I can’t believe I’ll be leaving San Diego tomorrow. It has been my home since I moved out here to attend San Diego State University. I’ve lived in this wonderful city for about 8 years now and have loved every moment of it. I’m not sure what is in store for me moving forward; however, I trust that it will all be for the best. I’m excited. One of my favorite quotes from Mark Twain really stuck with me:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

I’m very sad to leave all the wonderful people I’ve met from my 8 years in San Diego. It’s one of those moments in time that you will cherish forever. There have been so many people in my life that have influence me and helped me grow into the person I am today. Im truly honored to have been part of their lives.

Unfortunately, I’ll be moving back home for a couple months until I make a move to Europe. I’m hoping to be out there for awhile. The main determining factor for me is how I plan on building a sustainable lifestyle.

Although the move to Europe may seem random, I have a clear goal in mind. I want to understand different cultures for my own personal and professional growth.

I’m really excited for the next chapter in my life. This is one of those moments where you could actually put a bookmark and close out a chapter. It’s a very clear change in the lifestyle I was living for the past couple years. It hasn’t quite hit me yet, but I’m always looking forward to learning something new and taking on adventure. Again, I’m a true gemini at heart. Ever since I was a child, I always kept looking for new adventures or hobbies. I’m an explorer of new interests and want to experience all that life has to offer.

To all those who have been a part of my life so far. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. So many memories and experiences to remember. They are the kinds of memories that are priceless and worth more than anything else in the world. So thank you and I look forward to many more years of our friendship.

Until then…It’s off to the next adventure. Here is what I hope is in store (slowly adding to this list): Continue Reading →

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” – Bill Bryson

Ever since I studied abroad in Paris, France for a month, I knew I had the travel bug. There is something so rewarding and fulfilling about going to a new place where you don’t know anyone. Through traveling, you learn about yourself. You must learn to become more patient, more courageous and more open-minded. You must learn to use what little you have. It’s amazing.

As I look forward, I know I’d still like to do more traveling. I’d like to live in Paris, France for at least 6 months in hopes to tackle one of my bucket list items and life dreams (to live in France and become fluent in French). Below are  a couple things I’d still like to do. What is on your list?

1) Visit Beelitz in Germany and see the abandoned hospital, Beelitz Heilstätten. (view more photos)

Continue Reading →

Three friends set out on an adventure to enjoy the culture of Madrid, Spain, run with the bulls in Pamplona, enjoy the beach in San Sebastian, see the sights of Barcelona, enjoy the beer of Berlin, Germany and see the ‘sleaze’ of Amsterdam, Netherlands. All of this in only a couple days. We never would’ve expected the adventure and roller coaster that would be hands down the most memorable ‘vacation’ ever.

Follow the most insane 8 days of my life:

1. Day 0 – Packing and preparing for the trip (San Diego 7/10/11)
2. Day 1 – We Are In Madrid, Spain! (Madrid, Spain 7/11/11)
3. Day 2 – Sh*t hits the fan…and it smells! (Madrid, Spain 7/12/11)
4. Day 3 – Run for your life! (Pamplona, Spain 7/13/11)
5. Day 3.5 – Ran with the Bulls, Off to the Beach (San Sebastian, Spain 7/13/11)
6. Day 4- The Window of Hope (Barcelona, Spain 7/14/11)
7. Day 4.5 - Sprechen Sie Englisch? (Berlin, Germany 7/14/11)
8. Day 5 – A Street Artist’s Dream (Berlin, Germany 7/15/11)
9. Day 6 – Missed Departure (Berlin, Germany 7/16/11)
10. Day 7 – Red Lights and Window Tapping (Amsterdam, Netherlands 7/17/11)
11. Day 8 – Leaving on a Jetplane (Amsterdam, Netherlands 7/18/11)
12. Day 9 – Recovering (San Diego, California 7/19/11)

We wake up in the morning refreshed and ready for the day. We head out to get breakfast at a nearby bakery. I must say that chocolate pastries got the better of me this trip and I order two. Just as we head out to explore and find a thrift store to buy a camera, we run into one of the backpackers in our dorm, Theo.

We end up chatting for a bit and all decide to head to the thrift market.

I was amazed at some of the really cool stuff they had at this thrift market. Unlike our markets in the States, this market had nothing but antiques and vintage gadgets and apparel. It was amazing! I really enjoyed the vintage army supply that had everything from old trench coats to gas masks. I contemplated buying a gas mask but decided against it for a couple reasons:

1. When would I actually use it?  I’m pretty sure it doesn’t even work.
2. Would this look strange when airport security scanned my bag? I’m already traveling without proper documentation.
3. It truly smelled… vintage.

Tim stops at an antique camera table and talks with the person for quite some time. After working out a deal, he finally buys a ‘new camera’.

We end up walking around and check out several other local thrift stores until we stumble across what appeared to be an abandoned…well..frame of a building. I was instantly drawn to it and we end up finding our way past the gate and end up getting inside. Let me tell you that it was completely worth the journey. Continue Reading →

We wake up in the morning and are excited to start our day. In the morning we head down and check out of our hostel and decide to take a load off and surf the internet and catch up on what we’ve been missing. The Pfefferbett hostel also offers an all-you-can-eat breakfast for about 5 euro. The breakfast consisted of coffee, bread, cheeses, spreads, cold-cuts and cereal. Since we haven’t really eaten too much this whole trip, it was nice to eat as much as you want and what you want (Truly an American thing, huh?).

Afterwards we decide to visit the Memorial for the murdered Jews of Europe off Cora-Berliner-Strasse street. I was excited that the sun decided to come out and allowed us to get some cool photos. We play around and enjoy the memorial. We end up getting some really cool shots but are soon told by the security guard to get down. I guess you’re not supposed to jump on the blocks (although we saw multiple people doing the same thing).

A couple things came to mind when walking through this memorial: Continue Reading →