tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57842451568983032892024-02-21T05:44:02.761-08:00Restless Wandereralishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-67252315911771384062020-03-26T04:13:00.001-07:002020-03-26T04:13:23.901-07:00#88: See the Northern Lights <br />
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Arctic vacations are the 'hottest' vacations right now. Everyone has been heading to Iceland, Norway and even Antarctica. I have been wanting to go to Northern Norway for years. My family is originally from that area and I still have many family members that live there. So for me, not only is it one of the most beautiful regions in the world, it is also where I could feel connected to my family roots.<br />
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This February I finally got the chance to put on my snow boots and my giant snowcoat that makes me look like a 90's rapper. I went to go stay with a cousin I had never met and had the time of my life seeing the raw natural word of the Great North.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIMH8pkuacxv5-8fIAwz6ajGYhvbePMSNOx-0FN91ac8ma9y9F9R3gvt3JOv44xt85jpPk_jCHZJ36eMuNNFuhpRsEzYAETQp18R1j6PSWo5ifuxUwXnvHaioJhUfNHp3wK03jBm2PgQ/s1600/DSC06756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIMH8pkuacxv5-8fIAwz6ajGYhvbePMSNOx-0FN91ac8ma9y9F9R3gvt3JOv44xt85jpPk_jCHZJ36eMuNNFuhpRsEzYAETQp18R1j6PSWo5ifuxUwXnvHaioJhUfNHp3wK03jBm2PgQ/s320/DSC06756.JPG" width="213" /></a> <br />
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One of the reasons that I wanted to go in February is because I wanted to make sure that I didn't miss out on any winter activities, one of those being seeing the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights are tricky because they aren't guaranteed. Some people spend hundreds of dollars going on tours where you spend 8 hours driving around the country side hoping that you get lucky. And sometimes after all this effort, they end up with nothing to show for it. I was lucky because we were able to go out in my cousins car and go where we want at our own pace. It was really relaxing just sitting in the dark gazing up at the stars. We went out two nights and the first night we saw a faint glow of the lights and I took the absolute worst picture of the Northern Lights.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLT-GiHQWNug0zECJ3fKIt9s7IzvvtCPh5nIRVu1xU_Jy-hjsNewvjC_WJnP4iipZ2snIgtm0Xm0Vnpv80o3oKHAk7tmSix5ZQ7fREw956DL89XqLrX5Pqx_taig3bSdjLE8VKUhenYjo/s1600/86826089_10158110976199136_6107435746790998016_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1440" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLT-GiHQWNug0zECJ3fKIt9s7IzvvtCPh5nIRVu1xU_Jy-hjsNewvjC_WJnP4iipZ2snIgtm0Xm0Vnpv80o3oKHAk7tmSix5ZQ7fREw956DL89XqLrX5Pqx_taig3bSdjLE8VKUhenYjo/s320/86826089_10158110976199136_6107435746790998016_o.jpg" width="320" /></a> The next day that we went out again and we saw an amazing view of the lights. It was cold but absolutely amazing. I could have sat there staring at the sky all night, but eventually frostbite might have set in. I tried to take some pictures, but holding a camera in the cold without a tripod is a challenge, and it was more about the experience anyway. I had of course seen pictures before had no idea how they moved and danced across the sky. I was so excited that we actually were able to see them and it wasn't a wasted night. I would highly recommend doing this but it is much better to go without the tour company because it makes for a cozy and relaxing experience.alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-11673165894335322452020-03-21T11:42:00.000-07:002020-03-21T11:42:16.789-07:00#169: Devils pool in Africa<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Crhla1cVY&t=11s" target="_blank"> Africa Video </a></div>
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When making a list of things I should do with myself while
on quarantine, I had the realization that I once had a bucket list travel blog
that I was notoriously terrible at updating. So in between snacks, Netflix, online
aerobics videos and reading, I decided it was time to get back into the swing
of writing out my sorry list of accomplishments so I could live vicariously
through my past self.</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Crhla1cVY&t=11s" target="_blank"><o:p></o:p></a></div>
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A year and a half ago I did that amazing once in a lifetime
trip to Africa. I saw my favorite animal the beautiful dainty dork the giraffe,
I watched lion cubs play next to an elephant carcass, I slept under the stars
and one time I almost died…kind of.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The first day in Zambia we went to Victoria Falls. It was the
dry season, so the waterfall was more tame but impressive none the less. We had
seen pictures of people dangling off the edges in the Devils pool and thought
we would give that a try ourselves. There was a local conveniently sitting right
next to the waterfall and said that he would give us our own private tour. One
of those typical stunts where naïve tourists think he is just being generous
but then of course at the end he asks for donations. We were eager to go and knew
that climbing across the top of the world’s largest waterfall probably wasn’t
the smartest idea ever. And whatever he asked for in money would for sure be
cheaper than the steep price of a legit tour. He took us on a two-hour trek to
the different pools and we had an amazing time walking along the edge of the
world.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the stops
along the way to the Devils pool our guide showed us this spot where we could
also stand on the edge. He went down with me and told me where to put my feet
and held on to me. Thankfully he was there because when I was trying to put my
feet into the spots my feet started to go over the edge and he had to pull me
back. It freaked me out, but while it all happened, I thought, ‘well this is an
interesting way to die’. Thankfully my brother was there to catch my reaction. Now
it is one of my favorite memories of the trip and always makes for a good laugh.
I am glad we went; it was beautiful and made for a lasting memory. Maybe I should
be a little more cautious, but that would involve an intensive change in character
that I have not been able to commit to yet. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Overall, it was amazing and despite the little slip-literally-
it was completely worth it. It has become quite the tourist trap in the recent
years so being able to go on our own with our unlicensed guide was great. So there we go. This quarantine has officially made me better at updating my blog than I have been in a year and a half. But now I must return to a puzzle that has presented itself to be my greatest nemesis. </div>
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<br />alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-38375325918045604882018-12-11T06:38:00.001-08:002018-12-11T06:39:43.074-08:00#176: Go to Africa <br />
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AFRICA! </div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Crhla1cVY&t=2s" target="_blank">Africa Video</a></div>
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I could rant and rave about this trip all day. I was so excited for this trip and planned it months in advance. Typically, my trips are the result of last minute vacation time from work. Usually they are only planned about a month out. But this trip was planned and paid for 6 months ahead of time which made it so it felt like I was waiting for eternity.<br />
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I had about two and a half weeks of vacation from my terrible office job in America. It still blows my mind that Americans work for a year at a dull and uninspiring job and then are only rewarded with two weeks of vacation. Most people I know around the world have a standard of about a month off and often even more. Sometimes people in America are even discouraged from taking that vacation time because some feel like it isn't showing a true commitment to your job if you want to take a break. What kind of backwards thinking is that? You work hard for 50 months a year, take those two weeks! After a year of hating my life and spending eight hours a day talking to elderly people on the phone about their retirements plans *snore*, I quit my jobs right before my trip and didn't look back.<br />
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When deciding what to do with my precious two weeks I asked my Seoul Sister Sejeong if she wanted to go somewhere. We both didn't have any one place in mind so we just threw ideas around for a bit before landing on the perfect one. Africa. In just a few minutes I was able to find a budget backpackers safari which was about 1/10th the price of all the other Safaris out there. It was designed for people under 35 who wanted to see the best that Africa had to offer and didn't mind camping under the stars and helping cook food. If we were staying in hotel accommodations I feel like we would have missed so much. One night I fell asleep to the sounds of hippos fighting in the nearby river and another I woke up and opened my door to see elephants wandering through the campsite. Not your typical 'budget' experience.<br />
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During the planning process we picked up another fellow travel who wanted to join in the fun, my brother. So now the three of us were going on the adventure of a lifetime. The tour was 12 days and started in Zambia and we made our way down through Botswana and Namibia. Before and after the tour we were set to spend a few days in South Africa. All together is was about 19 days of fast paced, early morning, water chugging adventuring. We saw all the animals I could dream of. We saw so many elephants and zebras that it began to be just a normal thing. One night we camped around the watering hole and spent hours just watching the elephants, zebras, giraffes, and rhinos drink and play. Giraffes are my favorite animal so I was thrilled to see them in their elements instead of in cages and abused like they are in zoos. They are such dainty dorks you can't help but smile when watching them, especially when they drink water.<br />
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Our guides were funny and informative, the food was delicious and the moments took my breath away. Looking back it seems like it was all a dream because it seems too amazing to even be real. If you have ever thought about going to Africa, go. If you haven't ever thought about going, go anyway. It is not secret that so much of the amazing wildlife that we were blessed to see is dying out. Everyday we hear about how many rhinos are being poached by hunters and how soon there wont be any left. It isn't fair and it isn't right. But you have to see them before they are gone forever.<br />
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I can't compare it to any other trip because it wasn't like any trip. We took small boats through the reeds and saw hippos tiny ears pop up next to us. We road quads through the Namibia dessert and saw colors I had never seen before. We saw penguins laying on the beach in South Africa. We had our lunch stolen by a baboon who jumped off the car onto my back. We went hiking with our Uber driver because he didn't want to miss the view. We drank wine while watching baby elephants play in the mud and get scolded by their moms. We saw lions eating an elephant that they had taken down. We saw sunsets that covered the sky. We hung off the side of Victoria falls and tempted fate. We saw more stars than I have ever seen in my life. And we were smiling every minute.<br />
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It was rich, raw, perfect and absolutely unforgettable.<br />
Thank you Africa<br />
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<br />alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-72513037484154973852018-02-14T20:14:00.004-08:002018-04-05T15:15:48.664-07:00#64: Go to the Great Barrier Reef<br />
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Australia is a big beautiful play land. My last stop before I left was to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. You can't really spend 6 months living in Australia and not make it to its biggest attraction. Thankfully I was heading there during off season when it was 'cold' and by cold it was in the 90's the whole time and I left with a sunburn despite the buckets of sunscreen that I applied. </div>
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I missed my plane because they changed the gate and didn't announce it to anyone. So everyone at the wrong gate had to book a whole new flight. It was a really frustrating experience as I only had two whole days in Cairns and was fully booked for both days. It was a bad start to the weekend but I got it sorted. </div>
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When I finally got there I went and had a walk around the city which had a great market to wander around in. In the morning I went to the docks for my day trip out onto the Great Barrier Reef. One of the highlights of the trip was actually the ride to the reef where we were surrounded by whales for a whole hour. It was amazing and such an unexpected surprise, of course no good pictures were taken because that is an impossible task to get a good picture of a huge animal in the distance.</div>
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When we got to the reef we stopped off at several different snorkeling locations. The water was shallow enough that it would have been a waste to scuba dive. The rest of the day was spend boating around and getting an inevitable sunburn. </div>
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The next day I went on a tour of the Daintree rain forest. On the way we saw wallabies and kangaroos. We went stomping through the marsh in search for kangaroos and crocodiles. There were wild turkeys everywhere at Josephine Falls and had amazing food at an all you eat buffet. </div>
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The highlight of this trip was seeing all the baby crocodiles on the side of the riverbanks. You never think of them as being as tiny and adorable as they are. Many of them don't make it to adulthood, but the ones who do are quite impressive. They don't move much as they spend most of the day lounging on the riverbanks. But even so they are really exciting to see!<br />
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<br />alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-49393085865473020542017-10-19T21:27:00.003-07:002017-10-19T21:29:22.450-07:00#7: Do something crazy to my hair <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwf4nsZJpNaNlgDNeyRpuQJjhyVKqY-BghOkZFmXcp30FdQktPK-13rih-qMC1-lvDolJI8d-8jUXcswTEIb4_IypeYgigg1zfInwTNcXS0eWVt6xZuMpUSATQ2dxMXWRlMP6fEO-JcSU/s1600/16836692_10155045854774136_8306740410252972451_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwf4nsZJpNaNlgDNeyRpuQJjhyVKqY-BghOkZFmXcp30FdQktPK-13rih-qMC1-lvDolJI8d-8jUXcswTEIb4_IypeYgigg1zfInwTNcXS0eWVt6xZuMpUSATQ2dxMXWRlMP6fEO-JcSU/s320/16836692_10155045854774136_8306740410252972451_o.jpg" width="240" /></a> <br />
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Most of what is on my bucket list involves the places I want to go, what I want to experience and the animals I want to play with. But a few on there are about trying something new with myself to see what happens. So this past year I tried a couple of things with my hair to see how it felt to be an evolving unicorn like Lady Gaga. I was lucky enough to have jobs where the color of my hair did not matter. I knew that I would have to get an adult job soon, and they would not be thrilled about rainbow colored hair, so it was my only chance. <br />
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In December, I died my hair blue and thought it was absolutely amazing. People I never expected to commented on it and it made me feel fantastic. Being in Washington state, I was surrounded by other people with various colors of hair so I felt like I was a part of the cool crowd...finally. Walking into Lush, I was always met with a slew of woman all with flowing mermaid hair. Eventually my blue faded into a light greenish color and I covered it up with a dark brown to try and hide the grow outs. After about a month of this I was antsy again to try something new, because why not?<br />
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So I headed to the store and picked up some dark purple dye and went to work. This was also a winner for me, but seemed to fade pretty quickly. I also tend to be lazy on touch ups so it was partially my fault. After arriving back to the states and getting a real job, I dyed it back auburn to try and not draw too much attention to myself. But who knows, that probably won't last long.<br />
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*Two t-shirts were harmed in the making of this blog accomplishment*alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-35922255465487938762017-09-01T12:04:00.001-07:002017-09-01T12:04:03.006-07:00#109: Go to Thailand Thailand has become one of the most popular tourist destinations. While this can be frustrating for a traveler who isn't thrilled to see a lot of other foreigners in the same area, it was still an amazing trip to go to. Though I feel like I barely saw any of what Thailand has to offer. It is a beautiful country with such friendly people, fresh food and beautiful landscapes. I had planned a trip to Thailand two years before but had to cancel due to my boss forcing me to extend my teaching contract in Korea. So I was beyond excited when it worked out for me to go. An added surprise was that I would actually be traveling with two others girls which was such a relief after spending so much time traveling on my own.<br />
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One of my travel mates was my former Korean exchange student that I hadn't seen since Sophomore year of high school. The second travel mate was my teacher friend I met while living in Korea. So while they are both from Korea, they did not know each other but were committed to spending two weeks together.<br />
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We had the same days off work and it all fell together for us to meet in Thailand for some adventuring. We were going to go to three different areas to try and see as much of the country as possible. We flew into Bangkok and spent a few days there before escaping to the beach in Krabi then heading off to soak in the culture of Chiang Mai.<br />
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Our time in Bangkok was mainly spent at the markets and temples. We did the weekend market and night market in the same day and it was utterly exhausting and I bought way too many weird shirts. But is there really a limit to how many funny Asian shirts you can have? I don't think so! We went to Wat Arun which was beautiful and is way better in person as you can see all the intricate carvings that cover the entire temple. There was a funeral for a monk that day, so there was music and free food for all given put by cute old toothless women.<br />
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After eating our weight in Bangkok we were off to Krabi for some surf and sun. We did some boat tours to get a better feel of the area. I put on loads of sunscreen, wore a shirt and sat in the shade and still walked away with a nasty sunburn. I went off on my own to do some scuba diving which was great because I saw an endless supply of box fish which are always my favorites. We went on a really strange sunset boat tour where we were supposed to go to 7 islands but only ended up going to about 3 and spent most of the time confused or transferring back and forth between the big boat, smaller boat and the beach over and over again. It was the strangest trip of my life but the sunset was surreal.<br />
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Our final stop was in Chiang mai where the highlight was going to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary where we got to play, feed and bathe the elephants. It was so much fun and one of the greatest things I have ever done. The baby even sat on my lap for a bit, it was so precious.<br />
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Overall it was an amazing trip. The people were so friendly and helpful which always makes traveling easier. I want to go back someday and spend more time in the remote areas where there are not as many tourists.alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-15326959037238135512017-05-29T23:20:00.001-07:002018-01-23T16:43:50.822-08:00#176: Move to Australia <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been here for four months now and I still feel like I haven't seen any of the country. It is so huge and there is too much to see! I am currently living in the Northern Beaches of Sydney where I can walk to the beach for a swim and watch the endless hours of surfing. I was expecting everyone here to have the laid back beach vibe that I became so used to in South East Asia. But here, everyone is always dressed up and looking perfect walking around with their protein shakes and acai bowls. The Northern Beaches is filled with stay at home moms in their active wear and daily brunch dates. So naturally I feel extremely out of place.</div>
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I came to Australia for the sole purpose of making buckets of money before making my next move where ever that may be. The only problem with that is how expensive it is to live here and how much I love food. The whole country seems to be on some sort of diet which leaves me feeling like a baked potato while I eat my daily ice cream sundae. </div>
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So far I have made trips to Alice Springs (Uluru Tour), Melbourne and Byron Bay. The next two places I want to get to are Darwin and then of course the Great Barrier Reef before it is too late and the entire reef is bleached. Curse you global warning for ruining everything that is good in the world. Living in Sydney means lots of beach activities and endless trips to the store to buy more sunscreen and Bundaberg lemonade. I have explored most of the city and the surrounding area. Of course everyone has to go the Opera House, Manly and Luna Park even if it is only for the Insta. </div>
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<br />alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-27384232158861407292017-05-01T21:41:00.001-07:002017-05-01T21:41:24.632-07:00#114: Learn to Surf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In a way, saying I have accomplished this isn't really accurate as I haven't really mastered surfing in any capacity. In reality, I am terrible. I am not a naturally gifted surfer that can just pop up and read the water and find the perfect wave. But that is alright, because I am sure that I have some other talent that I will discover someday that will make up for my lack of surf skills.<br />
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I first tried surfing when in Hawaii with my family when I was 12. Of course when you are so young it is a lot easier to do those sort of things because you are so light you can just pop up and you are good to go. This time was a little most difficult as the waves were much bigger and less forgiving than they are in Hawaii. I went to Byron Bay for a quick get away from Sydney last weekend. It was a short flight and yet seemed to be a different world. I was surrounded by hand painted vans, dreadlocks, barefoot feet and ukulele's. It was a beautifully perfect little town that I felt right at home in.<br />
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My hostel provided us with bikes, body boards and surf boards and was right next to a perfect white sand beach. The sand was so bright and squeaked beneath our feet. I still am not sure what makes the sand squeak, but it is wildly entertaining. We tried surfing for a few hours but spent most of the time trying to paddle out and avoid some of the monster waves. But overall it was really relaxing and it was nice to be outside in the cool water. The sunburn at the end of the day wasn't as nice though but it seems no matter how many layers I put on I still get burned.<br />
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Being that I am now living in Australia it makes sense that I should keep learning in order to truly fit into the Australian stereotype. The area I live in, the Northern Beaches is known for having amazing surfing. It is such a beautiful and peaceful sport that it would be amazing to be able to do.<br />
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<br />alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-21593526072860163672017-03-26T21:45:00.001-07:002018-01-23T16:44:51.773-08:00#177: Go to the Kangaroo Sanctuary<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1Ww81NoO0nRIJzgqy3G7WQjrCMVai41-EXw8M9fmOyBjHaaxCy_8fwER_Tx8FgoHYSsl1jnbeC-T0MRk3X1LRzAkOX-n-UlyBxbcrxwXeAwt_prvSMNOMngml-46gxU8vpTLizyAI80/s1600/17548977_10155149003084136_1636574862_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1Ww81NoO0nRIJzgqy3G7WQjrCMVai41-EXw8M9fmOyBjHaaxCy_8fwER_Tx8FgoHYSsl1jnbeC-T0MRk3X1LRzAkOX-n-UlyBxbcrxwXeAwt_prvSMNOMngml-46gxU8vpTLizyAI80/s320/17548977_10155149003084136_1636574862_o.jpg" width="180" /></a> <br />
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The Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs, Australia is such an amazing place. I had been following it on Instagram for years so I was thrilled to finally have had the chance to go in person. The sanctuary got started by one man who started rescuing orphaned kangaroos whose mothers had been hit by cars. Kangaroos are seen as pests in the middle of Australia because there are so many of them and they often cause car accidents. This sanctuary is not a zoo or a tourist attraction. It was only after BBC did a special on the sanctuary that it finally became open to the public. But only during certain times and days in order to not bombard the kangaroos with tourists. This makes it so the kangaroos are free to live their life without being in a cage always being watched.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-E-WEjE1eRipeysv99k-GS3U2PL3jU8FnNB9cjp73kM-iQoTrq5Wuvf573If-H5jsTE-zb22a4CuaxUXNRxzA_kMIY74btrDVVSVPxHAsEwAREeo-Fu_iM_krizPwNhsGMIb5QP5bI7k/s1600/17548663_10155149003089136_1945659993_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-E-WEjE1eRipeysv99k-GS3U2PL3jU8FnNB9cjp73kM-iQoTrq5Wuvf573If-H5jsTE-zb22a4CuaxUXNRxzA_kMIY74btrDVVSVPxHAsEwAREeo-Fu_iM_krizPwNhsGMIb5QP5bI7k/s320/17548663_10155149003089136_1945659993_o.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
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The tour picks you up at your hostel and drives you outside of town where you see a small tin house with no modern amenities with an extensive backyard. This is the sanctuary. They are currently building a kangaroo hospital but that has not yet been finished. You get a history and tour of the sanctuary and get to meet all the kangaroos. The owner knows all of them by names and their personality quirks so you really feel like you are getting the inside scoop.<br />
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The highlight of the trip is getting to hold your own baby kangaroo. All of the babies are carried around in little pillow cases in order to simulate them being in their mothers pouch. They are really calm, cuddly and soft. You get to hold them for at least 5 minutes and just walk with them in your arms on the tour, it is everything that you could want out of a tour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNKtH48yuXIVIf2ix0T_hrPLEpnDeVsmQwgYby1u0KKxcxVYkB7-NPOyxfm5u_Ej3gXKGCVr2T2sTTsdP1wlEYC6rSSXcFXdM7ZnnrHAzBA822soUWCfdzcz7mD9GK7DInmfBAtYnC6s/s1600/17499745_10155149003334136_374365494_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNKtH48yuXIVIf2ix0T_hrPLEpnDeVsmQwgYby1u0KKxcxVYkB7-NPOyxfm5u_Ej3gXKGCVr2T2sTTsdP1wlEYC6rSSXcFXdM7ZnnrHAzBA822soUWCfdzcz7mD9GK7DInmfBAtYnC6s/s320/17499745_10155149003334136_374365494_o.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
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I was also given the chance to feed some of the younger kangaroos by giving them a bottle. While they are drinking they grab on to your hand which was absolutely adorable. During the tour you learn all about the different kangaroos and their backstories. One of the kangaroos, Roger was the former head of the kangaroo family. He has become famous for his insane muscles that make him look like a body builder. This is the result from years of boxing the others males in order to keep his claim.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgup6__y3IXxnMHgymY2nzIC1EWSRnn_AwXdJId23eMinTlN7bcmvslaTupTXCuIJtTD2clhoIszGU5ZHCEXhVu8T-_iDE1oU0vmdFYy4I2yRVpCDEOjZqm9xKUxsHt5Kg8Lx2x0x0KhIo/s1600/17548816_10155149003219136_1717527668_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgup6__y3IXxnMHgymY2nzIC1EWSRnn_AwXdJId23eMinTlN7bcmvslaTupTXCuIJtTD2clhoIszGU5ZHCEXhVu8T-_iDE1oU0vmdFYy4I2yRVpCDEOjZqm9xKUxsHt5Kg8Lx2x0x0KhIo/s320/17548816_10155149003219136_1717527668_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Overall the tour was amazing and was one of the best birthday presents that I have ever given myself. I would highly recommend going. You get an amazing experience out of it and get to support a great cause.<br />
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<br />alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-91640038299002083952017-02-26T17:11:00.002-08:002017-02-26T17:15:30.161-08:00#100: Do Yoga in Bali<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4iUBChTyIOpLHUqGEWUZxFxk5oLuYurQb-vTQqN8XiN-HlCtBp4Xgz5_xSi66FUoVahetJmLIiLtgbGSsyBTsZtvY0SMD9z09zq_376KOfT_i8tKV3ZoW9mgErOLeixkDmNuEk75C8A/s1600/DSC04921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4iUBChTyIOpLHUqGEWUZxFxk5oLuYurQb-vTQqN8XiN-HlCtBp4Xgz5_xSi66FUoVahetJmLIiLtgbGSsyBTsZtvY0SMD9z09zq_376KOfT_i8tKV3ZoW9mgErOLeixkDmNuEk75C8A/s320/DSC04921.JPG" width="320" /></a>Bali has for sure been one of my favorite places I have visited so far. Everyone speaks English and is really friendly. The island is dependent on tourism so everyone goes out of their way to make you feel welcome and relaxed. Every part of the island has its own quirks and charm. During my stay I spend my first week in Ubud and my second week in Lovina. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxKAn7hYPVzDR0mojrfrFaLg-xlMdEWtHkbgwZb9cGoMMhfpF9STt7mTY7nMCqxa_vqkNvq5KKJ0rDfhzgEeXGtbvDFl07T4kMRWVGuK7NMQL4SZtFwFBN7uRgBuAXMHpjPGo3vZU4gs/s1600/DSC04831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxKAn7hYPVzDR0mojrfrFaLg-xlMdEWtHkbgwZb9cGoMMhfpF9STt7mTY7nMCqxa_vqkNvq5KKJ0rDfhzgEeXGtbvDFl07T4kMRWVGuK7NMQL4SZtFwFBN7uRgBuAXMHpjPGo3vZU4gs/s320/DSC04831.JPG" width="240" /></a>Ubud became popular because of the Eat, Pray, Love book by Elizabeth Gilbert that every millennial has read and become inspired by. Since this books release, tourism has boomed in the city. But despite this, many things are still uninterrupted such as the daily offerings of flowers and incense that cover the streets. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tLyjU7yyXtwdr70EV3MSuHtWHxYb5f6OE-ojWXHPcK0H7k2V3g1VuPL8DXJHTKcU-Ez9Pu8tUyW1Lyt8gpJ3dQA9bpbAQfU9p2VSkR6nmL2dOqzXfzgf8ijNDDBw9kdvoM0zDlBEPTw/s1600/DSC04815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tLyjU7yyXtwdr70EV3MSuHtWHxYb5f6OE-ojWXHPcK0H7k2V3g1VuPL8DXJHTKcU-Ez9Pu8tUyW1Lyt8gpJ3dQA9bpbAQfU9p2VSkR6nmL2dOqzXfzgf8ijNDDBw9kdvoM0zDlBEPTw/s320/DSC04815.JPG" width="320" /></a>Ubud has become know as a yoga haven with endless shops and classes that devoted yogis can wander between. For people who do not have the flexibility and body control for yoga such as myself, it is a great place to learn the basics as the whole city automatically makes you feel more centered. I opted to do yoga on the front porch of my guesthouse every morning because I didn't want anyone else to see how bad at yoga I really am. Every morning I would be given fresh tea and fruit on my porch table then I would spend a bit of time trying to master basic yoga skills while watching a family tend to its rice field.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKU1cXBNenJxdNxxZig_g7t1Q6JGDHAe3s_O1fuYHbBA91TCrm-uAFN5Uf4oXPGbEBVVvLMwBXJRaLsSEtyZBmu7musuu9N4S7g3UFiq7lzRAicwopI5VkmQVrkGFFSwyvO_ue8S9y1ag/s1600/DSC04852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKU1cXBNenJxdNxxZig_g7t1Q6JGDHAe3s_O1fuYHbBA91TCrm-uAFN5Uf4oXPGbEBVVvLMwBXJRaLsSEtyZBmu7musuu9N4S7g3UFiq7lzRAicwopI5VkmQVrkGFFSwyvO_ue8S9y1ag/s320/DSC04852.JPG" width="320" /></a>There are many other classes that you can take through out the island for your varied interested. I did a jewelry making class where we made our own silver rings which I would highly recommend. I also did a cooking class where I was taken to a locals house and he taught me traditional Balinese delicacies.<br />
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In Lovina, I spent hours at the beach and by the pool reading and relaxing as I was the only guest in my hotel. I rented a motor bike and only got into one accident in which I slowly ran into a tree. Thankfully the bike was able to zoom away unharmed. I did a 3 day scuba diving course in which I was able to a get a new certification as well as do unbelievable things such as night diving and shipwreck diving. My last morning I was woken up at 4 to go on a boat and chase dolphins across the ocean which was an amazing way to end my vacation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXt0W5qjCk8SPf45Xq1Wbpj5n9yvVAdH1K15h3JHSMP3D3RJr5DNM-V_rk2EdFkG0Uqb6A_RUyODje3ME-UTX4LaqG7N-e-GZkyURLtgu3WtBMXIRm45FZFkZFLkcgkRtpLXELE9kQc34/s1600/DSC04930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXt0W5qjCk8SPf45Xq1Wbpj5n9yvVAdH1K15h3JHSMP3D3RJr5DNM-V_rk2EdFkG0Uqb6A_RUyODje3ME-UTX4LaqG7N-e-GZkyURLtgu3WtBMXIRm45FZFkZFLkcgkRtpLXELE9kQc34/s320/DSC04930.JPG" width="320" /></a> Overall Bali was exactly what I had hoped it would be and more. It was easier to get around than I expected and hiring a driver was beyond simple. There is no wondering about how this little island in the middle of Indonesia became one of the most popular destinations in the world. </div>
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<br />alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-24994949728139356682017-02-01T22:41:00.000-08:002018-01-23T16:45:41.929-08:00#142: Explore a shipwreck <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmqYvki85lc" target="_blank">Bali Shipwreck Diving Video </a></div>
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Above is the video to my amazing scuba diving experience in Lovina, Bali. This was for my advanced scuba certification. For this we went on 5 different dives on the island. This includes a navigation, shipwrecks, night and deep water dives. It was amazing to go on all these different dives because each dive was unique and made me feel more confident in my diving. </div>
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When you are doing a deep dive while scuba diving you are under so much pressure that it is almost impossible to crush an egg. When it does break the eggs will hold their form which is really entertaining to watch the fish try and eat it. </div>
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The night dive was a little nerve racking at times. All my dives were done with just me and the instructor and so for the night dive that meant there were less people around. We were not connected to each other so that made it so you had to know where the other person was at all times, otherwise you would lose them in the pitch darkness. The ocean at night makes strange sounds that can really throw you off guard considering you can't see your surroundings. I was even more concerned to realize halfway through my dive we were in an area with a lot of large eels. The only thing I am truly scared of it water snakes so that was quite startling to see one slithering past out of the corner of my</div>
eye. Of course my guide failed to mention that before the dive started. There were also random statutes in the water that at first I thought was a floating body which caused me to scream and lose quite a bit of my air supply. But despite all that, it was an amazing dive that really showed a part of the world that we don't usually get to see other than on David Attenborough documentaries.alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-10841734234819130122016-12-05T16:26:00.006-08:002018-01-23T16:46:47.345-08:00#181: Go To Europe <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqWFngoJjrqxXMolkkioj6cYC-GSGnjpcl637D9psqArIi4bAlXHBpx372JmSbimt73hZ99Erx8vf-eB_DB06n0uc3QEcIqHqZLcr_zErm0sXrK7zXQ3gTNZpCgqT2dOpgIY7Slbghj4/s1600/38938_1339252080638_1159177_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqWFngoJjrqxXMolkkioj6cYC-GSGnjpcl637D9psqArIi4bAlXHBpx372JmSbimt73hZ99Erx8vf-eB_DB06n0uc3QEcIqHqZLcr_zErm0sXrK7zXQ3gTNZpCgqT2dOpgIY7Slbghj4/s320/38938_1339252080638_1159177_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A
trip to Europe is usually at the top of most people’s bucket lists, and for
good reason! There is so </span>much to do there that one can never be
bored. The whole continent is filled to the brim with culture. I have been
lucky enough to have gone on two trips to Europe. The first trip was when I was
17 and went backpacking there for the summer. The second trip was when I
studied abroad when I was 19. I chose to study in Austria specifically because
it was centrally located and it is so easy to get all around Europe from there
with all the trains and cheap flights. This made it so I was able to see so
many places that I have always dreamed of.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When
I first went backpacking I went to France, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey and
Greece. My two favorites were Switzerland and Greece. Not only was the food
amazing but the people were so friendly and helpful. In Switzerland my favorite
thing was just seeing all the nature and mountains that surround the small cute
villages. The whole country looks like a postcard. My favorite thing in Greece
was of course the food. There were so many hole in the wall restaurants that
had the freshest and most delicious food. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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My second
trip over, my favorite counties were Austria and Ireland. Austria was similar
to Switzerland in that every village looks like it belongs in a Christmas magazine with all the mountains, Christmas markets and curvy cobblestone paths. It was a
place I could imagine living the rest of my life, it really felt like home.
Ireland was also similar to that in that it really felt like a home to me. The
rolling hills, warm hearty food, and lush nature made it feel like I was back
in Washington.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUD-OHctPJx3JA4NQUWKEY6Q9WjDblA53L4MLZ3L8QSuS83ftceaPU0NKkR5YLtIfpQaRhjRbmWn_s1uP7t3z90JjRoaLaGNt5yft6-zAIAjTboqc9Wfd6aD_KpiU-KgoUnP4vLmXcymw/s1600/P1000943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUD-OHctPJx3JA4NQUWKEY6Q9WjDblA53L4MLZ3L8QSuS83ftceaPU0NKkR5YLtIfpQaRhjRbmWn_s1uP7t3z90JjRoaLaGNt5yft6-zAIAjTboqc9Wfd6aD_KpiU-KgoUnP4vLmXcymw/s320/P1000943.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I would love to go back and spend more time in all of these
places. There is still so much more to see across Europe. During these trips I
made it to 15 countries. Next time I go back, I plan to focus more on Eastern
Europe or Scandinavia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-40221746609440368842016-11-27T17:09:00.000-08:002016-11-27T17:09:19.180-08:00Video of Hanoi, Vietnam<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaIXJLHk9OA&t=9s" target="_blank">Hanoi, Vietnam </a></div>
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Above is my video link to my amazing trip to Hanoi Vietnam. I went to Halong Bay and did many of the famous tourist activities that we feel forced to do. But the best part of my trip was wandering the streets and talking to all the people of Vietnam. I met so many fun, caring and entertaining people who loved to just spend hours talking and practicing their English. </div>
alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-45201111134076473652016-07-19T21:11:00.001-07:002016-07-20T02:58:26.160-07:00#179: Go the Boryeong Mud Festival <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnALNllkJedUa_szeXWA4e1Qg6KCTON198BXoWyIDX0rpzgxBmfs3jMixW2PcfWcYzm9jIVp-eR1zsYr9RTEV5IfIp994lG6MxKHXhLNZhOoaLJpUu7RgCHRu1YDAgQE2Yedt7ZRP-fSk/s1600/13659115_10154362964599136_7265473617407655322_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnALNllkJedUa_szeXWA4e1Qg6KCTON198BXoWyIDX0rpzgxBmfs3jMixW2PcfWcYzm9jIVp-eR1zsYr9RTEV5IfIp994lG6MxKHXhLNZhOoaLJpUu7RgCHRu1YDAgQE2Yedt7ZRP-fSk/s320/13659115_10154362964599136_7265473617407655322_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Boryeong Mud Festival is now a world famous festival in Boryeong, South Korea. They take mud from the mud flats surrounding the ocean side city and bring it into the town and set up a wide variety of attractions. They even use the mud to make cosmetics and other products that they say significantly improves ones skin.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eG0pr4kquiqWdfuLTV_tln_31lQk5JAeuFOzrElxXQ9mGQeydAiI9o8hg7IuvEtf3imayOVsAcxGJk63vKzuZ6Dw6ObwyAYsZuEVjDKA2zu6z6QLpeuhbme4IKlIsjeC0aq-aRYjPxY/s1600/13775575_10154362964489136_2573921863262339107_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eG0pr4kquiqWdfuLTV_tln_31lQk5JAeuFOzrElxXQ9mGQeydAiI9o8hg7IuvEtf3imayOVsAcxGJk63vKzuZ6Dw6ObwyAYsZuEVjDKA2zu6z6QLpeuhbme4IKlIsjeC0aq-aRYjPxY/s320/13775575_10154362964489136_2573921863262339107_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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There are mud pools, slides, wrestling pits and even a mud soccer arena. It is the one time a year that you will actually see Koreans excited to get dirty. Some even believe the longer you go without showering after the more luck you will have. But that superstition has not been very popular recently for obvious reasons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspjp-iEd72Z3EnFEIAdbPW_O0BJME2V2d9wVvFLcNKx8gzbjNrrbMkab26f989gvn02osCVoK_jAMCg5eKCrI5sM0mJ-9vbj37MgIvepMR50NBvGVh_LrM0bdOmOHiM-ib3CyaQ5yApA/s1600/13726611_10154362964654136_5809525127696927529_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspjp-iEd72Z3EnFEIAdbPW_O0BJME2V2d9wVvFLcNKx8gzbjNrrbMkab26f989gvn02osCVoK_jAMCg5eKCrI5sM0mJ-9vbj37MgIvepMR50NBvGVh_LrM0bdOmOHiM-ib3CyaQ5yApA/s320/13726611_10154362964654136_5809525127696927529_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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We went with the 'Enjoy Korea' travel company and left from Daegu Saturday morning and drove 3+ hours to the event. We then spent several hours playing in the mud despite the weather being cold and windy. That evening there was a free concert on the beach, this year was exciting because the main act was Psy which is one of the few Korean artists that all Foreigners know.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXX6K7TB-KJ0DUSUZWGLjj1w7Q49yXVXWxTCQR-Zotn36giORehONBAmsdcxOa8v0-5ipnb2TQaLNgLUwn5-aX-m7lgkec95c4-ooAaT_q3hUiiuTsHQOym12_72sUgWnyj3nQPxUNO4Y/s1600/13754287_10154362964779136_5866921195439548567_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXX6K7TB-KJ0DUSUZWGLjj1w7Q49yXVXWxTCQR-Zotn36giORehONBAmsdcxOa8v0-5ipnb2TQaLNgLUwn5-aX-m7lgkec95c4-ooAaT_q3hUiiuTsHQOym12_72sUgWnyj3nQPxUNO4Y/s320/13754287_10154362964779136_5866921195439548567_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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The next day there were more mud events which were fun to watch from behind the glass of a local cafe. The entire festival was packed with old Koreans with cameras more expensive than all of my belongings put together. This was fun to watch as they all crowd around any group of foreigners that they see and take hundreds of pictures. Because what is a Korean festival without thousands of pictures as proof you were there?<br />
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Overall the festival was a lot of fun and is a great way to meet people from across the country. You even get a chance to get up close and personal with them with all the mud wrestling there is to do!<br />
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<br />alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-49248758873506694732016-06-27T19:37:00.003-07:002016-07-20T02:59:08.609-07:00#60: Go to the Underground River<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKDJtt1nz_spufVcjEwtQwCGGtfvpyZKTVHP1bur-V7PjhlKzHh4w3xlkp0nvNXW0WNtmVsnLcapt_o-dNtmncMUah8JP4TBjKJgl_YuejeIfFaNHJNVwNlahixPcFOpJr5baqE1S5Ns/s1600/1528519_10153870842364136_996919937356546481_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKDJtt1nz_spufVcjEwtQwCGGtfvpyZKTVHP1bur-V7PjhlKzHh4w3xlkp0nvNXW0WNtmVsnLcapt_o-dNtmncMUah8JP4TBjKJgl_YuejeIfFaNHJNVwNlahixPcFOpJr5baqE1S5Ns/s320/1528519_10153870842364136_996919937356546481_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>The Underground River in Puerto Princesa, Philippines is one
of the 7 wonders of Nature. The cave goes so deep that it is impossible to
fully explore because of oxygen deprivation. When you go in it you get to
experience complete darkness where the only light available is from the flashlight
that the tour guides uses to point various aspects of the cave throughout the
tour. You have to wear headphones on the guided tour because any noise will
disrupt the natural environment and species of the cave which include the
millions of bats that are hanging from the ceiling. Before entering the cave
they warn you not to open your mouth in order to avoid any animal droppings
from falling into your mouth. You are also warned about looking up too much because
the liquid that falls off the rock formation can cause blindness and other
effects to one’s eyes and skin. Not really the most encouraging thing to hear
before heading into this pit of darkness. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLSWLtsiR4_AL8TXgPaS5oanixT7vrbMpvaxSV1N0j_n9X4EIJTX0vx1S4JVXCqvBjBMhuIknjDZBggpQNF2BcsDEAowVjgVQdbvsGLeGenFbrD0PMbcCABUpoagB8iL1dc9W3JbOLO4/s1600/10313806_10153870838994136_1036455186485778013_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLSWLtsiR4_AL8TXgPaS5oanixT7vrbMpvaxSV1N0j_n9X4EIJTX0vx1S4JVXCqvBjBMhuIknjDZBggpQNF2BcsDEAowVjgVQdbvsGLeGenFbrD0PMbcCABUpoagB8iL1dc9W3JbOLO4/s320/10313806_10153870838994136_1036455186485778013_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>In order to get to the caves you have to take a shuttle out
of Puerto Princesa on a long curvy road in which people are known for getting
sick on, which unfortunately happened to someone on our bus. After this long
drive you wait on the beach until your boat is ready for departure. Around this
area there are many food stands with fresh fruit smoothies and snacks. After waiting
two hours we took a short boat ride to the other side of the island in which we
then had to wait another hour in the forest. </div>
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While waiting, we went on a walk
and saw monkeys and komodo dragons which was for sure a highlight of the day.
Finally we were put into smaller row boats and went into the cave for the tour.
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There were many rock formations inside the cave which were
said to look like various foods, animals or people. Parts of the cave were low enough
that we felt the need to crouch down while other tunnels opened into giant
rooms which they called cathedrals. It was mind blowing to see how much is
going on in the world just below our feet. New parts of this Underground River
are still being explored and discovered every year which shows how massive this
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijK3-kV5IWBY5rZbTKsEgEanQsUaUwzBhZTh6BlKEdmb8dfyHOa_PoRxeSd-oABNrQPGCFARUmv3ASlslg_tMtmjDvw2rXvQqIpNzuSOxy7Q7jZEU1tJPW47dw5WOlPduTBSvUg6ygw0/s1600/1915838_10153870802354136_3524658276255557609_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijK3-kV5IWBY5rZbTKsEgEanQsUaUwzBhZTh6BlKEdmb8dfyHOa_PoRxeSd-oABNrQPGCFARUmv3ASlslg_tMtmjDvw2rXvQqIpNzuSOxy7Q7jZEU1tJPW47dw5WOlPduTBSvUg6ygw0/s320/1915838_10153870802354136_3524658276255557609_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This was for sure worth all the wait time and bus rides as
it was one of those experiences that leaves you in wonder at the world around
you. Don’t make any other plans though they day that you go because the whole
tour ends up taking much longer than was originally anticipated. </div>
alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-70608532844052726642016-04-10T06:13:00.002-07:002016-04-10T06:13:35.717-07:00Holi Hai 2016<div style="text-align: center;">
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This is the second time that our eccentric little group made the short trip to Busan. Holi has become our favorite festival as it is not only cheap, but also is an amazing experience for people of all ages. While this is an Indian festival, they welcome people from all over the world to join them in a Sunday morning dance party on the beach. With thousands of other people clad in white you spend the morning throwing paint, eating samosas, and dancing without judgement. Check out my link below!</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR6OXoxPFlg&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Holi Hai 2016 Video </a></div>
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<br />alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-85132051758052725332016-03-06T16:32:00.004-08:002016-03-06T16:32:58.248-08:00#76: Get Scuba Certified <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgbQ-1q2nulcP-82bM3Zds4ljn2PbgzukUI_g6FoCJC8y0k7SsPvUzFM_iMoNWpPuUAlEVueKHDw1XGv7eloCaMcz_fb4soOZpnUtZ7hlCS2JvWAMTznnQ11WOqSFx4rL4rkGsrfqA2E/s1600/12471857_10153867004829136_9085774368256233182_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgbQ-1q2nulcP-82bM3Zds4ljn2PbgzukUI_g6FoCJC8y0k7SsPvUzFM_iMoNWpPuUAlEVueKHDw1XGv7eloCaMcz_fb4soOZpnUtZ7hlCS2JvWAMTznnQ11WOqSFx4rL4rkGsrfqA2E/s320/12471857_10153867004829136_9085774368256233182_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was one of my favorite bucket list items to check off. For Christmas break we went to El Nido, Philippines and did our scuba certification with Palawan Divers. We were supposed to do online training before we arrived, but that seemed like way too much effort. Of course that meant we had no idea what we were doing on our first day in the water, which isn't the smartest idea that we ever had. The shop had us review the skills we should have already perfected and then we were off on our first day. Instead of using a pool to practice the skills in, we went straight into the open ocean. This was a little overwhelming at first as there are a lot of things that can go wrong if you aren't paying attention.<br />
After thoroughly embarrassing ourselves, we managed to finally get a grasp on the necessary skills that are needed to not suffocate to death. We saw thousands of fish including puffer fish, octopus and sting rays. We were taken to many different locations through out the islands. It was a two day event and we spent 10 hours on the boat and in the water relaxing and enjoying ourselves. Our lunch was fresh fish caught from the ocean and we ate it while lounging on the boat pretending to get a tan through our wet suits.Thankfully we managed to pass the tests without being laughed out of the country. Next trip to the Philippines I plan on doing a shipwreck dive and swimming with the whale sharks. This was an amazing experience and was the highlight of our trip.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekWEsjOh6TE" target="_blank">Philippines 2015</a></div>
alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-69408974741274911412016-01-04T22:36:00.004-08:002016-01-04T22:36:57.071-08:00#156: Go Zip lining <div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8CCV6GUPD-8J3sT7riQ6zFQEzRdGP3gIjK1r_5rWiRZoK1Rv8Wa5AnjMeyucJ8vT1BDzKFL8GCgaJL54b4gcGcp2NiJNtf9V0zsTVBVdc6CIZsuSuBJQh1Bg2dXAOL54Sl5Ywy0cOiE/s1600/10494788_10152614105619136_1694391767914556242_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8CCV6GUPD-8J3sT7riQ6zFQEzRdGP3gIjK1r_5rWiRZoK1Rv8Wa5AnjMeyucJ8vT1BDzKFL8GCgaJL54b4gcGcp2NiJNtf9V0zsTVBVdc6CIZsuSuBJQh1Bg2dXAOL54Sl5Ywy0cOiE/s320/10494788_10152614105619136_1694391767914556242_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This is something that I have done several times now and it
never fails to be an adventure. Maybe one day I will master actually grabbing
onto the rope at the end instead of just bouncing off and floating back into
the middle of the line…but today is not that day. This is like a baby step to
actual ‘extreme sports’ as it is really hard to hurt yourself while doing this
because there are so many different safety straps and safety measures taken. So
it really isn’t extreme at all, but of course the fact that you are high above
the ground heading full force into a tree can make it quite a thrill. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJ1JVoEeU1872tPtUJzDVMt81uKipqvXOFDQS-SyVJvS7t0hdvqcXMLsdnqS1_RJhapXa7dQvv5DmkTJ_5lNMrBW9nQnUAf61GXmM_3wH6olQqrSL1gXpox8BoRsNImnp6CBf-bBXGgA/s1600/10599356_10152763074429136_8624043663254242496_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJ1JVoEeU1872tPtUJzDVMt81uKipqvXOFDQS-SyVJvS7t0hdvqcXMLsdnqS1_RJhapXa7dQvv5DmkTJ_5lNMrBW9nQnUAf61GXmM_3wH6olQqrSL1gXpox8BoRsNImnp6CBf-bBXGgA/s320/10599356_10152763074429136_8624043663254242496_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Although expensive, this is a great way to spend any extra
money that you may have lying around, because we always seems to have a lot of
that right? For me, I find that the obstacles between the different zip lines
are actually just as exciting and really make you feel like Tarzan. If Tarzan
swung on vines wearing a helmet and 10 lbs of random metal buckles. My favorite
is when they have a tight rope to walk across especially when it is longer and
starts to shake when you reach the middle. Good thing I have the true hipster
experience of walking on slack lines in parks to help me with that one. When
going make sure you are with people who are up for it and are aware that it is
more than 5 inches off the ground. Nothing is worse than having to deal with a
friend having a panic attack in the tree tops. </div>
alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-81286026708370394702015-10-16T00:39:00.002-07:002015-10-16T00:39:36.504-07:00#174: Go Paragliding <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0CH5lVFyNH0vInZwQDgek84EHJUETnHiWoVCJPVIqj_90P_2jgYyTRkXp7x5dQ_PNFCn8wB4rUZRKoNVOzWR6GOepC2aDFwOu80afYQXY-wjNl_oisM5LK68Mp1ImgUQlJU82WdN8p8/s1600/11059890_10153363192614136_5222853827366614086_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0CH5lVFyNH0vInZwQDgek84EHJUETnHiWoVCJPVIqj_90P_2jgYyTRkXp7x5dQ_PNFCn8wB4rUZRKoNVOzWR6GOepC2aDFwOu80afYQXY-wjNl_oisM5LK68Mp1ImgUQlJU82WdN8p8/s320/11059890_10153363192614136_5222853827366614086_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This was an awesome weekend in South Korea. First we went to Seoul and spent the night in the city and then headed out in the morning to go to the Northwestern part of Korea which hardly has any cities. After a few hours we were in the middle of the mountains and started setting up the paragliding. I made the typical mistake of not bringing any sunscreen and being under the direct sun for under ten hours. Which resulted in one of the worst burns of my life that took way too long to recover from. Of course my students were horrified by my red and peeling body which was a bit entertaining. But the actual paragliding was a lot of fun and totally worth the trip. Each of us had several chances to go down the mountain by ourselves. I managed to only fall and make myself look like a fool one time which was a major accomplishment. Who wouldn't want to learn how to fly?<br />
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<br />alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-2246279649706815182015-07-10T01:00:00.001-07:002015-07-10T01:00:35.217-07:00#136: Adopt a Pet <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZa9x94PlbpKSce9XgypHYf2p63hqREAvsBFpaiPUH4ITymp4AdlIjci_9Eapp7OYwCmUHn6YgXviQkMSLJX12goGTzYVcswhu_nsWPLBJI0qf0LQcC4BtOCxzgQ304DJNNoz-7EZ8OW4/s1600/1421593414514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZa9x94PlbpKSce9XgypHYf2p63hqREAvsBFpaiPUH4ITymp4AdlIjci_9Eapp7OYwCmUHn6YgXviQkMSLJX12goGTzYVcswhu_nsWPLBJI0qf0LQcC4BtOCxzgQ304DJNNoz-7EZ8OW4/s200/1421593414514.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY3G8XQhSzIuKSJdep90swZ1r3QIaBS0z5Olo6R2w6AckCUJI0s3yDnR160cLbinp5MHm_9qgPBGgUvKpwahrZfJh6xQh1-oZZtSOxlTYmfwJzfi3wkf7BJl6vzbCKhy0Qjx1251OvmU/s1600/20150108_223357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY3G8XQhSzIuKSJdep90swZ1r3QIaBS0z5Olo6R2w6AckCUJI0s3yDnR160cLbinp5MHm_9qgPBGgUvKpwahrZfJh6xQh1-oZZtSOxlTYmfwJzfi3wkf7BJl6vzbCKhy0Qjx1251OvmU/s200/20150108_223357.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQHksk0eJOlj4qmwgEHEuUMfgc4wotseeq9RsCjXBgZBk9TByOOpm0QSaXZWPKeDiyF8maA9Oc4WH5malJPSnbgTDY6IGiU5cx2LPAjGFbVYbWKYsDXVuL7zMczDDkhAXORqcY8zxnXc/s1600/1419048903414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQHksk0eJOlj4qmwgEHEuUMfgc4wotseeq9RsCjXBgZBk9TByOOpm0QSaXZWPKeDiyF8maA9Oc4WH5malJPSnbgTDY6IGiU5cx2LPAjGFbVYbWKYsDXVuL7zMczDDkhAXORqcY8zxnXc/s200/1419048903414.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDpI2O4wMKBo8Nycz75xIzyKoWpeq_x4yfUzSR7PEu7F9BGNzugqHq_a3kNI9_34xjzTL0djomj29X8lKji4Ul1x-5QyRvVLj5Js_DTJxtDbH_XjKTjAswJ0a_YOR62JLU1yiyV5QEwo/s1600/1417934321042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDpI2O4wMKBo8Nycz75xIzyKoWpeq_x4yfUzSR7PEu7F9BGNzugqHq_a3kNI9_34xjzTL0djomj29X8lKji4Ul1x-5QyRvVLj5Js_DTJxtDbH_XjKTjAswJ0a_YOR62JLU1yiyV5QEwo/s200/1417934321042.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
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After seeing all the dogs in the tiny glass boxes in the
windows of Korean shops I have decided that adopting animals is the only way to
go. No one should support those puppy mills that breed sick and designer dogs
when there are so many homeless dogs out there. I have technically adopted two
different dogs but my first one is a family dog back home in America my second
was in Korea and was one of the best decisions I made while staying here. I
picked him up from the local humane society that was closing down that I had
done several dog walking days for. I chose him because when I saw him in the
yard he had jumped up on a chair and had lifted his leg on all the dogs below
him…and it was that sassiness that made me choose him. He was a fluffy mess covered
in dirt and tangled hair. With his long messy hair and old grumpy personality I obviously had to name him 'Gimli'. But after some intense baths and eventually a
complete shave he became the lovable monster I lived with.<br />
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Many can find living alone in a foreign country to be lonely,
so having a dog to come home to can be really comforting, especially because
that means you are no longer technically talking to yourself in an empty
apartment. While I am still convinced that he secretly hates me he was a lot of
fun to take on walks, cuddle with and take to the local dog café. My friend
also picked up a dog from the same shelter so we enjoyed having them have
little doggie dates while watching movies. Due to me leaving Korea for the
summer I had to pawn him off on another friend to take care of, so we will be
getting him a therapist for his abandonment issues. I have always been a big
dog person so having one really helped to make Korea a home for me. While I
will miss his early morning cuddles and his ugly smashed face, I won’t miss his
loud snoring while sleeping on the same pillow as me and good morning sneezes
on my face. Dogs are always the best part of waking up every morning as there
is no one in the world who is more happy to see you everyday than they are. </div>
alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-71139776698408767972015-06-28T02:40:00.003-07:002015-06-28T02:40:47.594-07:00#154: Meet a Geisha<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyXquh6AFi1rdZVuy5exZE5vPcXwq9wnWfeAlSEHwzEn7PSiJJcW67IAjSvt3RC8rOM-dQ1DBbPFCgl0fo2TCes6z86aVZzXGOfCHXOdjZhyGuC0mg9Fm25z-UgA01YY1yQrZ4pK52Ps/s1600/10614264_10153053223664136_5982162164348519431_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyXquh6AFi1rdZVuy5exZE5vPcXwq9wnWfeAlSEHwzEn7PSiJJcW67IAjSvt3RC8rOM-dQ1DBbPFCgl0fo2TCes6z86aVZzXGOfCHXOdjZhyGuC0mg9Fm25z-UgA01YY1yQrZ4pK52Ps/s320/10614264_10153053223664136_5982162164348519431_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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This past New Year we went to Kyoto Japan where we got to
spend some time exploring the streets that Geisha’s once roamed…and still do.
During our travels we saw many different women dressed in traditional kimonos
along with the toe socks and wooden shoes, due to New Year celebrations. We
also caught sight of some actual Geisha’s while wandering the streets of the
Gion district at night. Not only are these women beautiful, but their rich
tradition and history makes them even more interesting for foreign tourists to
meet. Most of them are very friendly and have no issues of you taking pictures
of them as long as you are respectful and ask nicely. Their outfits are very
interesting to see as they are all unique and have rich vibrant colors. </div>
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If you ever find yourself in Kyoto be sure to spend some
time lazily exploring the streets of Gion as not only will you possibly see a
Geisha, the historical buildings and stores will be a special treat. Also the
food is particularly delicious in Kyoto as it is the perfect blend between
traditional Japanese food and strange Japanese fads. The people in Japan are
also so nice and friendly so it makes it really easy for travelling and asking
any questions. Japan has such a rich culture, so there is plenty to do within
cities such as Kyoto as there are dozens of temples and shrines to explore
while taking breaks from people watching and eating. This was one of my favorite
places that I have visited thus far.</div>
alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-80417147146285399202015-05-24T09:28:00.002-07:002015-05-24T09:28:35.145-07:00#140: Holi Festival <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVVCyuwEBiGwwKApEq8t2PbFbcdAKIdkwsQjDgeEMKsOoKV5mjq_msxFkIgJjPtOGPNxcxj6CZf4O6z1f9BQMScoQ3VyLovbnPM1y2hhJPsWqlXfIC45iILERfc4zBeMl92LKp3AqTdI/s1600/11080931_10153220174414136_7973197710818228309_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVVCyuwEBiGwwKApEq8t2PbFbcdAKIdkwsQjDgeEMKsOoKV5mjq_msxFkIgJjPtOGPNxcxj6CZf4O6z1f9BQMScoQ3VyLovbnPM1y2hhJPsWqlXfIC45iILERfc4zBeMl92LKp3AqTdI/s320/11080931_10153220174414136_7973197710818228309_n.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
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Although I was not actually able to get the authentic experience of being in India during Holi, I was able to attend a festival in Busan, South Korea. It was an amazing day as they started off giving us delicious fresh baked Samosas and soda to enjoy on the beach while waiting for the festivities to start. After registering and receiving hats and paint, the fun began. There were thousands of people from all parts of the world there to enjoy this unique celebration. Soon the music began and the crowd spent the next several hours dancing to energizing music, throwing paint, and meeting beautiful people. It is a completely family friendly event, and is located on the beach so in case one needs to wash off their paint, there is one easy solution to that.<br />
While most of the music was Indian, they did a fantastic job of mixing in some western music that made everyone feel included without taking away from the experience. Many people on the streets seemed to be confused as to why all these foreigners were having a dance party at 11:00 am on a Sunday. But many couldn't help themselves and ended up joining in the fun. Even if one went alone, this is a festival where there is no shortage of friendly faces. It is festivals such as this that make travelling such an amazing experience, everyone who was there just wanted to dance and love life. And who can find anything wrong with that? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8PzozP4q3I" target="_blank">Holi Hai 2015 Video </a><br />
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<br />alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-67082420260171845162015-04-05T21:06:00.002-07:002015-04-05T21:06:26.027-07:00#126: Turkish Bath <div class="MsoNormal">
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Turkish baths are not only known for being luxurious spas
but also easy on the wallet. We left from Rhodes, Greece and took a two hour Hydrofoil to visit Turkey. We had the chance to explore
a Mediterranean Seaside village. My
first time at one of these bath house we had the entire day to spend, which
only ended up costing us eight dollars. After
changing, our first step was to do a foot soak until everything was set up.
After that we went into a dome covered in white and blue tiles which was
beautiful and was exactly what you wanted to see while in Turkey. Each of us was
given a full body scrub and exfoliation. After this we just played around in
the mineral water and took pictures. After drying off we all headed to the massage
rooms where we all got full body massages by a team of Turkish men. <br />
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After this we spent some time in the pools outside under
that hot Middle Eastern sun. After leaving the Spa we spent the rest of the
time at a seaside market buying Turkish Delight and other useless random tourist
trinkets. Of course while shopping we were continuously stared and heckled by
the shop owners who did not have very much experience seeing American girls,
which of course is always flattering. My
only regret is not being able to spend more time exploring this beautiful
country, but I can’t wait to go back and spend some more time there again. This
is a must do for anyone travelling not only in Turkey, but also anywhere that
these are offered. When in Budapest, there were many more Turkish baths that
gave you the same sort of deals. However the one I went to was more of a spa
that offered different temperature pools and saunas instead of massages, so it
is all in what you want!</div>
alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-12959188514156712015-03-13T23:10:00.002-07:002015-03-13T23:10:51.901-07:00#151: Visit the Eiffel Tower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Or7CBWh4hHe8q-P7mb36e4EIAmANYZBwNLb158cYH8J7CCZTYt6Tuq-hu3kEAPABtxRdZ_swSPTbMnz2WFRHihDgYY2SmAaTrgkELbblgB1uqFjgPlmfpqX6WO9YZX571U-h0Pk0p-E/s1600/30478_440493874135_4824849_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Or7CBWh4hHe8q-P7mb36e4EIAmANYZBwNLb158cYH8J7CCZTYt6Tuq-hu3kEAPABtxRdZ_swSPTbMnz2WFRHihDgYY2SmAaTrgkELbblgB1uqFjgPlmfpqX6WO9YZX571U-h0Pk0p-E/s1600/30478_440493874135_4824849_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJo7rZL88ioUlByXCXbYNp1YFP3CdTPB813tpRExDAaJHdEHlmHiGvOoAZA3gpBNbgBcbD2EUHUcyDA1vnuDXjnLvBwfflGx-bVFoOUJutcshpdqAllotGe9NAV6bbAbmBOgixZsV7C8k/s1600/36351_440493884135_6479213_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJo7rZL88ioUlByXCXbYNp1YFP3CdTPB813tpRExDAaJHdEHlmHiGvOoAZA3gpBNbgBcbD2EUHUcyDA1vnuDXjnLvBwfflGx-bVFoOUJutcshpdqAllotGe9NAV6bbAbmBOgixZsV7C8k/s1600/36351_440493884135_6479213_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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This is the one place that everyone and their mother wants to see at least once in their life. And it was one of the few things in Paris that was exactly as pretty as I expected it to be. This was one of the first things that I saw when I went backpacking in Europe for the summer when I was 17. Once it was dark we even got to see a light show on the tower...which may happen every night but I have no idea. There were not as many tourist around as I was expecting, but it was still more crowded than you would want it to be. We spent some time laying on the law next to the tower eating some glorious French food and people watching all those beautiful Parisians who put us fat Americans to shame. It was a sweaty walk up the tower, but the 360 view of the city was completely worth it. Of course this is a place that I would recommend visiting, but making t-shirts, furniture and pencil cases dedicated to this metal structure does seem to be a bit extreme. The best part of this trek was actually being able to sit down and relax in the grass for a bit after walking for miles around the city everyday.alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784245156898303289.post-54913842449544788522015-02-26T02:56:00.003-08:002015-02-26T02:57:31.037-08:00#98: Teach Abroad <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbJ2D_H_xBS3SuJHlWSsBGqZ7fy9btDaDRRBD6-smQP0TwA1s1sLZf76-QxeK44xb-rjErvlzy0Cg2JEEOU4k14p_sJDyozlSGKM4cmW0w9p-R5CyjxyELUYy5DFHxBN-YpU7RB0kIWA/s1600/10917059_10153161562079136_6595675347358541224_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbJ2D_H_xBS3SuJHlWSsBGqZ7fy9btDaDRRBD6-smQP0TwA1s1sLZf76-QxeK44xb-rjErvlzy0Cg2JEEOU4k14p_sJDyozlSGKM4cmW0w9p-R5CyjxyELUYy5DFHxBN-YpU7RB0kIWA/s1600/10917059_10153161562079136_6595675347358541224_o.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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Teaching English Abroad has been a goal of mine since High School. I wanted to not only travel the world, but also make money while doing it. Mostly because that college debt really starts to rack up after a couple of years. Korea was the best choice for me not only because of my connections through my former exchange student and my brother but also because of the wonderful perks that they provide. Most countries do not give you extras such as housing and airfare but Korea takes care of it all! As long as you don't let your heating bill get out of control almost all of the money you make goes straight into your pocket. It is quite a refreshing change since you don't have to worry about things such as a car, rent and other silly bills that always pile up.<br />
Korea is also one of the easiest places that a person can live in. Not only do they go out of their way to make things easier for you, but most people that you meet can speak a decent amount of English so communication is not too much of an issue. I could go without being stared at where ever I go in public, but people being interested in you is much better than being completely ignored. Most Koreans that you meet are eager to try out their English skills on you, which makes it very difficult to practice your Korean because you do not really get much of a chance. Unlike what most Americans think of the world, everything you could possibly need you find in Korea whether that be a coffee shop on every corner or your junk food fix. It is a country where it would be really easy to live in for a couple of years and not have any regrets.alishaandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08747276340369139070noreply@blogger.com0