Travel Inspiration

How do you decide from the endless different and wonderful places in the world? How does a place make it onto the list of places you must see before you die? How do you choose? The world is so vast and beautiful it is hard to pick!

Travel inspiration can come from so many places. What makes you decide to take the plunge and buy a plane ticket, make a hotel reservation and just go there?

Books, TV, Movies and Music

For me these are some of the biggest forms of travel inspiration. Seeing The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and the gorgeous landscapes of Iceland made me wonder why I had never considered it as a travel destination before. Books, TV shows, movies and music can show you adventures you never thought were possible.

The Internet

The internet is an endless source of information about any subject you could ever imagine. It is hard for me to think back to a time when the internet didn't exist, how did people get anything done? I peruse travel blogs on the regular, always learning about new destinations, new hotels, new must-see attractions. I mean just look at Pinterest, I could spend hours looking at photo after photo of beautiful scenery from some far away land.

Friends, Family and Random Strangers

One of the best ways to find great new places to visit is from recommendations from other people. When someone has a fabulous trip they can't stop talking about it and honestly I'm one of those people that can't stop listening! I love hearing about other peoples adventures abroad and their advice on places to see, where to stay and what to eat.

Life

Sometimes you get ideas of where you want to travel and you can't explain what drew you to it. That desire has just always been there. Or things you have already experienced lead you to new ones. Studying Spanish over the years in high school, university and beyond has really given me a love for the language and is one of the main reasons I've traveled throughout Central and South america, and its also one of the reasons I hope to one day make it to Spain.

Where do you get your travel inspiration?

Save and Splurge Lifestyle: Money Saving Tips

I live by the "Save, then Splurge" motto when it comes to money. This may not be the most financially responsible way to live, but hey I'm in my 20's I'm going to live it up while I can. I typically use this method when it relates to travel, I work hard and save up my money and then I splurge by going on some fabulous trip somewhere. There are lots of little tips and tricks that I use to help me when I am in Save mode. These tricks can help you save money all year round or just when you are saving up for something specific.

Loose coin jar - This is my favorite way to save money. At the end of everyday i'll put all my loose change in a jar. Sometimes I'll even put a few spare dollars in that are lying around. After a few months you can have a substantial chunk of change in there. Check with your bank and see what their requirements for depositing change. You can use a Coinstar machine to convert your change but they do take a percentage.

Open an extra savings account - Make a savings account that is specifically for what you are trying to save money for, in my case a travel savings account. This way you keep that money separate from all the bill-paying, grocery buying money. 

Plan your weekly meals - If you plan your meals when you go grocery shopping their will be no unnecessary purchases and less temptations to go out to eat when you don't feel like cooking.

Buy generic - Name brands are expensive and when you are trying to save money, something to be avoided. You don't need expensive name brand shampoo, conditioner  or body wash and you will survive without that designer makeup.

Stop buying bottled water. This is not only a money saver, its common sense and its good for the environment. Invest in a cute water bottle and just refill it on the regular and you will save yourself a ton of cash.

Make coffee at home - This goes a long with the last one. Buying coffee at Starbucks all the time can really break the bank. Making coffee on your own can save you a lot.

Watch movies online - Going to the movies is fun but every time you go there it breaks the bank. If you really want to get out to the theaters then go to a matinee and bring your own snacks.

Pay your bills on time - This is a given. But it needs to be said because late fees are a real cash drain. 

DIY your present - When it comes to birthdays and Christmas presents can cost a fortune, so break out your inner Pinterest fanatic and give some of those DIY projects a try.

Stay in - Trust me, I know as much as anyone that staying in when everyone is going out is no fun. So why don't you plan on a night in with your friends. Pot luck dinner. Bring your own wine night. Movie marathon. 

What are some of your favorite money-saving tricks?

A Visit to the Sand Dunes in San Cosme, Paraguay

Paraguay is a mystery to travelers. Many people skip right over it in their South American adventures (here is why you shouldn't) and if they do manage to make it here they usually stick to the big cities like Asuncion or Ciudad del Este. But, trust me there are so many unique and interesting things to see in Paraguay if you take a step outside of the metropolitan areas and go exploring. One of those places is the Sand Dune islands off the coast of San Cosme in the middle of the Parana River.

This past weekend the boyfriend and I, joined a group of Peace Corps volunteers for a trip out to the islands. The week leading up to the trip I was nervous about the weather, it had been rainy and cold for days. But, we lucked out, it turned out to be a beautiful, sunny, warm day. The boat ride to the islands takes about an hour and there is not much scenery to look at on the journey, expect the water. You typically stay on the island for 1-2 hours and then its another hour back to San Cosme. There is literally nothing on the island. So make sure you bring anything you might need, including water and snacks. The dunes are quite beautiful, you feel like you are on a deserted island (well, maybe because you are) or a desert in the middle of no where. We spent the afternoon wandering around the island, taking photos and simply relaxing. They say that each year the dune islands are getting smaller and smaller and eventually, within the next several years they will disappear completely.

In San Cosme there is also a small astronomy center that you can visit at night and take a look at the stars. They also have some smaller Jesuit Ruins that are worth a visit. The best way to get to San Cosme is take a 10mil guaranies (roughly $2) bus ride from the city of Coronel Bogado on Route 1 or you can take a direct bus from Encarnacion for 20mil guaranies (roughly $5).

Advice for the Beginner Photographer

So you did it, you took the plunge and bought yourself a nice and expensive DSLR camera. Awesome! If you are anything like me, then you got it home, took it out of the box, glanced at the manual and thought to yourself, now what? DSLR cameras can be intimidating, especially if you are a novice when it comes to photography. With the help of my sister, who has studied photography for several years, and copious hours of internet research I have complied a list of tips and advice for photography and DSLR camera beginners.

Your camera manual is your new best friend. If you are like me you never read the manual, but, in this case not only is it a necessity it will simplify your life. Getting to know all the ins and outs of your camera is the first step to becoming a better photographer.

Be patient with yourself. It is going to take time and practice for you to get comfortable with your camera. So don't beat yourself if it doesn't happen over night.

Don't be pressured to get out of AUTO mode ... until you are ready. I have heard so many people complain about people who buy big expensive DSLR cameras and they only take pictures in Auto. Who cares? Its their money and their camera let them do what they want. Obviously, I think you should learn to take full advantage of your cameras capabilities but who am I to judge. So no rush, get comfortable with your camera and in the meantime take photos in Auto if you want.

Learn the basics of shooting in manual. By that I mean, be able to understand the words aperture, shutter speed and ISO and what they mean for the function of your camera. It is important to learn how your camera works so you can take better pictures.

Practice, Practice, Practice. I think it is especially important to set time aside to practice using the manual settings on your camera. Do it when there is no pressure and the pictures you are taking don't matter. Don't wait til the family vacation to learn how to use your camera.

There is no such thing as too many pictures. The more you shoot the more comfortable you will get with your camera and your pictures will turn out better because of it.

Research. Read photography books. Look at photography blogs. Search Pinterest. I'm serious on this one, Pinterest is a great resource for photography how-tos.

Protect your equipment. By that I mean, your camera was probably expensive so you should take care of it. Buy UV filters for your lens(es). Don't touch or mess with the mirror inside the body of your camera, it could damage your sensors. Try and prevent dust from getting inside that area as well, change your lenses quickly. 

Have fun! This is the most important piece of advice I can give you.

What are some your favorite tips and tricks for beginner photographers and their DSLR cameras?

Trevolta: Crowd-Funded Travel

Unless you've been living under a rock, you have probably heard of crowd-funding. Am I right? If not, crowd-funding websites are where someone can post a business idea, creative project or almost anything and then people ("the crowd") can donate and become financial backers; in return they usually receive some kind of reward or product. I know several Peace Corps projects that have been funded through this channel. Some of you also may have heard about the Veronica Mars film whose 5.7 million dollar budget was raised solely through their Kickstarter page. 

In the past few years the idea of crowd-funding websites have blasted into mainstream society. About $2.7 billion was raised in 2012 through crowd-funding sites.  Some of the more popular sites are Kickstarter, Indiegogo, RocketHub and Crowdraise. A new site on the crowd-funding scene is called Trevolta. It has taken the idea of crowd-funding and connected it to travel. On Trevolta you can post their extraordinary ideas for expeditions in order to try and raise funds through individual financial backers or through sponsors who are looking for marketing opportunities. You should definitely browse the website if you get a chance there are some pretty meaningful and inspiring trips on there.

I recently posted a trip on Trevolta entitled Peace Corps Love Story. In August I will be leaving Paraguay (for now) and heading home to the United States. The hope is that my boyfriend will be able to come visit in September for a few weeks. We plan to site see around my hometown in Maryland, visit Baltimore, Washington D.C., the beach in Ocean City, MD, New York City and attend my best friend's wedding in Las Vegas. I am selfishly sharing this with you in the hopes that you might be able to donate and make this trip a reality, any amount helps! But, at the least if you could share on your social media outlets to any friends, family or you know, random stranger that might be interested in helping out that is what I was really hoping for. 

Thank you in advance, you guys are the best!

Have you ever used or donated on a crowd-funding website before?

7 Summer Travel Must-Reads

Now its officially summer! Well, in the United States anyway, here in Paraguay its officially winter. But, lets just go with it. One of my favorite things about summer is sitting on the beach reading a good book. So here is a list of some great summer reads that will also help you with the travel bug! Most of these are relatively older books, but, if you haven't read them before they are definitely worth it.

(This post contains affiliate links)

Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal (Nepal) : Follows the story of Connor Grennan who gave up is job to travel around the world for a year, three months of which would be spent volunteering at an orphanage in Nepal. Unsure of how he will be able to help, Connor eventually learns that the children are not in fact orphans but victims of child traffickers and he sets out on the, dangerous and seemingly impossible, task of reuniting them with their families. 

The Historian (Netherlands, France, Hungary, Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria & the United States): After finding an ancient book and old mysterious letters in her father's library they go off on an adventure in search of Dracula. Interweaving stories from past and present this book will keep you on the edge of your seat as you traverse the European continent.

The Lost Girls: Three Friends. Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World. (Around the World): Jen, Holly, and Amanda have recently quit their jobs and left their fast paced New York City lives behind them to travel around the world for a year. Follow along a they step outside their comfort zones and embrace any adventure that comes their way as the journey through four continents and over a dozen countries. (They now have a fabulous website that gives travel help to other lost girls like them.)

In a Sunburned Country (Australia): Another Bill Bryson classic, this is a report on what he found in the country that doubles as a continent. A place with the most welcoming natives, the hottest and driest climate and some the weirdest and most deadly wildlife.

The Routes of Man: Travels in the Paved World (Vintage) (Nigeria, Peru, China, Israel, India & Kenya): A story that aims to show us how roads connect us, metaphorically and literally, and how roads have the great power to transform communities and their people. Follow along as we explore six unique roadways around the world.

Wanderlust: A Love Affair with Five Continents (Around the World): Spanning over 15 years, this story follows the life of Elizabeth as she pursues her never-ending hunger for the new and unfamiliar. Starting in her sophomore year of college, she journeys through four continents in search of culture and romance. 

The Woman Who Fell from the Sky: An American Woman's Adventures in the Oldest City on Earth (Yemen): Unsettled in her life and career, Jennifer accepts a short-term job to teach a journalism class to the staff of the Yemen Observer. Excited by the eagerness of the staff reporters she extends her stay for a year as editor and chief of the paper. This book offers a rare glance into the role of the media in a Muslim country.

What are some of your favorite travel reads this summer?

Tiny Humans of Paraguay

I posted a photo to Instagram yesterday (the one below) and in the caption I wrote something funny the girl Lujan once said to me. It vaguely reminded me of Humans of New York. One of my favorite Instagram accounts. They take pictures of random people on the streets of NYC and ask them questions. Sometimes the responses are funny, serious and sometimes profoundly deep. So I thought I would do my own version today of "Tiny Humans of Paraguay" with some of my favorite kids I've met over my two years here.

Lujan (Age 3): "Lujan, do you want to be a model for me in a photo?" 

"Are you crazy? I can't be a model I am only 3."

Alex (Age 3): "Kelley, I have a question for you?"

"Yes?"

"Which of your toes is your favorite?"

"Umm, I don't know. I haven't really thought about it"

"Oh my favorite toe is this one (pointing to his second toe on his right foot)"

"Why?"

"Because it is longer then all the other ones which means it is better"

Elena (Age 5): "Kelley, how old were you when you kissed a boy?"

"I don't remember, I think 12 or 13"

" Wow! That is old I already kissed a boy and I'm only 5"

"Did you like kissing him?"

"NO! It was gross, I was just playing at school and he ran up and kissed me"

Angie (Age 3): "Do you like balloons?"

"Yes!"

"Why?"

"They are scary when they explode, its funny"

Pedrito (Age 6): He has said many hilarious things to me, he talks a mile a minute. But, on this occasion he was having too much fun teaching me how to make bubbles using soap, water and our hands.

.

Macarena (Age 3): "Kelley are you a princess? Like the Little Mermaid?"

"No I'm not"

"Oh, I wish you were."

Yoga Guide: Advice from a Newbie

Its been over a month since I declared my desire to rededicate myself to yoga. How is that going you ask? Its going pretty well actually! Right now I'm in kind of a workout rut, mainly its cold here and well I don't want to do it. And when I say cold here, I mean everywhere. When its cold in Paraguay there is no escape, most people don't have heat in their houses and its a humid cold which is just plain weird. But, I try and do yoga for at least 15 minutes everyday ... and I generally stick to that plan. I thought I would share some of my new found yoga wisdom, remember I'm a beginner too, so don't take my advice as the end all be all of yoga advice, but, I thought it could help other newbies, like me.

Don't give up. Yoga can be hard. I know the people you see doing it on Instagram and those workout videos look so relaxed but that is because they have been doing yoga for years. When you start, yoga is hard. You will breath heavy, make weird noises and generally make a fool of yourself. But that is the point, keep going and you will get there one day. After a month I am already seeing improvements in moves I could barely do 30 days ago

Get into a routine. You will see better results if you practice yoga on a regular basis. Even if you are like me and only do 10-15 minutes a day. Something is better than nothing, so get your butt on your mat at least a few time a week, every week.

Listen to your body. Yes, it is important to push your body sometimes in yoga, you don't know what you can do until you try. But, you also need to be careful, Yoga may not be a contact sport but you can still get hurt. Go slowly and do what is comfortable to your body.

Breathing. Do it. Sometimes in the more difficult poses you will find yourself holding your breath. Stop. Breathing is an intricate part of yoga and you know, living. So just remember to keep breathing.

Start slow. I know when you start yoga you have this image in your head of doing awesome hand stand poses or crazy arm balance moves and basically just being a yoga super star. But, you won't get there right away. You need to build up strength and balance and a whole bunch of other things before you get there. Start with the important foundation poses and they will eventually lead you to those awesome hand stands.

Do your research. Go to a class. Talk to your yoga instructor. Read a book. Research online. Get help from actual Yoga professionals (not just a wannabe yogi - aka me.)

Have fun. This is the most important in my book. If you aren't having fun while you practice yoga then whats the point. There are plenty of exercises out there you can do, yoga isn't for everyone so don't force it. 

Do you have any advice for Yoga beginners, like me?

#TOTALSOCIAL - My 9-5

This month's theme for #TOTALSOCIAL is my 9-5. Right now I'm on a little real life hiatus or you can say I'm funemployed. I recently finished my Peace Corps service (in April) and have stuck around here in Paraguay, mostly to spend time with my boyfriend and well I wasn't quite ready to leave. I'll be headed home (for now) in August. 

So I thought I'd talk about my last 9-5 ... the Peace Corps. But, if I'm going to be honest the Peace Corps is not your normal 9-5 job. Its more like 24/7.  The tagline for the Peace Corps is that "Its the Toughest Job You'll Ever Love," and it couldn't be more true. When you are are a volunteer even when you aren't working you are still "working." 

*at my Peace Corps swear-in ceremony with my host mom

I was a Community Health Volunteer, which meant I spend most of my time teaching health lessons in the schools on things like nutrition, dental health, parasite prevention and in the high school, sexual education. I also taught healthy cooking lessons for families in my community and led a weekly exercise class which consisted of walking groups and volleyball games. I also taught English classes and Computer classes. One of my biggest projects was helping plan a national boys sports and leadership camp that taught young boys, ages 13-18, everyday values, morals, self-esteem and gender equality through sports. 

*first annual Camp Deporte y Vida!

However, some of my most meaningful time spent as a volunteer was when I wasn't officially working on any of those projects. Instead it was the time when I was drinking tereré (the national beverage of Paraguay) with my neighbors and telling them about my life in America. Or it was the times I was painting my nails with  my host sisters and talking about the importance of school, planning for the future and self-esteem. Or finally, those hundreds of times when my 3 and 5 year old neighbor would come over and we would read books and draw pictures and I would show them that it is ok to be creative and think outside the box. Sometimes it's hard, because when you are in your community you are always "on." You always need to be sure you are being a good representation of Peace Corps and the United States. So even when you aren't working you are "working."

 *after reading a book about cats we made cat masks

So, yes Peace Corps is not your typical 9-5 and it can be incredibly difficult and isolating. It lives up to its reputation being the toughest job you'll ever love because I won't lie, it is hard, but, I wouldn't trade my time as a Peace Corps volunteer for any regular 9-5 or for anything.

Concerts in Paraguay

Yesterday was a holiday in Paraguay. I didn't write a blog post because I didn't get out of bed until 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Why, you ask? Well this was what I was doing Sunday night until about 5 am. 

Since my two and half years in Paraguay I have had the chance to go to several concerts I would have never thought to go see in the United States, and some I wouldn't have gone too mainly because it would have cost me a fortune. Over the years many big name singers, groups and DJs have started to put Paraguay on their South American tour lists, something that wouldn't have happened 5 years ago, and I have definitely take advantage. Here are the people I have seen in the last 2 years:

Lady Gaga

Paul Van Dyk

Martin Solveig

Sean Paul and Taio Cruz

Jack Johnson

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike

*Getting all dressed up for the Lady Gaga concert. Like my hair bow?

I love live music and dancing the night away but it can get pretty pricey after awhile if you want to see the big names. That has been one of the best parts about living in Paraguay all of the concerts I've gotten to go to have cost me less than $40. There is something kind of awesome about seeing a concert in another country in a way it connects you to the  people in  that county too. Everyone loves music and you are all there for one reason to have a great time and hear some awesome music.  

Next time you are abroad you should see if there are concerts you can see in your time there!

Have you been to any concerts in another country?

Jack the Ripper Walking Tour : London, England

When you hear the name Jack the Ripper what comes to mind? Victorian London, dark, foggy, rainy nights and a serial killer, that was never identified, that still captivates the mind of numerous people over 150 years later?

When I visited London in college, I had to chance to go on a Jack the Ripper walking tour one night. The tour I took boasts to be the original Jack the Ripper tour. It was a gloomy and rainy night that set the perfect scene to travel back in time and visit the most infamous sights of the 12-week reign of terror that Jack the Ripper held over East London. 

The Whitechapel area of East London where most of the murders took place was a seriously impoverished district in the late 1800's and all of the Ripper's victims were prostitutes who lived and worked in the slums. The media treatment of the Ripper case is largely seen as one of the reasons it is so infamous. Considerable newspaper coverage at the time provided widespread and continuing international fame for the Ripper. Another reason this case likely remains so popular is the fact that no one was ever identified as the culprit. The unknown possibilities still captivate peoples minds with new suspects coming to light even today. 

The Jack the Ripper tour starts right in the heart of  it all and follows a chronological route that introduces you to several historical Jack the Ripper sites and offers you a genuine feel of the atmosphere of London in 1888. 

The tour is only 9£ which is roughly $15. The whole tour will take you about 2 hours in total where you will be accompanied by your guide who, in my experience, will be incredibly knowledgeable on the subject and can answer any questions you may have. 

So, if you are interested in Jack the Ripper history, Victorian era London history, or are in the mood for something eerie and spooky then I highly recommend this tour.

Have you taken any interesting or unique tours over the years? Tell me about them.

Paraguayan Legends and Myths

When I was a child I could not sleep with my foot or hand hanging off the side of the bed, I couldn't sleep with my closet door open and I couldn't, I’m embarrassed to admit, sleep without a night light. Why you ask? All for one reason, the boogey man!

The boogey man is an example of a myth. A myth is typically a traditional story that deals with supernatural beings, heroes or ancestors that is used to explain how natural wonders or social customs came to be, or to teach a lesson. In most cases the boogey man is used as a tool to keep kids in line, if you don’t follow the rules to boogeyman will get you.

Paraguay has so many cultural myths and legends it would take 10 blog posts to tell you about them all so I’ll just tell you about my favorites.

Many of the myths stem from the marriage of Kerana and Tau. Tau was the personification of the evil spirit and he captured Kerana and together they had seven cursed children, all but one were born monsters. These seven children account for a majority of Guarani myths.

Teju Jagua – He is a large lizard with seven heads of a dog. He only feeds on fruit and honey (given to him by his brother Jasy Jarete) and is the protector of caves. He is considered harmless, but many children fear him because of his monstrous appearance.

Mbói Tu’ĩ – He is an enormous snake with the head of a parrot. He has a terrifying gaze that scares anyone that has the misfortune to come upon him. He lets out a loud squawk that can be heard for miles and instills terror into those who hear it.

Moñái – He is a large serpent with two horns on his head. He is the protector of thieves and robbers because he himself is responsible for the mysterious disappearances of people’s belongings.

Jasy Jatere- The only son not to be born a monster. Jasy Jatere appears as a small man or child with long golden hair and light eyes. He is considered the lord of the siesta, he wanders the town at siesta time looking for children who are out playing instead of napping. He is generally considered to be invisible except to the children who are not taking their siesta, he then lures them into the forest. Parents use Jasy Jatere as a way to get children to take their nap.

Kurupi – He is considered the lord of fertility and when you see a picture of him you see why. He is a short, ugly, hairy man who has a large penis that wraps around his body (like a belt) several times. Kurupi is often blamed for unwanted and unexpected pregnancies. He is also used to warn women to not leave the house unaccompanied.

Ao Ao – He is often portrayed as a ravenous sheep-like creature with massive fangs. He is considered to be a cannibal that will chase his victims through the woods and the only way to escape him is to climb a palm tree.

Luisón—He is called the lord of night and death. He appears vaguely human, but is horrendously ugly and smells of death. He is similar to the legend of the werewolf.

Another Paraguayan myth, and arguably the most popular or well known (there is even a popular song about him) is the Pombero. The Pombero also known as Karai Pyhare which means the man of the night in Guarani, is considered to be an ugly, short man with long hair. He is generally described as a mischief maker whose favorite activities are setting cattle loose, stealing chicken eggs or scaring horses. He is usually blamed for bad things that happen in the night. He is said to whistle before he appears but, he can be swayed from wreaking havoc if you leave him gifts of caña (sugar cane whiskey), tobacco or honey. (I have witnessed people doing this)

                                                                                                                 *Thanks Bree

What are some of your favorite myths and legends? Have you learned about any legends from other cultures or countries?