I hope you enjoy this infographic that I put together to help
you get through any airplane ride no matter how long or short.
Editor: Katelyn, Co-editor: Kelsey
Sunday, January 24, 2016
How to Survive a 10+ Hour Airplane Flight
I hope you enjoy this infographic that I put together to help
you get through any airplane ride no matter how long or short.
Monday, January 11, 2016
City Appreciation Blog
Cities...
SO I was trying to find a good quote about the city for my Instagram picture's caption... couldn't be that hard, right? Just search "city quotes" and there will be thousands of choices at your fingertips.
Except, 55% of them were negative.
ex:
Then again, most of them could have been from "ancient" historians who didn't believe in industrialism and lived in an era where most city businesses and governments were corrupt. And sure, cities can be menacing, frightening, lonely, cold, dark... but they are also so beautiful.
Each one has a new taste, a new flavor, if you will. Different cultures, languages, foods, smells, people... Cities are really just like you and me. Always renovating, shedding layers, building additions. Each one leaves a special mark, special memories on you.
Until you've visited them all, I really don't think it's valid to say that all cities in general are bad. Cities are fresh starts but not for the weak of heart. They'll build up, they'll tear down. But in the end, they become bigger and better because of it.
Cities are beautiful in a strong, resilient way. The architecture, the history has all survived. Even if in ruins, cities make me stop and wonder about all the other lives coming to and fro and going and coming and leaving and staying and lost and remembered and forgotten. An intricate pattern of lives twined together within the structures of a city, and I could be part of it for a few days. How cool is that?
Anyway, rant over. Just, next time you run into the city? Give it another chance, a second glance. Who knows what stories and memories could be down the next alley.
Just a few of the beautiful cities we've been to.
Kelsey, co-editor: Kate
SO I was trying to find a good quote about the city for my Instagram picture's caption... couldn't be that hard, right? Just search "city quotes" and there will be thousands of choices at your fingertips.
Except, 55% of them were negative.
ex:
Then again, most of them could have been from "ancient" historians who didn't believe in industrialism and lived in an era where most city businesses and governments were corrupt. And sure, cities can be menacing, frightening, lonely, cold, dark... but they are also so beautiful.
Each one has a new taste, a new flavor, if you will. Different cultures, languages, foods, smells, people... Cities are really just like you and me. Always renovating, shedding layers, building additions. Each one leaves a special mark, special memories on you.
Until you've visited them all, I really don't think it's valid to say that all cities in general are bad. Cities are fresh starts but not for the weak of heart. They'll build up, they'll tear down. But in the end, they become bigger and better because of it.
Cities are beautiful in a strong, resilient way. The architecture, the history has all survived. Even if in ruins, cities make me stop and wonder about all the other lives coming to and fro and going and coming and leaving and staying and lost and remembered and forgotten. An intricate pattern of lives twined together within the structures of a city, and I could be part of it for a few days. How cool is that?
Anyway, rant over. Just, next time you run into the city? Give it another chance, a second glance. Who knows what stories and memories could be down the next alley.
Just a few of the beautiful cities we've been to.
Kelsey, co-editor: Kate
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Travel Preparation: Dos and Don'ts
Like everything, there are important dos and don’ts when it
comes to packing. Although we can’t avoid the dreaded topic, we can make it
easier for you with these 11 dos and don’ts.
DO:
Make a
packing list.
Making a packing list is great because you can check off what
you have packed as you go so you don’t get to Australia and realize that you
only packed one pair of socks, not very helpful when you have to walk a
lot. I like to make two packing lists to
make it more organized, one for things going in luggage and one for the last
minute list of things that I like to pack the morning before leaving. There are
many templates online that you can just print off. There are even some that are
specialized for the beach or international travel.
DON’T:
Wait until
the last minute.
This one is pretty much a no brainer but it is the trap that
most of us fall into. Not only is it extremely stressful but you are more
likely to forget to pack something important. There are some things that you
should leave until the morning of such as: your phone, wallet/purse, glasses,
snacks/ drinks, makeup, etc.
DO:
Check
airline requirements online for carry-ons and luggage.
The last thing that you want to do is not be able to take
your clothes with you on your two month trip to Italy because your bag is too
large. You should also check the weight requirements for your checked bags or
else you will have to take clothes out to bring down how much it weighs.
DON’T:
Pack a lot
of jewelry.
Three words: Bring bare minimum. Ladies, I know we are all
attached to our favorite earrings or necklace but don’t pack them. Your super
special expensive ones will get lost in the midst of the packing, travel, and
unpacking. Also, it will take up a lot more space if you include a jewelry bag.
Trust me; you will not need as much as you think.
DO:
Make sure
you meet the requirements for liquids in your carry-on.
My cousin once had to throw away a full 8 ounce perfume
bottle because it didn’t meet the 3.4 ounces (100ml) requirement. All liquids
must be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less and in a clear plastic bag
when going through security. Before leaving the house for the airport, place
your clear plastic bag of liquids in the top zipper/pocket in your carry-on.
This way it is really easy to go through security and you don’t have to go
digging through your bag in front of everybody.
DON’T:
Over pack.
This is very easy to do but space fills up fast in a little
bag of luggage. If you pack neutral colors that look well together, you can mix
and match to create new outfits with the same clothes. It’s a good idea to
bring simple clothes that can be dressed up or interchanged easily.
DO:
Check the weather
You should check the weather a few days before your trip. You
should know whether you need to bring a heavy coat and snow pants, shorts and a
T-shirt, or a rain jacket with rain boots. You can’t control the weather but
you can control what you pack. If you have a few days surrounding your vacation,
try and plan your trip on the days with the best weather. The weather might
change and it’s not the most accurate but you can try your best to pack what
you might need.
DON’T:
Wait to leave for the airport last minute
You should anticipate traffic on your way there so build in some
time just in case you end up crawling at 8 mph. You also might run into some
trouble finding where you are supposed to go and get lost so you will be safe
if you add some. A flight change could happen too. We usually leave about 2
hours before our flight, but international, sometimes three.
DO:
Bring a charger adapter if you’re going to a different country
Believe it or not, in different countries they use different
outlets and volts/ wattage so you should bring a power converter if you want to
be able to charge your phone. You can buy these at Walmart. If you try to plug
in your normal charger, you could fry your electronic device.
DON’T:
Don’t bring
clothes that wrinkle easy.
You don’t want to look bad in all of your pictures so you
shouldn’t bring clothes that will wrinkle in 5 seconds. If you absolutely have
to, pack them very carefully. It helps if you roll them or avoid folding them a
lot.
DO:
Charge all
electronics often.
My sister, Kelsey, forgot to charge her nice camera all the
way when we were going to Mount Etna so before we even arrived, her camera
died. Luckily we still had my camera as a backup but you might not have an
extra camera so make sure it is fully charged!
DON'T FORGET:
Tie a ribbon or something eye-catching to your suitcase that you're checking so it is easy to find in baggage claim.
The little K tag on the right side has contact information in case it gets lost
BTW we take the neck pillow off later, we are just carrying it that way
In all: plan, and prepare accordingly. Hope you enjoyed our
list and if you have any that you think we should add, write them in the
comments below!
-Katelyn, co-editor: Kelsey
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Destination One
Destination One: Messina, Sicily
May 24th, 2014
Warnings if you are on your first trip to Italy:
#1- Most Italians are, to put it simply, CRAZY drivers. (ex: run red lights, pass on turns, double park, etc., etc...) If you rent a car as we did, it would be advised to pick your most aggressive, experienced driver to (wo)man the car. And if you want to rent cheap to cut expenses, you will most likely be offered a car that has a stick shift. And manual roll-down windows. And is fun-sized. Crazy stuff. Beware.
#2- Italian backroads are more like sidewalks. By sidewalks, I mean two-way, bumpy streets that should really be one-way streets.
A small example of just how crazy it can get:
My father, our most experienced, aggressive driver, was manning the car. We were heading to the Teatro Greco, an ancient Greek amphitheater where many movies have been filmed and plays been performed. Fortunately and unfortunately, the road it is located on is pedestrian only. Which means when your father navigates the car through double-parkers and traffic to the front of a dead end pedestrian road, you are forced down a side alley. Turns out, not the road we wanted= dad being forced to make not a 3 or 5 point turn, but more like an 18 point turn in a narrow alley, with a stick shift, on a hill, with an annoyed Italian behind us. I think "crazy Americano" had to have muttered more than once along with weird looks. So, in short, be prepared.
#3- Speed limits are posted in kilometers. Not a surprise if you're from anywhere but the US. But, being an American, I was shocked and slightly worried to see the "130 km/hr" sign flash by the first time. (130 km/hr = roughly 81 mi/hr... so, still pretty fast)
And if those warnings have left you too timid to brave the streets yourself, no worries: there are many taxis available.
Once you have acquired your mode of transportation, you can commence with the adventure!
Recommended stops: (aka where we went)
#1- Mount Etna (a volcano, last eruption: Dec. 3, 2015)
A brief description from my journal: GORGEOUS! There were mountains upon mountains of glittering volcanic rock and vivid, green pine trees. We hiked up pretty high and the view of the rolling green carpet that contrasted against the jagged volcanic rock was incredible. There was wave after wave of rolling fog, making it seem like a new undiscovered sight was looming around every corner.
(If you are super in-shape, ignore this warning. If you are not, like me: you will probably get winded very fast)
10/10 would recommend. And soon, before it erupts again. (Ha-ha just kidding. Sort of)
#2- Teatro Greco (ancient Greek amphitheater)
Another brief description: The amphitheater was large and previously had mosaic tiling as a floor, but was recently renovated with wood. White plastic benches were put on top of eroded stone steps in certain areas. There were two stone arches at the front edge and a crumbling hole that cloudy Mount Etna could be clearly glimpsed through. The view from the top of the amphitheater was incredible looking down at the proud stones and shimmering port backdrop and Mount Etna peeking through, all surrounded by stone terraced benches.
Tip: There is an amazing cannoli place down the street from the theater. Best my mom said she's ever tasted. If you visit Italy, you gotta eat at least one cannoli.
Sicily overall:
Amazing. Enchanting. A crazy-driving adventure. Old. Vintage, Colorful. Cramped apartments. Overflowing flowerboxes. Spanish-tiled roofs. Tiny cars. Vespas. Fast. Gorgeous, rolling landscape. Antiquely welded, metal window designs. Very picturesque. Tiled and bumpy streets. Orange and lemon and palm trees... We are in love with Sicily.
May 24th, 2014
 |
| view from the car rental |
Warnings if you are on your first trip to Italy:
#1- Most Italians are, to put it simply, CRAZY drivers. (ex: run red lights, pass on turns, double park, etc., etc...) If you rent a car as we did, it would be advised to pick your most aggressive, experienced driver to (wo)man the car. And if you want to rent cheap to cut expenses, you will most likely be offered a car that has a stick shift. And manual roll-down windows. And is fun-sized. Crazy stuff. Beware.
#2- Italian backroads are more like sidewalks. By sidewalks, I mean two-way, bumpy streets that should really be one-way streets.
A small example of just how crazy it can get:
My father, our most experienced, aggressive driver, was manning the car. We were heading to the Teatro Greco, an ancient Greek amphitheater where many movies have been filmed and plays been performed. Fortunately and unfortunately, the road it is located on is pedestrian only. Which means when your father navigates the car through double-parkers and traffic to the front of a dead end pedestrian road, you are forced down a side alley. Turns out, not the road we wanted= dad being forced to make not a 3 or 5 point turn, but more like an 18 point turn in a narrow alley, with a stick shift, on a hill, with an annoyed Italian behind us. I think "crazy Americano" had to have muttered more than once along with weird looks. So, in short, be prepared.
#3- Speed limits are posted in kilometers. Not a surprise if you're from anywhere but the US. But, being an American, I was shocked and slightly worried to see the "130 km/hr" sign flash by the first time. (130 km/hr = roughly 81 mi/hr... so, still pretty fast)
And if those warnings have left you too timid to brave the streets yourself, no worries: there are many taxis available.
Once you have acquired your mode of transportation, you can commence with the adventure!
Recommended stops: (aka where we went)
#1- Mount Etna (a volcano, last eruption: Dec. 3, 2015)
A brief description from my journal: GORGEOUS! There were mountains upon mountains of glittering volcanic rock and vivid, green pine trees. We hiked up pretty high and the view of the rolling green carpet that contrasted against the jagged volcanic rock was incredible. There was wave after wave of rolling fog, making it seem like a new undiscovered sight was looming around every corner.
10/10 would recommend. And soon, before it erupts again. (Ha-ha just kidding. Sort of)
#2- Teatro Greco (ancient Greek amphitheater)
Another brief description: The amphitheater was large and previously had mosaic tiling as a floor, but was recently renovated with wood. White plastic benches were put on top of eroded stone steps in certain areas. There were two stone arches at the front edge and a crumbling hole that cloudy Mount Etna could be clearly glimpsed through. The view from the top of the amphitheater was incredible looking down at the proud stones and shimmering port backdrop and Mount Etna peeking through, all surrounded by stone terraced benches.
Tip: There is an amazing cannoli place down the street from the theater. Best my mom said she's ever tasted. If you visit Italy, you gotta eat at least one cannoli.
Sicily overall:
Amazing. Enchanting. A crazy-driving adventure. Old. Vintage, Colorful. Cramped apartments. Overflowing flowerboxes. Spanish-tiled roofs. Tiny cars. Vespas. Fast. Gorgeous, rolling landscape. Antiquely welded, metal window designs. Very picturesque. Tiled and bumpy streets. Orange and lemon and palm trees... We are in love with Sicily.
-Kelsey, co-editor: Kate
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