I haven’t really traveled much outside of the U.S. I had been to some of the U.S. territories before but it was at such a young age that I couldn’t remember much of it. So last summer when our coaches said that we would be going to Puerto Rico for Christmas I was so excited to get this opportunity to play basketball there and visit so of their beautiful historic sites.
When we left Colorado we were all decked out in sweats long sleeves and some of us even had beanies on. Once we arrived we would soon regret our attire as the humidity hit us like a freight train. We soon just had sweat dripping from the top of our nose all the way to our toes. We arrived pretty late around 1 am, so we didn’t really know what to expect from the city life. Once we got to the hotel room and I stepped out on the balcony and saw the waves gently crash against the rocks, I could feel the ocean breezy tingling my skin giving me goosebumps. I couldn’t wait to see, hear, and feel the place the next day.
The first three days that we were in San Juan we didn’t go outside of the hotel much due to us having two basketball games but while we didn’t do a lot of sightseeing during those three days, I experienced so of the best seafood ever! There was a little food court area that opened up so that you could see the ocean and they had every type of cuisine that you could possibly think of. Puerto Rican, Italian, American, Mexican, and the seafood-oh my gosh it was the best seafood ever. I got the crab cake which was the perfect amount of crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside and the calamari and it was so perfectly made and the chef told me he had just caught the crab that morning which made it taste even better.
Once we finished our games we were free to tour around San Juan and our first stop was Old San Juan a historical site with beautiful restaurants, little boutiques, and high-end fashion factories. What made this little hopping area so unique from anywhere that I had ever been was the gorgeous architecture of the building and the colors-oh the colors, were so beautiful! None of the buildings were the same colors and they were such bold and bright beautiful colors. While looking at the beautiful building and boutiques we found the cutest little restaurant. I had the absolute best-iced latte that I have ever had in my whole life! Starbuck has absolutely nothing on this latte and the steak sandwich that I had was the savory sandwich I’ve ever had.
After a couple of hours of touring the magnificent streets of Old San Juan, we headed back to the hotel to later get to experience some of the nightlife of Puerto Getting to see some amazing live music that is traditional to Puerto Rico giving us the perfect end to our Puerto Rican adventure of sun and fun in the middle of winter.
The summer before coronavirus hit, my family and I had arranged for plans to explore the best of Europe in 14 days. We were a part of a travel guide company in which they took us through France, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. This was my first time traveling across the Atlantic and to say I was excited was an understatement.
Our first destination was Paris. On the plane, all I could think about was the movie Ratatouille and that was my only envisioning of Paris. It was however, a completely different experience. For one, Europeans act like air conditioning was never invented so each night was a sweat fest. That didn’t matter to me as much as my brother because I would sacrifice being uncomfortable for Paris any day of the week. The food, city, and people were amazing as we stayed a few nights in the art district. Our tour guide was able to take us to the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and many other art museums. Watching people live their daily lives immersed in a different culture was the greatest thing pulled from my trip.
Eiffel Tower
Notre Dame
My second destination was Switzerland. I was able to see the towns of Stechelberg, Wengen, Mürren, and Lauterbrunnen. The waterfalls were amazing. No, really, I’m serious. My family and I ventured inside a mountain that contained over 20 waterfalls flowing inside. We were also able to hike in the Swiss Alps and reach the Swiss Skyline, it was also where one of the James Bond movies was filmed. The only way to reach this 10,000 ft landmark was through cable car. The views were spectacular. The country of Switzerland was by far the prettiest of my whole trip.
Hiking in the Swiss Alps
Waterfall in Switzerland
Italy was the third stop of our tour and it, did not disappoint. Venice, Rome, Florence, and Tuscany were the cities I got to visit. Venice was by far my favorite as the whole city was its own island with no roads. We were able to ride the gondolas at night through the Grand Canal. Going inside St. Mark’s Basilica was another check off the bucket list and we were able to go all the way to the top. After Venice, we made our way to Rome where we were able to see the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, and ride Segway’s through the streets. Seeing the ancient ruins was like looking through an in-person history book. Once, leaving Rome we made our way to Florence. Florence was filled with pure art as we saw the Statue of David and the Florence Cathedral. Then to top off our tour of Italy, Tuscany was the last stop. Staying in the countryside, the local inn made our entire group a home cooked meal that was to die for. Tuscany was by far the most relaxing destination of the trip before we headed to the big city of Munich, Germany. As a group, Tuscany was a great way for all of us to slow down and appreciate everything we had seen as each day was filled with new sights.
Rome
Florence Cathedral
Venice
Munich, Germany is one of the more westernized cities in Europe. Munich after WWII lost a lot of culture and historical monuments and traveling there today looks very similar to an American city. As a group, we headed to the Marienplatz on the first afternoon which is the central square of Munich. Shortly after we headed to the famous beer halls and had a traditional German dinner. The city was filled with loads of tourists as Munich is a hot destination spot because of Oktoberfest. Local shops and restaurants are lined all throughout the plaza for all to find souvenirs and tasty food. Munich was the last top to our journey of Europe before we headed home.
Marienplatz
Traveling to each of these countries helped me discover a newfound respect for different cultures. Even diving into the different cultures of each country within Europe was refreshing in itself. In America, we take a lot of things for granted (like AC) and I had a blast emerging myself into a different world. Trying new foods, languages, and activities allowed me to live like a European for two weeks and journey outside my comfort zone.
In Autumn of 2018, I found myself in the Chalkida province of Greece, traveling alone for the first time in my life. I took the trip to expand my comfort zone and experience a part of the world completely foreign to me. And yeah, to enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean. Visiting Greece is not supposed to sound like a chore.
I spent the first two weeks of the volunteering at a refugee camp hosting refugees from the Middle East and Africa. The experience was eye-opening and more emotional than I thought it would be.
After two weeks at the camp, I started to feel worn out. I decided to book a train to Athens and meet my Dad who was coming to visit me. The trip did not get off to a fast start. First, I managed to board the wrong train and started heading in the opposite direction of Athens. That’s when my phone decided it would be a good time to run out of battery. In Athens, tourists can get by without speaking Greek, but this was not the case in Chalkida and I struggled to find someone who understood my situation. I felt alone even though I was surrounded by people.
Embarrassed, I fumbled around the train, trying to build up the courage to ask strangers for help. Eventually, I met a friendly Greek couple who helped me transfer trains at a nearby station. It was late when I finally got to the hotel and all I wanted to do was relax for the next few days. My father’s flight would be getting in later that evening and I was sure he would want to do the same thing, hopefully on his dime.
! His itinerary for the weekend included a guided bike tour of Greece. Our guides were experienced cyclists and were delighted to learn that we had never ridden road bikes before. They were pretty confident that the route my Dad booked would be too challenging. Truth be told, I really had no interest in biking 65km that day, but I wasn’t going to let him know that. Grudgingly I accepted that my relaxation would have to wait.
We then proceeded to ride from Athens to Corinth which was as beautiful as it was agonizing. True fatigue began to set in on the last 10km, we struggled big time. The desire to get off the bikes was strong enough to fuel us into Corinth. We disembarked and hobbled over to the canal, which is a marvel of 19th-century technology.
The Corinth Canal
I was ready to head back to the hotel when I saw someone jump off the bridge transpiring the canal walls. I had never seen a Bungee jump before, but fun was not exactly the first word that came to mind. Unfortunately for me, this trip was about leaving my comfort zone, and I couldn’t think of a better way of doing this than jumping off a bridge.
Two weeks at a refugee camp, the most stressful travel experience of my life, and a 65km bike ride had left me pretty tired. I had not planned on free-falling 45 feet when I woke up that morning. Yet, it just felt like the right thing to do. Sometimes the best adventures are unplanned, unexpected, and even undesired.
In 2017, I was given the opportunity to study classical singing with professors at the prestigious Eastman School of Music, in Rochester, New York. As a high schooler, getting one-on-one time with esteemed faculty from this famous university was very hard to come by, extremely exciting… and incredibly nerve wracking.
The program was a three hour’s plane ride away from my home in New Mexico. I’d be living with a roommate in a college dorm for a month. That would be the longest time I’d lived alone that far from my parents.
When my parents and I got into an Uber to head to campus, I remember looking out the window, surprised to see how small the city was. When I thought of ‘music’ and ‘New York’ put together, my mind went straight to bustling streets, skyscrapers, glitz, glamour and energy at every corner. But Rochester is in the Northern part of the state. Hours away from New York City.
The slightly unkempt streets of mid-town were lined with wall-to-wall faded pastel wood condos. I remember seeing two kids shooting hoops in their front yard and running into each other, seemingly because there was always less space to run around in than they’d hoped. The shopper’s buildings were short, flat roofed, made of brick or stone. I could tell when they were newly refurbished almost immediately, because there wasn’t paint chipping off the seams of each cemented rock.
All of this was in extreme contrast to Eastman campus.
The main auditorium at Eastman School of Music is made of glass, with a domed ceiling that towers over everything else on the block. When I walked up the stairs to the stage, the bamboo floors were freshly polished. I could see the grand piano’s reflection at my feet. A red velvet curtain cascaded down from the ceiling. I was in awe that I’d be performing here in a month.
For the first five days or so, I attended my classes quickly and quietly, did my homework in the lobby, and then would go back to my room and text friends back at home until dark. Sometimes until 3am since that was only midnight for them. I didn’t see my roommate much. She would spend a lot of the day out exploring. She’d sometimes invite me along, but I wasn’t really interested in exploring the city that kept me up at night with the sounds of sirens in the distance.
Then one night after rehearsal, a few girls invited me to go to grab pastries with them. I had been pretty recluse up to that point, so I was surprised they even knew my name. However, music theory homework was looking pretty daunting for that weekend, so I decided I was happy to have the distraction.
They took me about 3 blocks east of campus, and turned into a little blue door in the middle of the plaza. The sign hanging over it read “Java Café”. A bronze bell rang over our heads as it hit against the door frame. I was immediately greeted with a classic, vintage coffee bar. Hand-drawn chalkboard menu, copper espresso machine, tiered scone tray and all. The walls were painted cobalt blue, adorned with abstract paintings and distorted, modernist photos. The music was ambient and smooth. Almost as soothing as the smell of fresh cinnamon coffee cake, hot from the oven, being panned into the display case.
Walking around the corner I saw a mahogany staircase leading into a basement, coated in scarlet light. It was a bit steep, so I clung to the gothic black metal railing. The ambient music from above faded away as I descended, gradually being replaced in my ear by the sound of reggae. At the bottom, immediately to my right is a line of three pool tables, a bar at the far end. I immediately ask a hand for balls and cues, challenging one of my friends to a two out of three.
I went back upstairs and ordered an Aztec mocha (a mocha with a dash of red chili powder; a New Mexican staple, that apparently is also found in Rochester.) They served it to me downstairs, where I was already beating my friend at pool. Decisively.
After accepting defeat, the four of us went back upstairs and sat on the wood barstools in the breakfast nook. I ordered another mocha, iced this time. There were street performers playing the bongos and singing for a modest, but very engaged impromptu audience out in the plaza. They were only illuminated by the dim cream lights strung between lamp posts at either end of the lawn. Watching intently from the window, I sipped at my mocha and spiced dark chocolate filled every crevasse of my mouth. Its rich, decadent taste seemed to melt all my apprehension away. I fell into a daze, and the sounds of the room started to fade into the background. I hadn’t felt this relaxed in weeks.
I might have remained like that for the whole evening, but I was snapped back to reality by a young man greeting us at our table. He introduced himself as a free-lance artist trying to make a name for himself. As we invited him to sit down, he pulled a small black folder out of his saddle bag and opened it to reveal four charcoal sketches. Portraits of each of us.
I took the aged piece of paper he’d drawn me on delicately from his charcoal blackened hands. I had a half smile on my face, eyes closed, taking a sip from my mocha. It looked like it belonged in a kooky Art Deco frame, posted on the wall with the rest of the art in this place. It almost seemed wrong to take the drawing out the door; it felt like I’d be ripping it from its home.
He asked us if we’d like to make a donation, and of course I accepted. I was captivated by the unique, quirky, animated style behind the piece. I found myself glancing at it and smiling for the rest of the night. I don’t think the frame I bought for it does it justice, but it is still hanging in my room to this day.
For the rest of that trip I couldn’t stop exploring the city. I visited the Java Café more times that I want to admit. (Let’s just say, by the end I’d reached first name basis with a few employees.) I started going to more concerts and sight singing parties with friends (these are where a bunch of singers come together to since a piece no one there has ever seen before. It doesn’t always sound great, but it sure is fun!) I contacted home less and less as I got more wrapped up in the city.
On the last weekend of the trip, I introduced everyone to a small underground karaoke bar I’d found one night, and we all surprised each other with songs to sing. I was given Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns and Roses. Whenever I hear it I’m reminded of that trip, and the people I got to know over that month. A lot of them lived abroad, and I haven’t seen them in person since. But we’ll always have Rochester, Java, and Eastman School of Music.
One Tuesday afternoon my boyfriend, Edwin, and I had the great idea of taking a camping trip to Moab for the upcoming weekend. Though it was mentioned, not much planning had happened at all; when Thursday rolled around and we realized we were supposed to be driving 6 hours to a national park we had done no research for and was expected to be 100+ degrees for the entirety of our stay, we decided to abort that plan and come up with something more realistic. On to plan B — while searching the internet for dispersed camping near us we came across Buffalo Pass up in Steamboat Springs. The pictures of aspens and thoughts of waking up 10,000 ft high on a mountain sold us. We decided Buffalo Pass was the place for us and started packing. This might come as a surprise given how much time went into planning this trip, but from the drive to the third and final (yes, third) time we staked our tent in the ground, Edwin and I struggled to remember why we decided to go on this trip in the first place.
The Long and Bumpy Drive:
The first obstacle on our trip begun about twenty minutes after we got in the car. With excitement for our trip and a recent payday in the bank, I had ordered my first pair of hiking boots on REI’s website and planned to pick them up at the store on the way. Unfortunately this rush job of a hiking boot purchase did not take into consideration the fact that, one, it was Labor Day weekend and the biggest sale of the year for REI, and two, that buying something online at midnight does not mean your stuff will be ready when you walk in at 10:00 am the next morning. Thanks to the combination of covid regulations, the Labor Day sale, and my thoughtless ordering process, the 3 lines I had to wait in to buy these hiking boots took a grand total of an hour and a half to get through; all the while Edwin and Mabel, my dog, were waiting in the car for me. Needless to say when I finally did make my way back to the car, I had a grumpy crew who were stuck in the car with me for the next three hours. But hey, at least I had hiking boots.
The Confusing Campsite:
When we finally arrived at the service road leading up to the campgrounds we were tired of the car (and perhaps of each other). We were ready to set up camp, play a game of Rummy 500, and go to bed. Unfortunately for us a few more obstacles stood in our way before any of that could happen. First of all the service road that I was convinced would take us to the top proved to be rougher terrain than anticipated and proved me wrong. As Edwin grumbled about his concern for the rough road ahead, I decided to keep mine inside hoping that the car wouldn’t fall apart, and trying to reassure him that “we could definitely make it another few miles, it will be such a cool view!” Luckily for me, my counterpart keeps my ideas in check, and made the executive decision to turn around and find a place to set up camp before our car combusted. As we started to drive back down the hill, we saw a few established campsites; something we did not expect to see given this land was advertised to be a dispersed campground. My inexperienced and afraid-to-break-the-rules mind convinced me that because there were established campsites that were kind of far apart, I had the incorrect notion of what dispersed camping really was. Instead of listening to my level-headed boyfriend, I decided hiking up a steep hill carrying all of our supplies, and dog in tow to find a spot where rangers couldn’t possibly find us was the most plausible next step. About half a mile up the ridiculous journey I forced upon my crew, I realized unless we went for about twenty more miles we were not going to find a flat spot to put up our tent, so down we went. Frustrated and tired we got back in the car to see if we had missed an open campsite. What we found was a small patch of dirt connected to another campsite that was occupied. We assumed it was free for the taking so set up camp. Relieved and moving past the stored up anger I provoked we played a few game of cards. About an hour later, the man who had set his tent up in the adjacent camp site, kindly asked us to find a new spot to set up camp because his friends were coming up to meet him that night. Slightly annoyed, but grateful that he confirmed dispersed camping meant what we thought it did originally we hauled our stuff into a dried up marsh land nearby. The view was beautiful and we were able to easily access the car parked on the service road about a quarter of a mile from our tent. What we didn’t realize until we had re-set up our tent was that the marsh land we were in was in direct sunlight from sunup to sun down, not the easiest thing to deal with for multiple days for the fair-skinned Swede I am dating or the intensely fluffy dog we love so much. So off we went again, this time on foot. We finally spotted a shaded outcropping in the trees that had an amazing view of the aspen trees just starting to change colors. Luckily the third time was the charm for us, and we finally settled into our home for the next three days. Once we had set up camp for the final time, we were able sit back, relax and enjoy nature.
The Shooting Star That Made it All Worth it:
With all the trouble we were going to have to face for the weekend behind us, we spent time exploring around Buffalo Pass and got to see some of the most beautiful landscape we’ve ever experienced. Mabel got to be off leash the entire weekend because of the distance between us and other campers, and we got to enjoy some much needed quality time after our unfortunately adventurous first day. The skies were clear which made for unbelievable stargazing. On our last night after we had eaten dinner and it was getting dark, we decided to stay outside a while and watch the stars. About twenty minutes into our stargazing session we saw the brightest and longest lasting shooting star either of us had ever seen. It was blazing orange, and because of the lack of light pollution it seemed to light up the entire sky. Edwin and I realized at that moment that my overly eager nature and tendency to under-plan combined with his conservative and stable mentality lead us to what we believe to be the best spot in Buffalo Pass. Though the journey was trying, and somewhat comical when standing outside of the moment, the destination was absolutely worth it.
In 2019, during my time studying abroad in Spain my junior year of college, a group of my close friends and I decided to book an Airbnb on the high cliffs of Atrani overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. I embarked on my trip to Italy with the hopes of eating amazing food, seeing beautiful sights, and relaxing on the beach. I first flew to Naples to meet my friends. From Naples we then took a van through the city of Pompeii, as well as the Italian countryside on our way to the coast. I will never forget sitting in the crowded van with my eyes glued to the window as we sped through the windy Italian roads.
Our Airbnb in Atrani, which was big enough to sleep 20, sat atop what appeared to be a never-ending system of stairs and walkways. After meandering our way up the mountainside, we finally made it to our house. Never in my life had I ever stayed in a place with such breathtaking views. We spent the first day on the beach, enjoying the crystal clear ocean water. The clarity of the water along the Amalfi Coast could rival any mountain spring creek in Colorado.
We soon realized, however, that the only open restaurant in the small town of Atrani was a rundown pizza and sandwich shop. And no, I am not talking about the pizza one might imagine finding in Italy. Immediately, I became horrified that I may not get to enjoy a true Italian feast during my visit. For anyone who has never been to the Amalfi coast, the landscape is rugged, and it is nearly impossible to move between towns without a motorized vehicle. That night, I ate my soggy pizza, praying that it would not be the only thing I ate for the next two days.
When I woke up the next day, I made it my mission to find a true authentic Italian restaurant that would be possible to walk to. This is easier said than done with minimal cell reception and no knowledge of the Italian language. While my friends spent the early afternoon enjoying drinks on the beach, I was asking around hoping to find someone who spoke enough English to tell me where to get a meal. I was fortunate enough to meet a local man who looked to be about my age who directed me to a tunnel which connects Atrani to the neighboring town, a very good resource to know about. From there he gave me directions to a very old restaurant whose name translates to Grandma Amelia’s. I knew in that moment that I had found what I was looking for.
This wonderful little restaurant by the sea was able to seat all 21 of us (at various tables) along the sea wall. When we arrived at the restaurant, my nose filled with the most incredible smell of fresh herbs and slow cooked meat. As I sat there drinking wine and enjoying the most incredible Bolognese ever crafted, I felt all my hopes and dreams for my Italian vacation coming true. We sat for hours eating, drinking, and doing our best to converse with the locals.
My state of bliss continued into the next day as we had rented two mini-yachts with crew to take us on a tour of the Amalfi Coast. Our crew showed us some amazing scenery and even took us to a place where we could cliff jump. For lunch we docked in the large town of Positano. There we were treated to another fantastic meal of fresh seafood and pasta. As I sat riding on the bow of the boat cruising through the emerald blue waters, I felt incredibly fortunate for the experiences I was having.
The next day as I packed my bags and boarded the van to take us back to Naples, I could not help but feel a bit sad. I loved my time interacting with locals, and Grandma Amelia’s homemade Bolognese is something I will surely never forget.
In 2016, I spent two weeks in Europe with my club soccer team, traveling to many different countries, and experiencing different cultures and people, as well as the different ways of playing the game I love. I got another opportunity to do the same thing three years later in 2019.
In 2016 I went to Europe with my club team and got to visit many different cities and countries. My favorite city was Budapest because of all of the amazing views. The people were challenging there. The women did not like us and would make sure we knew that. They are not fond of American women we quickly learned. Now the men, were about the exact opposite. They were constantly trying to touch us (sometimes inappropriately). Besides the people, Budapest was educational, beautiful and simply eye opening to a whole other life style. Our hotel was right on the water, and you could see a magnificent castle right across the water. We were also fortunate enough to have many different adventures. My favorite adventure was having dinner on a beautiful boat. Budapest has a river that runs through it named Danube River, and it is surrounded by new and old buildings. The views were breathe taking. They served us with a drink as soon as we stepped food on the boat. They served us a buffet that had all types of noodles, sauces, and different kinds of meats including meatballs, chicken, and some sort of ground beef. Another one of my favorite places from this trip was Vienna. We stayed in a very old castle that had been transformed into a beautiful hotel. We also got to go into the town and see all of the beautiful white buildings. We also went on a 23 mile bike ride that led us to another castle. The bike ride was not easy by any means, but the views around were worth it. We stopped at multiple different points to simply look at all of the greenery around us. There were mostly just plants and a lot of different kinds of boulders because of us being on a path for the most part. Playing soccer in a different country is very different than playing soccer in America. Soccer is a way of life in Europe and is taken very seriously. But on the other side of it, they love to have fun while playing it. Before most games, we were offered shots and at half time and a beer after the game. The way they take care of their pitch was overwhelming. The grass was perfectly cut and was very green. We also went to Prague, which in ways like Budapest to me. We went on Segways to tour Prague, and that was the best part of the whole trip. We got to see all of the simple and beautiful places in Prague.
In the photo it shows the Danube River right off of an magnificent castle in Budapest, 2016.In the photo it shows the Danube River right off of an magnificent castle in Budapest. This was right outside of our hotel, 2016.This is me holding a wine class while on a boat ride on the Danube river. This photo also shows the castle up close that I talked about on the last image, 2016.
This is a photo of me in the boat on the Danube River, 2016.This photo shows an old castle that we stayed in while in Vienna. It has beautiful green landscaping in the front, 2016.This photo was taken in Vienna and shows a beautiful white building. It has people in the photo as well as a taxi car, 2016.This photo shows the castle we biked 23 miles to in Vienna. It had beautiful detailing along the entrance and was a dark yellow color, 2016.This photo shows one of the fields we played on while abroad. It has a very bright green field with a beautiful blue sky in the background, 2016.
Three years later, in 2019, I went to Europe it was with my college soccer team. This time was a little bit different for me because I had just fractured my tibia plateau, so I was on crutches for this trip.We went to France. Paris had beautiful parts to it, but overall I was not the biggest fan of it. It was very dirty besides the museums, and it constantly had a harsh smell. We went to the Eiffel Tower, saw the Mona Lisa, and also went to other historic places. We went and saw all of the shops in Paris including Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Supreme. We also went to the Norte-Dame right after the fire, so we could not go in it but we were still able to see the outside of it. We scootered around Paris for the most part, and that was probably one of my favorite parts. Traffic is so different there compared to Colorado, I would compare it to New York. So, while scootering you were able to weave in and out of traffic and scooter in the road instead of on the side walk. We went to the Palace of Versailles, which had the most beautiful pieces of art work, and had extraordinary attention to detail. They gave us a small ear piece, so that our tour guide would be able to explain every room and place we went to. We also were there during the World Cup, so we went to a game at the Stade de la Mosson. This game was so fun to go to because the United States was playing. We also went to Montpellier and stayed in a hotel right on the beach. Montpellier is beautiful and walking the streets there was like a dream.
This photo shows me in Paris the day I was allowed to switch to one crutch instead of two, 2019.This photo is of the Eiffel tower at night, 2019.
This photo shows me with the Mona Lisa. This is the only time being on crutches was nice, because they had a handicap line, and they told me to go in it so I got to be super close to it, 2019.
This photo shows skateboards in the Supreme store in Paris, 2019.This photo shows the Notre Damn, and it is being rebuilt after the fire happened in 2019, 2019.This photo shows me and my friend scootering around Paris, 2019.This is a photo of inside the Palace of Versailles. The detail was amazing in here, everywhere you looked there was small details, 2019.This was the garden behind the Palace of Versailles. The greenery was breath taking and the design of each piece of nature was so satisfying, 2019.This is me and one of my friends on the beach in Montpellier, 2019.
This is me and one of my friends in the streets on Montpellier, 2019.
Although both of these trips were life changing, my second trip was my favorite. Even though I was on crutches I still think I got to experience more and see more things that we hear so much about. It was also more recent so that also could have something to do with it. I remember so much more from my second trip than my first.
In June 2019 my family took me and my boyfriend around Europe to celebrate our high school graduation. By far, my favorite place we ventured was Montepulciano in Tuscany, Italy. It felt like walking through a town stopped in time. The main street is cobblestoned and goes up and up and up past castle-like buildings. This small city sits on a hill and is surrounded by valleys as far as the eye can see. The moment we drove into this town to get to our AirBnB, I felt something incredibly deep in my soul. It felt like this place had been waiting for me, I had a sense of belonging, though I was in a foreign place. From that minute on, my spirit continued to lift higher than those Tuscan hills.
After a while of unpacking in our quant townhome, we all got a craving for a good meal with a great view. As we wandered up the streets looking for the perfect place for dinner, the buildings suddenly parted and opened to the most gorgeous view…I swear it was a literal glimpse into heaven. It was golden hour and the sun was soft, the rays illuminated the rolling valleys and it was like standing in a dream. I have never seen anything like it. The five of us stood there for at least twenty minutes, entranced by the place we would call home for the next three days.
To top the night off, we found a small restaurant with outdoor seating, the balcony showcased the view as if we were looking at a painting. There were fresh flowers and vines tangled along all four walls and the rails of the balcony. We watched the sunset and filled our tummies with delectable Italian food and filled our souls with great conversation.
The next day we decided to explore Tuscany a bit more, we drove to another city on a hill. I don’t remember the name but it was much smaller than Montepulciano. As soon as we got there we noticed very quickly that we were the only ones around… Everything looked closed and we couldn’t figure out why. Was it a holiday or some special celebration? I still don’t understand why the whole town felt like a ghost town that day. We continued to wander and stumbled across the one restaurant that looked open, and it was packed! I guess that’s where everyone was! There were at least 30 people packed into this small restaurant (ah, remember the time before COVID?), and most were speaking in loud Italian. Everyone was enjoying pasta and wine and I can recall there being so much laughter amongst everyone. People were talking to one another across tables, it was like one big family.
We were instantly welcomed and recommended their specialty dishes, so of course, that’s what we ordered. It was the most amazing pasta I have ever had, it felt like I was eating true Italian food; as if my bowl of pasta came from a recipe that has been passed down for generations from Italian grandmother to Italian grandmother. The noodles were perfectly al dente, the sauce was creamy and flavorful, the meat and cheeses blended beautifully with the sauces and noodles. Every bite was better than the last, and it was obvious how much the men working there took pride in their dishes. They continued to come over and ask us how we were doing, they patted us on the back and gave us huge grins when we told them how much we were loving their food. The food was impeccable but what made the whole experience even better was the people. The old and the young gathered into this charming space with the intention to not only eat but chat across tables and welcome the notion of the new and the regular walking into their familiar establishment.
I realized something in Tuscany, and throughout Europe: they love family. Meals around one big table are the best place to create a sense of community. Italians especially take pride in their cuisine, it’s like sharing a piece of their heart, their families, their history. The fact that they are so open to everyone, even some American tourists, goes to show how much they value that sense of home everywhere they go. As someone who felt at home in this small town, I wholeheartedly appreciate that the people were as–if not more–stunning and welcoming as that first sunset I got to witness while in Tuscany.
When I was younger, listening to stories of my mother’s childhood was one of my favorite things in the world. Her stories were always filled with walks around her small city, staying out until late, and everyone hanging around the main plaza. My parents are from a small city buried between the mountain range of the western sierra in Chihuahua, Mexico. The name Madera translated into English means “wood.” It is named this because it is surrounded by green forests, making it the perfect place for the lumber business. The first time I visited Madera, I was nine years old. I remember being mesmerized by the natural beauty of this place; considering I had always lived in the city, it was like nothing I had seen before. Since then, my love for this city brings me back every summer. As soon as you enter the city, the smell of pine and firewood welcome you to the city where memories are made.
Photo Credit: MaderaDrone on FacebookPhoto Credit: Maderenses por todo el Mundo Facebook
Madera is not only a beautiful place, but it also has a rich history.
Las Cuarenta Casas (the 40 houses) is a reminder of the Paquime culture. Sitting at the top of a mountain are 40 caves that were built when the Paquime people first decided to leave their nomad life behind. They are believed to have been built between 1205 and 1260 A.D. Based on artifacts that were found there, it is believed that the 40 houses also served as a meeting and trading spot for the indigenous people of the area. My mother always told me stories of hikes she would do here with her dad. Later on, she began doing these hikes with her friends. There are so many pictures of her with them, its hard to know which ones were taken where. The first time I went, I was fascinated with the history of this place but the hike was draining.
Photo Credit: Maderenses por todo el Mundo FacebookPhoto Credit: Maderenses por todo el Mundo FaceBook
Another beautiful and historical place in Madera is Huapoca. Huapoca is located in a canyon, and there are many caves in the area. One of the most famous ones is Cueva Grande (The Big Cave). This cave is known because there are two homes near the cave believed to be over 800 years old. This cave also has a big, beautiful waterfall that leads into the nearby river. However, if you’re not into history, Huapoca also has two nearby pools filled with natural hot springs. These pools make up a huge part of my childhood, and it’s also a great camping space by the river. When I was a little girl, I loved going swimming there. Sometimes, we would drive all the way there and be caught with bad weather, but that just meant we’d all have to cozy up and build a bonfire by the river so I didn’t mind.
Photo Credit: Atlas_ReconditoPhoto Credit: Maderenses por todo el mundo FaceBook
Despite the rich archeological history of Madera, my favorite memories are those I made in the city. I have never met friendlier people than those I’ve met there. Every year, the people of the city begin to celebrate the local festivities with a donkey. Yes, a donkey. In the summer, the city fair, the rodeo, and the baseball games all start after El Burrito Sotolero, which roughly translates into The Donkey with the Sotol. Sotol is a Mexican liquor, and it doesn’t really exist anywhere else. On this day, a donkey pulls a wagon filled with sotol, and people who live in the city then follow the donkey all through the city center and try to get as drunk on sotol as they can. The donkey ends its journey at the fairgrounds, and the fair officially starts! This is also the day local teenage girls compete to see who will become the queen of that year’s fairs. Many of my aunts have competed in this event, but like my mother, I was never drawn to this event. Everyone loves this time of year because it is full of fun. Personally, there has never been a weekend I spent at the fair where it ended before 3 am. My dad is one of the people who participate in the rodeo, so it is always fun to be able to see him and his friends riding around on their horses trying to lasso cows. This also makes me feel connected to my mom. She told me the stories of how she would watch my dad ride his horse and how this was where she started crushing on the future father of her daughter.
The friends I’ve met in Madera have turned into family, and every year I look forward to returning to this city. Every summer welcomes me with daily rain and so much fun. Going to the fair, eating some tacos and homemade potato chips always fill my heart with joy.
Photo Credit: Edna Martinez El Heraldo de Chihuahua
Without a doubt, Madera is my favorite place in the world.
My mom, dad, and I at the Louvre, Labor Day weekend of 2002
In 2002 when I was 14 months old, my parents and I went to Germany to endure 2 weeks’ worth of hospital appointments when they were trying to diagnose me with what we now know as Spinal Muscular Atrophy. As a much-needed break, my parents decided we would spend Labor Day weekend in Paris, because why not?
I only know this based on stories they’ve told me, but the gist is that it was chaos from the beginning. Apparently, my dad booked the reservation at a hotel with an address of something like 1234 Paris St, Paris… spoiler alert: Paris St, Paris doesn’t actually exist and neither did that hotel. So, my poor parents were stuck walking around the streets of Paris with me, until they found an available hotel room.
The stroller they were borrowing from a friend fell apart within the first day we were there, so my parents had to take turns carrying me around the city. They set aside an entire day to visit the beautiful Louvre, but I guess I didn’t appreciate art back then, because I proceeded to scream at the top of my lungs while my parents rushed past the Mona Lisa and Venus di Milo to get me out of there.
Now, I’m 19 years old and I have regrets about how I spent my time abroad. Being physically disabled leads to some challenges in travelling across the country, and I can’t even imagine trying to go across seas. But now, with COVID-19, no one is travelling, and that has encouraged museums to go virtual – including the Louvre. So, I have taken full advantage of these resources being free at the moment, and decided to take a day to go “visit” some beautiful art.
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I started my grand adventure with a simple Google search of “French cafes near me,” after all, I needed to get the full experience. I quickly found that La Belle Rosette was only a ten-minute walk from my dorm room, and I was off! I enjoyed their quaint little area that wasn’t too big, but I imagine it is nice and intimate when you can dine-in. I ordered the Rosaletta panini lunch combo, and my friend got the Mona Lisa panini combo – needless to say, we felt very French.
La Belle Rosette, taken on October 6th 2020
We carried our treats back to campus and ate outside the Beans café and enjoyed our delicious sandwiches. Then, the real adventure began. I easily found the Louvre’s website, and within a few clicks I had found their virtual galleries.
The galleries’ online experiences were all unique, some went full-on like a Google Earth street view, and some were simple panoramas that you could slide through. A lot of the pieces had zoom-in options and captions of what the name was, who created it, and brief descriptions of what the medium was and/or what they were symbolizing. The only unfortunate thing was that those captions were all in French for most pieces, so I would recommend having a translator at the ready.
A screenshot of the exhibit “The Body in Movement,” taken on October 11th 2020
You can view the art and filter search results by the room the art is in, or by the exhibit it is included in. I went by exhibit, since I didn’t have any art in mind, and I wanted to experience as much as possible.
There was an exhibit appropriately titled, “Founding Myths: From Hercules to Darth Vader,” that I instantly clicked to view more in-depth. It included sculptures and paintings depicting the Greek and Roman heroes and monsters, and more modern concepts. I couldn’t identify what in the exhibit had to do with Darth Vader or the Star Wars saga but I assumed they may have been mentioned in French or on a sign that was too small to view. I enjoyed the artwork nonetheless. There were even interactive pieces, which I found odd and exciting coming from this prestigious museum. The “What, Where, Who?” light game was really intriguing, as it invited guests to press buttons that controlled different lights to convey the power that color and shadow has on art. Unfortunately, that wasn’t part of the virtual experience, but there was a button explaining the concept.
As I clicked out of that section, I realized something; I apparently had seen the Mona Lisa when I was 14 months old, and I have no memory of it… I should look it up! Sounds simple, it’s bound to be in one of these exhibit links and I’ll be able to tell people, “Yeah, I’ve seen the Mona Lisa… virtually.”
I followed through the list of available virtual exhibits, including the “Remains of the Louvre’s Moat,” saw the Great Sphinx of Tanis and some animal mummies, glanced at some sculptures of Greek deities…
But there was no di Vinci!
I started overthinking it (as I’m prone to do) and convinced myself that maybe they exclude di Vinci’s work from the virtual tours, keeping them as a “hidden” gem only available in-person. Bummed, I started clicking random French buttons thinking I’d find the online giftshop so I could daydream about buying a t-shirt, and then I saw it. Clear as day, in an 8-point font at most, was a link titled, “Mona Lisa Beyond the Glass.” Huzzah! This whole “trip” was worth it!
I was soon enveloped in a 5-minute long video of the curators of the di Vinci exhibit explaining how they have created an exhibit exclusively for the Mona Lisa to be viewed on a virtual reality headset. They explained that every visitor wants to have their moment with the beautiful piece, but due to crowds, people only get an average of 30 seconds in front of her. So, they created a VR-experience that allows you to see the individual layers di Vinci had to use to create the depth and details. There’s even an app anyone can download on their smartphones (for free) that gives you the same exposure to the art. I didn’t install the app since the video was immersive, and instead I downloaded the free exhibit booklet, and learned that it took di Vinci from 1503-1519 to finish the masterpiece.
As a little treat, I perused the online giftshop, oohing and ahhing at all the pretty replicas that could be purchased at a range of €3.00 to €2,500! I considered purchasing a small notebook as a souvenir for this “once in a lifetime” experience, but after calculating shipping, I realized my small notebook was going to cost more than a new hardback novel from Barnes and Noble. So, I decided to simply bookmark the page to look back at and proceed to ooh and ahh at it.
My first and second visits to the Louvre were vastly different – for starters there were far less tears this time around! And even though this recent “trip” was quite unconventional to most, it was probably the best I am going to get, and I enjoyed it! Lately, a lot of people have been talking about what the “new normal” of the world is going to be, and I hope virtual tours are something that sticks around. Not only is it more physically accessible, but it allows people with economic issues to still experience the beauties of the world in an immersive way. After all, isn’t art one thing that everyone should have access to?
