*To share your own travel bucket list, scroll to the bottom of this post*

As I thought of what to add to my travel bucket list this week, my mind was suddenly flooded with memories of mama. And papa. Maybe spending Mother’s Day away from her (and the coming Father’s Day away from him) contributed to this, but I digress…

A few of my travel photos

I want to take mama & papa on an epic journey to realize their dreams.

Mama is an avid adventurer who married too young (though loves dad to pieces), so she couldn’t explore the world how I do now. Instead, she has held multiple jobs for decades, working up to 12 hours a day, 7 days a week to sustain my sister, my ill dad (muscular dystrophy), and me. You’ll hear her fantasize about the day she finally gets her full pension (just a few years away!) and has the means and time to explore the world and volunteer full-time. You see the hidden tears in her eyes when she sees my travel photos: Both of joy/pride for her daughter and of unfulfilled dreams.

I wanna change that. I wanna take mama to every site she wants to see.

That’s the newest item on my travel bucket list, which happens to be item number 1 as of today. In addition to…

Taking papa to Vegas.

Vegas strip at dusk (Nevada Tourism Media Relations on Flickr)

That’s item # 2 now. You see, dad hates flying and gets sea sick easily, so cruises and extensive travel are not for him. However, he would always hint to Vegas when I first wanted to get married…and has never stopped mentioning Vegas ever since. He even said “I would be brave enough to hop on a plane…just to make it to Vegas one day!” Then, as I recollect memories through the years…I remember dad would always mention Vegas in any conversation about fun, dreams, etc. And while he’s like the brother I never had (he knows some deep secrets I would never tell any other friend of mine, let alone mama!), he has always been secretive about his own dreams.

Except Vegas. He just can’t help that one.

I want to have cousin Sergio joins us, take papa to a few strip clubs (why not!? Just look and don’t touch!), take him gambling a little, maybe even fly the rest of the family over, drive and have a week-long vacay on a house boat on Lake Powell at the end of the trip. No motion sickness here, so it would be perfect for papa, too

View of Lake Powell houseboat from the restored Three Roof Ruins (jah~ on Flickr)

When I go back home (Puerto Rico) in July, I’ll make sure I have extensive conversations with both mama and papa, mental pen in hand, to make sure I cross off as many items from their travel bucket list as possible. Not now, as I’m currently struggling, but hopefully in the near future.

I want to get to know them more.
I want to give back to them as much as I possibly can.

Love you mama and papa. Los extraño mucho. Can’t wait to see you and start to cross off my our new travel bucket list items, together.

My sister has a baby + is finishing college. I already told her Titi María is taking Jayden on his very first trip: Disney World. We have a few years until then

Disney World fireworks (Joe Penniston, Flickr)

For more travel bucket list inspiration, click here

What’s on your travel bucket list? Share yours below!

Remember: Travel Bucket List Wednesdays are every week!

1. Submit a post related to an item you crossed off (or plan to visit!) from your travel bucket list on Mr. Linky above

2. Please, leave a comment on this post.

3. Tweet all your travel bucket list items with #TravelBL and I promise an RT.

This week’s Cultural Tidbits Monday post will be quite different. Instead of discussing world superstitions or travel through food, I’ll explore American work culture from my POV. I’ll tell you about how it led to illness, plus how I’ve been forced to learn how to RELAX in order to continue. It hasn’t been easy, but I could lose my ability to use my hands and forced to give up my digital nomad dream career altogether if I don’t step back…

Have you noticed a sudden halt of new posts on this travel blog? I’ll tell you why:

I have overworked myself to this point... (John Kannenberg, Flickr)

Seems like I have developed carpal tunnel and/or RSI.

The most difficult part of all this? I could barely hold my dinner fork and feed myself last week. I cried myself to sleep as I got tired of sobbing for hours. I have never experienced physical pain besides my depression (pre-travel and during my life after travel), so it’s been very tough for me. Tougher has been having to significantly decrease the amount of travel writing so I could have a little strength left to be able to work at my 40-hour-a-week management position. You know, the one that’s paying for all my debt…

The new American dream is a trap. And American work culture got me ill.

Hard work during your youth, while being able to relax after you retire are two strong values of American work culture. These values pushed me to get 2 bachelor degrees, hold 4 jobs while studying full-time, and get into debt in the name of education.

My many scholarships and grants were supposed to “cover most expenses,” dammit.

These values made me keep this full-time management job so I could pay off my debt faster and have a great credit score. Yet, because I still wanted to be working toward my dreams, I worked after work, even during all my lunch breaks, on my travel writing. Meaning? About 12-13 hrs of work daily. Why? Because I would do a big chunk of travel writing on weekends, too. These habits, which had no space for relaxation except for a few hours on Saturdays, led my body to crash and destroyed my hands…

And don’t forget I only get 10 days of paid leave a year.

That includes sick days and vacation days.

Stressed.Out (Deborah Leigh, Flickr)

“Oh, but don’t worry, you’ll be able to relax after you retire! You’re such a hard worker María, keep it up!” they say. Well, my body forced me to tell them “F— jou, I’m relaxing now, too!” You see, the pain in my hands became so unbearable that unless I took little breaks during the day + stopped working altogether after 5:30pm, my hands would just stop functioning. I mentioned I couldn’t feed myself the other day, right? *sigh*

And so, with great pain in my heart, I’ve had to greatly scale back on travel writing (both blogging and my paid gigs) just so I can keep the job that pays my bills. That is my good “American work culture” paying for “my American dream” and the education that they inevitably include. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I would have just thrown myself to the world, started travel writing and translating and gone to school after I had the money to do so (you know, after saving $30k from working on a cruise ship).

But I digress.

What’s done is done. I am a prisoner of American work culture and the new American dream until I can pull myself out of debt. Then, when I have enough funds and time, I’ll be able to just do translating and travel writing full-time. To make my dreams finally come true. To not overwork myself and my body to the point of illness. And for now?

I’m still having a hard time learning how to relax.

I wish I could have this every day...but I can't...

Because of my RSI, I am forced to relax. Yet, I can’t stop thinking about work. I’m still struggling. This weekend I did see some glimpses of relaxation and, let me tell you, they were glorious. Still though…I wish I could afford going to the beach more often so I could relax even further. But no, I’m tied up paying all these student loans. I think it is quite ironic that American work culture always equals success, yet most of us are struggling, despite hard work and a decent education. But now I am mostly ranting, so I’ll stop…

I will work harder to relax. I must relax for better health. I must still find a bit of time to work for my dreams. I must still press on so someday I can truly be free.

I will win the war against American work culture, while still being a hard worker.

I will learn how to relax. I will succeed my way!

Those are my current thoughts about American work culture.
What’s your take?

Howdy! Just got back from a road trip to South Carolina last night! Had real southern BBQ for the first time at Top of Carolina and a blast meeting my love’s rents. However, today’s Cultural Tidbits Monday post will be about a Salvadoran food staple, the pupusa, and a pupuseria in Tampa that I visited for the first time last week.

pupuseria in Tampa and Central American restaurant

Why didn’t I write about this pupuseria in Tampa earlier, you may ask? Due to carpal tunnel pain, I couldn’t write or blog much last week. And so today I swallowed the pain, took a deep breath, and typed a bit slower so I could finally post…

What is a pupuseria, or a pupusa for that matter?

Naturally, a pupusería is a place that sells pupusas. And what are they again!? Like a taco is to Mexico, a pupusa is a thick corn tortilla and traditional food staple in El Salvador. Pupusas might remind you of arepas, although their taste is wildly different.

My cheese and chicharron pupusa, topped with curtido

My pupusa and fried plantains (tostones)

The pupusa corn flour mixture typically contains cheese, pork, refried beans or loroco flower bud. Once hand-stretched, the pupusas are fried and then topped with curtido, a Salvadoran side dish similar to coleslaw. They can be eaten as snacks, an appetizer or even a meal. I ate my pupusa with a side of crispy tostones, for instance (see second photo above).

Only pupuseria in Tampa

The cafeteria and pupuseria in Tampa that I visited is more like a family-run restaurant. Not only does the Pupusería y Cafetería Centroamericana offers pupusas and other Central American staples, but they also serve full-blown meals such as Salvadoran steak, combinación Guanaca, and fried pork chunk with cassava (see their Central American food menu here).

Their combinacion guanaca dish includes a tamal, a pupusa, beef and a side of curtido, rice and refried beans

While I waited for my carry-out pupusa (made in the premises from scratch!), I got to chat with the son of the owner for a bit. He told me that there are no other pupuserias in Tampa, or in much of the south for that matter, and that this has helped his family business stay afloat despite a dim economy. It made me feel good that I was contributing and helping a small local business! Which is why I decided to link to their website and talk about my positive experience there, even though I paid full price for my order and no freebies were given to me for reviewing the Pupusería y Cafetería Centroamericana.

Decor gave me a good laugh (click to ENLARGE, then read 2nd sign on upper left)! If you can read Spanish, you know why

This pupuseria in Tampa is within walking distance of the house I just moved into, and with a 6-month lease, I’ll have plenty of opportunities to sample more of its menu items. I love traveling through food, so I’ll be coming back with my gringo boyfriend soon!

What are your favorite international rests. in your neighborhood? Why?

I also have this Dali Museum Florida post under “Inspiration” category of my travel blog, as this is one of my many (successful!) attempts at enjoying local tourism and dealing with my life after travel. Hope it makes for a good Travel Bucket List Wednesday photo essay as well!

Salvador Dali Museum Florida: Finally crossed off!

For years on my travel bucket list, it wasn’t until February of this year that I finally visited the Dali Museum Florida. Located in beautiful St. Petersburg, the “American” tribute to the famous surrealist artist was founded in (year), but was recently remodeled, expanded to more than twice its original size and reopened in 2011:

Dali Museum, FL before remodel (2010 Jinjian Liang, Flickr)

Interesting fact: Did you know Salvador Dalí’s full name is Salvador Domènec Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech, Marquis de Púbol!? *catches breath* Whoa!

"The new Salvador Dali museum is the permanent home of the world's most comprehensive collection of the renowned Spanish artist's work" (Ron Ciervo, Flickr)

The Salvador Dali Museum Florida is only one of 5 Dalí museums worldwide, which include the Dalí Theatre and Museum (Figueres, Catalonia), Dalí Universe (London), Espace Dalí (Paris), and a permanent Dalí exhibition in Berlin.

It is impossible to see all the works in one day, obviously.

As “the world’s most comprehensive collection” of the eccentric artist (see caption of image above by Ron Ciervo), the Salvador Dalí museum in Florida has over 1,500 works. Thus, my first visit simply included a very informational scheduled tour to get a gist of all the exhibitions. While I’m usually against group tours, our guide was incredibly knowledgeable. Not only did we enjoy learning about how each of the works presented came to life (i.e. painting techniques used, how it was commissioned, etc.)–but we were also graced with additional information about the personal life and emotional background of each painting. I learned so much about Salvador Dalí–and came to fall in love with my favorite eccentric artist of all time all over again.

My favorite parts

I loved learning about his love affair with Gala Dalí. I was not aware that Gala left her husband (and her kid!) to stay with Dalí in Paris. In turn, Dalí made her famous, became his muse and one of the most painted models of the time. How did she repay him? Stayed with him all the way through his (alleged?) dementia and until the day she died. It’s funny, though, that the guide didn’t mention the several extramarital affairs Gala, and even Dalí, had. Apparently, Dalí practiced candaulism. Still, I’m not gonna lie–this eccentric love story, albeit sinful, captivated me…

Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean Sea: A panting whose name--and reflection at a distance of about 20 meters--tells a bigger story (dasoaz, Flickr). Dali Museum Florida now houses the original piece.

Funny enough, my other favorite part of my day at the Salvador Dali Museum Florida was the “Tree of Wishes” or Wish Tree.

My man (in purple) and the Tree of Wishes at the Dali Museum Florida

Yes!

It is tradition to take off your museum admission bracelet once you are done with your visit, take it to the “Tree of Wishes” in the backyard, write a wish on it, and tie it to a branch of the Tree–then, believe it’ll come true! The kid in me was very excited

Wishes from all over the world, hanging by a tree

Our wish <3

All in all, an enjoyable day of local tourism (Florida)

I’ll have to repay a visit and perhaps even take a scheduled tour with a different guide–I’m sure the experience will be totally different. It’s refreshing when one sees the attractions close to our current base as exciting as any other outsider does!

Dali Museum bench and part of the bldg. (Matthew Paulson, Flickr)

Have you been to a Dalí museum? What’s on your travel bucket list?

It’s Travel Bucket List Wednesday again! My favorite daydream time of the week. My travel bucket list additions today are mostly places that I have never seen a blogger talk about (minus the Dalí house, perhaps). How new they were to me (first time I ever saw most of them!) made me quite excited about this post. See my entire travel bucket list here and share yours by the end of this post!

Aogashima island – Japan

Located in the Philippine sea, Aogashima island literally dropped my jaw! I mean, just look at that photo *points below*! Whoa! What’s more is that despite its 4 submarine calderas, it is actually inhabited. By the by, this island also made it to my travel bucket list because of how difficult it is to visit (and to leave). The population and its culture must be different feasts in themselves. Seasonal sports fishing and tourism, in addition to agriculture, sustain the few dwellers in Aogashima island. Another interesting fact: There’s only one school in the island, with grades from elementary school to junior high.

OMG...

Salvador Dalí’s house museum – Cadaqués, Catalonia

I absolutely adore Salvador Dalí. Ever since I first spotted one of his paintings in Spanish history class back in elementary school, I was intrigued and never forgot his name (or eccentric works). So if you tell me you are able to visit his home, now turned into a museum in Catalonia, I’ll be all over it! His work in an actual building he designed himself? Yes! As you would expect, his quarters are a reflection of his paintings and sculptures, plus the museum also features some of his unfinished works. I can’t wait to finally cross this item off my travel bucket list! I’m sure my camera will run out of memory that day…

The Door to Hell – Turkmenistan

Really looks like the door to hell. And it is in freakin’ Turkmenistan?! Heck to the yes – in fact, I want to take a micro-flight over it! I wonder if that’s possible…

Whoaaa! (flydime, Flickr)

Thor’s Well – Cape Perpetua, Oregon

Yet another natural wonder joins my extensive travel bucket list this week. I’m not quite sure whether it is as impressive as the picture below suggests, but I still want to make it there. Plus, there’s always Portland…which I haven’t had a chance to visit yet either…

It is best, and naturally the most dangerous, to visit during the winter storms. Woo!

Remember: Travel Bucket List Wednesdays are every week

1. Submit a post related to an item you crossed off (or plan to visit!) from your travel bucket list on Mr. Linky below

2. Please, leave a comment on this entry before you leave.

3. Tweet all your travel bucket list posts with #TravelBL and I promise an RT.

What’s on your travel bucket list!?

As follow-up to my Life after Traveling “depression experience” post, I decided to post photos of some local tourism I’ve been doing. It’s Travel Tuesday, and I’m trying to find some excitement and joy in beautiful spots and locales close to me…until I can spread my wings to fly far, far away again!

Life after traveling: Making up after a fight on Davis Island, Tampa, FL

My partner and I actually had a fight/argument last Wine Wednesday, right in the middle of the wine aisle of a supermarket. That’s where he broke down and said he couldn’t take my “life after traveling depression” anymore. That we had to do something about it. After some tears and emotional “yanks,” we finally figured it all out. Then, we decided to simply get some deli sandwiches from the cafe nearby and head to Blaine’s favorite spot in our city: Seaplane Basin Park on Davis Island, Tampa, FL. The breeze was a bit cool, just what we needed to calm us down, plan our future local tourism adventures and remember how much we do love each other

We watched sunset together, happy with our adventures ahead

The marina

Stay tuned for more local tourism adventures. Next Travel Tuesday post will be about the Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, FL!

Salvador Dali Museum, St Petersburg, Florida (Matthew Paulson, Flickr)

How’s your life after traveling the world? Share your experiences below!

Alo! This week’s Cultural Tidbits Monday post will be a tibit alright, but you’ll learn something new still by Traveling Through Strange Food photos from around the world. Let’s see if you are left hungry or nauseated by the end of it

Casu Marzu: Sardinia, Italy

The Maggot Cheese in all its glory (Photo: Carol Spears, Wiki Commons)

Fancy some fermented cheese and larvae? Then head to Sardinia and eat some of their Casu Marzu (also known as MAGGOT Cheese)! Naturally, this delicacy tops my small Travel Through Strange Food list. The insect larvae is added to the cheese in order to promote fermentation, to such a level that it is borderline decomposed. Eat it with the larvae, which can jump at you when biting into it, or simply remove in order to enjoy the strong cheese without the crunch. Yikes…!

Balut: Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines

Balut! (Photo: chadedwardus, Flickr)

Boiled, nearly-fully-developed chicken or duck embryo eaten right from the shell — that’s Balut for you! It is common street food in the Asian countries of Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Strange food to some (especially animal lovers), but just like regular eggs to others. What’s your take?

Thousand-Year Eggs: China

Thousand-year-old duck egg (Photo: Laughlin Elkind, Flickr)

Speaking of eggs, what about preserving those duck and chicken ones, with a mix of lime, salt, rice straw in clay and ash, then wait several months? Not a thousand-year process alright, but the penetrating ammonia-sulfuric smell will make you think they were kept underground for that long before putting them on your plate. Yay or nay in your book?

Fried beetles: Thailand

"Like beetles for a snack? Fried?" (PlanetStar, Flickr)

Not that strange food to some, but strange enough to me. A crunchy protein snack that you may find in Khao San Road…one I don’t think I’ll ever be able to try. Would you try these on one of your Bangkok holidays?

What strange food have you eaten? Share your list in a comment below!

This post has been sponsored.

Life after travel has been quite difficult for me. Being the control freak I am, feeling “trapped” in a world I no longer felt I belonged to drowned me back into the big black hole of depression. Yesterday, however, my partner helped me resurface with a conversation and sort of “ephiphany.” I can’t believe I was so paralyzed to see it until now…

1.5 years traveling and living abroad = one spoiled María

In 2008, I was part of a study abroad program in Egypt for a year on a full-ride scholarship to learn Arabic intensively. Also, I traveled the Middle East extensively, met amazing people from all walks of life, and heck, even got to salsa dance with Egyptians 7 days a week. The cultural and sensory stimuli were unbelievable. I thrived and I enjoyed myself, despite traveling with a broken heart and fighting depression back then for the second time. Yes, I felt abandoned by a love back home, yes. I struggled with chemical unbalances and clinical depression. However, my life-long dream of traveling and seeing amazing ancient temples and monuments greatly helped my recovery.

me at the Great Pyramid of Giza

My Arab adventures didn’t end there. I moved to Ifrane, Morocco and studied Islamic Civilization and Modern Arabic for 4 months (a semester), again on a full-ride, and even got to teach colloquial American English to a group of Moroccan college students as part of my financial aid package. I befriended an American-Moroccan and 4 West Point cadets, we took road trips around Morocco almost every weekend. I had the time of my life. I even traveled Europe extensively, thanks to low-cost airlines. I saw Rome, the Vatican, I went to Madrid about 3 times, and London in about 4 stopovers. Closing that year was an epic week-long Couchsurfing trip to Iceland. How could I withstand life after travel? How could I “settle” and be “normal” upon graduation after experiencing all this?!

me in Essaouira, Morocco with one of the local kids we took in for lunch

me at the Vatican

I stayed in college for another year, with the “excuse” of starting (and finishing) a second bachelor’s degree. I love school, so it was the best of both worlds. On spring break I took a trip to Panama and went out dancing as much as I could. Then the inevitable happened: Graduation. I already had a cubicle job, translating and earning good money in a bad economy. Then my friends started to move away. Then I felt more and more alone. I grew to feel trapped in a job with no cultural stimuli beyond language, no exciting itineraries, barely time to travel.

sailing San Blas islands - I saw many deserted islets like this one for 4 days

Life after travel = depression…with a boyfriend

I didn’t want a boyfriend, but I met someone special in Nov 2011. I was still managing OK back then, especially since I could take a great 5-day trip to Curacao. But as I received 2012, I felt the big black dog of depression approaching. It fully hit me around February and has not left me alone since.

My life after travel paralyzed me. I cried daily. I didn’t know how to live anymore.

All of a sudden, I was completely lost and was drowning in utter misery. No matter what my sweet boyfriend would do, it never seemed like enough. Naturally, he exploded yesterday:

“Need to do something about this. If you are miserable, DO SOMETHING!”

Right.

I felt so lost in a life after travel in Tampa, FL. To me, it is a city that could never live up to Cairo or Fez. No cultural stimuli, just a bunch of rich kids “living the life” — a life I could not afford on my salary, not when I was trying to save AND pay off debt at the same time. And no time to travel. It almost felt worse than prison. BUT WAS I DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT? Was I trying to see new things and attractions along beautiful Florida? Was I trying to escape on weekends, couchsurf locally, try to see my known surroundings in a new light?

NO.

Then it dawned on me: I was drowning in a glass of water. I wasn’t allowing myself to be happy unless I were abroad. The positive Maria who would always take the best out of any situation had been forgotten.

This life after travel had to change.

Yesterday, my boyfriend Blaine drew some plans in order to help me live my life after travel day by day, learning how to enjoy myself locally:

1. Each Wine Wednesday, we’ll have a picnic outside, watching the ocean, as we plan out what we’ll do the weekend ahead.

2. One weekend, we’ll have an event. Say, we have a day trip or weekend out of the city, but somewhere nearby. Maybe a 2-hour drive away on the east coast of FL? Maybe finally visit St. Augustine, one of the oldest cities in America? Yes!

3. The weekend after an “event” we’ll have a “try a new local restaurant” day. We’ll thrive to find quirky joints or try to recreate odd dishes in our own kitchens. Then maybe even visit a local park we’ve never been into.

4. Always be on the lookout for cool events in the area. Every Wine Wednesday, after our weekend plans are down, we’ll look up events happening in the coming weeks. If they involve money, we’ll then plan and save ahead so we can make it happen.

How did I not think of this before? In a life after travel, I was too busy thinking of the big future instead of thinking of the “small” present. “Small” doesn’t always have to be “boring.” Small means “I’m planning for something bigger, so I must rejoice on simpler things right now.” Besides, even the unknown foreign lands eventually become familiar, so we must learn to enjoy SIMPLE daily life regardless. Life, unfortunately, won’t be exciting 24/7, so…

(C) Carolyn Sewell

I know this seems like common sense to many of you, but someone who has struggled with depression and even eating disorders in several occasions, it is quite easy for me to fall pray of helplessness. Specially when the chemical unbalances of your body aren’t helping. Not that I am seeking excuses, I just need to push myself harder in this life after travel. And that’s OK. Because we all have limitations — this simply happens to be mine. I must push a little harder and be ready to punch and kick depression right in the butt. Also, I must remind myself that my current situation is only temporary, that I’m simply gaining a lot of experience from this translation post. That my business trips start this summer and it’ll only get brighter from there. That God has amazing plans for me and I simply need to be patient. That I’m pretty damn lucky to simply have food, shelter, more than one job, and loving people around me who support me no matter what, while most of the world is suffering of hunger and loss. Shit, sometimes we can be pretty damn ungrateful. But it’s ok, so long I don’t stay in that damn mental hole for too long…

At least I got my Drag Queens in Tampa!

How do you deal with life after travel? What’s been your experience like?

Happy Travel Bucket List Wednesday! In celebration of International Monument Day, travel bucket list inspiration today is all about monuments around the world. Below are my favorites and new additions to my lengthy list.

Remember: Travel Bucket List Wednesdays are every week!

1. Submit a post related to an item you crossed off (or plan to visit!) from your travel bucket list on Mr. Linky below

2. Please, leave a comment on this entry before you leave.

3. Tweet all your travel bucket list posts with #TravelBL and I promise an RT.

It’s that simple! Now onto the continuation of my “monumental” travel bucket list!

The Georgia Guidestones

I am going “local” for once! Alright, I’m currently in FL, but still — Georgia is pretty close. I stumbled upon the Georgia Guidestones as I looked for monumental travel bucket list inspiration. Dubbed as “the American Stonehenge,” this 5.87-meter monument granite monument consists of 6 slabs, an astounding combined weight of 110,000 kg, and has 10 “Principles” inscribed in eight different languages. Its construction? Under a pseudonym, it was commissioned to the Elberton granite Company. Thus, its designers are still a mystery. Below are photos of the English slab and the whole monument itself. Fascinating!

whole monument

Hmm, I wonder who wrote those?

Wat Pho, The Reclining Buddha, Thailand

Ever so popular, the Reclining Buddha in Wat Pho, Thailand has been on my travel bucket list for quite some time, yet I had not shared it with all of you. How come!? Anyhow! It’s grand scale and bright golden glow is what I love the most about it. And being a woman who loves anything of epic proportions…you know, I just gotta see it!

Photo: Terry Kelleher

Christ the Redeemer, Brazil

Another epic landmark. Couldn’t help myself! Although I’m a devout Christian and love my Jesus, I have to admit that I’m more excited about the views and photo ops from this point view than the monument itself. But who knows, Jesus might amaze me again, like He always does

Glorious view of Christ the Reedemer, compliments of the sun (Photo: Peteris, Flickr)

one of the many gorgeous views from the top! (Jason Pearce, Flickr)

View from a boat (Nick Herber, Flickr)

Harmandir Sahib, Punjab, India

I don’t know if a temple is considered a monument, nor do I plan to start a debate here. However, I saw the Harmandir Sahib on an Awe-inspiring Monuments post somewhere int he blogosphere and knew it had to be part of this week’s travel bucket list additions! Also known as the Golden Temple, it is a Sikhism place of worship. Gorgeous eh?

Harmandir Sahib photo by appaji, Flickr

What monuments are on your travel bucket list? Why?

Hey folks! Today’s post is short-and-sweet as I have to take care of a lot of issues stemming from identity theft I found out I’m a victim of last week but as an attempt to cheer myself up a bit, I have compiled some of my favorite photos of partying in Miami

Explosion! Around 4 AM...

South Beach: Best partying in Miami?

Last time I was in awesome South Beach was for Art Basel’s 10th anniversary, from December 2nd-4th, 2011. I was graced by the Aussie energy ball @mackinnontweets and we teared the town apart! Partying in Miami is not for the sleepy heads nor faint-hearted, testified by our partying up ’til 6: AM (me) and 10:30 AM (Mr. Mackinnon, who ventured out to Space for the after-hours party scene). The Moby concert was A BLAST of unique proportions and MANSION was the perfect venue for it. Ticket prices were perfect ($25 USD each), but holy crap drinks were liquid rape! Oh well, at least we had fun and I personally didn’t feel the pain in my pockets until a week later

So the question stands: Is South Beach the best partying in Miami? Expensive, but I think so! My tip: Pre-game, aka drink all you want prior going to the club, and you’ll be in better shape Here are some more Partying in Miami photos!

Rule number 1: ALWAYS pre-game (Photo: Mitchel Mackinnon)

Rule number 2: Take advantage of as many Happy Hours as possible (Photo:M.Mackinnon)

Mobyyy about to be in the house!

MOBY! Amazing DJ he is, his mainstream hits are nothin' to what I saw that night! Oh and the cowboy hat? Don't ask...

The light show was something else, too. Completely added to the unreal experience

I found Bugs Bunny!

swing swing Mr Mackinnon

I...I still don't know where that mask came from... (this was at 6 AM, short before my departure)

well, jou know how it goes...

What’s partying in Miami like to you? Tell me about your experience!