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Destinations

Destinations: Africa, Destinations: Asia, Destinations: Central America, Destinations: Europe, Destinations: Middle East, Destinations: North America, Destinations: South America

Take ownership of your freedom to choose kindness and compassion and show up as a united humanity.

March 19, 2020
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Coronavirus. That’s all that is in the news (and on everyone’s minds) these days. It is no longer just a “Chinese virus” or an Italian issue or a problem for the poor countries, those with fragile health systems. Unlike humans, coronavirus, aka COVID-19, is unbiased. It’s an equal-opportunity giver that has traveled more distance and spread faster than any of our wildest imaginations could have fathomed. And while COVID-19 continues to travel far and wide with no end in sight, it has produced the reverse effect on humankind. As city after city heads into lock-down and country after country closes their borders, we are eminently changing the very notion of what travel and freedom mean to humans all over the world. 

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Destinations: Africa

“Akwaaba!” – Welcome to Ghana, the friendliest country!

March 10, 2020
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“Akwaaba!”, a stranger shouts to me, with a big grin, waving to me as I walk by on the streets. “Welcome! You are welcome”, he says to me.

After four weeks of living in Ghana, I’ve become accustomed to being greeted in this way from familiar faces and strangers alike. ‘Akwaaba’ is the Akan word for “Welcome” and has become the symbol for expressing Ghanaian hospitality and friendliness, especially towards foreign guests.

Ghana is indeed a friendly country. It certainly is the friendliest country that I’ve been to and I’ve been to over 80 countries! The people of Ghana are warm, welcoming, and trusting — even with strangers. Something that I’m still adjusting to having come from a western culture (New York City no less, where your ability to ignore others is a benchmark of being a true city resident).
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Destinations: South America

My Ayahuasca Journey – Surrendering to the plant medicine

December 31, 2018
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What is my purpose? Am I on the right path? What makes me happy? What do I need to do to prepare for the changes coming in the next chapter of my life? Am I listening to my heart enough? These questions have danced through my mind with increasing frequency as of late. Presumably a result of the significant life changes I’ve had over the last year. From moving 2900 miles across the country to a city where I feel a lack of deep seeded friendships to thriving in a new role at work that has expanded my career opportunities. From finding out that the embryos my partner and I have frozen may no longer be viable due to a malfunction of the storage tanks they were in to getting engaged to the love of my life. Life has thrown me up and down, left and right and completely discombobulated me. That’s when these questions started recurring incessantly.  And for no apparent reason, I awoke one day and felt a sudden pull from Mother Ayahuasca. I decided I would end the year with a 5-day retreat to Peru where I’d meet with Mother Ayahuasca herself to find answers. Continue Reading…

Destinations: Africa

Surviving Kilimanjaro: A Humbling Experience

July 5, 2017
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Standing at the top of Uhuru Peak, I broke down in tears; a mixture of emotions from pure exhaustion to sheer happiness. I hugged Evans, my guide, and expressed my gratitude for him pushing me (or rather dragging me) to the top. I was humbled. You see, when I set the intention to climb Kilimanjaro I knew it would be challenging, but I was pretty confident that I could make it to the top. After all, I’ve always been a tough cookie. If I set my mind to do something I have always completed it no matter how hard. Whether it was climbing Mt Fuji, trekking the Inca Trail, backpacking Patagonia, running the Tough Mudder (and getting electrocuted) or a marathon, I’ve always toughed it out. So why should Mount Kilimanjaro’s 19,341 feet be any different? Continue Reading…

Destinations: Africa, Travel Tips

Surviving Kilimanjaro: Your Ultimate Packing List

June 5, 2017
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Each year, nearly 40,000 people (and growing) attempt to climb Africa’s highest mountain: Kilimanjaro. Only about half successfully reach the summit of this iconic peak at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet). Before embarking on such a journey, it is critical to be prepared with the right gear, but knowing what you need to survive can be daunting. As I prepared for my own trip, I found a multitude of tips and lists, but none that were all encompassing. I had to piece together the puzzle from the variety of resources. If you are wondering, “Where do I even begin?” then you’ve come to the right place. The recommendations and tips below are broken into sections based on gear for each body part and then equipment needed from general climbing gear to personal toiletries. Enjoy and happy climbing! Continue Reading…

All About Food, Destinations: Europe

Four London Gems Fit for a Foodie

May 15, 2017
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Restaurants, food markets, and bars galore, London is indeed a true foodie paradise. In fact, the abundance of tasty treats also means that there is no shortage of “London top places to eat lists”. The question now is, where do you start? In lieu of listing out the top 100, 50 or even the top 20, I’ll make things simple for you: I’ll offer you my FOUR gems! Continue Reading…

All About Food, Destinations: North America

A Perfect Day in Sonoma: An Itinerary Fit for Even the Largest of Groups

April 24, 2017
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The weather is getting warmer and what better way to celebrate than with a trip up to wine country in California? You’ve Googled “best itinerary for wine country”, looked up reviews of different vineyards, asked friends for tips and recommendations and now have a list of dozens upon dozens of fantastic wineries in Napa and Sonoma to visit. Well that doesn’t help very much because you still have to figure out timing, distance between vineyards, where along the route you can have lunch, and which vineyards can take a larger group. Plus price might play a factor. Well fear not! Here is an itinerary created for a perfect day in Sonoma (especially if you’re planning a day for a larger group). Continue Reading…

All About Food, Destinations: North America

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse: The Cruffin Chronicles–Does it live up to the hype?

April 3, 2017
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Located on a nondescript block of Tenderloin in San Francisco, Mr. Holmes Bakehouse has become known as the home of the famous cruffin. What is a cruffin you ask? Imagine if a croissant and muffin had a baby. That’s a cruffin! This crispy pastry is dusted with sugar and filled with the daily flavor of pastry cream; anything ranging from Pineapple Cherry Rum or Tropical Fruit to S’mores or Snickerdoodle. Check @mrholmesbakehouse to find the weekly flavor updates.

Since it’s opening in November 2014, Mr. Holmes Bakeshop has induced cruffin enthusiasts from across the city to form lines around the block at the crack of dawn each morning in anticipation of acquiring a cruffin from the limited daily supply. As much as I’ve wanted to try this infamous cruffin, the long lines deterred me on multiple occasions. However, I finally made up my mind that the cruffin would be mine! Continue Reading…

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