Where to next?

When the travel bug bit me years ago, it bit hard and never let go.This feeling is like an all-consuming metaphorical wave that invades your being, coating each and every cell and nerve and every electrical impulse flowing through your body with this resolute desire. To backpack across Europe. To camp out under the stars in Montana. To ride around Italy on a mint green moped and eat pizza, lots of pizza. 

Sometimes, I am overcome with this sudden desire to stop whatever it is I am doing, drive to the airport, and buy a ticket for a destination chosen by a game of 'Eeanie meanie miney mo'. 

And while my next destination wasn't picked by playing some childhood game, the plane tickets have been bought and the countdown has begun. 

To where you may ask? I'll give you a few hints.

Lots of rain, coffee and mountainous backdrops. 

Also known as the city that gave Starbucks life…

Seattle!

Source

In a little over a month, I will be traveling to Washington to visit my one of my best friends, Meghan, who recently moved out there for school. Seattle has been on my "must visit" list for quite sometime now, so a big thank you to Meghan for finally giving me an excuse to go!

Only 40 days! But who's counting?

Think the Way a Traveler Would

Pretend for a minute, that you are looking at something right in front of you, but you’re not seeing it. You twirl around, squint your eyes a little bit, but still you really can't see anything in front of you. You’re puzzled. Stop there and take a step back. Adjust your glasses a bit, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and open them again. Are you seeing it now?

Welcome, my friend, to this vast, magnificent world. 

My adventures, close to home and across the world, have given me the ability to dig deeper and explore further than I could have ever hoped for. Getting lost without a map taught me how to ask for help. Getting stuck at the airport because of bad weather forced me to make the best out of a situation. Having less-than-polite encounters with people built my tolerance and patience. Experiencing the kindness of strangers who went out of their way to help others left me deeply humbled. And exploring cities with different cultures and customs taught me that stereotypes are quite often inaccurate, and that people are all human.

So I ask of you this: open your eyes and think, act and see the way a traveler would. Listen to what others are saying. Take every opportunity for what it is, not just what it looks like. Be eager and curious. Ask questions. Lots of them. Understand that the world is infinitely more complex than anyone knows. Admit your mistakes and express your strengths. Know that everyone has a story worth telling, and everyone has the opportunity to make a change in this world.

Take the risk; let go, leave home, and throw yourself into the great unknown. It will be worth it. I pinky promise. 

Where in the World?

There are some days where my mind just wanders. Today is one of those days. 

Where are my thoughts you ask? All over the world! (Surprising, I know.)

I tend to reminisce about my trip to Scotland the most. 
 It was my first time abroad and I loved every single minute of it!
 (Even when we had to hike through a blizzard!)

New York City is another place I think about a lot. 
After dreaming about traveling here for a good four years, I finally did it. 
I miss this city dearly and cannot wait to go back!

New Orleans is one of the most unique and on-of-a-kind cities I have ever been too. 
From jazz music and the French Quarter, to Jackson Square and beignets at Cafe Du Monde,
 I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to travel here twice. 



Chicago, *sigh*, you will always be one of my most favorite cities.
 After traveling here many times, this place is starting to feel like home and is a definite contender to where I may end up after college. 

For many years, my family and I would take a trip to Montana each summer. 
Hiking, horseback riding, white water rafting; we always had a wonderful, adventuresome time.  

In a mere 5 months from now, I will be living and studying in Florence, Italy.
It has been a dream of mine for so long to study abroad, so I am absolutely ecstatic!

Where does your mind like to wander to?

Happy Friday!

Coffee, Chocolate and Comics

Day 4

To kick off our last full day, we hopped on the train and headed downtown Chicago once more.

After making a Starbucks run, Dani and I navigated the streets and met up with my cousin, Alicia, for lunch at Caffe Baci. She has lived and worked in Chicago for quite some time now, so it was a lot of fun talking with her and getting insight on the city.

Hugs and goodbyes were given before Alicia headed back to work, then Dani and I went in search of a bakery to fulfill our dessert cravings! 

We stumbled upon Toni's Patisserie and Cafe; I delighted in a chocolate dome and an iced latte, 

while Dani enjoyed a chocolate éclair. It was heavenly! 

Leaving the cafe, our stomachs quite happier, we walked only a couple blocks until we reached Millennium Park. Here we spent time taking pictures at the bean (shocker, right?) and cooling off by The Crown Fountain.

 

 Before heading back to the train, we found a cool comic book store which reminded me a lot of the one in 

The Big Bang Theory!

We took the train back to Dani's cousins house in Winnetka, freshened up a bit, then hopped in the car and headed to her other cousins house in Hinsdale.

A wonderful meal was prepared for us, along with delicious s'mores to end our last night in Illinois. 

The Shores of Lake Michigan

Day 3

Day three began with breakfast and coffee on the deck, then followed with a walk to the beach.

Our day was wonderfully spent on the shores of Lake Michigan were we swam, hung out on the sand and took pictures, naturally. We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather! 

Following our time at the beach, a few of us drove over to Northwestern University and wandered around the beautiful campus. Noticing the skies darkening, we made our way back to the car, just barley escaping a massive rainstorm. Once back at the house, we ordered pizza and settled in for a relaxing evening.