We got lucky, and there were 4 seats available on a zodiac boat with Maui Adventure Tours.

Snorkeling is a little pricey (about $100, or even less if you book directly from the company vs. from the hotel), but totally worth it. Seeing the reefs and the brilliantly colored fish up close was surreal. We left from Slip #11 at Lahaina Harbor and spent about 2 hours in the water, splashing around in our flippers and goggles. I also brought my iPhone under with me, carefully protected by a Lifeproof case and a Frieq brand waterproof bag. This was our first time snorkeling and it was surprisingly easy. After a 2 minute lesson from the naturalist on the Maui Adventure Cruise boat, we were jumping off the side and snorkeling around without too much flailing or inhalation of water. The staff on the boat, Becca and Rob, were friendly, helpful, and all around good people. We snorkeled at two stops, and though both were beautiful, the second was particularly cool because it was a lava mass that came to a pinnacle where our boat was parked. This meant you could see not only the shallow reef area, but also the cobalt deep water that surrounded it.

Another 2 hours were spent on the boat, where we were frequently surrounded by whales that came as close as 40 feet from our boat. It was so close that when it was breached, you could tell that it was a female because of a lump the size of a volleyball located under the tail. Whales do not usually approach boats as they pass, but when they do, it's called being "mugged." We could even hear the "songs of the humpback whales" from a hydrophone that the naturalist placed in the water. It was truly a whale watch and snorkeling adventure in one. While the tour company claims to see dolphins 80% of the time, we were in the unlucky 20% of tours, and didn't spot any dolphins, which was kind of a disappointment. Overall though, the whole trip was an amazing experience.

Cruising Down the Road to Hana

2014-01-20T01:43:00.000-05:00

One upside to arriving at the rental car place at 3:00 A.M. is that all of the economy cars have already been taken, leaving us with a hard top Jeep. We heard great things about the Road to Hana, but the Jeep cinched it for us - we had to spend a day road tripping.

From our hotel, it took us almost an hour to actually reach the road to Hana, but even the drive down Honoapilani Highway was stunning. Our first stop on the Road to Hana was a popular pull off by mile 6. We were hopeful that all of the cars parks on the side of the road meant we had reached a patch of the famed painted eucalyptus trees, but instead we found a beach that was hosting a local surfing competition. We watched for a while, then returned to the road.

Our next stop was a pull off by mile 10 where we read in our Lonely Planet that we would find the trail head for a popular hiking spot. That's not what we found. Instead, we stumbled on the real Hawaii where residents were fighting for Hawaiian nationalism and revolting against US colonization. This was interesting to see because we have spent a lot of time thinking about and discussing Hawaiian politics.

We went back on the road until we reached mile 22, where we found a fresh fruit stand. We each downed fresh pineapple and banana smoothies, coconut snacks and banana bread and learned about a short hike to twin waterfalls. We also found a secluded swimming hole that was so secluded that it was too tricky for us to find the route to.

Giving up on swimming at the swimming hole, we headed back to our hotel, the Aston Kaanapali Shores to spend the rest of the afternoon laying out at the beach. Before reaching our hotel though, we stopped at a scenic area, Ho'okipa Beach Park, to climb down the rocky coast to witness of one of the most beautiful views thus far.

How I Made Money on My Flight to Hawaii

2014-01-18T23:17:00.001-05:00

A few months ago, I booked an impulse trip to Maui when I saw that there was a flight deal for a $188 round trip ticket from SFO. So here I am, in the middle of January, laying on the beach. Life is easy. Flying to Maui... not so much.

When we first booked our flight, we were scheduled to fly out of San Jose in the morning and land in Hawaii by noon. Perfect. One month after we booked our flights (and after we prepaid a hotel room - first mistake), we found out our flight time was changed to 1 P.M., so we wouldn't arrive until 9:30 P.M. Not so perfect. Losing an entire day was a big deal, so I immediately called Delta, explained the situation, and tried to get on an earlier flight. There were no earlier flights available, so the best Delta could do was to switch our flight to Oakland (more convenient for us), and to credit my account with 5,000 miles.

Unfortunately, this was only the beginning. Once we stepped off the plane at LAX for our 50 minute layover, we found we were delayed an additional hour because of a mechanical problem. One hour turned into 6, and we weren't off the ground until 11:00 P.M., getting us into Hawaii at 3:00 A.M.

While this was frustrating, most of the people on the flight stayed positive, especially when Delta credited everyone $50 and started handing out free drinks and snacks. The Delta agent also suggested filing a complaint with Delta online, which I did right from the airport. Three minutes after tweeting about the situation, I was credited another $150 to my frequent flier account. The credits ended up being worth more $200, which was more than my original ticket! I always find that a respectful and positive tone wins more than hostility. I simply tweeted: "@DeltaAssist What happens when a mechanical errors causes a delay that prevents me from staying in a prepaid hotel room?"

While I obviously would have preferred an earlier arrival, I am happy that I now have $200 to spend on Delta. Where should I go next?

Bay Area Bucket List

2014-01-10T00:00:00.003-05:00

Tourist Club
Go on a trip with the Outdoor Adventure Club
Watch a movie at the Castro Theater
See a sunset from the top of Twin Peaks
People watch at Dolores Park
Anchor Brewery’s tour and tasting
Eat at Burma Superstar
Sequoia National Park
Dip my toes in Half Moon Bay
Ski in Tahoe
See the elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Reserve
Hike in the Marin Headlands
Adult night at the California Academy of Sciences
See the Giants play
Volunteer with Beyond Z
French toast at Mama's
Sourdough class at La Victoria's
49er's game
Los Gatos Creek Trail
Yosemite
Gilroy Garlic Festival
Treasure Island Flea Market
Big Sur
Plant a tree with Friends of the Urban Forest
Join The Kitchen
Continue learning Spanish at Enjoy Spanish

Safety Tips for the Solo Traveler

2014-01-08T23:41:00.000-05:00

Whenever I talk to people about having traveled abroad by myself, the conversation always jumps to how I stayed safe. Here are a couple of tips for those traveling by themselves…

When traveling alone, try not to be alone. This is particularly important at nighttime or when in vulnerable situations like long-distance bus rides. This may seem challenging, as you don’t really know anyone, but it’s really pretty simple. When I traveled, I made sure to stay in places where I would meet like-minded people who might also be traveling alone, or might be jumping from place to place like me. I found hostels to be a great place to meet others. Surprisingly, I encountered many solo travelers, many of whom were women. You have to be comfortable talking to anyone, but once you do, you’ll realize that there is almost always someone who is traveling a similar route or someone who is interested in sharing a meal or exploring the city with a new friend. Not only does this keep you safe, but you also can meet some amazing people who might even turn out to be lifelong friends.

If you aren’t able to find someone to ride the bus with you, make smart decisions. I only traveled by bus alone a couple of times, but when I did, I made smart decisions. By this I mean that I was willing to pay a bit more to travel a more reputable bus or was willing to be flexible about my travel times in order to arrive during the day versus arriving somewhere alone at night. Also, you don’t need to flash your shiny new iPad on an overnight bus ride, no matter how badly you want to catch up on the new season of Newsroom.

Learn how to choose a cab. Let’s start with airport cabs. When I was alone, I favored booking cab drivers through my hostel in advance. It cost me about $5 more, but it was worth it to me to know that I would be in good hands. If taking a cab provided by the hostel isn’t an option, use your best judgement and remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. As far as city cabs go, know what to look for to know if a cab is legitimate. In Peru this meant finding a silver sticker on the front window and a black number written across the side. These cabs were registered and generally safer than some random person who is just driving people around to make a little extra cash. Realize, though, that while it is important to be cautious, it’s also important to expect people to be good at heart. At first, I was afraid to speak in cabs, worried that the driver would realize I didn’t speak Spanish fluently and would take advantage of the fact that I was a tourist. But let’s be real, the guy knew I was a tourist even before I opened my mouth. Face it, I am wearing hiking boots, I probably mispronounced the name of my destination, and I am carrying a backpack. Once I got over my fear, I realized all of the cab drivers I spoke to were amazing people with interesting stories and helpful travel advice. So what if I had to pay an extra 30 cents because my accent was American or I missed a few verb conjugations?

Only carry what you need. You never need your id, all of your money and five credit cards all at the same time. Be smart about what you carry, when, and where. I never took my passport around with me. Instead, I locked it up in my room where I couldn’t lose it or get it stolen. I followed the same rule with my debit cards. When I needed to get cash, I brought my card, but immediately returned it to my room after taking out money. As far as money goes, it should go without saying that you should only carry what you need. If you run out, you can always return to your room and get more. Whatever you are carrying, split it up and put it in a safe (and accessible) place. I tried to get fancy and hide my money in pockets where no one would know about it. The problem was that the money was so inaccessible that even I struggled to access it. Don’t go crazy. It’s not the end of the world if you lose 50 bucks.

Choose hostels carefully. In the beginning, my priority was to carefully monitor my budget. I learned quickly that while this strategy was great for my savings account, it wasn’t worth risking my safety. The cheapest hostel I stayed at ended up being the one that was robbed. Instead of going by cost, talk to people. Get suggestions. Ask questions and find out where other people stayed in order to find the best (and safest) places. Most importantly, write down what they say! I followed this strategy in Ecuador and stayed in some of the nicest hostels on my trip. This may seem like an obvious suggestion, but it took me two countries to figure out in-person recommendations are much more reliable than online reviews.

Never leave your belongings unattended in your hostel. Again, this sounds obvious, but there are moments when your phone is charging and you are tempted to leave it on your bed for 30 seconds while you brush your teeth in the bathroom. It might be fine. It might not be. My phone wasn’t. In those 30 seconds, my hostel roommate disappeared and so did my cell.

Most importantly, don’t ruin your trip by not trusting anyone or not taking calculated risks. Generally people are wonderful people. Don’t let one bad story taint your experience.

How to Take Better Travel Photographs

2013-12-26T22:26:00.000-05:00

Do you have to have a top of the line DSLR camera in order to take great photos? It helps, but it definitely isn't necessary to spend a fortune on brand new camera equipment. If you are in the market for a new camera, but you are on a budget, I recommend buying a camera body and lens used off of eBay. I was surprised to learn that even if a lens has a significant crack, there will not be any noticeable difference in the photo. A pretty versatile lens for traveling is the 18-55mm, though I love shooting with a 50mm lens. Unless you are a pro, plan to take only one or two lenses with you because they can become cumbersome and heavy. Not to mention, everything you bring with you traveling could end up lost, broken, or stolen.

It's important to know your camera before your trip. Before my trip to South America, I took a photography class at The Creative Arts Workshop in New Haven, CT. I highly recommend taking a class if you are looking to improve your technical skills. I met a few people along the way who planned to figure out how to use their DSLR while traveling, and found themselves relying on the automatic mode, which won't give you as much control as manual. If you can't afford a class, at least read up on shutter speed, ISO, aperture and exposure - and how they interrelate. It will make it easier for you to concentrate on the creative rather than technical side of photography. Here's a quick online tutorial that I love: Understanding Your DSLR

The Golden Hour
The best time to snap photos is when the lighting is softer and warmer in hue. This happens right around sunset. Sunrise is also a great time to take photos because the light is cooler and more diffuse. It can be hard to take photos in the middle of the day when the sun is harsher and you are dealing with shadows.

Get Closer
As Robert Capa famously said, "If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough." This is why I love shooting with a 50mm lens. Your feet make a great zoom. Zooming in with a telephoto lens can be a great strategy for landscapes, but when it comes to people, it's best just to stand a bit closer than you would normally think. This improves the quality and clarity of the photo. When you are closer, the photo can focus in on details that would otherwise be missed.

Get Farther Away
A go to travel picture for me is always the rooftop view of a city. When taking this type of photo, try to think about what the sun is doing. Is it nearing sunset? Am I shooting into direct sunlight and creating a strange sun flare? No matter what, the key to this type of photo is to be far enough away to capture the most interesting features of the city.

Know Where the Sun Is
Photos of people are almost always most flattering when the sun is shining on the subject's face. The same is true when photographing buildings. If you want to catch the glistening of light on the ocean, take the photo when the sun is low enough to reflect off the waves. Here is a trick for taking a great photo when the sun is behind your subject: Use your flash!

Take the Road Less Traveled
Walking through the main square will give you the same picture everyone else has. Avoiding obvious routes and taking the back roads might lead you to some more interesting subjects or perspectives.

Watch the Edges and Corners
Be mindful that your photo might come out more interesting if you capture not only your intended subject, but also something interesting in the background.

Remember to Photograph the People You are Traveling With
It can be easy to get caught up in photographing landscapes and buildings, but it is important to capture the people you are traveling with as well. Include them in photos of scenery so that you remember not only where you went, but who went with you. It doesn't always have to be the traditional front-facing photograph, either. Spice it up with some nontraditional candids.

Create a Story with Sequential Photos
Taking a bunch of photos in a row can help capture the "bigger picture."

Why Take a Mid-Life Gap Year?

2013-12-16T13:20:00.000-05:00

Many people take a gap year between college and their first job. I took mine after 5 years. Here's why I took a mid-life gap year.

What have I done with my gap year?

I visited 3 countries, traveled the East Coast by sleeper train, visited 6 states (FL, CT, MA, CA, HI, NJ, NY), started a travel blog, volunteered at an after school program in Peru, worked at a hostel bar and restaurant in Cusco, rode horses in Ecuador, started selling earrings at a local salon, made new friends and connections across the globe, took cooking classes, photography classes, yoga classes, Spanish classes, and became conversationally fluent in Spanish.

It might seem like my super productive gap year wasn't really a break at all, but for me it was. The flexible schedule allowed me to explore my interests and to build stronger connections with those around me. I saw the time off as a chance to regroup and to make sure that I was on the track I wanted to be on.

Why did I take a gap year?

I worked constantly throughout college. I worked long hours not only in class, but in numerous work-study jobs to begin paying off huge college loans. I had a lot of opportunities to develop professionally, but fewer opportunities to explore my interests and develop personally. After college, I went to work (3 jobs simultaneously including one full-time position, a part-time sales job, and a small consulting and advertising company that I started) and had very little spare time. This cycle of working multiple jobs and having very little work-life balance continued for years until I stumbled into the opportunity to travel abroad to volunteer and learn Spanish.

How did it go?

For the first couple of days, I found the blank schedule to be daunting and was unsure of how to spend my time. I watched an entire season of Orange is the New Black in less than a couple of days. But I soon realized that this is not how I wanted to spend my time. I took the same approach to my schedule as I always had. Fill it up with the things that interest me and the people I value. Soon, I found myself enrolled in numerous classes and planning various trips.

Time off isn't for everyone. I think it's great for people who are productive and find it easy to stay busy without a 8-6 work schedule. I don't think the gap year always has to be a year long, either. For me, 6 months was plenty of time. You also have to be ready to take on the costs and risks. I was lucky to have saved enough to take off 6 months of work and still be able to afford health insurance and to have a cushion if I am not hired for a full-time position immediately after the 6 months. But I think with planning, foresight, determination, and effort, these costs and risks can be mitigated and a gap period can be an incredibly valuable experience. Do I recommend it? Absolutely.

What would you do with a gap year?

Amtrak's East Coast Car Train Adventure

2013-12-13T09:26:00.000-05:00

My brother AJ decided to move from Florida back to Massachusetts, so I flew out to Florida to keep him company on the trip.

I had really great luck booking a last minute one-way ticket from Connecticut to Florida. I assume that since most people travel for the holidays between December 20 and January 3, tickets early in December are really inexpensive. People don't want to fly multiple times in one month.

AJ picked me up at the airport, and since he already moved out of his house we headed to the Clarion hotel in Kissimmee, which is right outside of Orlando. The hotel was less than 2 miles from Disneyworld, and yet, it only cost us $50 a night to stay in a two bed suite with kitchenette and a free buffet breakfast. My favorite area of the hotel was the enormous free form pool. I spent the majority of my time in the pool, as the area surrounding the hotel was strip mall hell. It's amazing how many Carrabba's restaurants one city needs.

We spent about 24 hours in Kissimmee, then drove an hour to Stanford, where we caught the auto train. The entire process of boarding the train was a breeze. We dropped off the car in front of the station just before 2 P.M., then walked over to the check-in desk to get our tickets. At the check-in, we asked about gluten free meal options, and the attendant was so helpful that she called over the chef to talk to us directly.

We waited a few minutes at the station and then boarded the train at 2:30. When we saw our accommodations in the sleeper car, we were a bit surprised. The car was in daytime mode, so there were two seats facing each other. While it was comfortable, the room was tight. Feeling a little claustrophobic, we headed to the lounge car, where there was a free wine tasting and snacks. The lounge car was terrific and it was great talking to the staff about their experiences on the train. Apparently Shaq's dad is a frequent customer!

The time was flying by, and at 7:00 P.M., we headed from the lounge into the dining car, where we took our seats across from some very opinionated travelers. I spent the dinner in a heated debate about educational inequality. You can imagine which side of the discussion I was on. I am surprised the Teach For America water bottle I was carrying didn't give me away.

While the discussion was heated, the dinner was enjoyable. AJ had steak tips, and I ate roasted chicken. I made sure to tell the staff that the 14th is AJ's birthday, so they brought out a bowl of jello and ice cream and the entire dining car sang happy birthday at an embarrassing volume while I video taped.

After all of this excitement, I headed back to our sleeper car. The staff had already transitioned the car from day to night, and this time, I found two bunk beds made up with pillows and blankets. The sleep on the train was very comfortable. I woke up a few times, mainly because AJ was unknowingly dropping things (a bag of M&M's, a glow stick, and his wallet) onto my head from the top bunk, but overall had a great night's rest.

In the morning, we woke up to beautiful views of the sunrise and to continental breakfast that was being served in the dining car. We also found out that we would be arriving an hour ahead of schedule. The morning went by in a flash, and we were already off the train and in Lorton, Virginia by 8:15 A.M. From there, we drove the remaining miles back home.

I still think flying is my favorite mode of transportation when it comes to long distances, but this is a great option for being able to transport your car.

Why Get Travel Insurance

2013-12-08T12:16:00.000-05:00

I have traveled abroad a number of times, but this past trip to South America was the first time that I purchased an insurance policy. While there are a lot of great options out there, I went with the company that Lonely Planet suggested - World Nomads. More information about the company can be found at http://www.worldnomads.com/

The decision to invest in insurance was made primarily because I was concerned about having a health issue abroad. Little did I know that what I would be using it for would be to cover the cost of a new phone after my iPhone 5 was stolen in Cusco.

After my phone was stolen, I worried that the insurance would only cover the initial price of the phone ($200) and wouldn't cover the cost of a new phone without contract (more than $400). I also worried that I never saved my receipt and wouldn't be able to provide proof of purchase. Neither of these concerns turned out to be actual problems.

World nomads allows you 90 days after the termination date of your policy to write a claim, so once I got back to the States, I immediately went to the Apple store and asked if they could reprint my receipt. Within minutes, that issue was resolved. Plus, I was able to purchase a new iPhone while I waited. Next, I photographed my police report from Cusco, and both the old receipt and the new one right from my phone and uploaded them to my claims page on World Nomad. It was a very simple and straightforward process. I waited a couple of days and found out that they would be sending a check for the cost of the new phone ($400) to my house, and that I should receive it within 30 days. I waited 5, and the check was already in the mail!

I couldn't be more grateful that I purchased an insurance plan. I would recommend one for any long-term trip abroad. I don't think it's necessary for traveling in the US or while traveling for short trips, but it definitely came in handy for me! I do recommend keeping photos of your receipts for big ticket items in dropbox or in the cloud. They would have been handy to have had while I was traveling. I also want to caution that their policy does not cover any cash that is stolen. That's just something you'll have to be extra careful about.

You never know!

Last Day in South America

2013-11-06T20:40:00.000-05:00

While waiting for the taxi to Lima airport this morning, I saw Peter and he told me about how he was robbed at gunpoint yesterday in broad daylight and lost his camera.

I was constantly aware of the risks of traveling here, particularly of traveling alone... And I was cautious (probably overly cautious at points, which Ali can attest to)... But I was also lucky. I am fortunate that my experience was a positive one. My phone was robbed, but it was the most tranquil robbery possible. I was lucky. I heard crazy horror stories. Stories I didn't write about because I didn't want to think about them and because they would have painted a very incomplete and incorrect picture of my experience here. I didn't really run into trouble. I escaped the devil's dust that Sing Sing encountered, the knife stuck into Laura's wrist in the park, and the gun Peter escaped just yesterday. I was lucky.

As I leave, I am grateful that what I will remember will not be these isolated terrors, the events that happen infrequently but are most talked about. Instead, I will look back on my teachers who took me in as though I were family, the kids who let me teach them, even though I couldn't even speak their language, the new traveler friends who I feel like I have known for far longer than a couple weeks, the strangers who helped me find a restaurant, the people on planes or buses who patiently talked to me, waiting for me to find the words in Spanish, and all of the other locals who were kind, generous and helpful. I also can't leave out the memories of terrific food, strong pisco sours, getting way too many massages, seeing spectacular views, the long, but beautiful bus rides through the Andes, and the vibrant colors of the markets. Most importantly, I learned that the only way to be rich is to want little.

All in all, my departure day was standard. I woke up early and shared a cab to the airport with Stephanie and Miriam who both continued on to Cusco. That was the last of the teary goodbyes. I bought some Pisco in duty free, already nostalgic for Cusco. I got my Pisco taken away in San Salvador when I switched planes and had to subject myself to a second bag search. And as I sat on the plane, I reflected on my experience in South America, realizing I took far more than I could have ever given.

And then it was over.

Going to the Movies

2013-11-05T20:36:00.000-05:00

There isn't a ton to see in Lima, and this is my third time in the city, so I spent the day doing random things like watching a bad movie (in English!) at the movie theater, getting my nails done for $3, and stocking up on airport food at the grocery store. Lima is an anti-climactic ending to an amazing trip. The best part of the day was when Jessica, Miriam and I met up for a very nice dinner at a touristy restaurant on “Pizza Street.” I can't wait to be in a place where you don't get inundated by the restaurant hosts as your walk down the street. That tactic doesn't really work on me; in fact, it has the opposite effect. but the dinner we had was great, and it reminded me that throughout this trip, I have met the kindest people. I think the people have had as big of an impact on me as anything else.

I also spent the entire day trying to coordinate with Sebas to retrieve my suitcase. He is on Peruvian time, so I had a lot of trouble getting him to commit to a time that he would be available. Around midnight, and after a fair amount of frustration, he finally gave me his address and I headed by taxi to get my things. Miriam was super nice and came with me to keep me company. Even though it was a bit frustrating at the end, it was so nice of Sebas to hold onto my bag. It was so much easier traveling through Ecuador without it.

Finished reading When I Was Puerto Rican, started reading Cutting for Stone.

Last Nights in Lima

2013-11-04T20:34:00.000-05:00

For the five minutes that I was awake on the bus, I dreamed about a sandwich from La Lucheria. So despite it only being 8am, I headed directly there for a lunch sandwich. It was exactly how I remembered it. Then, I walked around Lima for a while, only to realize nothing is open until 11 on Mondays. I retreated back to my hostel, and discovered Peter is staying there, too! It is crazy to think that I have run into some people in more than one country!

In the afternoon, I met up with Jessica, my manager from Cusco. She was in Lima to get her residency visa for the next two years. It was so nice getting a chance to see her! We waited for Miriam to arrive from the bus station, then headed to dinner at an Arabic restaurant.

Almost a Disaster

2013-11-03T20:13:00.000-05:00

My worst fear about getting to Lima with almost a couple days to spare almost came true. When we asked our hostel to book us a bus for later tonight, she said "Well, that will be difficult," and shook her head. After looking up 4 companies, we found they were all booked and nearly ran to the travel agent down the road. Again, we were greeted with, "Hmmm.... That's not really possible." Luckily, we ended up scoring one seat for tonight and one for tomorrow morning. I jumped on the night bus, unable to suffer through another day of nothingness on the day bus.

After the stress of booking a bus, we had an easy morning eating brunch and staring at the waves. Later, we headed to Chan Chan, the ruins of an early civilization. The ruins were kind of... ruined by the backdrop of buildings and modern city life. After Cusco, it is hard to see ruins and not expect to be fully transported back to ancient times. Anyhow, we had fun taking pictures on top of mounds of sand, in front of mounds of sand, and next to mounds of sand. Lots of pictures of sand.

Dinner ran a little late, and after quickly saying goodbye to my friends, I rushed to the hostel to call a cab and to finish packing. I guess today was the day of poor planning. Even though it was 8:30, and my bus wasn't until 10, the receptionist said it would take over a half hour to get a cab here and I had better run down the street with all of my luggage and try to catch one at the intersection a quarter mile away. A little worried, I followed his advice, and after 20 minutes, finally caught a cab. I ended up arriving just in time to hop onto the most luxurious bus ever.

You know those photos in travel magazines of airplanes in Japan... The ones where instead of seats, there are beds complete with blankets and pillows? Well it is real, and it is called SuperVIP, pronounced suuuupervip (short i, not an acronym). Suuuuupervip is the best. I cuddled up to the nice lady and 7 month old baby 2 inches from my face, relishing the fact that I could eat a second dinner just because it is available all the while resting my feet horizontally, watching my personal TV, even if it is in Spanish and I am too tired to understand.

I slept like a baby. Mostly because there was a baby next to me and I woke up every time the baby did, but also because the completely horizontal seat was amazing. The lady next to me explained that I was basically the luckiest person ever because her husband found out he had to work and cancelled his ticket right before I purchased it. She said since it is a holiday (who knew?), she had booked the tickets two weeks ago! So I guess booking a day earlier wouldn't have really helped that much... In any case, lucky me, because otherwise I would be missing my flight to the US.

The Beaches of Trujillo

2013-11-02T20:05:00.000-04:00

We started off the morning on yet another bus, finally making our way all the way to Trujillo, staying just outside the city in a hostel called Naylamp in Huanchaco. I was so happy to see the beach and to be off the bus that I could have danced.

We headed straight to lunch after a second morning of being trapped on a bus without anything to eat. I need to go prepared with snacks from now on. Lunch was wonderful, and Kristie, the girl I worked with in Cusco also walked into the restaurant. We spent a couple hours catching up and talking about how she has been volunteering here. She found an incredibly sick dog here, and raised money to take him to the vet via Facebook. When she was at the vet's, she learned a lot about the stray dog situation here, and got connected to a woman who was building a dog shelter in town. Krystie's boyfriend, Sam actually worked in construction back in Australia, so they spent two weeks here, building the shelter from the ground up.

After lunch, Miriam and I went for a walk along the beach, taking lots of photos of the surfers and the sunset. The beach here is beautiful, and since the town isn't overly developed, there actually aren't that many tourists.

In the evening, we met back up with Nikky and split a piece of apple pie before heading back to our hostel for a proper dinner of vegetarian pizza.