Recently, I stumbled upon a very financially reasonable travel website called TravelPirates. It's similar to Groupon and Travel Zoo, in the way that there are discounted deals for flights. travelpirates.com
My original plan was to visit Ireland this May, but after seeing how cheap it is to fly to Brisbane, Australia instead, I completely changed my mind.
This will be my first trip traveling solo, but I am surprisingly at ease since Australia is considered one of the safest tourist destinations and is a predominantly English speaking country. Brisbane isn't the top city for visitors in the country, but for less than $800 for a round-trip ticket, how could I possibly not take that offer?
Please don't assume that I'm traveling alone because I'm lonely or have no friends, it's just the friends and family I do have are not willing to sacrifice finances, are in school, or are not able to take the time off from work. I had never left the country before the age of 21 and constantly regret that. From the moment I turned 18, my goal was to go to school and work enough hours on the side to save enough funds for an international vacation. Unfortunately, a few circumstances hindered my opportunities during that time period of my life and I sat back waiting for things to fall into place.
At 21, I was not willing to sit back and wait for fate any longer. Frankly, I was quite tired of being confined within the bay area. My 22nd birthday was approaching, and I realized that I deserved to treat myself for once. My friend and I impulsively planned out our trip to Jamaica just two months prior, packed our bags, and had the time of our lives.
My parents were not happy, to say the least. "Not happy" would actually be an understatement. They were downright disappointed that I decided to travel with just one other female rather than with a larger group. Up until the day I left I was lectured for my "naive" perspective and impetuous decisions. But I managed to smoothly arrive and return in one piece, which was a huge relief for them, and probably even established more trust in me.
I'm still deciding how I'll break the news to them in May, that not only will I be traveling again, but traveling by myself. They'll probably never fully support my decisions or the way I spend my money, but at the end of the day, they accept that I'm not one who's opinion will be swayed by others.
I don't have the best job, but I have a flexible manager who's always willing to work with my schedule.
I'll be starting school at San Jose State University this next fall and will most likely have little to no time at all for anything other than work and studying, so I thought, why not take advantage of the very last freedom and opportunities I have.
In today's day an age, most of us have Netflix. But many of us probably weren't aware of this awesome opportunity of a life time they're offering to one lucky winner.
On March 11, Netflix will be choosing one "Grammaster" to take an all expenses paid trip for two weeks to Europe, to post photos on Instagram of show and film sets.
For me, going to Europe is a big dream, as it is for many others. And how amazing would it be to pack up and leave for two whole weeks, for free!? Not only are the travel fees taken care of, but the winner will also be payed $2,000 a week for the job
This past Friday, San Francisco held the 28th annual Russian festival.
The best part was, that I didn't even have to leave the country, or even the Bay area to experience a taste of the culture.
I've been in the Bay area for the past 22 years, and have always been aware of our abundant Russian population, but surprisingly somehow I have never truly been exposed to the their culture.
The festival kicked off Friday night at 5 PM with a variety of different traditional Russian food, an endless amount of different Vodka flavors, multiple vendors, and performances on the main stage.
It tends to get pretty chilly during the night in SF, so thank God everything was indoors.
While it started out slow, things began to pick up around 8 o'clock when the younger generations began flooding in for the Baltica Beer and cocktails.
On the main stage, there was a variety of different dance numbers of children in traditional Russian costumes, as well as a male acapella group, and a traditional folk band.
Though most of the narration of the show was in Russian, the festival was nothing short of welcoming to all the non-Russian visitors.
Here are some of the few highlights from the evening.
traditional Russian music on main stage
Early evening before the downstairs area was filled up.
Vatrushka - a delicious Russian desert somewhat similar to Cheesecake, kinda.
Baltica beer- more commonly seen in Eastern Europe.
beef stroganoff with meat stuffed fried bread(forgot the name), kind of like an empanada.
Many people would prefer to travel with friends, family, or a significant other.
It's safer, at times cheaper, and there's always someone to keep you company.
But what about traveling alone?
Movies like Taken have scared even the bravest of us. If you haven't seen it, I apologize in advance for the spoilers.
The movie is centered around a fathers 18 year old daughter who travels to Europe with her friend for a concert, only to be kidnapped and forced into human sex trafficking.
While there are always slight chances of this happening, is it really worth missing out on a world full of opportunities because of the odds?
Yes, this could happen. But in reality, a woman is much more likely to die in a car accident than being trafficked.
Nevertheless, traveling alone is dangerous, and is even more dangerous when you're a woman.
But its not impossible.
I consider myself to be somewhat of an introvert, meaning I need at least a few hours in the day to recuperate from all the daily interaction I've had with others. I'm also a people-person. I'm kind hearted, and I love making others happy. But at the end of the day, I love having a moment alone in peace, to recollect my thoughts and meditate.
I did not grow up as an only child. I have a sister who is 12 years older than me, and moved out when I was just six years old. This could explain my introversion, or it may not. All I know, is that I've been accustomed to being alone since I can remember and I don't necessarily consider that a bad thing.
Traveling alone is an important part of the growing process we undergo as adults. We're used to being surrounded by familiar faces at school, at work, and at home. We love the convenience of walking down the street to our favorite local restaurants.
But we're often reluctant to go to an unfamiliar place, try an exotic food, and explore the unknown. Placing yourself outside of your comfort zone is what build confidence and independence. We learn to overcome our fears and cultural anxiety. We push ourselves to interact with others we wouldn't normally come in contact with in our every day lives.
Also, when you travel alone, the world is pretty much your oyster. You don't have anyone holding you back from an activity you want to do or a place you'd like to go. You don't need to worry about planning something that is not suitable for kids, or is not in the liking of the people you're going with. When we're alone, we tend to be more aware of our surroundings which can really help soak in the experience.
Below are some other reasons in article about why everyone should travel alone at least once
We live in a pretty rough economy where the rents are high and the wages are merely sufficient for the cost of living.
Saving money and becoming financially responsible takes patience, diligence, and organization.
For some, that skill comes easy, while for others, it's an ongoing battle for years.
To be honest, I have a fairly low paying job in comparison to how high the cost of living is in the bay area. It's just barely over the minimum wage, but somehow still provides me with the funds necessary for saving; little by little. Fortunately, I don't pay rent which already gives me a huge advantage.
I do however, pay for my gas, phone bill, textbooks, and leisure activities.
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have cheap rent, or live with their parents.
I recommend, for financial purposes, to stay with your parents or other roommates as long as possible if you're truly dedicated to saying the money it takes to be an avid traveler. This doesn't mean you should plan on living there until you're in your forties; just until you finish school or establish financial stability on your own. There are many young adults who are eager to rush out of their house at the age of 18, and are rudely awakened to the harsh reality of how difficult life and expenses actually are.
As I mentioned, I don't pay rent, but I do spend approximately $300 a month on a combination of other expenses. Here are some of the ways I save money:
1. Eat out less, and eat cheap.
I always try my hardest to set aside time to pack myself a lunch for my eight hour work shift. That way, I'm not tempted to spend too much money in one of the many food outlets available to me in the shopping center where I work. I do like to eat out with friends and what not, but try to avoid pricey places like ones at Santana Row, unless it's for a special occasion.
2. Shop Cheaper
The mall is a great place with so many options, but every purchase from each store adds up to a ridiculously high amount at the end of the day that takes a huge chunk of savings out of your bank account. I recommend Ross Dress for Less, DD's Discounts, or even Savers(a high end second hand store). And only shop when you find it NECESSARY. I used to feel the need to buy a cardigan in every color, and realized I usually end up wearing the same outfits all the time. Do you really need a pair of new shoes? Is $50 for a dress you'll only wear once even worth it? Think of how many hours you had to work to make that purchase, that's what gets me to think twice before buying something.
Also, instead of shopping at Safeway or Whole Foods, you can shop at supermarkets like Mi Pueblo or Fresco where the food is drastically cheaper.
3. Limit your Alcohol.
Beers are usually decent priced, but cocktails and well brand liquor can get pretty pricey; especially in night clubs. One or two drinks with tips on top of that can be over $20. It's ok to indulge once in a while, but going out for drinks every weekend can financially drain you.
4. Drink coffee at home.
This is a HUGE one for me that probably saves me a lot of money. I am a huge caffeine addict and can drink coffee like there's no tomorrow. I choose to buy the Nescafe instant coffee which is really convenient when I'm on the go -- just stir it in some water or milk, add a little sugar and cream, and you're good to go. I can't imagine how much money a month I'd waste on coffee if I wasn't making it at home.
5. Cut down on unnecessary luxuries
I'd love to get my nails and hair done more often, but that just won't fit into my budget. I try and only get my nails and hair done for special occasions.
6. Reuse gift bags
This is such a small task, but a very effective one! Gift bags can get expensive, especially during the holiday seasons. Try saving your Christmas and birthday bags so you can reuse them for other holidays, as long as they're still in good conditions. This sounds very stingy, but it actually saves you a lot in the long run.
7. Cancel subscriptions you don't need
Newspapers, gym memberships, cable, Direct Tv, and get rid of your home phone if you're not frequently using it.
8. Spend your gas wisely
Try to get multiple things done in one trip or try to get a car that spends less gas.
9. find a job as a server.
Many restaurants allow room for growth and opportunities. Serving and bartending tend to be very convenient jobs for students who want to make more pay with less hours. While it is a stressful job, which I can say from firsthand experience, it is worth it if you're working at an upscale busy restaurant.
10. Purchase airline credit cards or sign up for sites like Expedia and Orbitz. Airline credit cards give you points and credit for each transaction you make and how many miles you fly. You can redeem these later for future flights. Websites like Expedia also allow you to rack up the points each time you book though their website which are redeemable for future vacations.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST: CONSTANTLY CHECK ON YOUR BANK ACCOUNT BALANCES.
Not checking your account balances on a regular basis can keep you blindsided from how much you spend each month, including all those monthly subscription transactions that sneak up on you; those ones you never cancelled that you didn't even realize were still charging you.
These are some the few suggestions I have for saving money. I'd like to follow up on a future blog about how to save money once you're abroad. Recently, I started watching an adventurous traveler named Gabriel on Youtube. He's gone to over twenty countries and has a variety of videos about his experience in each country and how he has saved up the funds to travel to so many of them.
Here is the link to his channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/gabejedmo
Below is one of his most helpful videos that explains how he is able to afford his travels.
It's more than a leisure activity to create an escape from work, monotony, struggles, and daily routines.
Exploring the world around you, is an essential part of life experience.
To this day, I can't fathom how people can remain in the exact same place their entire life without moving a foot outside of the country.
Sure, Tahoe, Disneyland, and Hawaii are great. They are some of the most visited tourist attractions in the world actually. But what about the hidden gems of Africa, the various temples in Asia, the exotic tropical blue waters of the Caribbean, the indigenous culture of Latin America, and the intricate architecture of Europe?
It's easy to marvel over the beauty of pictures in travel magazines, or like your friends Facebook pictures of their semester abroad, but actually deliberately setting aside a time to go is easier said than done.
Going on a vacation is much more than all inclusive resorts, relaxing on the beach, and buying souvenirs. It's more than merely seeing a place other than where you live; it's about broadening your perspective of how you view the world.
While there is absolutely nothing wrong with all inclusive resorts, lounging around the pool, or buying souvenirs, there is so much more to be taken from a trip abroad.
As humans, we tend be very ethnocentric, and can often get wrapped up in our own culture and the country we live in; so much so that we forget about the rest of the world around us.
For me, going to a foreign country is not about "finding yourself", but rather molding yourself into a wiser, culturally aware, and independent person.
Learning about other cultures and intercultural interactions are crucial for developing relationships, especially in such a diverse place as the U.S. While you can definitely establish intercultural friendships and relationships in your own country, it's not quite the same as going to another country and experiencing the culture and place first hand.
Many of us have heard St. Ambrose's famous proverb, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do".
And what better way to do that then to step outside your comfort zone, get familiar with the locals, and go to some of cities hidden local hiding spots.
Learning about the history, traditions, and daily life of a foreign countries can also help us become more culturally sensitive, which plays an important role in intercultural interactions.
Not only does it make us more culturally aware, but also less ethnocentric because we begin to see the beauty of other countries and cultures, other than our own.
I love Salsa dancing and would love to visit the country where it all started from; Cuba!
Not sure whether it's the music, the tropical sour sop fruit, or the simple fact that it's practically forbidden that sparked my undeniable infatuation with the exotic island.
To start with a brief history, Cuba has been under the Communist regime since the 1950's when Fidel Castro began to rule. Because of the ongoing political disputes between The United States and Cuba, American's have not been able to see the many wonders and hidden gems of the country; until now.
Great news, Americans! Obama is currently in progress of carrying out a plan to settle civil diplomatic relations with Cuba, which means there will be significant opportunities for Americans to travel there in the near future.
The other day, I stumbled upon an article on the BBC website glorifying the hidden gem of Baracoa city in Cuba. Author Kerry Phillips Badal names Baracoa "the lost Eden" and shares her unique experience at this unfamiliar territory. Badal notes that the reason why Baracoa has remained hidden is due to the difficulty of accessing it. Apparently, the "rickety" plains from Havana or boat transportation is the only means of reaching it.
"The lack of infrastructure is hardly a bad thing, though, as it's allowed Baracoans to develop traditions, tastes and attitudes that are uniquely their own," Badal claims.
According to Badal's account, the food from Baracoa differs greatly from the traditional commercialized food in the rest of Cuba and Miami, Florida. While most traditional dishes consist of black beans and rice, the food of Baracoa is a combination of Haitian, French, and Taino Indian influence. The teti river fish is a seafood delicacy while the chorrote is a type of hot chocolate served fresh from the local people and many of the nearby cafes.
One of the island's most unique deserts is the cucurucho. It's essentially like an ice cream cone, but made with rolled palms and filled with a mixture of honey, guava, papaya, coconut, and sugar.
Call me a deviant foodie, but doesn't that sound and look delicious?
She also mentions ,"According to Unesco, it's "one of the most biologically diverse tropical ecosystems in an island setting anywhere on Earth" and it hosts a lengthy list of endemic species that includes more than 1,000 flowering plants, man groves and palm, cacao and banana trees within its borders,"(Badal).
Unlike many other luxury all inclusive resorts on the Caribbean beaches, Baracoa is full of remote waters with little to no crowds except for the small beach huts selling fresh juices.
If you love hoards of tourists covering every square inch of the beach, you can stick with your Cancun vacation. As for me, I'm adding Baracoa to my bucket list!
Thursday, January 21, 2016
As I had mentioned previously, this past September of 2015, I visited Jamaica.
Despite what a wonderful country it is, it didn't score highly on lists of the most visited countries. I'm actually stunned that more tourists are not visiting this beautiful, culturally rich, turquoise island. Many people to know little to nothing about the Jamaican culture or history other than Bob Marley, Reggae, and dreadlocks. Little do they know, there's so much more to this small Caribbean island.
Here are some of my reasons why I recommend a vacation in Jamaica (particularly in Negril, but the rest of the places I visited were awesome too).
1. There's miles of white sand beaches with turquoise water. Not only is it clear, but the water is warm. It's great for swimming since there's no high tides or strong waves. Sharks are not much of a nuisance if you're afraid of them like me. One of the last recorded shark attacks in Negril was in the 80's. Also, notice something strange or unusual(in the photos of the beaches below)? The beaches are practically uninhabited! Since I went during the off peak hurricane season, there was barely any tourists! My friend and I practically had the beach to ourselves. This is a great place to visit from the months of May-September if you want to avoid crowds or hoards of other tourists.
2. The culture. This would consist of everything from music to the delicious food. There are plenty of authentic places to eat in Negril. You can sit down for freshly cooked snapper fish, or some jerk chicken if you don't like sea food. You won't see frozen plantains here. This is the cuisine for you if you're an adventurous eater and like a spicy kick once in a while. Along the 7 mile Beach in Negril, you can find Bourbon Beach where people flock during the night to listen to live Reggae music and dance in the sand. Rick's Cafe is another great place to hang out and eat or simply have a drink at the bar if you want to stick around for live Reggae music on a Friday night. If you'd like to know more about the Rastafarian or Selassie culture, there's plenty of guided tours in Montego Bay that take you around the villages to learn about traditional Jamaican culture and history.
3. The locals. I can honestly say, I've never felt so welcome in a country other than my own. If locals approach you, don't be nervous. They love approaching tourists to see where they're from and if it's their first time visiting Jamaica. I can't count the amount of times I was asked, "Is this your first time in Jamaica", followed by "Welcome to Paradise!". By the end of the week, I was even called a "Jamerican" by one of our local guides who spent the day with us and drove us around to our destinations. The locals do their best to make you feel comfortable in their country and feel as though you're one of them. The Jungle nightclub is a great place to hang out with locals, drink some of their famous rum punch, and dance the night away until 3 or 4 AM. Not that there's anything wrong with tourists, but I'm so glad I went during an off peak season because it gave me the chance to get familiar with so many of the locals and try to experience what it's like in their daily lives.
4. Out door activities. As I already mentioned, the beaches are amazing. There's also plenty of other activities to do if you're a nature lover as well. There's Duns River Falls for those who like water falls and rock climbing. There's river tubing, zip lining, swimming with the dolphins, horse back riding on the sand, mineral spring waters, and so many other outdoor activities to do if you're a nature lover.
5. Reasonably priced. Flying to the Caribbean from the American continents is obviously cheaper than flying all the way to Europe, Asia, or Africa. You can five 3 to 5 star all inclusive resorts in Jamaica for the price you'll find a mediocre hotel room here in the states. Many of the hotels are affordable and a one minute walk from the beach. I stayed at the Negril Tree House Resort which was conveniently, right on the 7 mile beach. The hotels are safe and have plenty of security making sure the tourists are being taken care of, they also have on site taxis that are always ready to take guests whenever they're on the go.
Hopefully one, if not all of these reasons convinced you to put Jamaica on your bucket list. :)
Below are some pictures from my recent trip here along with some brief captions.
This day was a bit overcast due to the hurricane season, but nevertheless, the beach is always beautiful regardless.
The Blue Hole near Ocho Rios - a hidden gem in the middle of nowhere that not many tourists seem to know about where there's multiple rope swings and cliff jumps.
On the glass bottom boat getting ready to snorkel!
Rick's Cafe mid dive. Rick's Cafe is one of the most famous restaurants in the world for its outdoor view of the sunset, the live Reggae music, and cliff diving open to the public. This was the actually the smaller jump, the high dive jump was much taller and is only recommended for experienced divers.
Duns River Falls (Ocho Rios)
Duns River Falls in Ocho Rios. One of the hottest tourist attractions in Jamaica. Unlike the ocean, this water was pretty cold, but it was worth the hike up all the rocks at the end.
Best of the West jerk restaurant(Negril). If you've never tried jerk chicken, pork, or oxtail, you ABSOLUTELY MUST. The best part was that the owner cooked the jerk fresh on his grill right in front of us.
Though many Jamaicans live in poverty, this was an area I came across with beach house mansions.
Our friendly and comical snorkel guide Marcus who took us out on his glass bottom boat.(Negril)
Sunny day at the beach in Ocho Rios near Duns River Falls. Isn' t the water beautiful?
Rick's Cafe in Negril. You can find just as many locals here as tourists. The locals are known for being extremely friendly and love to approach tourists.
Fun fact I took a picture of that was on the first page of the menu at Rick's Cafe
Rick's Cafe and some random Canadian tourist who decided he wanted to photobomb us :p
River tubing near Montego Bay! This was one of the most fun activities that included a rope swing at the end of the river.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
I'm Jamie, and I'm enchanted by the enormous beautiful world we live in! I was born
and raised in the bay area and grew up in a multicultural society where I've
constantly been surrounded by other races, cultures, foods, and religions. This
may just be one of the main factors that ignited my curiosity.
I'm intrigued by other cultures and love learning about other countries. I
often find myself enticed by foreign movies, and if it were possible for me to
learn at least five languages fluently, I would! I'm a very adventurous eater
and enjoy trying new foods, and exploring different cultural traditions as
well.
I have dedicated this blog solely to traveling and cultural life styles because
that's one of aspect of life that has never ceased to fascinate me.
This past September 2015, I finally took my first vacation out of the country
in JAMAICA!
Not only did I enjoy every moment of it, but it was
also very eye opening and only further fueled my desire to travel. Some of the
countries I'd like to visit are: Greece, Spain, Ireland, The Dominican
Republic, Egypt, Morocco, Tahiti, and the list could go on forever.
A blog I would highly recommend for people who love travelling is
"NotWedorDead", which is written by a young woman named Katy who
decided to travel the world after her fiance called of their wedding. She
offers great tips for people who travel alone and inspirational tips for
getting through hard times. (http://www.notwedordead.com/)
Another blog I would suggest with helpful tips for people with incurable
wanderlust like me is called "Travel. Paint. Repeat." which consists
of numerous posts from artist Megan Van Groll about how to travel on a budget,
and how to be successful with your own independent career. (http://travelpaintrepeat.com/tagged/travel)
