2015: A Great Traveling Year

A very happy Ashley in Prague, March 2015

I didn't really realize how great of a travel year I had in 2015 until I started to pen this post. I conquered 9 new cities and one new country that I had never visited before! I'd say that's a major win; and this is what I love about blogging: in documenting, I realize how stupendous my year actually was.

Let's break down where my travel disease led me by month: 

JANUARY 

My first trip of the year brought me to artsy, weird, beautiful Portland, Oregon. I'd categorize Portland as a sleepy, yet odd city/town with a great music and food scene. 

 Also, the trees in Oregon are just loooooovely. 

FEBRUARY - APRIL

Once February rolled around, I worked quite diligently on my evil master plan: I scoured the interwebs for a way to have an extended stay in my beloved London. My job allowed for me to work from home, so first thing I did was ask the boss if she didn't mind of I, ya know, worked from halfway around the world. She said "As long as you get your work done, that's fine with me!"

Moral: If you don't ask, you shall never receive!

Next thing was accommodation. How was I going to afford a 4-6 week stay in the most expensive city in the world?? Enter trustedhousesitters.com, which provides free housing in return for petsitting.  I watched Oscar the dog for over 3 weeks. This coupled with a few nights here and there at my friends' places (and a mini Euro trip) allowed me to have a FULL 6 WEEK STAY in LONDON TOWN. 

Oscar the dog.

For my mini Euro trip, I went to Florence and Prague.

 The magnificent Il Duomo. 

 It's impossible not to fall in love with Prague. 

When I returned to England, I took one more mini trip to Birmingham and Stratford-Upon-Avon.

I then returned to London for a couple more days before I bid adieu.

MAY 

I finally took it easy on travel (my pocket book was happy about this).

JUNE
Back at it again, this time in Boston.

Going to a Red Sox game is an absolute must! 

(THEN CAME) JULY

This was a big month for me--the month I got a promotion at my job and opportunity to move to the East Coast. I chose New York City as my new home, and this month I was off to Waterloo, Canada for training (my company has a branch in Canada). 

AUGUST

I spent two whirlwind weeks saying goodbye to loved ones in San Diego, and then, August 15, 2015 is when I moved to NYC in the sweltering, crazy summer heat. 

SEPTEMBER

No travel this month, as I started to ease into my new city and build a community around me (whilst also appreciating every rooftop/skyscraper view).

OCTOBER

Took a very quick work trip to DC, went out at night and snapped a blurry photo of the white house while some guy yelled at us to "not get too close!" Okay, guy. 

NOVEMBER 

Stayed in New York, had a fun Friendsgiving.

DECEMBER

Went to Miami, which was warm and relaxing, but not terribly interesting in the winter so I never posted on it.

And finally, I took a trip back to San Diego for Christmas. I stayed for a New Year's Eve Wedding, which was magical and beautiful (and a reunion for old college roommates/sorority sisters).

What a year! Internally, 2015 was a year I was going through some struggle, knowing I had to branch out of San Diego, but was still figuring out the how/when/where. I think this was evident in my random travel to a few US cities ("should I live here?"), as well as returning to London for a long stay because I missed it so.

The move to New York was decided in a matter of days, and east just felt like the right direction. It is a city where I believe I get my "travel" in everyday--there's no shortage of things to do and interesting people to see.

I still battle my grass-is-greener syndrome, I still miss London, and I wonder if I will ever live in Europe again; however, this is home, now. In creating a post like this, I realize I don't have to envy another place, another life. My own life is pretty sweet, and I'm curious to see where 2016 will bring me, or rather, where I choose to go, because life is all about choosing and creating. 2015 is a testament to that. 

Traveling Solo (and Meeting New Friends in Unconventional Ways)

Prague marked the second time I have traveled truly solo. The first was in Italy (Sorrento, Positano, and Capri).

I love traveling solo. In fact, I'm glad Kristen touched on this recently. There is something exhilarating about traveling by yourself and HAVING to push outside of your comfort zone to meet new people and create interesting experiences.

The picture above shows you two of those people I met while in Prague. One of the best ways to meet other travelers is to join a free walking tour. Usually these tours just expect a tip at the end, but it's not required. Funny enough, the tour group I was on was a tad stoic, save a couple of guys I noticed that were joking and having a good time. I chatted intermittently with them, and by the end of the tour I asked, "Hey, do you guys want to grab some lunch with me?"

They said yes, and not only did we get some lunch, we went beer tasting. I learned that they lived in South Africa, but were both originally from Zambia and Zimbabwe. I also listened as they explained that they were annoyed the black culture in the U.S. identifies themselves as "African American." Interesting perspective from two guys in Africa! I explained that everyone in the States comes from another country, and we identify with that heritage. We talked about the avid stereotypes Americans hear/say/believe about Africa, i.e., "Eat your food, Bob, some child in Africa is starving right now!" We all laughed at that overused saying. Especially because both of these blokes were doing just as well as me financially (if not better). Talk about busting stereotypes! As we were walking around Prague, I joked that they were my bodyguards. A lot of laughter was had.

And this. This is why I love solo travel! To have these conversations with people I would never normally meet. To become enlightened in another way of thinking. These are the travel moments I live for. 

Good Eats in Prague: U Hrocha

You may not be a big sausage fan, but in Prague YOU WILL BE! With a side of horseradish, onions, and mustard. 

I was lucky enough to get a solid recommendation for a Prague pub from a friend who once lived in the Czech Republic. U Hrocha is a place you CANNOT MISS. I say this because I believe this place to be the true Prague experience.

There were not a lot of tourists here (I looked rather conspicuous pulling out my camera and snapping away). But it's exactly the kind of homey, small, hole-in-the-wall that every tourist wants to find.

Pass the paprika, please!

The group of men on the left were getting incredibly drunk. Of course they noticed me taking photos and asked me to come over for a shot. Never one to refuse free alcohol, I sat with these "jolly" men for 45 minutes, hearing tales of their lives and places they have lived. 

 The shot I had was the one on the far left, Becherovka, which has a sweet, herby/cinnamon-y sort of flavor. IT'S REAL GOOD! Apparently, it's the national drink of the Czech Republic.

This was one of the highlights of my trip! If you go to Prague, don't skip this little gem. 

Address:

U Hrocha

Thunovská 10

118 00 Praha 1

Czech Republic

Prague: All About That Architecture

If you were to ask me what my favorite part of Prague was, the proof is in the pictures. Prague's buildings had me smiling from ear to ear. Every turn was a new photo that I happily snapped. Luckily, I have spared you the 200+ photos I took of buildings, and have chosen to only showcase a few so you don't go completely mad reading this post. And there's not much else to read, really; these beauties speak for themselves.

 The famous astronomical clock, built in the 1300s and has movable parts (the little men move!)

 Statue of Kafka. 

Prague is certainly up there with the likes of Rome, Paris, and London (some heavy-hitters when it comes to the most beautiful architecture). Even better? It's cheaper than all three! Prague, I love you. 

Five Reasons I Fancy Prague

I'm going to do a few posts on Prague, because, WOWWWWW WAS I STUNNED BY IT! But I thought a "Five Reasons" post would be a nice introduction. So here are the five reasons I fancy Prague:

1. Absolutely Gorgeous Architecture 

Every turn down a street had me flabbergasted. This place is just drop-dead gorgeous; like, your heart might stop from the beauty of it all. The above photo was taking in the Jewish Quarter, arguably the prettiest part of Prague. 

2. Great Street Food  

Think sausage, warm deserts (with Nutella), potato and cheesy goodness, all for mere pennies!  

3. Cheap, Delicious Beer

Overall, Prague is very cheap. I could get a full meal with two beers for under 10 USD. Now I wouldn't say Czech beer is any better than German, Belgian, or Swiss beer, but it's equal to them. And again...CHEAPER. Total win! 

4. European Cheekiness

Found this eatery in a mall. I love Europeans. 

5. A City That is a Photographer's Dream 

I happily snapped away at all the good things around me! Prague is a well-kept, well-designed, well-EVERYTHING kind of city! 

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Have you been to Prague? Were you as enthusiastic about it as me?