A Wandering Sole

The Guy With the Nike Backpack

// June 27th, 2011 // 5 Comments » // Spain

I’m an absorber by nature. I don’t necessarily like to debate but I like discussions on debatable topics. I’m just as happy observing an activity as I am participating. Growing up, I used to love to watch my sister play a Zelda video game. I didn’t want to play I just wanted to watch her play. I think my absorbent personality is why I am so intrigued with people watching. Sometimes I walk down the street and wonder about a passerby’s life. If I’m not sure, I just make something up in my head. (more…)

Saving and the Abominable Travel Budget

// June 25th, 2011 // 4 Comments » // Trip Planning

Snapshot of my detailed budget that I kept on my trip

I’m extremely money conscious. I can’t help it. I blame my accountant dad for it. I’m pretty sure I knew what budgeting was at the age of five. I consider this a life-saving skill, as it’s gotten me out of a job I hated and traveling the world in a matter of 14 months. (more…)

Gaudi for Free at Park Guell

// June 23rd, 2011 // 4 Comments » // Spain

What do I love more than seeing Gaudi’s work in Barcelona? Seeing it for free! I visited Park Guell on my second day in the city and made not one but two more trips back to the park. I was drawn in by the views of the city, the ability to discover new areas of the park, and the people watching. As a public park, it’s an opportunity to see some of Gaudi’s work for free. (more…)

A Taste of Mama Africa

// June 14th, 2011 // 8 Comments » // South Africa

Musical entertainment at Mama Africa

Cape Town is an anomaly in Africa. The scenery, architecture, infrastructure, and world-class dining set it apart from its neighbors. I traveled for a couple of days with a Dutch girl from my hostel in Cape Town, and we both really wanted to dine one night at Mama Africa in the heart of the city. It’s super touristy and for good reason; it has good local food and excellent musical entertainment. The place is so crowded on a nightly basis, that when we dropped in without reservations for a late dinner during a week night, we were told the restaurant was completely booked… ‘But,’ they said, ‘you can sit at the bar if you’d like.’ This is what I’d call a fortunate mishap. If we had made reservations, we most likely would never have had as good of seats. We were right there on the front row for the entertainment by being at the bar, and it was a happy accident. (more…)

Washington DC with Heather

// June 13th, 2011 // 4 Comments » // America

My first day in Washington DC, before my training started for my job in South Africa, I was VERY fortunate to meet up with one of my favorite travel bloggers Heather who writes over at There’s No Place Like Oz. We both started blogging around the same time, as she moved to Australia for a year just as I was in the beginning of my around the world trip. We were eagerly anticipating a meetup once we were both back in the States, and it just so happened that I had to head her way for a few days of training.

We started the day at a Sticky Fingers Bakery (and you should check out Heather’s post to see one of the cupcakes we tried). Then, we made multiple stops around DC, determined to find a Sauca food truck. Unfortunately we never found one, so we settled for another food truck and it turned out to be fabulous. The one thing I insisted we do was take a jumping photo, because *gasp* Heather has never done one! I think it turned out pretty great with the Washington Monument in the background :) (more…)

Setting off to South Africa

// June 5th, 2011 // 17 Comments » // South Africa, Travel Reflection

An explorer at heart (photo taken in Namibia)

It’s just after midnight. I’m hopping into a taxi in less than five hours and am heading to South Africa. By the time I reach my first destination, I will have taken a taxi, a car, a private shuttle, and two flights to South Africa. It will take me about 25 hours. I’m excited and nervous all at the same time. But mostly excited! I have a great group of very bright and talented students that will meet me there in a week who have an entrepreneurial spirit and are eager to dive right in. This region of South Africa is new to me so it will be quite a cultural learning curve. Most of these students have never even stepped foot in Africa so I believe I have my work cut out for me. I’m hoping they simply fall in love with the continent as much I have. (more…)