When you were raised in a place called the “Great Plains”, any form of altitude leaves you mystified. I’ve always been particularly drawn to the mountains, and whether or not that is due to where I grew up is anyone’s guess. I’ve been in and around them before, taking cable cars and hiking through evergreens. I’ve stayed in cute little cabins and had coffee with the sounds of nature. It’s always been fleeting moments; a week here, a few days there. Now that I live an hour or so away, I am trying to make the most of it.
People always say that there is something about the serenity and peacefulness in the mountains. These are the people who know what they’re talking about.
However, out of all the mountainous regions I have been to, Bavaria is by far my favorite. Maybe it’s because Germany goes to excruciating lengths to preserve the natural scenery (i.e. giving you a fine for picking a flower), or maybe its because there’s some things in life that just can’t be replicated by man. Either way, it is truly a transcendent experience.
Vantage Point in Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden
Maybe there’s something in the air. The crisp, clean mountain air is incredibly addictive. Every breath feels refreshing. Sitting outside, a mug of coffee in one hand, a cozy blanket in my lap, quietly absorbing the silent, dewy morning stillness. It’s nice to just take a step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. No meetings, no assignments, no planning your schedule nine ways to Sunday. Just simple tranquility, simple life.
The Bavarian Alps just hit every spot on the checklist of “mini-mountain vacation”. Cozy cottages? Check. Cute wooden knick-knacks and embroidered cushions? Check. Eating a plate full of carbs and meat while sitting under a taxidermized deer head? Check, check, check.
Viewpoint in Oberammergau, Bavaria
My heart is now full of the white snow, cozy atmosphere, and easy-going life in the Alps. Being able to walk outside, take a cleansing breath, and just exist in the moment means more than I can put into words.
If you’re looking for a little weekend solace, or perhaps you’ve had your fill of the city and need to reconnect with nature, then spend some time between mountain peaks. I promise you’ll feel refreshed.
Life is better on the Mediterranean! Spending the summer in the South of France was an absolute dream. Turquoise waters, medieval history, and enough rosé for a lifetime. If you ask me, the perfect vacation. Even though I had been to Paris before, the south still managed to throw a few surprises my way. So here are my top 5 things to keep in mind when visiting the Coast of France!
Life is S l o w
Have somewhere to be? No you don’t!
The French are definitely not about bouncing from place to place. The American tourist rushing from tourist trap to tourist site is definitely a laughable stereotype there. The French tend to treat every day as a lazy Sunday afternoon. So, to those of your who are go-getters on vacation, keep this in mind!
Sundays are for Hiking!
Péage
If you are planning to rent a car, which you will likely need, the tolls are certainly something to keep in mind. For a day trip, we spent about €50! Coming from a place where tolls are cents at most, I was flabbergasted. This is, of course, in addition to the crazy expensive prices for gas. All in all, it can add up pretty quick. Avoiding the tolls is definitely possible, although it can add a few hours to your drive. But hey, why not take the scenic route every once in awhile?
Fire!
For a majority of the summer there are no-burn restrictions in place. What most people don’t know, is that the climate on the coast of France is not lush and tropical. It is, however, incredibly dry! Couple that with very hot temperatures, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. We personally saw 3 separate forest fires where we were staying. Things like grill embers and discarded cigarettes are the worst perpetrators. So be extremely careful!
View of a fire from our balcony
Service Times
In line with the “life is slow” concept, it wouldn’t be France if you didn’t spend half a day at the table. Meals are viewed as more of an experience, and less of a thing to get over with. If you are looking for a quick bite in between sights, your best bet is to look for a bakery and grab a sandwich. If you sit down to eat, especially during peak hours, you can promise yourself at least a 2 hour wait. But hey, the food is certainly worth it!
A Little More Than You Bargained For
The French tend to be a bit more, shall we say “free”, when it comes to their bodies. Yes, I mean nudity. Although not explicitly allowed, the French have a laissez-faire attitude when it comes to the human body, especially on beaches. To clarify, this is by far not the norm, but it is also not uncommon to see one or two people exposed. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
This is by far not a comprehensive list of things that surprised me on my vacation in the South of France, just the ones that stuck out to me the most. If there’s anything you think I missed, or had some surprises of your own, feel free to tell me in the comments below!
It started as an impromptu going-away trip in lieu of a large party. A few friends, a cheap hotel room, and two days to make memories. The weekend was absolutely packed full of sights, music, art, and partying; I wish I had another week there. I definitely did not get a chance to see everything I wanted to, but traveling is always a game of choices. I chose to visit some of the less famous, more hole-in-the-wall locations. Here are a few of my top (and least!) recommended spots to hit in one of the quirkiest places in the US.
Butler Metro Park
Who wore it better?
On behalf of my inner child, I’m here to let you know it was the best part of the weekend.
The park is just really cool, yanno? They have a ton of interesting art sculptures, ranging from giant chess sets to large insects. There were children playing in water spouts, families lounging in the grass, and an atmosphere as radiant as the Texas sun (I would know, the heat index was 110°F that day)!
The best part is that the park was not overcrowded. You could mosey along the sidewalk without having to dodge cyclists and strollers. Most tourists want to see Zilker Park or the Greenbelt, and the smaller, more niche parks escape notice. If you are looking to kill a few hours before a show, or maybe just wanting a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown, then this is a great place for you!
The Broken Spoke
Say hello to your inner cowgirl!
“I’m gonna do my two step, do my, do my two step step tonightttttt…”
If dancin’ and drinkin’ is your thing, the Broken Spoke is the place to go. Even if it isn’t, dance lessons and instructors are provided on popular nights. The most fun you’ll have is just grabbing a partner and swinging around the dance floor!
Now, compared to some of the other bars and clubs you’ll find, the cover charge is a bit steep ($15 for the dancefloor). However, I think that Broken Spoke provides the unique experience of a loud honkytonk, which is kind of perfect when you’re on vacation in Texas. Plus, who wouldn’t want to go two steppin’ in the same place as Dolly Parton and George Strait?
Just trust me, folks. It’s worth the visit.
The Texas Capitol Building
I didn’t need another reason to be a proud Texan, but here we are!
Are you a history buff? Because this building is chock full of it!
Built in 1888, the Texas Capitol building houses artwork, statues, in addition to all of the offices of the Texas Legislature and Governor. The walls are covered with portraits of former Texas presidents, governors, representatives, famous battles… It’s quite a lot to take in!
It was nice to take a lazy stroll throughout the building. I enjoyed looking at the carved wood structures, decorated granite floors, and stone masonry. The place feels simultaneously old and new, and maintains a certain elegance and austerity.
The Texas Capitol building is a far step from the “weird” vibe of Austin. If you’re looking for a break, or maybe you have a passion for American history, take a short trip to Congress Avenue. Entrance is free, after all!
Crepe Crazy
Brown Sugar and Cinnamon, with caramel sauce
You want unique? This is it.
Everyone knows Torchy’s as the stereotypical Austin go-to. Sure, it’s good Tex-Mex. But what if you need a spectacular breakfast/brunch option? I give you: Crepe Crazy!
Crepe Crazy is Austin’s only completely deaf-owned and operated restaurant. But that’s not the sole reason you should visit. Crepe Crazy has some of the best crepes I have ever tasted, and that’s coming from a girl dating a Frenchman!
Seriously though, my group had a mix of their sweet and savory crepes, and everyone loved them. We had chosen to go there on a complete whim, and it just so happened to pan out. They were fast, clean, and oh-so-tasty; the golden trifecta of restaurants imho. To all the crepe-lovers out there, it’s calling your name!
Museum of the Weird
Captured by King Kong!
In line with keeping Austin weird, why not visit The Museum of the Weird?
Located on the infamous sixth street, the museum is home to a plethora of kooky things. You’re given a secret password as you move through exhibits, down crowded halls with shrunken heads and multi-headed calves. This is definitely not for the faint of heart!
I did find the entrance fee to be a bit expensive for the time we spent there. Be that as it may, I found the first gift shop, Lucky Lizard Curios and Gifts, to be absolutely hilarious. It might well have been my favorite part of the place. There were two shops actually, both jam packed with nifty little souvenirs, old-fashioned movie posters, and tons of jewelry. Personally, I enjoyed the oven mitts with some ~risqué~ slogans on top.
Overall, I am more of a sights and scenery sort of gal, but the museum definitely has its appeal. I am glad that I went at least once, if just to say that I visited a dime museum! It definitely provides a unique entertainment, and would keep your kids busy for a bit. If you’re feeling curious, pop in!
Austin truly has something to offer everyone. Whether you’re interested in culture and history, scenery, music and art, nature, or just letting loose, this city is packed to the brim with things to do. A weekend simply wasn’t enough; there is so much more I wanted to experience. All in all, it was absolutely fabulous. If you ever find yourself in Texas, make sure to add Austin to your itinerary!
It’s pretty obvious, no one had their goal year for travels. Or exercise, socializing, and well, anything else. I was supposed to be spending Christmas in Paris, and New Year’s in Germany, but sometimes life (I mean 2020) takes you by surprise. 2020 definitely had its fair share of downs, I’ve decided to recount a few of the good things that happened this year. Without further ado, here are a few of my fav things from this year!
Plano isn’t Paris, but I can’t complain 🙂
I spent a lot of time with my family. You know how everyone’s New Year’s resolutions inevitably has “spend more time with loved ones” on it? This year I made that a reality. I spent 6 short months with my fiancé, something incredibly difficult in a long distance relationship. I spent another six with my family in America, before I move abroad again. I was able to take these relationships, and build them into something deeper and more meaningful. Honestly? I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I air-fryed everything in my house. I’ve heard that people who own an air fryer are very cult-like. This is true. Following that, I have gotten very into cooking, and have been collecting recipes, spices, and utensils galore. It has been fun, minus the cuts and burns. We started this year making pasta, and we ended it with a lovely Blueberry Clafoutis.
I’ve been running …away from my issues. JK. In all seriousness, I have had so much more time to dedicate to personal improvement and health. I am in a better mental space, physical place, and have a smile on my face 🙂
I graduated! This one I am particularly proud of. The last semester was absolutely unprecedented, meaning that I made a 4.0. And the switch to online learning, of course. But I made it through, and I couldn’t be happier.
I have been reading. You never have time to read in college. Think about it, if you read 300-400 pages a week for your classes, do you really want to read in your free time? No sir, not today. There is a special beauty in a gap year, meaning that I can focus on hobbies, which includes reading a lot. I tried to alternate between scientific/historical books (because the thirst for knowledge is never quenched) and fiction/fantasy. I’ve finished about one a month, and hey, that’s a win in my book.
I have cut back on drinking. This is a lie.
I have so many plans for 2021. I will be moving to Germany with my fiancé, beginning medical school, and making so many changes to my life. Most of all, I have so many plans for trips all over Europe, and I am excited to share them with you all! Let’s hope 2021 is better than the last. Although, I can’t say the bar is too high!
What are some things you are proud of this year? Let me know in the comments!
Most vacations are … expensive… adventures. With the exception of a few weekend getaways, the bill tends to rack up pretty quickly. Without further ado, here are a few money-saving hacks for traveling, that won’t impact the quality of your trip!
Currency
If you are leaving your home country, odds are you will have to exchange currency at some point. This can get very expensive very fast, as some place can charge up to a 20% (?!?!) fee on exchanges. The best way to avoid this is to exchange currency before you leave.
Most banks now have an option where you can exchange money right at the front desk! The rates are usually super low, and you’re using a company you trust. To add to convenience, some even have the option to mail it to your front door!
If possible, I always recommend exchanging with a friend or family member. You get the exact exchange rate, and everyone leaves happy!
Transportation
I strongly recommend looking into bus or train passes for your trip. Renting a car can be incredibly expensive, and that is not even considering gas prices, tolls, and parking fees (yes, they exist, and yes, they’re unbelievable). In some countries you can buy a monthly pass, which will allow you to ride as many times as you like, whenever you like. Definitely worth it if you plan on staying awhile!
Clothing
If you’re anything like me, and you have enough clothes to fill a truck, this point is for you. Often times, I find myself specifically buying clothes for the trip I need to go on. Headed to the beach? Time for a new bikini!
This is not exactly sustainable. It is also not a good idea to break the bank before you even leave!
I’ve transitioned into a quasi-capsule wardrobe for traveling. This means that I have beach dresses, bikinis, bags, and sandals ready to go, and nothing needs to be bought beforehand. Additionally, if you know ahead of time that you’ll be traveling, ask for the things you need as holiday gifts. There’s no need to buy a beach tote when Santa’s got it covered!
Also, unless you’re moving abroad, stick to your luggage limit. There’s no need to spend a few dollar signs on a suitcase if you’re only leaving for a week!
Going to the Grocery Store
When I visit a new country, one of the first things I want to try is the local cuisine. Nothing completes the experience like authentic croissants, Peking duck, or Borscht.
When it comes to eating out, it can get very expensive, and quick. This is pretty true, regardless of the country you are in. Fear not, there are ways to circumvent this!
First things first, if your hotel or home has a kitchen, go grocery shopping! You don’t need to plan every meal, but buying things like snacks, breakfast items, or bottled water will save you much more than you’d expect. The longer your stay away is, the more likely you’re going to have to visit a grocery store, at least once.
Alternatively, it might be worthwhile looking into bed and breakfasts, or hotels that serve inclusive meals. Most major hotels have some of the local cuisine mixed with some good old fashioned favorites, so if you’re a picky eater, this is for you!
Souvenirs
Last but not least, you’re probably going to want to take a memory home with you. Personally, I always find a piece of jewelry I like, and amass a kitschy collection. Some people are content with photos, videos, or just the memories themselves.
In my experience, going to tourist shops is just about the worst thing you could do on a budget. Shops that are located in heavily touristic areas raise the prices to match the convenience (this goes for restaurants and bars as well!). Furthermore, there’s nothing like buying a “unique” magnet or snowglobe and seeing made in china written on the bottom.
If you have the time, I 100% would recommend venturing out of the high traffic areas and into the local ones. You can often find little markets or stalls that sell goods to passersby. Plus, isn’t that part of the journey? Wandering into little shops, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and artisan markets feels truly authentic, instead of a carbon-copy warehouse.
So, those are the tips and tricks I’ve learned on the way. There are also so many things you can do with plane tickets and hotels, which I’ll include in a later post. For now, (or in the future), try a few of these and see if they work for you!
If you have any tips that are super helpful for saving on travel, feel free to share down below!
I recently took a family trip to a private beach on the panhandle in Florida, in a small city known as Cape San Blas. It was pretty much everything I could have dreamed of— sun, sand, and a salty ocean.
Florida, oh Florida! As soon as you land, you know you’re on vacation. People are passing by in Hawaiian shirts, walking into grocery stores in bikini tops, and everything smells of sunscreen and humidity. It was quite the change from dry Texas heat, and that is just what I needed!
To be clear, we weren’t boozing it up at a beach party (it was a family vacation)! In fact, there was not a soul in sight. Private house, private beach, and no visitors besides the turtle patrol.
Without further ado, here are a few of the things that made this isolated vacation super special!
Still my phone background
BEACHIN’
Well, this should be obvious, but here we go. Cape San Blas has gorgeous beaches, with white sand and teal water. In fact, it’s nicknamed the Emerald Coast! My pictures don’t really do it justice, but the scenery was second to none.
I spent a majority of my time with toes in the sand, book and vodka cranberry in hand. The sound of the waves crashing provided a beautiful soundtrack to a relaxing day.
There’s something about the sound of the water and seagulls that puts your heart at ease. I felt like I could stare at the water and just mentally check out a bit. There is so much stress, anxiety, and unknown right now. But sitting in the sand, student loans and college apps were the last thing on my mind.
A few of Indian Pass Raw Bar’s delights
EATIN’
Let’s talk about the food.
When I say I have consumed more seafood in this week than I have in a lifetime, boy, do I mean it. Think shrimp, both grilled and stuffed. Think oysters. Think buttered crab. Think fish dip. When you are done picturing it, do it again.
I am a major seafood fan, so you can imagine this as my happy place. One spot in particular that we loved was Indian Pass Raw Bar, which had a huge variety of shellfish and crustacean, all made to order. We ordered maybe three or four times, brought it back to the house, and dove in.
We did our own fair share of cooking, as well. The house came with a fully equipped kitchen, so there was plenty of grilling, coffee grinding, and sautèing. In short, enough food to feed an army.
On the way back home, we stopped at a kitsch little place known as Pineapple Willy’s, in Panama City. Now, this place was cool.
Pineapple Willy’s, Panama City, FL
We were sat right on the beach. It was like a little balcony overlooking the ocean, sand, and beachgoers. I had my fill of fried food and specialty drinks.
Did I want to get on a plane? Absolutely not. Did I have to? Yes.
SHOPPIN’
One of the many, many stores I made stops at
Shop until you drop? Maybe not exactly, but close enough. We hit up a boatload of souvenir shops getting things like Christmas ornaments, ankle bracelets, and my personal fav, temporary tattoos.
I never liked the super corny knickknacks and commemorative items. I prefer super memorable items, such as pictures, as you may have noticed. But when in Florida…
… do as the tourists do! I managed to find a cute little jar with a big ole’ crab on it. I spent a day or two searching for shells on the beach in order to fill it up. It was something small, entertaining, and to me, very special.
We stayed out of the major shopping areas, for obvious reasons. Still, twenty minutes here, and ice cream run there, it broke up the time spent at the beach, especially since we avoided going out.
Overall, I feel more refreshed, relaxed, and just generally happier after this little beach escape. It was nice to spend time with family. I really underestimated the power of a relaxing vacation, especially since I am the sort who tries to “see” everything.
If this sounds like just what you need right now, go ahead! Be responsible, take precautions, and you can definitely have a little fun!
It seems like happiness has been all the rage lately- everyone is either happy or unhappy. There is no middle ground. I have had friends lose 20 pounds, get raises, and start families, and I have also had friends who cannot find a job, moved in with their parents, or ended relationships.
It feels like there are those two options, and that is all. We are constantly swarmed with social media posts about “my amazing SO” or “my trip to Italy” and we start to compare. How many times have you looked at someone else’s feed and thought, ‘Damn, she has everything’ ?
Just because it is common, doesn’t mean it should be. If you aren’t in a gooey relationship, you don’t have a trip to Europe planned, and you’re really just floating along, you’re not unhappy. Sometimes getting through the day is in and of itself a great accomplishment.
Comparison just breeds jealousy and hatred. That, I can say for certain is not happiness.
Personally, I’ve tried looking at things a different way. Finding the little things in life that make me smile, and calling that a “good day”. It could be a new flower on the sidewalk. A text from a loved one. Submitting work on time. An extra chicken nugget in the box.
Happiness has so many different definitions. It can be a fleeting feeling, a state of being, a once in a lifetime chance. Happiness can also depend on others, just as much as it depends on ourselves.
A lot of media and marketing is geared towards telling us what will make us happy. Buying this, traveling there, eating that. Maybe that works for you, and maybe it doesn’t. Buying into it is your choice, and there is nothing wrong with saying “that isn’t what is going to make me happy.”
I encourage everyone of you to find what makes you happy. If it happens to be trips and vacations, then great for you! If it is just brushing your teeth, then more power to you 🙂
Four flights, 40+ hours of international traveling, and I still had a negative Covid test. Here’s how I did it!
Kept it on for 40 hours. Trust me, you’ll get used to it!
The time had finally come, I finished my senior year of undergrad, my visa was expiring, and I had to fly back home. Of course there are lots of bittersweet memories about ending my time in China in home quarantine, but I will address the ups and downs of my first time living abroad in another post. For now, let’s stick to the leaving part.
For the record, I am not encouraging anyone to travel right now, save for necessity. I had to leave the country soon, and despite having a short visa extension, I had to rock and roll out. So, take this more as advice for necessary travel, not leisure.
My trip did not start out so great. I was trying to get as much of my stuff back to the US as possible, so I ended up lugging a bunch of suitcases down 5 flights of stairs, all while my cat was throwing a temper tantrum. With a lot of anxiety and travel time ahead of me, I set out.
Getting to the airport was fine, roads were empty, etc. Entering the airport was not so great. In China, they require you to show a health certification showing that you are not under quarantine, and it is associated with your WeChat account. Being the dumb blonde I am, I kept showing the health check workers the code… in English. Your girl has been in China for four years, and is still making that mistake. So I switched it to Chinese, had my temperature checked, and went on my merry way.
I ended up arriving 2 hours before I could even check in. Well, better early than late, I suppose. I got a coffee, bathed in sanitizer, and eventually gave up my bag and went through security.
Flight No. 1
Before boarding the flight, I had to fill out a health sheet. It asked for simple information. Name, date, address, symptoms, etc. No problem.
Upon entering the flight, that is when I went a little nuts with cleanliness. From the time I left the apartment, the mask never left my face. I mean it! Especially since the plane was only about 2 hours long, I was not about to risk anything. Somehow I had it in my head that I would catch Covid on the first flight, and be sick and miserable for the next three. It is completely ridiculous considering the incubation period, but it made me take the precautions I needed to.
My new best friends.
I sat down, wet-wiped the seat in front of me, my seat, the tray table, and everything in my surrounding area. I then took another bath in sanitizer. Crazy germaphobe? Perhaps. But the guy sitting across the aisle was in a hazmat suit, so I looked completely normal.
And that was the first flight!
Flight No. 2/3
Landing in Shanghai was a nightmare. That’s all I can say about it. They collected the health form after leaving the plane, and I was running trying to make a two hour connection. However, I was stopped and asked to fill out the exact same form again. Fine, scribbled it down, tried to get going. They wanted the WeChat code again, I gave it to them (in English), and was on my way.
I had to pick up my bags and check in once more, since I was flying on a separate ticket. After clearing baggage claim, I was running pretty short on time, and had about 1.5 hours to make check in, clear security, and make the international flight. But get this! I had to fill out ANOTHER health declaration form. Apparently my status could have visibly changed from one end of the hallway to the other.
When I got to the check-in counter, I almost passed out.
The line had to be about a mile and a half long. It wrapped around and around and around… So I took my chances and went to see an attendant, who told me to just get in line. Cool. I do, and come to find out that international passengers from five different flights were being seen at three counters, and first class counters were off limits. It felt really disorganized.
I’ll spare you the details of standing in line (I made friends!). I made it to the counter, checked my luggage, and was given my boarding pass. The conversation went a little like this:
“Boarding time is at 21:20.”
“That was twenty minutes ago.”
“Yes.”
So I hauled out, breezed through security, and made it to the check-in counter. Boarding had not even begun. So much for stressing yourself out.
You can never have enough, imho
Boarding this flight looked exactly like the last one. I slept through the whole first flight, and the layover in Seoul. I had my eye mask on, and I count that as extra protection.
Leaving this flight was a little bit more, shall we say, annoying than the other one. There was another health form (thank goodness it was different), but I signed it with a smile knowing I was back stateside.
In San Francisco, the passengers deboarded the plane 10 at a time. Sitting in row 32, this meant I had to wait quite awhile. When I finally got off, the entire walkway was being used by volunteers checking temperatures and collecting the health forms. This is the first time I had to stand in line and social distance, since I hadn’t gone out much while in China. I made sure to stay as far apart as necessary. The guy behind me thought it would be cool to breathe down my neck.
The customs process really wasn’t too long. I was asked a few questions, given a CDC card, and began my 9 hour layover.
Flight No. 4
Personally, I am too paranoid to sleep in airports alone. Especially since I could not check in, and was toting all of my luggage. Luckily, I had slept about 9 hours on the previous plane, and my internal clock was saying “it’s daytime”! I decided to explore the San Francisco airport.
If you have been in an airport overnight, you know there are very few options. And thanks to my new best friend Covid-19, the four options that Google said were 24 hour restaurants were narrowed down to one. Thanks to construction in the airport, I killed about 2 hours just trying to find out how to get there. I ended up grabbing a bagel and a coffee, and watched Gossip Girl in the parking garage (social distancing FTW!!!)
It is important to note that I kept my mask on for the entire duration, except while eating the bagel. I kept washing my hands, sanitizing my suitcase, and staying away from people. If you’re also a social person, this can be difficult to do when you have time to kill, but to me it is worth avoiding “La Rona”!
Additionally, the PA system in the airport screamed about masks every 15 minutes. I appreciate the responsibility, but I never expected to commit the warning to memory…
I boarded the last plane, went through my little disinfection routine, and read a book. It was such a relief to be at the tail end of a long journey.
When I arrived at my house, I sprayed my suitcases down, stripped my clothes off and stuck them straight into the washing machine. I scrubbed up and down, and headed to sleep at 5 pm.
Four days later, I took a test. It was recommended to wait between 3-5 days after the flight, or to self quarantine for two weeks. A week after my flight, I tested negative!
Traveling was hard, coronavirus made life 10x more annoying, but it can be done! So avoid it if you can, but know that by following recommendations and maintaining proper hygiene, you can get from Point A to Point B. Be safe!
If you have any specific questions, or some personal advice to share, feel free to leave a comment! We could all benefit 🙂
It is a no-brainer that travel plans have been somewhat ‘impacted’by the current goings on. Instead of a romantic getaway to a beach in Vietnam, we decided to have a relaxed staycation 20 kilometers from our apartment. This is what a weekend in the city looked like for us!
Here’s the phrase you have heard 1000 times already: my holiday plans were cancelled. My boyfriend had a long weekend for the Chinese Dragon Boat festival, and being a recent grad, I could spare the time! We originally had planned to visit Vietnam, thinking the most difficult thing was going to be getting a visa. It was part grad-trip, part romantic getaway, part I-need-a-beach-right-now.
Unless you’ve been out of it for the entirety of 2020, I don’t need to explain why that didn’t happen. Well, we weren’t about to waste the precious four day weekend sitting at home, watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Instead, we decided to make something out of a bad situation!
A little backstory: we live at the outskirts of Beijing. I mean, the outskirts. If you want to visit a decent restaurant or bar, you’re looking at a 2 hour cab ride, minimum. Staying in the city center actually felt much more like a trip than you would expect. So we packed up our suitcases, said goodbye to the cat, and headed on our way.
At the hotel is where we hit our next roadblock. Apparently, the city center was shut down due to an outbreak in the innermost ring. Fabulous. So the one time that we would actually be in walking distance of fun we could not access it. Since we would be spending most of our time inside, the boyfriend did the natural thing, and upgraded to a suite. He got the points on his membership, and I got to live like Serena van der Woodsen for a weekend. Win-win, if I do say so myself.
A welcome welcome-gift!
When we arrived in our room, we were greeted with a little welcoming gift. The hotel had set up a plate of fruit and chocolate for our stay. In addition, they had the traditional food of the Dragon Boat Festival, 粽子 (zong-zi), heated by a tealight. As embarrassing as it may sound, I have lived in China for four years, studied Chinese language and culture for nine, but I had never had one before! I knew about them, of course, triangle-shaped glutinous rice thingys with a fruit, nut, or meat filling, wrapped in bamboo leaves and eaten during this holiday. However, they don’t teach you about how yummy they are in Chinese class! Needless to say, the care the management showed by going out of their way to make our stay a bit special put a smile on our faces.
Day 1
The first day was just relaxation. I took a bath, read a book, and snuggled in the California King. We ordered room service, watched historical documentaries on the massive TV, and just chilled. In addition, there was a Starbucks in front of the hotel, and a wine shop behind it. I could have holed up in there forever!
Day 2
The next day is where we decided to go out a bit. The hotel was providing complimentary breakfast, so despite the four hours of shut-eye we had, we rolled in. It was free, for goodness sake. It was fab: french toast, macchiatos, and liters of orange juice. Afterwards, we decided to set out on a little exploration, and began getting ready.
A little sight from our walk
It was interesting to see the city as I never had before. Living in the middle of nowhere, entering the city consisted of taxiing to the restaurant, eat, drink, be merry, taxi home. It is a very methodical process. However, this time we were walking around with no agenda. We passed many, many, small shops and restaurants, little carts, and decor galore. I stopped to take pictures of almost everything, from neighborhoods to random doors. It felt as if we were exploring a new city. It was our little adventure.
Next, we came across an old structure in the Wangfujing neighborhood. It was St. Joseph’s Church, and it had been there for 400 some-odd years. It was gorgeous! It really stuck out from its surroundings. Imagine you are walking through a modern shopping center, and as you come to the end of the block, suddenly there’s an ancient stone church, standing there in all of its glory. It was definitely peculiar to see European architecture in Beijing of all places, but it was the furthest thing from an eyesore. We took a few pictures, milled about, and watched two couples take wedding photos on the steps. It was a peaceful evening, and we returned to the hotel to continue it.
St. Joseph’s Church, Wangfujing Street
Day 3
Day 3 started the way Day 3 was meant to start: free breakfast! This time, we opted for fresh fruit, yogurt, and spring rolls. Of course the macchiatos made their appearance.
We decided we wanted to explore a little bit more of Wangfujing street. We went the opposite direction this time. It was quite different; on one end you have tiny neighborhoods, little mom n’ pop shops, and a cozy feel. The other half is a huge boulevard with brand name stores, people milling about, and funky architecture. We encountered what might have been the most colorful street I have ever seen in my life. The buildings were done to mimic the old style, so there were huge columns of red, blue, green, and gold. It was kind of interesting, because these buildings were convenience stores and clothing shops. A nice mix of old and new, I suppose!
Hell yeah.
Walking down the boulevard I spotted something that did stick out like a sore thumb. Amidst all of the glitzy-glam fashion stores and expensive restaurants was an old, run-down Salvation-Army looking storefront. On it, “Beijing Foreign Languages Bookstore”. If you’ve ever read The Great Gatsby, you know about the green light in the distance. And if you know about the green light, you know I made a BEELINE straight for it.
Side note: I am obsessed with acquiring and reading books. Finding English bookstores in China is near impossible, so cue amazement.
I spent a majority of our time out in there. It was the kitschiest thing you could imagine. I ended up picking up a copy of 1984 and a fantasy novel, but there was so many interesting things. There was a whole section dedicated to Agatha Christie, a collection of aromatherapy books, and a leather-bound copy of the U.S. Constitution. I guess this is not too surprising, unless you remember that we were in Beijing!
After my lovely discovery, we continued strolling down the lane. We picked up a few bottles of Sauvignon Blanc, and continued on our merry way back to the hotel. We decided to sit in the terrace garden of the hotel. It was shaded, secluded, and overall lovely. It can be difficult to find terraces here, it is just not feasible in a big city. So we soaked it in. We read our respective books, and had a glass of wine. I, being the clumsy woman I am, doused myself in Prosecco. Still relaxed, still pleasant!
There we decided to check out the hotel steakhouse. I have never consumed so much food in my life.
I knew I was in trouble from the start. The piece of bread brought out was easily the size of my head. following that was a creamy lobster bisque, and then the main course. I had a huge steak with a crab cake on the side, while the boyfriend opted for a lobster tail. We also had sides of creamed corn and spinach. As if that wasn’t enough, creme brulée was up for dessert. I swear, I am still eating leftovers to this day!
The fun began when I decided to try something new. Now, I am a sucker for any drink that has the word “cherry” in it. This was no exception. I ordered a restaurant cocktail, and when it came, I nearly fell over in my seat. There was no cherry taste. Just lies. All I could taste was “I’ll regret this tomorrow morning.”
That is because it had a little something called “La Grande Chartreuse“. For those of you who don’t know, a.k.a. moi, this is a mixer that is ~70% alcohol. Who makes a MIXER heavier than the actual liquor? The French. This stuff is so strong, I was informed, that they only sell it in teensy tiny bottles. Pfft. I just kept pouring my glass of water into the drink, hoping to somehow finish it.
My Devil Drink, about two-thirds water at this point.
Regardless of that little experience, a beautiful evening turned into a beautiful night. We cracked open the Sauv Blanc, took a bath, and watched a few movies. We talked, laughed, and debated the philosophies of life. I wanted a romantic getaway, and I had it!
Day 4
Day 4 did not begin like the others. We decided to skip breakfast due to being tired (hungover), and slept in. It was well-deserved. We showered, packed up, and relaxed some more. Having a later check-out, we kind of milled around and took our time. We weren’t exactly keen on saying goodbye just yet.
But we eventually did, checked out, and called a taxi. Soon we were in our apartment, picking up pasta that our cat decided to have a party with. Not exactly a picture-perfect ending to a lovely staycation, but it was perfect enough for us!
Have you had to make adjustments to your travel plans lately? Had a great staycay? Let me know in the comments!
Sometimes, it can be hard to find. Here are a few tips on growing self-confidence organically, and making it stick!
No. 1 Comparing Yourself to Others
Stop it.
In the age of social media, we are bombarded with engagement photos, promotions, and the millennial favorite, home ownership. Of course we want to be happy for our friends and family, but too often we start comparing ourselves to them. Ideas of “They’re getting married, and here I am on my hundredth Tinder date,” or, “She looks SO good in a bikini, I should probably lose a few pounds…” are such toxic mentalities.
When shown someone else’s accomplishments, it shouldn’t be seen through the lens of personal failure. Yet it is something everyone does (guilty as charged!). It is possible to be proud of someone else, and yourself at the same time. We are all on our own path, we have our own accomplishments to be proud of, and just because a friend or family member is “doing better”, doesn’t mean that your worth is any less.
No. 2 Negative Environments
This kind of goes along with No. 1. But to take it a little further, let’s consider interpersonal relationships. If you have friends or family members that are constant dark clouds, or who could hold a PhD in ‘How to Ruin the Party’, maybe a little separation is in order. People who constantly belittle you are not worth keeping around.
Some examples are comments about your weight, your job/salary, or your significant other. Now, if these are coming from a place of love and care, it might be worth some thought. However, if you’re subject to frequent comments coming from jealousy, malice, or just general misery, there might be the source of your low confidence.
This can be especially difficult coming from family members. We have this idea that family comes before all, sticks through anything, blah blah blah. That is not always the case. If someone you are related to is making you feel terrible, have a discussion! If this doesn’t work out, I strongly advocate keeping some distance.
No. 3 Twisting
This one isn’t just hard on you, but also the people you are close to.
Take for instance, and I am sure we have all done or seen this happen, you show up to an event with a few girlfriends. Someone comments that your best friend looks amazing tonight. Why would your first thought be that you look terrible? We always internalize everything. There is so much reading into the situation, looking for subliminal messages, and for what? To take an innocent compliment and warp it to confirm our deepest insecurities.
We do this within ourselves as well. If someone tells you that you look cute today, we take it to mean that we look horrible every other day. Although, with the current corona situation, this might be a valid point…
A great first step to improving self-confidence is to take a compliment as a compliment. Stop looking for a reason to be self-deprecating, and appreciate kindness as it comes!
No. 4 Managing Insults
There are about 3 times I can think of when someone else’s opinion matters:
Meeting your S.O.’s parents
Your boss or professor
. . .
Actually I couldn’t think of a third.
All too often we are scared to try new things or do what makes us happy because we are SOOOOOOO concerned with what other people think. Who f***ing cares? Seriously. Why should someone have so much power over your self worth? Why should a sideways comment ruin your whole day? Why give someone that?
Another thing to consider, and this is just a personal opinion, but people who go out of their way to make nasty comments or hurt your feelings have something wrong with themselves. If someone is making comments about your weight, it is likely because they have a bad relationship with their own. You feeling bad about it is not going to help either of you.
So wear that dress, take a dance class, create a YouTube channel. Do what makes you happy, and don’t listen to anyone else.
No. 5 Surround Yourself With Confidence
Something that really helped my self-confidence was surrounding myself with a bunch of cheesy stuff. I do own coffee mugs, planners, and T-shirts with inspirational quotes or cute diagrams on it.
I have a passport holder that was gifted to me, that says, “The world is your oyster!” I saw that and thought it was embarrassing and just a teensy bit tacky. Now I see it and think, “Uh, YEAH it is!”
A little goes a long way. When you constantly surround yourself with positive material, such as books, music, movies, and quotes, you begin to internalize it. And that in and of itself is worth it.
Now, this is not an encouragement to go buy a “Live, Laugh, Love” woodcut and hang it on your wall. I try not to encourage bad decisions here.
I hope that these 5 tips will help you get to where you want to go. They are a few things I learned over the years, and have established as part of an everyday routine. Just like anything, take baby steps! You won’t hit Beyoncé level confidence overnight, but one day you will.
Have any tips you care to share? Leave it in the comments below!
