A Wandering Sole

My Little Bell from Thailand

// December 8th, 2012 // 7 Comments » // Kenya, Malawi, Thailand, Volunteer

Working in Kibera

Time

I have now been in Kenya for 10 days and it has been a super. crazy. chaotic 10 days! And I plan on telling you all about it very soon. But as I sit here on this Saturday morning, freshly showered and sitting on my new cozy couch, I have been reflecting on the importance of how we spend our time. After days spent walking miles in the hot afternoon sun, I have come home each day here absolutely exhausted (last night I accidentally dozed for a few minutes at 6:00 waiting to Skype with a friend), but I come home each day feeling so thankful and realize that my life is so much more enriched. The past few days I have spent less time on trying to rearrange my life and get settled into a new apartment and more time focusing on my social enterprise. I have had my first couple of informal meetings and am trying to develop a timeline. Although I am very passionate and excited about my future plans here and with my business back in the U.S., it has become more obvious to me how much pressure there is to succeed. (more…)

Southeast Asia Recap: Funny Signage and Dogs

// November 20th, 2011 // 9 Comments » // Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam

Yesterday’s Southeast Asia recap focusing on food and transport shows two of the more typical blog topics when it comes to travel. Often, I find that I take pictures of signage and random things (like funny looking dogs) and forget to compile and post them. In reality, these little oddities and humorous mistranslations are one my favorite parts of travel. There’s nothing better than having fits of laughter at a train station while locals look at you and your friend as those crazy Americans.

The Signage:

Really, it’s free. How generous.

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Southeast Asia Recap: Food and Transport

// November 19th, 2011 // 3 Comments » // Bali, Cambodia, Food, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam

Last week, my friend Lauren (aka my southeast Asia travel buddy) and I caught up over lunch. We first traveled abroad together in Africa in 2008 and then in southeast Asia in 2010. We threw out ideas for a future trip (maybe in 2012… see a pattern?) but mostly reminisced about ridiculous times and favorite places. I think for both of us, southeast Asia is a place we would love to return to at some point. So, what’s to love about southeast Asia?…..

The Food

Lauren and I largely stuck to street eats and local food joints. We could purchase pad thai on the streets of Bangkok for as little as $1, have a meal with meat for about $2, or dine in a restaurant on nicer food for less than $5. One of our favorite restaurants we ate at was in Dalat, Vietnam. Our guesthouse recommended it, and the place was packed full of locals.

One of the best meals we had in Dalat, Vietnam

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Spa Bliss in Bangkok

// April 23rd, 2011 // 14 Comments » // Thailand

If you’ve never been to southeast Asia, you may not realize just how cheap the cost of living is in the region. They have cheap accommodation, cheap food, and…. cheap massages!! Even though you can get a massage for as little as $5, Lauren and I resisted the temptation for the three months we traveled around SE Asia. Because massages are so inexpensive, we decided to wait until the end of our time there. Sounds a bit ironic, but the truth is, I felt like if I had one, I wouldn’t be able to resist having another and would write it off as, ‘Oh it’s cheap, who cares?!’ (more…)

After Southeast Asia, Where to Next?

// March 18th, 2011 // 6 Comments » // Thailand

One of my last days in SE Asia: A red shirt protest concludes in Bangkok

If you followed my blog from the beginning, you may have recalled that I was not going to Bali or Malaysia initially. Instead, I planned to conclude my around the world trip climbing Mt. Everest in Nepal. However, due to finances and health issues, we changed plans, and I have no regrets. (more…)

Ahh, is that Lady Gaga on Koh Tao?!

// January 6th, 2011 // 14 Comments » // Thailand

Based on the title, I assume you’re looking to see a photo of Lady Gaga, right? Well, you will. Just a Thai version of her :) Our first night walking around Hat Sai Ree, a lady boy (transvestite in Southeast Asia) was handing out sheets of paper advertising The Queen’s Cabaret. I’m not gonna lie, I love cabaret shows! The following evening we had plans to go, but Lauren was feeling tired. To be honest, I was a little intimidated to go it alone, but was pleasantly surprised to see other solo travelers there and was happy that I decided to go. The show is free! The only requirement is that you buy a drink, and while they’re not cheap, I thought it was definitely worth paying $3-6 for a drink and an evening of fantastic entertainment (and a tip here and there). (more…)