Thanks so much to Jo at Migrating Bird for nominating me for a Liebster award! After a bit of browsing the interwebs, I’ve discovered that it’s an “award” which helps smaller and beginning bloggers get some exposure and connect with each other.
The rules are as follows:
Write a blog post thanking the blogger who nominated you, and link back to their blog.
Answer the 11 questions that your nominator asks you.
Nominate 10 bloggers, under 600 followers, who are awesome and deserving of this honor.
Create 11 questions for your nominees.
Display the Liebster Award logo on your page.
List these rules in your post. See Migrating Bird’s Liebster Award post for the epitome of rule-following.
So here goes. These are Jo’s questions:
1- What is a dream destination that you’re unlikely to ever make it to?
Is there such a thing? I think that if a place or country is a dream destination of mine, I’ll make it a priority to get there eventually. However, there are some places I want to visit but that I don’t see myself making it to any time soon. Right now, that’s India. While it’s debatable, I don’t think it lends itself extraordinarily well to solo female travel, and it’s also not as logistically convenient as other places to get around (ie it’s a HUGE country that would take me months to explore). Ideally I’d have a lot of time and a suitable travel companion (a patient, non-diva, low maintenance type) to tackle India with me. Let’s be real, for the food, I’ll make it there.
2- Is there anywhere you really want to visit, but won’t for moral reasons?
I really think more in terms of safety than morality when ruling out potential travel destinations. Is that terrible of me? Unless we’re talking cannibalism or abuse of women and children, I don’t think there’s a cause or belief that I disagree with strongly enough not to visit. Perhaps for that reason, the recent stoning of women through “honor killings” in Pakistan would deter me from a visit to that country for now. At least until they get their shit together (if that ever happens). Also, I’m super interested in ancient history and would love to visit the Middle East (you know, “the cradle of civilization”) but need to wait until everything calms down over there (again, if ever). Look at Cambodia. You wouldn’t have gone there in the 70’s or 80’s, but now it’s a huge tourist destination with great culture, temples, beaches, and an entire population with an important historical lesson to teach.
Never would’ve found this wonderful northern Thai food without the Bangkok Food Tour!
3- Would you ever take a group tour?
Of course! I’m not a proud, all-knowing traveler and I don’t mind being a tourist sometimes. Everything doesn’t HAVE to be off-the-beaten-path cool, and sometimes it’s fun to bond with other travelers, sit back, and relax while a guide takes care of the details. While I love to do tons of research before a trip (sometimes too much) and attempt to be self-sufficient in a foreign country, having a local lead you around can be really helpful as well. I love food tours especially. Not everything can be found on travel blogs or TripAdvisor (are you shocked by this statement?!). You might pay a little more for a food tour than you would approaching all these food stalls or markets by yourself, but you can guarantee that your tour guide isn’t going to take you to eat anything bad – they know all the good spots! Plus your money is supporting a local business. (However, I will not be caught dead on a Segway. No, I will not do a group tour like that.)
4- What’s the longest you think you could travel for continuously?
Though I have yet to test myself on the backpacker trail, I’d estimate it would take about two months before I’d need to rent an apartment or nice lodging for a week or so and take a break. I really enjoy cooking meals for myself and lounging around on Sundays at my own place, so I think at that point I’d get burnt out from hostels and constantly moving around. Also, if I’m hungover, forget it. I’m gonna need my own space to relax and recover.
5- Do you prefer city sightseeing or more natural wonders?
I love the culture that exploring a city can offer. I also love checking out local markets and street food. The convenience of city life is unbeatable. That’s what I loved about living in Buenos Aires for five months. Literally anything I ever needed was within a few blocks’ walk from my apartment: groceries, drinks, bread, wine, cheese… okay, yeah I like food. But also clothes, batteries, and phone cards to re-up my foreign cell phone. However, I absolutely love beaches more than almost anything, so it’s a toss-up. I need that breathing room and time to relax outdoors, swim, and sunbathe. I like to be able to see the sky rather than towering tall buildings. If I could bounce back and forth easily between the city and the coast, it’d be perfect.
6- If you had to stop travelling, where would you live?
Oh man, I’m the worst. Probably right back here in North Carolina. I like being able to spend time with my family and friends plus it’s got great climate, cities, country, beaches, and mountains. Though I wouldn’t rule out Spain or Argentina. Or a nice little apartment on the Andaman Coast of Thailand.
7- How do you finance your travels?
Well, I’m a lawyer, so I make a regular paycheck. I’ve started an online savings account and every month I transfer money into it that’s strictly for travel. Once it’s in there, I don’t touch it. Boom, self-control.
8- What’s your least favorite place?
In the world? Travel-wise? Well I don’t particularly like hanging out in garbage dumps or bus stations. But I’d say my biggest travel disappointment so far has to be Mendoza, Argentina. Seeing as I love Malbec and wine tastings and being outdoors, I thought this famous wine-producing city would be a fun destination. Maybe it was the dynamics of my travel situation or the fact that it was winter or maybe because I toured the vineyards via bus instead of bicycle, but I really didn’t enjoy my time there like I thought I would. The trees had lost their leaves, everyone was paranoid of the swine flu at the time, it wasn’t cheap, and I didn’t feel like I got enough wine at the tastings… It was just a little barren, cold, and lackluster for me. I wish I would’ve gone to Iguazu instead!
9- How big is your backpack?
Oh god, I have an 80 liter Lowe Alpine backpack. I know, I know, it’s ridiculously too big. To be fair I got it off eBay for $40 prior to my trip to Thailand. I’ve kept it because I’m hoping it will be useful for camping, you know, when you have to carry all your equipment, food, and water. For long term travel, I’ve been inspired by Be My Travel Muse who packs super light and carries a 35 liter backpack. I’m hoping I can get by with one that’s only 40 liters.
10- What do you splurge on most when travelling?
Surprise surprise. Food. I’m all about eating street food and cheap things that locals are fond of. However, I will splurge if it’s a well-known restaurant, a rare ingredient, or just a long day when I need to stumble into a sit-down restaurant and relax. Sometimes, you just need to be a little fancy.
I’m also not afraid to opt for the $30 a night boutique hotel in Thailand instead of the $9 dorm room in a hostel. Or a $60 bungalow on the beach with air condition. Especially if I’m splitting them with a travel companion, why not? Nicer accommodation can be great for one’s mental health.
11- Do you have a plan in place for your life?
Wow, loaded question. But the short answer is no. I’m hoping that some long-term travel, lots of it solo, will help me figure out what I really want to do with my life and explore my options a little more. I either want to help people as an attorney or do something that I’m truly personally interested in (aka food and travel related), or if at all possible, both. And of course, location independence would be ideal.
So now I’m going to break the rules a bit. I’m not going to nominate any bloggers or ask any questions, because I’ve already read several of these posts and they have recommended many of the same blogs that I would have. Many of these bloggers have already completed a Liebster Award post and answered tons of questions. So that you still get the privilege of seeing their sites, however, I will post them here. And you should check them out:
Glad to be of inspiration 🙂
Get it under 40L. You can do it!
Gosh, I hope so. Thanks so much for commenting! I’m so flattered. Your blog is incredible!