The palm trees rattled as a humid breeze brushed across my face. As I rolled up my pants to dip my toes in the pool, I surveyed my surroundings. Tidy, green grass encompassed the pool and neatly pruned bushes dotted the courtyard. White-washed townhouses with blue trim stood at attention in even rows, like a militia awaiting orders. Rolling green mountains loomed in the … [Read more...]
Indignation on Horseback
The horses at Parque Chicaque in Colombia could be described as slender, teetering on malnourished. We first spotted the creatures lazily munching on grass outside their simple stable, which was laden with piles of poop. Towering over the stable, just few yards away, was the lodge where my boyfriend and I spent the night. The whole structure was built on stilts and visitors had … [Read more...]
What I Learned from a Year of Living Abroad
My phone alarm started twinkling at 7 a.m. yesterday. I crawled out of bed and slipped on gym clothes and running shoes. I worked out. I returned to my apartment. I munched peanut butter toast while opening my laptop to begin my day of working from my cozy home office. Such an uneventful start to a day that carries so much significance. … [Read more...]
Traveling and Glimpses of Authenticity: What I Learned Living in Colombia
Something appeared on my Facebook News Feed recently that made my eyes roll. More than if an old high school classmate referred to her dog as a “fur baby” with a #blessed caption. The eye roll trigger was a long infographic illustrating the differences between a tourist and a traveler. One of the pictures showed a stick figure sleeping in a bed, then the same figure sleeping … [Read more...]
Why I Feel More Latina Than Ever Before
My fingers poked at the radio pre-set buttons, searching for the perfect song. After 10 months of living in Bogotá, Colombia, I had finally returned to my hometown and driving around sunny St. Petersburg, Florida felt cathartic. … [Read more...]