Flying South for the Weekend

“Thank you for flying United Airlines. We have now arrived at South Carolina’s Charleston International Airport.” came through the intercom just as the wheels hit the ground of the tarmac.

 

All of this started when my sister told me she was going to South Carolina in May. I was pretty jealous and mad she didn’t invite me so I made some snarky remark of “Why didn’t you invite me jerk?”. This prompted her to ask if I really wanted to come.

Then last week, she texted me to ask if I was still interested in going and that she convinced mom to pay for the flight as a graduation present (I was so down for someone else paying). I obviously agreed to take my mom up on that offer and my tickets were booked the next day.

So two weeks after I become a legitimate adult (scary thought), I will be flying to Charleston, SC and frolicking around the city with my sister and her friend. My first trip of the year!

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Fitness for Travel

I love that Ellie keeps us updated on her progress for getting in shape.
Ellie, I really enjoy how honest you are. You are not afraid to admit that you bought Weight Watchers cake and proceeded to eat three out of five of the cakes.

 

Keep up the awesome posts and don’t forget to keep on working towards your goals!

Thanks for the funny and real posts about fitness!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

My sister studied at UPenn for six years getting her doctorate in Immunology. I loved visiting her in Philly, the city of brotherly love.

I got there usually by train but once took a plane because it was faster and cheaper. I was sixteen and alone.

My mom dropped me off at Logan Airport but couldn’t stay long nor could she come further than the small lobby. As soon as she got into the car again, I began to sweat and my breathing was heavy. I hardly made my way to security and got in a very long line. That only made it worse. My palms were sweaty. My mouth was dry. I was staring at the TSA man praying that nothing would go wrong. What if my ticket was wrong? What if I set off the metal detector? Every inch closer to the huge and terrifying machine made my knees grow weaker and my throat grow tighter.

I made it through security but then had to wait for the plane to board. My palms only became sweatier and my foot began shaking. Finally my number is called. I board the plane and take a seat with no one around me. Take off and landing only made things worse.

The only relief I had was getting into the car with my sister.

An Virtual Travel Buddy

I just recently started following this blog and did very little back tracking to find out why exactly I did. She is the type of girl I want to help plan my travels. The post that stuck out to me was “Six ways to see the world”. She just gets it. The fact that there is not enough time to see the world but you can definitely try.

Ellie, I just have a few questions.

When you worked abroad, how did you deal with your life at home? Your family? Your living situation?

I’m super close with my family and I don’t think I would be able to work abroad. It feels a little too permanent to me.

What would you suggest for an American who can’t really go on city breaks?

I wish America was like Europe where you could take a weekend off and go to a different country. I take a weekend off and hardly leave the state I’m in.

 

Thank you Ellie for your great writing and help!

And the destination becomes the adventure.

Local. Tourist. Companion. Backpack. Destination. Adventure.

You’re a human. I know this. I also know you’ve heard each and every one of those words in your life.

You may or may not have travelled before. If you have all of those words have a different and special meaning to you.

You think of the locals versus the tourists. When you’re out and about in a different country, you want to feel, think, eat, drink and every thing else like those locals. We don’t have the saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans” for no reason. You are the tourist attempting to be a local even if it’s just for the day.

Your companion at home may be your spouse or partner or maybe even your dog. While traveling, your companion is the one person you can do all and see all with. That person may still be your partner or spouse but it could also be your sister, your cousin, a coworker or even a stranger that you met on the way.

The ever loved backpack. From preschool to college, we have that bag on more than off. It carries our books, pens and pencils, and on the occasional weekend, our sleepover gear. For travelers, the backpack can be a saving grace. Luggage gets lost all the time but if you’re smart, you packed some clothes and essentials in your backpack. It can also be the only thing you use to pack.

Backpack can also be a way of getting around. It’s the typical post-graduation dream of every college student. The chance to backpack around Europe, spending nights in sketchy hostels and hardly showering. In Asia and South America, backpacking is the best way to see the landmarks.

Each destination provides the opportunity for a new adventure. We plan every last detail of our journey and wait until the day finally comes where we arrive at our destination. And once again that new adventure begins.

The Traveling Outsider

Traveling is a constant feeling of being on the outside, looking in. Every new place you travel to, you’re discovering new territory to you. You become submerged in a new culture, even if you’re traveling to the next state over. They do things differently than you and always will. But that’s also the best part of being on the outside, looking in. You start to see things differently in life because you have seen other lifestyles of those cultures that many people won’t have the chance to see.