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Lost In Amsterdam

7/26/2015

As I sit here at the Easy Times Coffee Shop in Amsterdam I can’t help but observe all the different people around me. Amsterdam is an interesting and mysterious city. It is beautifully cultivated with green parks and flower gardens. Amsterdam is a clean and tidy city, fashionably lined with art museums, cafes on every corner, and old, yet charming buildings. Amsterdam is sophisticated with just the right amount of unrefined nightlife.

You walk down the street and you hear all different languages being muttered between families, couples and friends. The sound of Dutch, French, English, Spanish, and German makes it easy to forget where you are. As you stroll through the city, you are overcome with fragrances of blooming flowers, aromas of coffee brewing in local shops, and whiffs from the passerby taking tokes of what Amsterdam is famous for. The city provides you with a taste of whatever you may be looking for. With cuisines from all over the world, food (good food) is easy to come by. Art, history, fashion, weed, quality beer, and friendly people make Amsterdam a unique hub for people of all different cultures and backgrounds.

There is no wonder tourists come from all over the world to spend time in Amsterdam. Having experienced only two nights out in Amsterdam so far, I can say that the city didn’t disappoint. Whether you drink in Leidseplein Square, go to a coffee shop in Dam Plaza, or bar hop in the Red Light District, the bustling streets late into the night will keep you buzzing for more. People from all over the world come to party hard in one of the biggest party cities around. Sometimes the city’s liberal rules escape my mind! You see people lighting up joints in the middle of the street directly in front of the police. It is surprising at first, until you remember where you are! Shroom truffles, absinthe, and space cakes are no big deal. People consume them all the time in Amsterdam.

While I am sure many people come to Amsterdam to experience sex, drugs, and up all night partying (all legally), there is so much to see in the day as well. Vondelpark, the biggest park in Amsterdam, is always bustling with bikers, people walking their dogs, and friends relaxing by the lakes. You can check out the famous Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, and Rijksmuseum. Many people also suggest taking a canal tour through one of Amsterdam’s many canals (the canals cover a quarter of Amsterdam’s surface)! Not far from the city you will find tulip fields, windmills, and other cities worth visiting. You are a short train ride away from neighboring countries such as Belgium and Germany and the trains are clean, comfortable and easy.

My favorite thing to do in a new city is to walk aimlessly through the streets. You will find lovely cafes tucked away behind the main busy plazas and squares. You will realize that often the coolest bars are those at the end of a dark alley. And the people you meet when you are on your own, lost in a new city, are the ones that you will always remember. You can never know what to expect when you explore a new place. I whole heartedly believe that taking yourself out of your comfort zone, and letting happen what will, is the best way to realize the Universe is on your side. Stay mindful and aware, but open yourself up to the world. Forget what you “should” do and spend your days doing what you enjoy. In the end, the most memorable moments usually happen on a whim. It’s 10pm here. I think it’s time for me to get lost in Amsterdam ;)

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Colca Canyon Hike in Peru

7/20/2015

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Peru is a stunning country. The geography varies so much across the country and there is so much to do. From the beaches to the mountains, Peru will amaze you. While many people immediately think of Machu Picchu when it comes to hiking in Peru, there are a ton of other unbelievable hikes. Colca Canyon is one of them. Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world- it is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States. Located in southern Peru, Colca Canyon is a canyon of the Colca River.

There are a few options when it comes to hiking Colca Canyon. Most people opt for either a 2-day or 3-day hike. The 2-day hike is slightly more strenuous as you have less time to rest while inside the canyon. I decided on the 3-day hike. You will need a guide and you can easily book one while in Arequipa. There are a ton of companies that will set you up with a guide, transportation and a place to stay while in the canyon.

Before I started the actual hike, I went to Cruz del Condor, a popular tourist stop to view the Andean condor, a bird species that has been the focus of conservation efforts worldwide. Seeing the condors fly so close by was amazing.

The first day of the hike through Colca Canyon is pretty relaxed. As you descend into the canyon you will be able to take in some amazing views and won’t strain out your body too much since most of the hike is downhill. I had a fun group that ended up hiking the canyon with me. The 5 of us all got along really well which definitely made the 3 days much more enjoyable. When we arrived at our final destination for day 1, we relaxed, played some cards and found some berries and prickly pear cactuses to eat. We were staying at a “house” in the middle of the canyon. The couple that owned the house gave us our rooms and showed us where the outdoor shower was. We made sure to shower before nightfall because not only does the canyon get really cold, but it also gets really dark at night! I was sleeping in a room with a girl from London. The 3 boys in our group were staying in the room next to us. There were openings between the walls so we could all talk to each other even though we weren’t in the same room. The boys kept trying to scare us as they discussed the scorpion that they found in their room. Funny enough, there ended up being a scorpion in our room as well! Luckily, we found out they weren’t poisonous, but it definitely caused some excitement between our group.

The second day was not too tough, much like the first day. The hike only took us a few hours. We were able to stop and take in the breathtaking views. We also covered ourselves in the “blood” of the prickly pear cactuses.

When we arrived at our stop for the night, we couldn’t have been more thrilled. We were to stay at Paraiso Ecolodge. The lodge is run sustainably with hot water from solar-heated tanks, recycled wood for the tables & chairs, and armchairs made from synthetic fibers (not animal skins). There is a small pool, hammocks to rest in, gardens, and we had beautiful, cool weather. We were all dreading waking up at 4am the next day to start what would be a very strenuous hike up and out of the canyon, but for the moment, we were in heaven. We spent time relaxing in the hammocks, drank a couple of piscos from the little “café,” ate some Sublime chocolates, and spent a couple of minutes in the way too cold swimming pool. We slept comfortably in the bungalows before waking up at 4am to start our hike up.

The hike up was not easy. We woke up before sunrise to avoid the heat of the sun. The hike was completely uphill and it took between 2-3 hours. While it was difficult, it was definitely worth doing. When we reached the top we felt accomplished. We were sweaty and tired but as we looked out over the canyon we felt alive and grateful for the adventure.

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10 Insights You Get From Traveling

6/30/2015

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In my opinion, traveling is one of the best ways to spend your time and money. Leaving home and visiting somewhere new truly opens your eyes to the amazing world we live in. When you travel, you see so many things- both good and bad- that change the way you view everything. You will learn so much about the world, and about yourself. Here are ten insights you will get from traveling.

1. One of the greatest character traits you can possess is being adaptable.

When you travel, you learn to be adaptable. You have to be adaptable. You are dealing with people who may not speak your language, you are sleeping in places nowhere near as comfy as your own bed, and you are probably eating things you didn’t even realize were edible. You will be out of your comfort zone but you will have to deal with it, and in the end, you will be better off for it. By getting away from what you know, you open your eyes and your mind to the way other people live and you will realize that there are so many different ways of doing things, and none of them are the “right” or “wrong” way. At the end of the day, you will realize that when you are able to adjust, you will have the world at your fingertips.

2. Nature is almighty.

Yes, people have done impressive things. But nature can do much more than people have ever done. Nature is unbelievably powerful and you really begin to understand it when you travel. I have found that when you travel, you tend to be outside for the majority of the day. Sleeping is one of the only times you are actually inside (and even that can be an exception). You will be amazed by the crashing sea when you sail across the ocean, you will be speechless when you reach the top of the mountain you’ve been struggling to climb, and you will be blown away when you watch an active volcano spew lava right before your eyes. The pounding waterfalls, endless sand dunes, vast oceans, and steep cliffs will leave you astonished. You will realize how unbelievable the earth is and you will feel a deep connection to it. Nature is almighty.

3. The best things in life are free.

No matter where you go, the memories that usually stick with you the most are the simplest ones. The deep conversation you had with the random person you just happened to sit next to on a bus, the hike you challenged yourself to and accomplished, the best wave you ever caught surfing, or the day you spent just wandering around a new city. You will see first-hand that money doesn’t buy happiness. You will interact with people who live much less luxuriously than you are used to, but you will realize that they are no less happy. You don’t need to spend a ton of money to have a good time. In fact, it is usually the simplest of days in which you have no expectations that tend to turn out to be some of the most special of days.

4. Worrying doesn’t help.

I have met a lot of people in my life that spend so much time worrying; it baffles me. It actually makes me laugh. First of all, most people worry about minor things that do not matter at all. Second of all, people are usually worrying about something they have no control over. A little worrying is healthy, but worrying about whether your shoes match your outfit, or if your haircut looks good, makes absolutely no difference. When you travel, you are forced to let things go. You have to expect that things are not going to go exactly as you planned (that is if you even have a plan). You also become enlightened to the fact that things always seem to work out one way or another. Obsessive worrying is pointless. It doesn’t do a single thing to make the situation better, it just stresses you, and everyone around you, out. You will be much happier, and healthier, once you start letting things play out as they will.

5. Being kind is everything.

Being kind is not something you necessarily learn from traveling, but it is definitely reinforced when you travel. The one person who takes the time to show you where to go when you are lost, or the one person who gives you some of their water when you run out on your strenuous hike, or the one person who just smiles at you when you are feeling hopeless, is everything to you at that moment. You will realize that being kind and being there for each other is all we have in this crazy world we live in. The kindness of one person can touch endless amounts of people. When you are in a desperate situation, it is the one kind person who will inspire you and make you realize how amazing people can be. If nothing else, just be kind.

6. It doesn’t matter where you go, it’s all about who you are with.

One important thing I have learned from traveling is the fact that who you spend your time with is essential. Sharing experiences with open-minded, positive people is half the excitement of traveling. You want to be surrounded by people who make you feel good and alive and inspired. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where you are, it is who you are with.

7. Everyday is special.

When you travel, everyday is so different. You will realize just how much you can accomplish in a single day. You can spend months at home and know almost exactly how everyday will pan out, while you can spend months on the road and have endless possibilities as to where that road will take you. You will see and do so much in such a short amount of time and you will be so inspired not to waste any of your precious days. While traveling, every single day is so special and so meaningful. You will not take any time for granted.

8. Positivity is key.

There is not much to it. Be positive. Things are not always going to work out in your favor, life is not always going to be so nice and forgiving, and you will not always get what you want. It’s okay. Everything will work out fine as long as you know that it will. Stay positive and the world will open up to you.

9. People are people.

It is a funny thing to think that some people are so unsure about “those other people.” People can be afraid of other cultures and make assumptions about people that live differently than themselves. What I have found from traveling is that people are people. It does not matter where you go. You will find nice people, jealous people, greedy people, generous people, lonely people, friendly people, and every other type of person anywhere you go. Some people stereotype groups of people as cold, or nice, or ugly, or good-looking, or whatever else. While stereotypes may apply to some people in a group, there are always tons of people who break that stereotype. You cannot classify any one group of people as one thing solely on where they are from or what religion they practice. This is one of the greatest insights you will get from traveling. Don’t just assume someone is one way or another based on where they are from. Travel. People are the same everywhere.

10. The world is so big and so small.

The world is huge. You can spend months in a single country and not see everything you want. I just got home from a four-month trip in which I backpacked from Nicaragua to Peru. I saw six countries. That seems like a lot until you look at a map and see what a tiny portion of the world I covered in those four months. There is so much more to see and not enough time to see it all. There are countless people you will never ever get to meet. However, even though the world is so big, the world is also so small. You will be amazed by how many of the same people you will unexpectedly cross paths with. Even though we all live our own lives in our own little houses in our own little towns, we are all connected. We are all here living in this amazing world together and whether we realize it or not, we all affect each other with the decisions we make everyday. While you will feel so little and insignificant in this huge world, you will also realize that in some strange way we are all working together and we really do have the power to make positive changes.

Originally published by Thought Catalog at www.thoughtcatalog.com

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Lost In Amsterdam

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