For my topic for this first essay on traveling, I decided I want to write about my experiences while traveling. Within this topic I will have much to write about including how I felt being in a new, unfamiliar place, the language barrier, the culture difference, and all the good and bad that came with traveling, more good then bad ;) Coming soon so stay tuned!
Not all who wander are lost. And this may be true for some, but I think I am lost. However, I am in a good type of lost. I am pleasantly lost. If you want to know what this means refer back to my post called pleasantly lost! I feel like I am having a mid-life crisis as a teenager because all I can think about is literally doing nothing but traveling. Is this acceptable as an adult? If I were to answer this question myself I would say yes because of all the positive, enriching qualities you gain while traveling.
What types of enriching qualities am I talking about? Think of walking through a street, not understanding a word anyone is saying, but smiling because you realized you are actually somewhere other than your small hometown. This exact feeling happened for me when I went to Vienna, Austria and Turin, Italy about two months ago. I would say the language barrier is a difficult thing to manage at first; trying to communicate at a restaurant, to get directions, or just meet new people. It can be quite frustrating, but with the right tools, you can overcome this obstacle. With technology these days, you can download one of hundreds of translating apps right to your smart phone or device. If you are not a tech type of person, buy a simple book and think of it as an investment in your happiness ;). To touch on my experience a bit, the language difference I found as a beautiful thing. First of all, hearing a different language constantly spoke around me, especially since it is deemed "the language of love" (Italian), I was enthralled to just listen and absorb what was around me. Everything you experience that is different from what you are used to, you will find either amazing or overwhelming but it is all apart of the experiences!
Now, imagine driving through a city, town, or even the tiniest village and turning your head from side to side trying to see everything there is to see. When in a different place from your normal habitat, everything is new! The architecture, streets, and even the people. Just sight seeing you can gain so much enriching information. As a tourist you can easily learn about the architectural styles of the time period, religion of the region, and the influences of the area as well. While roaming the streets of Europe, I was excited to be walking on cobblestone and marble streets. This tiny perk that cost no money at all is what I found most exciting. Because this was a deviation from my normal, I found it intriguing! My advice on traveling somewhere new is to really enjoy the little thing! They go a long way and they are free! You can really save money by simply walking through the city and looking at everything there is to see! Through this, as well, you can gain so much.
What is one thing we do at least 3 times a day? Eating! The food in new countries is a "delicious" aspect and discovery of your journey. I highly recommend trying EVERYTHING even if you may think it may sound weird. Some things you will find to really love! I sure did! Within cultures you will find so much different food. Some of which you never even thought would be good! Don't let the weird foods that we may not be used to freak you out. This aspect is all part of the great experience of trying new things. Try foods that are in street markets, indulge in a restaurant at least once, and if you can, meet someone from the region who can cook a traditional meal for you! Lucky enough for me, I got to enjoy all three of these differently prepared foods. My favorite was the street markets; walking along the city, deciding your hungry, and buying some warm, fresh chestnuts. Here in California, chestnuts is not a normal thing to eat and you sure don't find anyone roasting them and selling them on the street. I think this is why I enjoyed it so much. It was totally different from what I could have gotten back home and I took full advantage of that.
To touch on my experience of meeting people, I think that meeting people where you are is hugely important. By meeting people, you are even further immersed into a real countries culture. After all, they are locals so they do know, and can show you, what is normal for citizens like them. To do this, you really can't be shy. It truly does take a certain type of person to travel. You have to be willing to be open!
Sunday, February 23, 2014
VOCAB #4
jigger- rearrange or tamper with
liaison- communication or cooperation that facilitates a close working relationship between people or organizations.
propensity- an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way.
predilection- a preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something.
denature- take away or alter the natural qualities of.
bourgeois- of or characteristic of the middle class, typically with reference to its perceived materialistic values or conventional attitudes.
status quo- the existing state of affairs, esp. regarding social or political issues.
neurotic- suffering from, caused by, or relating to neurosis.
tenet- a principle or belief, esp. one of the main principles of a religion or philosophy.
liaison- communication or cooperation that facilitates a close working relationship between people or organizations.
propensity- an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way.
predilection- a preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something.
denature- take away or alter the natural qualities of.
bourgeois- of or characteristic of the middle class, typically with reference to its perceived materialistic values or conventional attitudes.
status quo- the existing state of affairs, esp. regarding social or political issues.
neurotic- suffering from, caused by, or relating to neurosis.
tenet- a principle or belief, esp. one of the main principles of a religion or philosophy.
ardor- enthusiasm or passion.
affluent- having a great deal of money; wealthy.
discern- perceive or recognize something.
masticate- chew
halcyon- denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful.
pejorative- expressing disapproval.
stentorian- (of a person's voice) loud and powerful.
furtive- secretly.
covert- not openly acknowledged or displayed.
ensconced- establish or settle (someone) in a comfortable, safe, or secret place.
enmity- the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.
Friday, February 21, 2014
RESOURCES WEEK 3
globalfreeloaders.com
couchsurfing.org
travelhacking.org
ciee.org/teach
hecktictravels.com
couchsurfing.org
travelhacking.org
ciee.org/teach
hecktictravels.com
Thursday, February 20, 2014
PEER REVIEWS
1. Shane Cheverez- Shane has a simple background so you as a reader are not too distracted. Knowing what assignments were required, I know that all his posts are up to date. Also his vocabulary usage is very good so I know this is quality content.
2. Malik Pope- Malik adds his personality to his blog by uploading a picture of him playing football. This brings his readers closer to him. His posts aren't as up to date as they should be, but the one's that he has seem to have been done with value and quality.
3.Valentina Alvarado- Her blog seemed to have all the elements! The only thing I would say is the hundreds of colored fonts takes away from the actual meaning of the writing. However, her blog is up to date and all done with great pride.
4. Maria Luna- Maria's blog has a cool aspect and it's that she included pictures of her own writing on paper! In my opinion, that is a very personal touch to add! It's awesome! Her blog is also clear to understand and large print for easy to read reading.
5.Erik Santos- Erik's background draws attention to that mostly! It feels like you can tell what kind of person he is by his background! However, he is far behind on posts and it doesn't look like he has posted anything this semester. He needs a little push from his classmates!
2. Malik Pope- Malik adds his personality to his blog by uploading a picture of him playing football. This brings his readers closer to him. His posts aren't as up to date as they should be, but the one's that he has seem to have been done with value and quality.
3.Valentina Alvarado- Her blog seemed to have all the elements! The only thing I would say is the hundreds of colored fonts takes away from the actual meaning of the writing. However, her blog is up to date and all done with great pride.
4. Maria Luna- Maria's blog has a cool aspect and it's that she included pictures of her own writing on paper! In my opinion, that is a very personal touch to add! It's awesome! Her blog is also clear to understand and large print for easy to read reading.
5.Erik Santos- Erik's background draws attention to that mostly! It feels like you can tell what kind of person he is by his background! However, he is far behind on posts and it doesn't look like he has posted anything this semester. He needs a little push from his classmates!
Thursday, February 13, 2014
VOCABULARY #2
presumably- likely, reasonably
After much evidence, this is presumably the answer.
acculturation- adjustment to a culture
After a month of living in Italy, I finally began to acculturate.
red eye- an over night or late-night flight on a commercial plane.
I flew red eye to Europe.
kvetch- a person who complains a lot
After a two hour phone call of how horrible her life was, it was safe to say she was a kvetch.
philomath- a lover of learning
It is a good thing to be a philomath while traveling because you can learn a lot.
intrepid- fearless, adventurous
From traveling the world, I am now intrepid.
freelance- working for different companies at different times rather then being employed by one company.
I am working as a freelancer now. I have worked for 10 magazines.
pretentious- attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.
The pretentious teacher talked for an hour about their life.
modicum- a small quantity of a particular thing, esp. something considered desirable or valuable.
The modicum of trinkets filled my suitcase.
uninitiated- without special knowledge or experience
Many people claim to know the answer but really they are just uninitiated.
nomad- a member of a people having no permanent abode, and who travel from place to place to find fresh pasture for their livestock.
The nomad has been to all of the European countries.
discrepancy- a lack of similarity or compatibility between 2 or more facts.
There has been a discrepancy between my mom and I about my plans.
relegating- consign or dismiss to an inferior position.
The king relegated the prince to a servant.
eradicated- depicted with the roots exposed.
The tree was eradicated.
retrospect- a survey of a past course of events or period of time
I retrospected on my past year of traveling.
meandering- follow a windy course.
I meandered along the yellow brick road.
undulating- move with a smooth, wave like motion
While surfing, I always undulate.
rejiggered- organize something differently
When that happened, I had to rejigger my plans.
After much evidence, this is presumably the answer.
acculturation- adjustment to a culture
After a month of living in Italy, I finally began to acculturate.
red eye- an over night or late-night flight on a commercial plane.
I flew red eye to Europe.
kvetch- a person who complains a lot
After a two hour phone call of how horrible her life was, it was safe to say she was a kvetch.
philomath- a lover of learning
It is a good thing to be a philomath while traveling because you can learn a lot.
intrepid- fearless, adventurous
From traveling the world, I am now intrepid.
freelance- working for different companies at different times rather then being employed by one company.
I am working as a freelancer now. I have worked for 10 magazines.
pretentious- attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.
The pretentious teacher talked for an hour about their life.
modicum- a small quantity of a particular thing, esp. something considered desirable or valuable.
The modicum of trinkets filled my suitcase.
uninitiated- without special knowledge or experience
Many people claim to know the answer but really they are just uninitiated.
nomad- a member of a people having no permanent abode, and who travel from place to place to find fresh pasture for their livestock.
The nomad has been to all of the European countries.
discrepancy- a lack of similarity or compatibility between 2 or more facts.
There has been a discrepancy between my mom and I about my plans.
relegating- consign or dismiss to an inferior position.
The king relegated the prince to a servant.
eradicated- depicted with the roots exposed.
The tree was eradicated.
retrospect- a survey of a past course of events or period of time
I retrospected on my past year of traveling.
meandering- follow a windy course.
I meandered along the yellow brick road.
undulating- move with a smooth, wave like motion
While surfing, I always undulate.
rejiggered- organize something differently
When that happened, I had to rejigger my plans.
RESOURCES #2
1. At this site, I received valuable information on how to successfully enter into the online world, how I should go about these steps in the most effective ways, and how to go about it all with a right attitude. All this from a professional, "been there, done that" person. This website helped me to create a plan for my future blog.
2. This site I found today is a site where people looking for writers can post exactly what they need written. Members can then "bid" on these and submit their work. Many of these posting are about traveling which is perfect for me. You also get paid for your work. Sounds like a winner and a great way to get started.
freelancer.com
3. On this site, I found a guy who has traveled around the world and back. He shared the 20 things he has learned while traveling and his knowledge has really helped me. If I took one piece of valuable advice, it would be him sharing the two cheap airlines at which he flew across Europe 7 times for $120. I can travel across Europe for very cheap and this was very useful for me! Of course, who doesn't want to save money!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/clayton-b-cornell/traveling-around-the-world_b_4065797.html
4. Jack and Jill provide exotic places, places least traveled to, and adventurous twist to a normal vacation. They document their crazy times with amazing, breath taking pictures as well as descriptions and tips for places traveled. If you consider going somewhere, check this blog first.
jackandjilltravel.com
5.
freelancer.com
3. On this site, I found a guy who has traveled around the world and back. He shared the 20 things he has learned while traveling and his knowledge has really helped me. If I took one piece of valuable advice, it would be him sharing the two cheap airlines at which he flew across Europe 7 times for $120. I can travel across Europe for very cheap and this was very useful for me! Of course, who doesn't want to save money!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/clayton-b-cornell/traveling-around-the-world_b_4065797.html
4. Jack and Jill provide exotic places, places least traveled to, and adventurous twist to a normal vacation. They document their crazy times with amazing, breath taking pictures as well as descriptions and tips for places traveled. If you consider going somewhere, check this blog first.
jackandjilltravel.com
5.
WITH HELP FROM MY FRIENDS
If I had someone who would love to travel, and not just a one time travel either, and has some camera skills, that would greatly benefit me! Someone who could record our journey and edit them into awesome vlogs. Doing it by myself would be kind of difficult as opposed to having someone follow with a camera. Also, if anyone can design a sick blog, it would be very helpful to me. After all, in the online world a first impression is what you need, and those only take 3 seconds to make. This being said, the design and content is really what will get traffic.
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