Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 297

The Chinese Immigrant’s Great-grand Daughter In Nepal

My mum once said that I take after her grandfather, whom she thought of as being very adventurous. He was the one, who more than a hundred and thirty years ago left China and set sail for Singapore to start a new life.They say the middle child marches to his or her own drum beat.Took me a while to realize that I found the freedom to be me when I traveled not as a tourist but as a bagpacker. My favourite place to do this? Pokhara, Nepal.

Learning how to make macramae jewelry, hanging out with other travelers, writing travel articles or completing that half finished novel you started writing are among some of things to do in Pokhara. Walking round Fewa Lake, taking awesome photographs, having meals and snacks at the many various cafes were some of the things that I liked doing. I really enjoyed having the Paneer (cottage cheese) steak and mashed potatoes at Sharma, a little pink restaurant owned by a friendly Nepali family.

There is a paragliding landing in Happy Village, a thirty minute walk from the last cafe in Pokhara.  Some paragliding pilots spend months in Pokhara chalking up their hours of experience. So if that is something you would like to do then go tandem paragliding with an experienced pilot. I watched some beginner pilots paragliding on their solo flights. One landed in the lake, but there was no cause for alarm as it was in the shallow bit and another crashed into a tree. That paraglider also seemed unhurt. I guess its like learning how to ride a bicycle, you have to fall off a few times to be able to get it right.

Interested in visiting the pretty white stupa perched high up on the hill on the other side of the lake? Well I heard that you can walk all the way round and climb up the path there. We took a boat across, then climbed up. There is a lovely little waterfall that I liked playing in, not far from the path that leads up to the stupa, also known as The Peace Pagoda.

Trekking enthusiasts, you are in luck as there is plenty for you to do. Sarangkot, a quaint village above Pokhara offers great views of the mountain peaks. We rode on a motorbike up Sarangkot about four in the afternoon. Took a stroll around, soaked in the lovely sunset, had something to eat and then went to sleep. In the morning,  we woke up when it was still dark and made our way to the view point to admire the sunrise and take our share of photos with the awesome mountain peaks as a backdrop.

My friends enjoyed a four day trek from Pokhara to Poon Hill. They came across mule caravans carrying supplies up the mountains and raved about the sensational views of white snow capped mountain peaks from Poon Hill.That was in April, so they were there at the right time to see the Ghorepani forest blooming with red rhododendron flowers.

I spent many happy hours on Fewa Lake and met quite a few interesting and inspiring fellow travellers in Pokhara. I still keep in touch with several friends that I made in Pokhara eighteen months ago. Such fond memories and genuine friendships, which I will always treasure.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

The post The Chinese Immigrant’s Great-grand Daughter In Nepal appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Zipkick Bloggers: Mar Pages

 

 

 

Zipkick Bloggers: Mar Pages from Once in a Lifetime Journey

Where was the first place that you traveled that made you think WOW—travel is amazing (think history book come to life or …..)

Kenya. I was there for work, at the very beginning of my expat career, about ten years ago. It was simply fascinating to spot giraffes from the plane while descending for landing or to see zebras from the office. Working with a multi-national team and supporting a client who was also multi-cultural, I realized how incredible everything was and how fortunate I was to be living such an enriching life. In the evenings, we would sample the local restaurants, making our way through the game meat available. In the weekends, I stayed for the safaris, in the mornings we would get up very early for a game drive before going to the office. But above all, the most heart-warming experiences were the day to day conversations with people who were living in such a different part of the world to mine. I was living my own dream.

If you had unlimited resources, where would you go and what would you do?

I would travel indefinitely, recording everything as I go, and I would have someone help me edit photos and videos while I write amazing stories and interviews with the locals. I would share the magic of the most fascinating, least visited places with the world

What were you afraid to do and how did you find the courage to overcome it?

Traveling solo. At first, I thought it would be strange and scary to eat alone or to stroll the markets of unknown cities by myself. I soon realized that, by being alone, I was making myself more accessible to the locals who would invite me to their houses for lunch, or to other travelers, who welcomed me to their tables for dinner, curious to hear my stories. I learned that I was braver than I thought and that I could very easily travel alone and have an even more enriching experiences

What apps do you use regularly that make your life easier?

Skyscanner for flight bookings – daily. Google Maps/Earth to explore the world, the 21st century equivalent of a globe. Facebook & Twitter to keep in touch with those who matter and to read interesting stories from the bloggers and travelers I follow. Facebook Pages to engage with my followers. Fiverr for all the small things creative and technical things I need help on (fixing my site, getting a video edited, etc.). iMovie to make quick videos on the go of the places I travel to.

What place do you wish more people had seen?

Pakistan and Sudan. Both countries do not inspire beauty or positive feelings on anyone yet they are incredible places filled with warm people and stunning landscapes. I do not condone a lot of the political and religious values they support, but I wish more people would have the chance to see for themselves and realize that, people are people, everywhere, and that Sudanese and Pakistani people have the same fears, worries and dreams as everyone else.


Best advice you have been given and by whom?

Pack light. I went on a two month sabbatical across the Pacific with 30kg of luggage and found myself, two weeks in, wearing the exact same clothes everyday and having to ship boxes home from every country. When you are on the road, nobody cares how you dress, social standards and norms don’t apply, dress appropriately for the destination and pack versatile clothes. Then simply wash them like you would at home. Lugging your suitcases around is a hassle when you are on the road and may even end up costing you money if you fly small planes. Plus it is liberating to realize how little you need to be happy and how little material possessions count when you don’t have to prove anything to anyone

When were you surprised by the kindness of strangers on a trip?

I actually run a series on this on my blog where other travelers share moments which restored their faith in humanity. I strongly believe that, rather than being frightened by what is out there, one is more likely going to be surprised by random and unrequited acts of kindness from complete strangers and I have countless situations to prove it. From the lady at the American Samoa Tourism office showing up at my hotel door to lend me her car because she knew all the rental cars in the country were booked, to the old couple inviting me over to their table at an Island Feast in the Cook Islands so I wouldn’t eat alone, to a friend of a friend in Pakistan who took care of me for four days without letting me pay for anything. In Samoa, I got back from Savaii Island to the B&B I was staying at in Upolu to find a lei the ladies from the B&B had prepared for me with flowers from their garden because they knew it was my birthday. A smile will almost always be met with a smile. 

What inspired you to travel for extended periods of time or live in a new country?

Curiosity. Through the last decade I have realized that, what motivates me to keep moving, to go places others don’t go to and to see the most remote parts of the world has always been an unwavering need to hear stories that have never been told before. My curiosity drives me to ask any question, to listen with purpose and to observe everything around me. If you are not curious, you will miss half of the story behind a place

I am a Zipkick blogger because….

I always thought that the review and booking sites available were not for me. Sure, they provide a point of view and hint at the things that may go wrong in a place but they are never representative of my taste. For recommendations, I end up having to compile a long list of sources and, in the end, only really trust a couple of my friends who share my taste. I hope that Zipkick will be able to read my mind and become that trusted friend I can go to for great recommendations, once and for all


Thank you Mar Pages for being part of our ZipKick Blogger interview series!
Connect with Mar:

Blog: www.onceinalifetimejourney.com
Twitter: @marpagestwl
facebook: www.facebook.com/travelwanderlive
instagram: https://instagram.com/onceinalifetimejourneys/

Bio: Mar Pages is has been expat and ultra-frequent traveler for the last decade. She likes to go places others don’t go to. That usually means out of the ordinary destinations and one of a kind experiences, from an helicopter trip to Everest Base Camp to a week in Bora Bora or a trip to Djibouti, she is most likely found lost somewhere you may not be able to locate on a map.

The post Zipkick Bloggers: Mar Pages appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Zipkick Bloggers:Mar Pages

 

 

 

Zipkick Bloggers: Mar Pages from Once in a Lifetime Journey

Where was the first place that you traveled that made you think WOW—travel is amazing (think history book come to life or …..)

Kenya. I was there for work, at the very beginning of my expat career, about ten years ago. It was simply fascinating to spot giraffes from the plane while descending for landing or to see zebras from the office. Working with a multi-national team and supporting a client who was also multi-cultural, I realized how incredible everything was and how fortunate I was to be living such an enriching life. In the evenings, we would sample the local restaurants, making our way through the game meat available. In the weekends, I stayed for the safaris, in the mornings we would get up very early for a game drive before going to the office. But above all, the most heart-warming experiences were the day to day conversations with people who were living in such a different part of the world to mine. I was living my own dream.

If you had unlimited resources, where would you go and what would you do?

I would travel indefinitely, recording everything as I go, and I would have someone help me edit photos and videos while I write amazing stories and interviews with the locals. I would share the magic of the most fascinating, least visited places with the world

What were you afraid to do and how did you find the courage to overcome it?

Traveling solo. At first, I thought it would be strange and scary to eat alone or to stroll the markets of unknown cities by myself. I soon realized that, by being alone, I was making myself more accessible to the locals who would invite me to their houses for lunch, or to other travelers, who welcomed me to their tables for dinner, curious to hear my stories. I learned that I was braver than I thought and that I could very easily travel alone and have an even more enriching experiences

What apps do you use regularly that make your life easier?

Skyscanner for flight bookings – daily. Google Maps/Earth to explore the world, the 21st century equivalent of a globe. Facebook & Twitter to keep in touch with those who matter and to read interesting stories from the bloggers and travelers I follow. Facebook Pages to engage with my followers. Fiverr for all the small things creative and technical things I need help on (fixing my site, getting a video edited, etc.). iMovie to make quick videos on the go of the places I travel to.

What place do you wish more people had seen?

Pakistan and Sudan. Both countries do not inspire beauty or positive feelings on anyone yet they are incredible places filled with warm people and stunning landscapes. I do not condone a lot of the political and religious values they support, but I wish more people would have the chance to see for themselves and realize that, people are people, everywhere, and that Sudanese and Pakistani people have the same fears, worries and dreams as everyone else.


Best advice you have been given and by whom?

Pack light. I went on a two month sabbatical across the Pacific with 30kg of luggage and found myself, two weeks in, wearing the exact same clothes everyday and having to ship boxes home from every country. When you are on the road, nobody cares how you dress, social standards and norms don’t apply, dress appropriately for the destination and pack versatile clothes. Then simply wash them like you would at home. Lugging your suitcases around is a hassle when you are on the road and may even end up costing you money if you fly small planes. Plus it is liberating to realize how little you need to be happy and how little material possessions count when you don’t have to prove anything to anyone

When were you surprised by the kindness of strangers on a trip?

I actually run a series on this on my blog where other travelers share moments which restored their faith in humanity. I strongly believe that, rather than being frightened by what is out there, one is more likely going to be surprised by random and unrequited acts of kindness from complete strangers and I have countless situations to prove it. From the lady at the American Samoa Tourism office showing up at my hotel door to lend me her car because she knew all the rental cars in the country were booked, to the old couple inviting me over to their table at an Island Feast in the Cook Islands so I wouldn’t eat alone, to a friend of a friend in Pakistan who took care of me for four days without letting me pay for anything. In Samoa, I got back from Savaii Island to the B&B I was staying at in Upolu to find a lei the ladies from the B&B had prepared for me with flowers from their garden because they knew it was my birthday. A smile will almost always be met with a smile. 

What inspired you to travel for extended periods of time or live in a new country?

Curiosity. Through the last decade I have realized that, what motivates me to keep moving, to go places others don’t go to and to see the most remote parts of the world has always been an unwavering need to hear stories that have never been told before. My curiosity drives me to ask any question, to listen with purpose and to observe everything around me. If you are not curious, you will miss half of the story behind a place

I am a Zipkick blogger because….

I always thought that the review and booking sites available were not for me. Sure, they provide a point of view and hint at the things that may go wrong in a place but they are never representative of my taste. For recommendations, I end up having to compile a long list of sources and, in the end, only really trust a couple of my friends who share my taste. I hope that Zipkick will be able to read my mind and become that trusted friend I can go to for great recommendations, once and for all


Thank you Mar Pages for being part of our ZipKick Blogger interview series!
Connect with Mar:

Blog: www.onceinalifetimejourney.com
Twitter: @marpagestwl
facebook: www.facebook.com/travelwanderlive
instagram: https://instagram.com/onceinalifetimejourneys/

Bio: Mar Pages is has been expat and ultra-frequent traveler for the last decade. She likes to go places others don’t go to. That usually means out of the ordinary destinations and one of a kind experiences, from an helicopter trip to Everest Base Camp to a week in Bora Bora or a trip to Djibouti, she is most likely found lost somewhere you may not be able to locate on a map.

The post Zipkick Bloggers:Mar Pages appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Goats & Milk in Ukraine

Goats & Milk in Ukraine

 

by R.J. Fox

Before we went to get the milk, my finance Katya and her mother, Elena, decided that it was best for me to wait outside as they entered the small, village grocery shop outside of Dnipropetrovsk in eastern Ukraine. We were in search of edible meat and cheese. While I waited, I noticed a goat chained to a fence. I decided that I had to take its picture. As I began snapping, an elderly man with a long, white beard came waddling up, angrily waving his finger at me, shouting something in Russian.

“Nyet, Russkiy,” I said, pleading my case, but the man continued shouting at me. Moments later, Katya came running out of the shop, coming to my defense, while Elena finished up the grocery purchase.

“Is this your foreigner?” the man asked Katya in Russian.

“Da,” Katya admitted nervously. “Did he do something wrong?”

“Get him the hell out of here! That cheap son of a bitch owes me!”

“What did you do?!” Katya asked me.

“No idea! All I did was take a picture of this goat,” I explained, gesturing toward the bearded animal. The man continued to yell.

“What is he saying?” I asked.

“He said if you want to photograph his goat, then you have to pay the price.”

“As in literally pay money … or is he threatening me?” I asked, equally amused and bemused by the whole situation.

“He wants you to pay him money.”

“I’ll butcher you like a cow if you take another picture of my goat, you hear me you son of a bitch?” the man shouted.

Katya apologized, took me by the hand, as though I were a small child in trouble, and escorted me back toward the shop, leaving the old man grumbling to himself.

“Never do that again!” Katya scolded.

“Do what again?” I asked, exasperated.

“You can’t just take pictures of another man’s goat.”

“Why? What’s the big deal?” I said in disbelief.

“Stop asking ‘why’ Bobby! That’s just the way it is,” Katya said, clearly annoyed.

“That doesn’t really answer my question,” I replied, standing my ground.

“You’ll scare people, that’s why!” Katya shouted, as everyone within earshot watched the drama unfold.

Minutes later, Elena to come out of the shop. We walked down the road in silence until we saw a middle-aged woman selling milk on the side of the road, her face worn and haggard.

“Vechernee moloko?” (“Evening milk”?) asked Elena.

“Utrennee” (“Morning”), the vendor replied sullenly.

Elena frowned, then carried on walking. Katya and I followed.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“They don’t have evening milk.”

“What the hell’s evening milk?” I asked.

“Milk that’s milked in the evening,” Katya succinctly explained as we headed towards the dark and dingy apartment building, in search of the elusive “evening milk.” From the outside, one could easily assume that the building was not only abandoned, but inhabitable. Yet here we were, about to enter.

“So where are we going now? The black market?” I asked, as we crept around to the back of the building.

“Shh. Don’t ask questions,” Katya warned.

Of course not. Why would I question us entering what I was pretty sure was Ukraine’s own Amityville?

As we entered, the stairwell was completely dark, making the dimly-lit stairwell of the family apartment in Dnipropetrovsk look like a sunroom.

We made our way up several flights, trusting that each step was evenly spaced since they were impossible to see in the darkness. When we finally reached our destination, Katya reminded me again: “No English.” Clearly, we were on a top-secret reconnaissance mission.

Elena called out. Moments later, another haggard, middle-aged woman appeared through a bead curtain hanging from the doorframe.

“Vechernee moloko?” Elena asked the woman. The woman nodded and took the jugs from Elena before disappearing through the curtain, leaving us waiting in the dark hallway. Everything about this felt like a drug deal.

Moments later, the woman reappeared with the two jugs filled with warm, fresh milk. Elena handed over some money and we very carefully began our descent into darkness—a feat far more frightening than the way up. Each step felt as though we were about to stumble off a cliff into an abyss.

“Did she just milk a cow in there?” I asked, assuming it was now safe to speak.

“Don’t speak!” Katya retorted. I guess we were still in danger after all. It wasn’t until we were back on the village road leading to the dacha that my speaking moratorium (moo-ratorium?) was lifted.

After we returned to the dacha, Elena took out some glasses and began pouring milk, as everyone eagerly awaited a straight-from-the-teat treat.

 

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

The post Goats & Milk in Ukraine appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Back to Basics in the Mexican Jungle

“It’s called the Rainbow Gathering”, repeated the seemingly innocent blonde-haired girl, as we perched on the pavement amidst the hustle-and-bustle of Mexico City’s largest market: El Mercado de la Merced. “It’s hard to explain exactly what it is… I can’t even tell you where it takes place”. I felt that familiar sense of intrigue that comes with envisioning something so completely unfamiliar, a rousing excitement, which urged me to find out more. “You’ll just have to try and find this place yourself”, she said, as a faint smile spread across her face. The idea grew in my mind until it became almost too much to bear; I had to discover this secret location and the mystery that lay within.

Four weeks later, I found myself sitting in a very different spot, gazing in awe at what had been absent from even my wildest visions. A new world, one so far removed from the ‘real world’ had been created in a remote jungle setting, where humans and animals interacted freely with one another and everybody was naked, bar the expressions of peace and contentment they each wore across their faces.

Imagine waking up on a bed of dirt and leaves, sunlight beating down on your semi-nude body, then beginning your day with a ‘bath’ in the cool stream. Imagine serving your morning coffee with a ladle from a large, dented metal pot gently bubbling over a campfire, before drinking it from the closest thing resembling a cup that nature could provide. Imagine singing and chanting in a circle, hands interlocked with unclothed strangers, as a meal of fruit, grains and more of the jungle’s offerings miraculously appears before your eyes. Finally, imagine attempting to smoke from a pipe that runs through the earth, witnessing a talent show take place on a stage composed of mud and topping it off with a colossal fire, around which people were dancing wildly and losing themselves to the hypnotic rhythm of drums – that was my first day at the Rainbow Gathering.

Before arriving here, my imagination wasn’t able to stretch that far. I learned more about humankind, once stripped down to its simplest form, in that day than I ever had done before. Here were people who had found peace and harmony in the most unlikely of places; people who were satisfied living with the absolute bare minimum; people who had managed to create so much from so little. I will never forget the events of my first day, nor the rest of the week I spent here, during which I gradually began to adapt to this way of life myself. Upon my return to the city, I felt incredibly self-aware, the various sights and sounds all around me too much to bear, for my senses were so heightened. I did, of course, readapt to what we know as ‘normality’ after a short while, but I forever think back to that very first morning in the jungle and often yearn to be there once again.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

The post Back to Basics in the Mexican Jungle appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Stratford-upon-Avon – The Perfect Cultural Day Trip from London

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William Shakespeare, author of “Romeo & Juliet” and giver of spine shivers to pretty much all students who have had the pleasure to study his works, was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. Personally, I’ve always been a fan and when the opportunity to visit London has surfaced, I immediately wanted to figure out a way to get to the famous birthplace of one of my favorite playwrights.

You know how you tend to think of a favorite quote in any given situation? Or is it just me? Anyway, as I was putting together the details for my day trip from London to Stratford-upon-Avon, I immediately thought of this:

“Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.” (Merry Wives).

I can plan my friends’ trips to the smallest details but I have yet to find the patience to do that for my own travels. So, while there is a train station really close to the house where Shakespeare was born, I figured it’s easier to just rent a car. In my years of traveling I’ve discovered that cars give you that added flexibility that you cannot have when you have to stick to a timetable.

Getting there

The driving distance between London and Stratford-upon-Avon is under 2 hours. Do yourself a favor and make sure your rental car has sat nav system (GPS) and if you are not used to driving on the “wrong” side of the road, you may want to hire a driver, too. Once you get to the city, the best option is to leave your car in one of the many car parks available and tackle the scenic city on foot.

The Shakespeare family home

The Shakespeare family homes include a lot more than just his birthplace (thanks to not doing that much of a research this came as a surprise to me as well). But the Shakespeare Birthplace is the house which everyone comes to visit (of course).

If you do want to visit all five places, consider getting a combined ticket (Adult: £23.90 and Child: £14.00 – prices correct as of May 2015). If you have limited time on your hands, at least consider seeing his grave aside from the birthplace (Adult: £15.90 and Child: £9.50).

About the Shakespeare Birthplace

It is the house where he lived from the day he was born up to five years into his married to Anne Hathaway. For those who like his works, this place will shed light into the man and his early years (and these things aren’t exactly taught in school when English is your second language).

The house, while keeping the features of the era it dates from, has been restored and altered through the years. Still, it’s a shrine to the famous playwright. By the way, did you know that both Charles Dickens and Mark Twain were pilgrims here?

The Treasures exhibition features unique and priceless objects linked to the great author. Among them you can find the only portrait which is believed to have been painted while he was still alive.

Allow as much time as you want exploring the places. The gardens (if you chose to visit them as well) provide the perfect place to stop and enjoy the scenery and the people around you. And if you are lucky you’ll catch the actors presenting excerpts from his work.

For the children, a visit here can be a great way to get to know Shakespeare’s work and life. For the adults, it’s the perfect opportunity to find interesting trivia and understand more about the playwright who has given us reasons to cry or laugh whether during school classes or in the theaters.

“Like as the waves make towards the pebbl’d shore, so do our minutes, hasten to their end.”

Photo Credit: paul_appleyard via Compfight cc

The post Stratford-upon-Avon – The Perfect Cultural Day Trip from London appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Driving I-5 in the USA

It’s nothing special to look at, the stretch of Interstate 5 that runs between Sacramento and the tiny California town about one and half hours north where my mom lives. Flat fields, often brown, fade away to low foothills, faintly purple in the distance. You pass the occasional almond orchard or cattle ranch, or perhaps a drowned field planted with rice. This is a road I traveled many times as a child, with my mom, when we drove north to visit her parents. Now she lives in the family home, and I come to visit once a year.

By the time I reach the I-5, I’ve been up since 3:30, and taken two flights from my home in Florida. It’s still early, and I’m not tired yet. I’m too excited. While I make this drive, I’m not mother, or wife, or daughter. I’m just me. I crank music from my iPod through the rental car speakers. I think, daydream, sing along with the music—all while keeping my eyes on the road, of course.  I control the music, the speed of the vehicle, the interior temperature, and whether and where I stop along the way. (I always stop at Granzella’s in Williams where I eat a sandwich and some gelato, pick up a loaf of olive sourdough bread, and stretch my legs in their gift shop.)

As a woman, I’ve been socialized to put others first, to be a good girl and do what will please others.  For the most part I love my responsibilities and take them on willingly. But that just makes the hours of freedom I feel while traveling all the sweeter as I become aware of the compromises and accommodations I make every day for those I love. I don’t mind those compromises, but I delight in this taste of personal freedom.

It’s not just driving the I-5 that gives me this feeling of freedom. Any physical act of getting from one place to another, whether I’m driving, flying or taking the train, does the same thing. I feel it when I travel with a companion, but even more so if I’m traveling solo. I feel an agreeable sense of accomplishment: even though I’m not doing much of anything. I’m getting someplace. And there’s nothing else I should be doing in that moment. (Flying is even better than driving, because no one expects me to spell the pilot on a long flight.)

That space between one life and another, who you are at home and who you are when you’re not—that space in between can be a place of peace and freedom, even when you’re coping with cramped seating on an airplane, or a stiff back on a long road trip. You don’t need an exotic destination to feel it. Sometimes just a stretch of empty road will do the trick.

I roll my window down when I get close to Mom’s, even if it’s hot outside. The familiar scent of alfalfa fields washes over me, and I know I’m almost there. When my tires crunch on the gravel of her street, I gladly return to my role of daughter, refreshed by the brief freedom of driving I-5.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

The post Driving I-5 in the USA appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Zipkick Bloggers: Heidi Wagoner

 

 

 

ZipKick Bloggers:  Heidi Wagoner of Wagoners Abroad

Where was the first place that you traveled that made you think WOW—travel is amazing (think history book come to life or …..)

I knew I was hooked on travel, just after graduating from University.  I was selected a a National Traveling Consultant for my sorority and spent a full year traveling the USA and providing mentorship and coaching to many sororities around the nation.

After that I had the desire to explore internationally and did.  I spent 6 months in Mexico and Central America. Visiting many Aztec and Mayan ruins had me hooked for a lifetime. Oh that feeling of walking through a jungle, to find an entire ancient city in front of you, built to perfection.  How could they have done this so long ago?

But what cemented the travel addiction even further, were the people I met along the way.  Once you begin to open your mind to the world and explore, you realize we are all just people.  Prejudices, stereotypes, and they hype just melts away.  Six years later my husband and I lived in London for 3 years and we traveled in Europe as often as possible.  That was over 25 years ago and I am still traveling!  For the past 3 years we have been traveling the world full-time!  Yes, my husband and two kids as well.  Now we all embrace the world and its people, currently based in Spain.

If you had unlimited resources, where would you go and what would you do?

With unlimited resources, I would do exactly what we are doing now, but with perhaps a little nicer accommodations.  We have so many places on our bucket list and we are going to get to them one by one.

What were you afraid to do and how did you find the courage to overcome it?

The first time I left my home country to backpack and explore, I was afraid of losing touch with family and friends.  This was back in the early 1990’s, so the internet wasn’t part of the journey.  It was old fashioned expensive phone calls as well as post cards and letters.  I just kept in touch with everyone via snail mail and it worked just fine.  A few years later, when I lived in London, I started a website (travel blog).  This was 1997 by the way!  That is how I learned to share my experiences with others and keep in touch.  Of course now we have Wagoners Abroad and it is all about keeping our connections with people.

What apps do you use regularly that make your life easier?

I couldn’t live without google maps and we use booking.com often.  I also use skyscanner or google flights alerts to get the best deals and help us decide where we are going to go. Of course we can’t forget all of the social media apps, which are part of my everyday life.

What place do you wish more people have seen?

That is a difficult question, as my true wish is that people will just try to explore out of their existing comfort zone.  My true love has always been Mexico, and experiencing swimming in a Cenote.  We have been to over 50 countries, each with their own charm and different flavor of love.

Best advice you have been given and by whom?

Get Lost!  That is the best advice I have ever received and I live by it everywhere we go.  When I was in my 20’s I lived in Tijuana Mexico and commuted across the border into the USA every day for work. A local in my neighborhood, told me to just explore the area and go ahead and get lost.

Not to worry about where I was going, but just enjoy the journey I was on.  When the time was right, I could then find my way to a familiar place or back home.  That advice right they, leads me down small side roads, little back alleys and even happened upon a small village, on the day of their “running of the bulls” in Spain.  You don’t know what gifts will be presented to you.

When were you surprised by the kindness of strangers on a trip?

Most recently, we were visiting the Roman Ruins in Merida Spain.  They closed for siesta at 2pm and we arrived at 1:45pm.  We didn’t have any cash on us and we found out they didn’t accept credit cards.  There wasn’t enough time to find an ATM and we were five hours away from our home.

We were just about to walk away, when a local man from Madrid stopped us, he said he wanted to purchase our tickets for us and he didn’t want us to pay him back.  We just couldn’t accept his generosity, as it was over 20 Euros.  He insisted, as he felt this was a site we should see.   We finally accepted, with the caveat we would pay him back.  He was right, it was amazing!  We mailed him the money and thanked him for his kindness.

What inspired you to travel for extended periods of time or live in a new country?

I have left my home country 3 times for long-term travel.  I did this once in my twenties, again in my thirties and now for the past 3 years full-time, in my 40’s.  Each time the desire has been the same.  I crave change and new experiences.  I desire to meet new people and understand local customs.  There is no better way to fulfill these cravings than to travel.  This time, it is open ended and we are a family of 4.  There is nothing that will stop us from figuring out how to live our dreams!

I am a zipkick blogger because…

I believe in travel and my fellow travelers.  I think it is addicting and the world is a better place when people have open minds and are willing to accept others who may be different.  I support the travel tools which make it easier on others to travel.

 

Thank you Heidi Wagoner for being part of our ZipKick Blogger interview series!

Connect with Heidi Wagoner

Website:  Wagoners Abroad



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The post Zipkick Bloggers: Heidi Wagoner appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Six Best Food Hacks at the Minnesota State Fair #MNStateFair

By Jason, Harriet & Gene Will and Lisa Niver

The Minnesota State Fair is the second largest State Fair in the United States! The Will family who were once fair booth owners themselves, shared their top food hacks with me. These six best food hacks are the iconic staples of the Fair. It is easy to get overwhelmed with hundreds of thousands of people in attendance every day and hundreds of booths with new ones appearing every year. Make sure to taste the best of the best, the must haves whether you have been at the fair year after year or you are a first timer.

Photo by Jason Will
Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar :

In 1979, Martha Olson started her Sweet Martha chocolate chip cookie booth hoping to make $1000. She made $10,000 and now has two booths and 450 employees at the Fair. She is a former school teacher who now runs a cookie empire with 12 huge ovens that crank out 2,000 cookies a minute. Cookies are served by the cone full or the bucket full with over four dozen cookies.

Two locations: South side of Carnes Ave. between Nelson & Underwood streets and North side of West Dan Patch Ave. between Liggett St. & Chambers St.

The Corn Roast: 

Stop here for fresh corn roasted in the husk. This is the perfect summer vegetable and possibly the healthiest thing we ate all day!

Location: Southeast corner of Dan Patch Ave. & Nelson St.

Photo by Jason Will
Wild Rice Specialties: Wild Rice Gourmet Cheeseburger:

Adding wild rice to a burger makes for an incredible texture and taste. One person in our group had been coming to the Fair for twenty years but today was his first time eating this fair specialty. We all give this a thumbs up! Definitely have the sautéed onions!

Location:  In the Food Building, northeast section

Photo by Jason Will
The Original Deep Fried Cheese Curds

Come to Minnesota, you have to eat deep fried cheese curds! Over 120,000 pounds of the cheese fritters are sold and people love them!

Location: In the Food Building, center section

Dairy Goodness Bar: Malt

In the Dairy building, do not worry if the line looks long, it moves rapidly and is worth any wait for the best malts on the planet. Test out chocolate or the new for 2015 Salted Caramel Puff malts. Scott Eddy and I proclaimed it fantastic!

Location: In the Dairy Building

Jason & Gene, Fresh French Fries
Fresh French Fries

Make one thing and make it very very well. These fries are AMAZING! Since 1973 but only at the Fair, find these fries voted “Best French Fries in America” by Gourmet Magazine.

Seven semi-trailers of potatoes (about 400,000 pounds) need 3000 gallons of oil to create twelve days of tasty treats. They use approximately 25,000 pounds of ketchup.

Location: North side of Judson Ave. between Nelson & Underwood streets

VIDEO: Best Day at Minnesota State Fair 2015: Eat these six best food hacks! 

During the twelve days, more than two million people are anticipated to enjoy food, drinks and entertainment from all around the state. This fair is so large they have to have their own police presence for this twelve day annual event. There are all types of food fried and on a stick as well as concerts, live music, arts, and shopping.

The first Fair was held in 1855 in Minneapolis. Statehood was granted in 1858, and the MINNESOTA STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY held its first State Fair in 1859, also in Minneapolis.  The current location began in 1885 with 210 acres and is now on 320 acres which includes the Fine Arts Center, Progress Center, Grandstand, Warner Coliseum and Agriculture Horticulture Building

 

Remember the Minnesota State Fair is twelve days long and closes this year on Labor Day, September 7, 2105. Wear comfortable shoes, stay hydrated and enjoy!
Fair Recycling Facts:

• Grease from the fair is recycled and turned into biodiesel fuel.

• The fair’s recycled meat scraps go through a rendering process that separates the protein and fat. The protein is then used as an ingredient in animal feed. Fat later goes into cosmetics and soap.

• 60 tons of food waste were collected during the 2014 fair and recycled.

• More than 400 bottle-recycling receptacles were placed around the fairgrounds in 2014.

• 34 tons of glass, plastic and aluminum were collected and recycled during last year’s fair.

Fair Trivia:

At the 1859 Minnesota State Fair, what was the prize money awarded for “best horse”? ($4)
Which biggest boar was the biggest of them all? (In 2010, crossbred swine Reggie weighed in at 1,450 lbs.
How many tons of potatoes do the three largest French fry vendors [Fresh French Fries’ two locations and World’s Greatest French Fries] use each year? (about 145 tons of potatoes or the weight of 290 cows)
The first 12-day State Fair was held in what year? (1975. Prior to this, the fair lasted anywhere between three and 11 days.)
How many acres of corn are sold at the Corn Roast booth each year? (25 acres)
How many food concessions are located throughout the fairgrounds? (About 300 food concessions dish up nearly 500 different delectable delights.)

Where to Stay?

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Minneapolis welcomed me with warm chocolate chip cookies and an all suite full service property. Located in downtown near the Convention Center, it was a perfect location to explore the twin cities. My spacious room had a separate sleeping and living area with comfortable seating, an ergonomic work desk and two flat-screen HDTVs. The hotel is located one block from Nicollet Mall, St. Thomas University campus and the Minneapolis skyway.

During my first visit to Minnesota, I enjoyed summer fun in the twin cities from kayaking near Boom Island with Above the Falls Sports, to Teppanyaki on Grand Avenue at Saji Ya and a day at the Minneapolis State Fair. Thank you to the Will family for welcoming me and sharing their knowledge about the Fair and Minnesota!

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Greek Isles Dish Up Independence

Greek Isles Dish Up Independence

In 1975, a 22-yr-old serious and exceedingly responsible American woman left her medium-sized U.S. hometown for a trip to Europe. Three months later she came back with a fresh world view, a newly acquired sense of liberation and memories to last a lifetime.

As the oldest of four siblings my childhood and teenage years were rife with responsibilities and ‘chores.’ I grew up in the shadow of a mother who made an art of being opinionated. Making rookie mistakes usually had consequences under her watchful, judgmental eyes.

The first month traveling found me gazing in wonder at the static glacier on the Alpine Jungfrau overlooking Grindelwald, Switzerland, and savoring every bit of chocolate hazelnut gelato on the steps of a museum in Firenze and becoming solemn and teary-eyed while visiting the shell of the Dachau concentration camp in Germany. Each new locale and unfamiliar experience opened my eyes to the wide world heretofore outside my realm. It forever changed how I viewed the rest of the world and it quickly became clear to me that the U.S. was but one country among many. And how much other countries had to offer in the way of culture, food, lifestyle and people. On that trip a wanderlust was born in me; one I have given into many times and that I carry with me to this day.

In late October Marcia my traveling companion and I arrived on the Greek Isle of Corfu. Corfu, the town had its share of tiny streets and charming outdoor eateries. Salivating at the nutty aroma of baklava we each indulged in a slice before hopping a bus to the hostel with no plan and no worries.

That evening we strolled to Giorgio’s tiny restaurant where the only things on the menu were fish, chips, moussaka…and as we quickly learned, men. Shortly after we sat down three of them approached our table asking if they could join us. Looking up at a blonde, blue-eyed, 6’2” Aussie I nodded my head in assent. I couldn’t believe my luck when he sat down next to me; it was Marcia who usually drew men in. But, he had eyes for only me as chatted easily over steaming plates of moussaka. If I’d been my usual overly-cautious self I’d have thought twice about somersaulting toward a huge crush on the fun-loving stranger across the table. But, I let go of my inner strict counselor and let my intense feelings wash over me.

Marcia and I spent several days lolling at the white sandy beach and having dinners at the crowded, noisy Giorgio’s with the three Aussies. The days were followed by nightly hostel parties where my holiday beau and I blissfully slow danced.

Our now tightly-knit band of happy-go-lucky, nomadic travelers grew to seven when an American and a New Zealander joined us on a boat to Crete, the southernmost of the Greek Isles. After landing in Heraklion we took a bumpy bus ride to the seaside town of Matala.

For the next 10 days I lived in the moment more fully than I had before or have since. Inaccessible to my former life and unfettered by responsibilities I savored each day, seizing each brand new experience and holding on for dear life. Whether enjoying the simple act of eating tomatoes and cheese on freshly baked bread or running into the turquoise-green Libyan Sea and calling it a bath, I had never felt so lighthearted.

The accommodations in Matala were sparse and Spartan. So, like the ‘flower children’ of a decade earlier we slept in the caves overlooking the beach. These man-made caves were carved out of rock thousands of years earlier and used as tombs. Moonlight was our only light along with the voices of the others as we scaled the cliffs on the way back after a night of singing songs around a campfire. Some of the caves still contained carved beds and windows, which added to the circulating story that the caves had been used as leper colonies in later centuries. The grottos were not the most comfortable sleeping surfaces but after long days in the fresh air, sleep came easily.

I’ve thought about those 10 days on Crete many times in the intervening years. Up to the day I left for Europe I’d been anything but carefree; and although I didn’t realize it at the time, this was my first real taste of freedom. And that I would often look back at that time with fondness, nostalgia and deep feelings of appreciation for the diversity and complexity and wonder in the planet that we all call home.

About the Author:Libran Librarian-at-large. Word wrangler. Loves: theatre, travel, Australia, kewpies, kindness, kismet. Children’s crusader. Been mistaken for a pixie.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

 

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