Every once in a while, I realize that people are fascinated by what I consider the most trivial parts of my travels. This week it came to my attention that homestays are a mysterious thing. After telling a couple of women that we were staying in a homestay, they looked intrigued and said, “What is […]
Shopping in Asia: A Guide to Haggling
Every once in awhile, I realize I have a skill that I didn’t know was unique. I grew up with parents who owned an antique business, and I was going to flea markets before I could walk. Haggling is something I was exposed to at a very young age. As I got older, I’d go […]
What Are Hostels Like? Your Questions Answered
Hostels are a funny thing. Once you’ve stayed in one, you wonder why you ever questioned them. But prior to that, you have at least one million questions. No joke, I’ve answered more questions about what a hostel is like than what a country is like. No judgment, I asked all the same questions about […]
6 Things You Should Do Before Leaving an Airport
Entering a new country can be scary. You don’t speak the language, and you’re so focused on finding the baggage claim, customs, and the exit that you don’t really take advantage of anything the airport offers. Every time I enter a new country, I go through an “airport checklist,” that way, when I leave the […]
How I Saved $15,000 to Travel for a Year in Southeast Asia
One of the first questions I seem to get asked these days is, “How are you going to afford to travel through Southeast Asia for a year?” People seem absolutely baffled by the idea. I wasn’t born rich. I don’t have a trust fund. That being said, I have had really fortunate circumstances over the […]