If all goes well, we’re heading out on our last big adventure of the summer. We thought this was a good time to share some postcards from this summer’s trip to Saxis and Chincoteague. If you’d like to learn more about this awesome area of the Eastern Shore that we love dearly, check out this round-up off our previous Saxis posts.
Does the world need more tips for traveling on a plane with kids?
Maybe not, but considering that every parent stresses over this portion of their vacation, I think it’s always worth it to have a few more tricks up your sleeve.
Here’s our situation : we have two kiddos, a 3.5 yo and a 1.5 yo. We go on at least two big flights a year, sometimes more. This summer, between June and September, the boys took 4 round-trip flights. That’s 8 times that we had to prepare these kiddos to take it easy and enjoy the ride.
Traveling as a single female may seem scary or daunting, but a lot of things can seem that way if we only listen to our fears. The trick is to prepare yourself and to believe and trust in yourself fully while out there in the big, busy world. If you do that, if you really trust in your abilities, you’ll be fine. Think about it though, YOU ARE A SINGLE FEMALE ALWAYS! You are always alone with yourself (okay except when you’re not) and you do really well! Look how well you do, you’re even going to do it abroad. Cheers!
Also, I do not mean to imply that it is any easier to travel alone as a dude, I’m sure it has some advantages and quite a few disadvantages that I don’t have to worry about. If you are a male, this list could certainly help you too. I’m curious if you have noticed any specific disadvantages or if you have any solo male travelin’ tips to share with me as well, so send me an email or leave a note in the comments.
Also, it’s worth noting that whenever we travel abroad we make sure to :
Download Maps.me or download your google maps for offline use. I love Maps.me because it’s extremely simple to use and it shows you an overview of the city with major streets and landmarks instead of a satellite view. I think this is an easier way to initially orient yourself and get an idea of how populated and busy certain parts of the city are. It’s also handy to track yourself on Maps.me when you’re in taxis, but definitely don’t be that tourist that prematurely tells the taxi they’re taking the wrong route, no one appreciates that.
Also, download the google translate app and whatever language you will be speaking. You should always try to learn hello, goodbye, and thank you. Like always. Always. Beyond that, it’s up to you, but having the translate app and attempting to speak the language, even if you fail, goes a really long way. People will want to help you, don’t worry.
Katie here – and before you leave the US, know what your cell options are. They vary by carrier, so find out what the fees are for use abroad AND make sure that your phone is compatible with the foreign networks.
You never want money to be the reason you get into trouble. Basically, as a solo female traveler, it’s always okay to ask for help, but you never want to get into a situation that seems desperate. That is when others could potentially take advantage of the situation. Always keep a little cash on hand. It’s wise to put some in your pocket and some in the tiny zippered section inside your bag and then another random twenty in your sunglasses case. Split it up in case your bag spills on top of a mountain and all your stash spots are suddenly charging downhill. JK that tip was mainly because of pickpocketers.
Katie here – this even helps when traveling in the US and accidentally leaving your wallet in a restaurant. oops.
Keep your phone charged. When not using it, put it in airplane mode to preserve the battery. Gas tank? Full. Belly, never empty! Basically, make sure your batteries are charged before you skip out on an adventure. This is entry level travel stuff, but sometimes we forget that we do our best wandering and roaming only after we’ve had that huge salad. Don’t set off thinking you’ll wander to your lunch spot, you might, but make sure you have at least a little fuel to get you there first.
If you have a whole day of exploring planned, just chat it over with the nicest person at reception or call up your Airbnb host. Simply state your desired plan and ask if they think it’s doable in a day. You’ll be able to judge by their reaction if it can all be done or if there’s something super awesome you’ll be missing. I think going over the plan with your receptionist is also added security because then at least one person in the country you’re in had an idea of where you were going. Don’t let them sell you a packaged tour or charter you an all-day taxi (unless you want to! no judgment), but allow them to offer you encouragement to go explore.
Katie here : Sarah is spot-on in suggesting you discuss your plan with your host or concierge. And it’s good to be leery if they try to sell you a tourist package, BUT it’s also good to hear the advice they have. I was traveling in India once, and someone at the front-desk helpfully explained that it would be hard to find a taxi in the area of the city that I wanted to explore. They suggested a half or full-day taxi. It can be a great option, BUT, while I couldn’t get a taxi in that neighborhood, I could easily get a rickshaw. It’s helpful knowing what the options are and what you are comfortable with.
This may seem over the top, but I promise you it’s not. On your way out of the hotel, as you’re super excited to start exploring, STOP! Grab a business card from the front desk and check to make sure the number is correct on the card. Then when you exit the hotel, LOOK AT THE HOTEL. Look at the entrance, look at the building, look at the entire block. I know you’re thinking, what? You think I’m a dummy? But when you’re so amped to get out the door you walk full steam ahead completely forgetting to look at where you came from. It’s a weirdly unique foreign country traveling mishap and when you’re in a tourist area, especially when everything is in a foreign language, it can become confusing pretty quickly.
We pack for our fears. Don’t let that sentiment encourage you to take your huge bag out for a walk around the city. Take only the essentials. Phone, money, map, phone charger, water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc. Maybe a little snack, but not the whole pound of almonds. You don’t need the other shoes and the sunhat you barely wear or the three notepads. Try to pare down your items to the day’s essentials. If you’re in a touristy area know that you can most likely purchase any random items that suddenly seem essential while you’re out and about, but like I said, a little snack is always a good idea.
I love wandering around a new city and getting lost. Not lost, lost, but I’ve been walking west for two hours now lost. I think it’s a great way to explore, to meet people, and to generally just go with the flow. However, whenever I’m busy getting myself lost, I am always taking note of the street and which direction it is headed as well as any major intersections or landmarks like parks and statues. Don’t orient yourself to things that may change like a street fair, food cart market, farmer’s market, etc because while those look stationary, come a certain time that parking lot or avenue may be all packed up and sparkly clean like nothing ever happened there. Also, if you need to stop and look at your phone or a map, walk to a secure area to do so. Slide into an empty doorway and put your back against it, that way you’re facing the street, but you’re not blocking the sidewalk. Sit on a park bench or at a coffee shop and really look at where you are and where you’re going. So often we glance at a map quickly instead of fully orienting ourselves and proceeding with confidence.
This is similar to the last point, but before you leave the hotel, look at a big city map. Find yourself or the biggest landmark or intersection near your hotel. Then look at other large landmarks. Maybe there’s a river running on each side of the city. Remember which is west (or wherever) and east of you. Maybe in the south of the city is old city, make a mental note that your hotel is north of old city. Just allow your eyes to scan the city, picking up big landmarks and neighborhoods and situate yourself in the center of all of that. Doing this before you head out will help make everything a bit more clear while you’re on the street exploring. You don’t need to pull out a compass or pretend you’re Lewis and Clark, just have an idea of where you are in relation to the bigger stuff.
Why? Just because. Maybe you’ve been out for six hours and now it’s raining and you don’t want that beautiful art print you just bought to get ruined. Maybe you just climbed a volcano and you have altitude sickness for the first time and you never even knew you could get altitude at 10,000 (true story!). Whatever the reason may be, there could come a point in your day when your D-O-N-E. Cool! No need to stress because you made the get home quick plan, which means you know where to hop on and off public transit OR you have enough cash to get in a taxi and head back to your plush bed. Do it 🙂
If you’re really feeling lost or upset, first things first: Get somewhere safe, probably a restaurant or a bodega and eat and drink something. Calm down. You will be fine. We’re all wandering around alone. Then think about where you would like to go. Do you simply need directions to where you were headed? Do you just want to be back in the touristy neighborhood or old city? Are you ready to go back to the hotel? Think about where you really want to be and don’t let the momentary ‘I’M LOST!’ panic stop you from an awesome day. Either ask someone at the restaurant (someone older who seems a little bit in charge because you know how sometimes servers just tell you what you want to hear to make you leave a tip and walk out smiling..) or walk into a nearby hotel or shop and kindly, calmly ask for help. This has literally never failed me. Ever. Ever. Most people are good, they want to help you. Believe this.
If you’re unsure about a situation whether it’s a person starting a conversation or someone asking you for help, etc, etc, just keep walking. Remember that it’s always possible to turn around and offer help if you think you should or can, but most times it’s best to trust your gut and just go. There are a bunch of other people in the city that can help and are probably in a better position to since they are locals. Also, do not be shy in telling other people to get moving. If someone is bothering you, either remove yourself from the situation or ask them to leave. Maybe they didn’t mean any harm, but you don’t have to wait it out and be polite to see, find a new spot to sit.
Okay, this one is going to sound weird and maybe confusing, but obviously, there will be times when you need help. The key is asking someone who wants to help you, but not someone who wants to prey on you. Usually, the target is a few extra dollars, nothing major, but if there is an open opportunity it will be taken. Look for the taxi driver who looks bored or is almost napping, not the one who is sprinting up to you to offer a full day’s tour. It all comes down to trusting your gut because truthfully some overly helpful people are just awesome and nice, but some are putting on a false front. All I’m saying is, ask for help, but keep using your brain and your intuition as a compass.
Let’s say you didn’t ‘keep it moving‘ and you met a few awesome new friends. Great! I’m sure your spidey sense is up and you’re making sure this is really just a chill hang out and not some secret plan to harvest your organs. Afterall, your new friends seem kinda stoned and a little drunk so I doubt one of them will be precise with a scalpel at this hour, anyway, you still don’t have to overshare all of your information. It’s not really necessary to tell people exactly which hotel you’re staying in or when you’re leaving the city or what tomorrow’s plans are. You can keep it vague. Tell them the neighborhood of the hotel if you want to be polite. Let them know you have a work conference tomorrow (even if it’s only for an hour in the morning) white lies aimed at your self-preservation are forgivable, if you believe in God, I think he will still let you into heaven.
Sometimes getting lost or ending up somewhere completely different is what makes the day magical. Don’t hold onto your plans too tightly, unless that’s the way you need to operate. Make new friends and find yourself at some hidden waterfall or eating in a weird shack in some corner of the city. Once in Ecuador, a random young man started talking to me while I was journaling on a park bench, we ended up talking for hours, and as I talked to him I was almost pickpocketed, I started wondering if he was somehow part of the pickpocketing plan. Am I some dumb tourist?! After another hour of conversation, I realized I was crazy about the pickpocket conspiracy and even crazier because I planned to get on a public bus with this guy and go get dinner. We had the best day, great conversation that was actually lots of miming and drawing and giggling, a yummy dinner, and then he shared my taxi home (again, was he trying to see where I lived?! Nope.) only to share a single kiss and then he got back in the taxi and went on his way. To this day, I think about what a pure, honest, and sweet day I had with him, Sup, Christian Edwardo?! I also think of how I could have immediately closed myself off to those few hours. Also, just FYI most foreign people you meet are not trying to kiss you, they’re just super curious about other cultures like you are too! If it feels awkward, keep moving, if not, converse!
Or whomever. Traveling alone, it’s pretty easy to meet other travelers. Sometimes they don’t want to mingle, but most times they are happy to. It’s weirdly uncommon in the states to share a table or even a bench with a stranger, but while traveling, push yourself to ask, “may I sit here?” or “did you feel like company” if you see someone eating alone, especially if they’re just browsing through a city guide. Share a drink and your tips with them or ask them what their plans are for the next day. You don’t have to become BFFs, but a little connection when you’re far from home is really genuine and kind. They will appreciate it and if they don’t you can immediately tell and just keep moving. I’ve met some wonderful people all because they or I was brave enough to say a simple ‘Hi.’
This isn’t completely necessary, but I find it is best to at least be on your block or in the neighborhood of your hotel once the streetlights turn on. Everything just seems a bit scary and shady after dark, nah? You would probably feel this way in the unfamiliar corners of your hometown city, so why would this be any different. Plan to get home before dark and if you want, refresh yourself and then go out in your neighborhood after dark. Ensure that where you’re staying and walking is considered safe, follow the next rule, and you’ll be fine.
This is a tip for all women all the time, but hey, it’s worth sharing here. Sometimes you meet new pals whether they’re locals or other travelers and you want to hang, that’s cool! Take it slow though. These humans are still strangers and substances add another level of unknown and therefore danger to every situation. Always watch your drinks, consume a bunch of water while you’re drinking alcohol, and leave before you get too tipsy. There is always tomorrow.
Katie here : Often times we’re traveling to get out of our old routines and embrace new experiences. But, when I’m traveling alone, sometimes I find a bit of a routine comforting, AND it can help with many of the points discussed above. A very simple routine is to have breakfast or coffee at the same cafe for a couple of days in a row. If you sit down and interact with the cafe staff, it’s likely that they will remember you. And very quickly they become another group of locals that you can ask for suggestions and/or help navigating the city.
Summer is *almost* over. I know! We hate to say it too, but at least I waited until August 22nd. I’m not one of those August firsters who starts weeping and listing off all the things they didn’t get to do this summer. Nope. I’m a firm believer that summer ends when you want it to or when the weather gets cooler, which doesn’t happen here in North Carolina for another six weeks. So summer, this is it, our final few weeks, which means there’s still time for one more book! If you’re hoping to squeeze another read in, Calypso by David Sedaris it is.
First though, let me remind you of all the books we covered this year, here’s a list. There’s also a rundown at the bottom of this post. Also, I want to openly admit that I am a quitter when it comes to reading. I will pick up a few books at once, set some down, and not pick some of them up ever again. There are also books I plow through just because I know I can read it quickly enough even if I’m not loving it. This is me telling you, ‘IT’S OKAY TO QUIT!’ Reading should be fun and enjoyable, if you can’t get into it or you just don’t like it, move on as quickly as possible!
“Memory aside, the negative just makes for a better story,” Calypso like most other books by David Sedaris, is a series of short stories, mostly about mundane life events. Somehow Sedaris describes each moment its own specific cynical, dark, bleak, weird, and yet absolutely hilarious way. Using no more words than necessary, each page of Calypso will have you shaking your head in empathy and wiping away tears of laughter.
Calypso can be read in short bursts, fitting in a few pages a day or a couple chapters each weekend.
Calypso recounts past summer vacations and the buying of a vacation home on the shores of North Carolina.
Calypso reconfirms the slight irritation mixed with adoration we all feel for our families, especially when sharing a vacation house.
End of summer road trip? Listen to Calypso instead! David Sedaris has a distinct voice that causes me to giggle uncontrollably.
When writing about political differences between family and friends… “Even my father, who laughs appreciatively at such bumper stickers as DON’T BLAME ME, I VOTED FOR THE AMERICAN, draws the line at carrying a pistol into a place where lattes are being served.”
When writing about benign tumors… “I felt betrayed, the way you do when you discover that your cat has a secret secondary life and is being fed by neighbors who call him something stupid like Calypso.”
When writing about long-held beliefs, changes of heart, and not taking life too seriously… “It occurred to me while standing there, cars whizzing by, that the day I marry is the day I’ll get hit and killed, probably by some driver who’s texting or, likelier still, sexting.”
When writing about growing up in a household full of kids…
“If there was a silence in the car, I’d break it by making one of my sisters cry.”
“For a while, when I was eleven or so, I used to drop the empty cardboard toilet rolls into the john. They would take a while to disappear, five or six flushes usually, but I was in no hurry.”
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
The Magic Strings of Frankie Pesto by Mitch Albom
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
The Te of Piglet by Benjamin Hoff
American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land by Monica Hesse
How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain by Prof. Lisa Feldman Barrett Ph.D
Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger
Nature’s Healing Spirit – by Sheri McGregor read my thoughts on that here.
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara.
You Are a Badass – Jen Sincero – here are my thoughts.
Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching – here are my thoughts on this historic text.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson – read my thoughts on that here.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – read my thoughts on that here.
The Tao of Pooh & The Four Agreements – I read these again as part of Meditative Mondays. You should give it a go!
The Nature Fix – read my thoughts on that here.
Invisible Monsters – read my thoughts on that here.
The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
This is our well-tested kimchi recipe, and it’s a recipe that I’ve been wanting to share/document for a while.
What is kimchi? Most simply, it’s a spicy Korean side dish made from fermented vegetables, commonly a mix of cabbage, radishes, garlic, ginger, and chili.
What to do with it? It’s (obviously) a common side for many Korean dishes. In our house, the most common way to eat kimchi is as an addition to a jazzed-up bowl of ramen. Sometimes we get creative with our uses. I love adding it to an egg salad sandwich.
If you’ve never had kimchi, you may want to start by sampling some in a restaurant or from the grocery store. Once you’ve found a version that you like, you can start to experiment by making your own!
Check out our simple recipe below.
This post’s suggestion is simple : take advantage of park programs! Most state and national parks offer educational programs for kids and adults of all ages and abilities.
The programs are customized to the features of each park and to the seasons and natural phenomena. For example, many parks, especially those in dark regions, hosted Perseid viewing parties last weekend. Assateague Island National Seashore is located along a popular bird migratory pathway and visitors can take advantage of this location by going on the weekly bird-watching walk with a ranger. At Rocky Mountain National Park, you can attend a talk about bighorn sheep, a year-round resident within the park. And that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Many parks list their program schedule online, but each park’s NPS.gov website is slightly different and navigation isn’t the most intuitive. Don’t be deterred, you can call the park office or stop in when you arrive.
While there are programs for all ages, we particularly love the Junior Ranger programs offered throughout the national park system and geared towards elementary to middle-school aged kids. In addition to describing the program, this link provides a few junior ranger badges that you can earn at home and lists the junior ranger programs at all of the national parks.
No matter your age or interests, there’s bound to be a program that interests you. I’ve learned about the pharmaceutical benefits from ocean-dwelling animals, I’ve taken a guided tour through the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde, and I’ve enjoyed the luxury of sitting around a bonfire without having to actually collect the wood or light the fire!
Have you attended any programs? Are there ones that you love and would recommend to others? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Treat yourself to a park visit and take a moment to learn more about the natural and cultural resources that make these places so special.
Mala beads are prayer beads similar to a rosary. Mala means garland and they are used to keep track of prayers, mantras, and chanting. On each string of mala, you’ll find 108 beads and a central larger bead or tassel known as the guru bead. Once you reach the guru bead, you turn the mala strand around and start again. Working through as many rounds as your practice calls for.
I find that using mala beads while meditating grounds me both mentally and physically by chanting and touching the bead. It’s a way to direct the mind towards something instead of away from something. The mala bead meditation is most helpful when I am really struggling emotionally. If you are feeling down or you find yourself ruminating, this is a great tool to use. If you do not have mala beads or you’re without at the moment, use your fingertips as a tool to work your way through several rounds of mantras and breathing.
Choosing a mantra or meditation is simple. Don’t let it be anything but. Sometimes I shift the language to be more affirmative or encompassing. This happens in the beginning, middle, and sometimes near the end of a mantra practice. That’s okay. You could also skip the mantra and focus solely on the breath.
(Inhale) In forgiving others (Exhale) I forgive myself
(Inhale) Inhale gratitude (Exhale) Exhale thanks
(Inhale) I am a human being (Exhale) Not a human doing
(Inhale) I love (Exhale) I am loved
(Inhale) Empathy (Exhale) Compassion
(Inhale) I am (Exhale) _________ (insert affirmation, desire, etc here)
I am love
I am strength
I am valuable
I am resilence
I am healthy
It’s up to you! If you’re struggling with something specific and want some help, you can email me at liveseasoned@gmail.com.
If you’re looking for a set of malas or other meditation tools – you can find them here.
During the Hot Springs Crating Ritual and Cultivating Mindfulness Retreat, we must have only had cabbage a couple of times, but we couldn’t stop talking about it. Seriously. There were multiple conversations I wandered into where people were talking about how underrated cabbage is and how delicious Jami’s cabbage recipes are. Especially the roasted cabbage with crispy onions. I mean, how often have you heard, “is there any more cabbage left?” and sadly the answer was, ‘No.’
As an ode to all you cabbage lovers out there (I’m lookin’ at you Luc!) I’m here with the perfect side dish. Cabbage is cheap and seemingly always in season. I feel like I often overlook it, but maybe that’s because I haven’t really tried anything exciting or flavorful. I always stick with haluski, pigeons, basically any cabbage dish that involves a lot of butter. Here’s to changing that. Grab your machete and throw that head of cabbage in the air like you are a real-life fruit ninja. Wait! Actually, you’ll want to slice it. Read the recipe below and start writing a grocery list, you’re gut will thank you too as cabbage is shown to improve digestion and reduce inflammation.
Ingredients
Instructions
You could also whip up an easy chive and sour cream sauce to drizzle over the top.
We are huge proponents of getting outside and enjoying the benefits of nature. In addition to mental and physical benefits, we also believe that time in nature strengthens our connection to the natural world. If you want to learn more about the importance of nature, check out these two book recommendations (one and two) from Sarah.
Going one step further, we strongly believe that learning about the natural world is critical to wanting to protect and preserve these ecosystems that are then crucial to our survival and well-being.
Having grown up in a household with these values, these ideas and actions come easily to us, but I could understand that if you don’t have the same inclination to get outside, then it can be hard to know where to start.
You don’t need an epic adventure to reap the benefits of nature.
But a day-trip can be fun…
Maybe something epic is enticing…
As you spend more time outside, any initial discomforts you experienced will slip away. You’ll get better at knowing what to pack. You’ll feel confident while walking along a trail. You’ll notice other positive changes; screen and social media time will be replaced by daydreaming and creative thoughts.
So go. Take a hike! xo
Happiest Tuesday to you! Another recipe from the Crafting Ritual and Cultivating Mindfulness Retreat comin’ at ya. We loved these Thai Tofu Buddha Bowl so much that there was not a single scrap left. Honestly we probably could have made a bit more, but who knew the tofu would be such a hit? Take that as a hint, if you make this for a crew, make a little more than you think is necessary.