In last week’s blog update, I discussed a strategy that I use for assessing & minimizing risks. As I mentioned then, there is a fine line between mitigating risk & failing to act out of fear. In this week’s post, I am going to define fear & discuss how I overcome it in order to move forward in life & in travels. It’s true that there are inherent risks with traveling solo & I have been in my share few fear-inducing … [Read more...] about Living The Glamorous Life Part 2: How I Overcome Fear As a Solo Traveler
Living The Glamorous Life Part 1: Assessing Risk As A Solo Traveler
Ending up in the Australia Emergency Room due to a potentially life threatening diving injury, decompression illness, a.k.a. “the bends,” was an extremely eye opening travel experience. Up until this event, I believed that I was safe. I was a confident diver & had just completed my 60th dive. Decompression illness only happens to divers who aren't diving safely & don't know what they're doing! So I thought. I was very lucky & I … [Read more...] about Living The Glamorous Life Part 1: Assessing Risk As A Solo Traveler
What I’ve learned after backpacking around the world (& why I travel)
I am competent & capable I can navigate myself through airports & crowded, unfamiliar cities where I don't speak the language… without access to Google Maps I can bravely eat that disgusting looking mush… & I might even enjoy it I can get out of sticky situations as easily as I can get into them I can make friends easily I must be a likeable person There are no problems that are too big … [Read more...] about What I’ve learned after backpacking around the world (& why I travel)
How “Adaptability” is truly a strength in my life today
A few weeks ago, I was chatting with a pharmacist friends & she said to me, “I don’t know how you do your job! Isn’t it difficult to constantly learn new pharmacy systems & workflows & jump into new settings all the time?? I don’t think I could do it.” I pride myself on being highly adaptable & flexible when it comes to travel, going with the flow of each new day. But until that conversation with my friend, it had not occurred … [Read more...] about How “Adaptability” is truly a strength in my life today
7 Glamorous Steps To Combatting “Travel Blues”
It happens to all of us. It can sneak up on even the most experienced traveler. In the backpacking world, it’s commonly referred to as “the travel blues.” There are a number of reasons a person might experience the travel blues. Perhaps there is a difficult situation at home & it feels as if you have no control over it. Perhaps you are exhausted & overwhelmed from sightseeing & moving around so often & just want to feel … [Read more...] about 7 Glamorous Steps To Combatting “Travel Blues”
The worst bus ride EVER
The following is an account of my extremely shitty Peruvian bus experience. I don’t have a better word. It was literally shitty... & potentially dangerous. A few weeks ago I decided at the last minute to book a 20 hour, overnight bus from Cusco to Lima. The bus left promptly at 8pm with a 4pm ETA in Lima. During the night & morning, our bus broke down SIX times in the middle of nowhere in the Andes. Each time, it took at least … [Read more...] about The worst bus ride EVER
How I Make Friends As An Introverted Solo Traveler
As an introverted solo traveler, you might believe that it’s difficult to find friends on the road. In fact, many friends & family members ask how I do it because I maintain very close but relatively few friendships at home. I have discovered that by following a few simple steps & intentionally maintaining an aura of openness, I can easily connect & befriend people in all places I go. Making friends on my special … [Read more...] about How I Make Friends As An Introverted Solo Traveler
Here’s Why Living Minimally Is Not “Glamorous”
My favorite & most memorable experiences have been the ones that are the most nitty gritty & the least “glamorous.” The 3 day, $30 “all-inclusive” journey down the Peruvian Amazon River in a cargo ship. The overnight volcano hiking trip, in which I hiked up & down two volcanos-- one of them erupting at least once per minute. One of the most challenging but rewarding hikes I've ever done. Stories for future blog … [Read more...] about Here’s Why Living Minimally Is Not “Glamorous”
How I became a traveling pharmacist
I love to travel as much as possible for as long as possible. I am also a pharmacist who went to school for 7 years to get a doctorate in pharmacy & have a profession. After the question, “how did you save money to quit your 40 hour per week job & travel?” the second most frequently asked question is, “what kind of job do you have that allows you to travel for so long & so often??” I usually respond to that question with “I have … [Read more...] about How I became a traveling pharmacist
