Bucket List: Top 10 Places to See Before I Die

This is probably one of the hardest posts that I will ever have to write.  Out of approximately 300,000 cities, 180,497 islands, and 196 countries, I have to pick my top 10?!?  I wish I could've made this like, top 50 or something?? But, that would take way too much time that I don't have.  Anyways, through my travels I have realized that the best experiences when traveling are the ones that are unplanned.  I wouldn't have ended up hiking Volcán Pacaya in Guatemala if it weren't for the spontaneity of the moment.  However, I still love making lists like these - they help me visualize where I want to go in the future.

10. The Maldives
I've been dreaming of going to the Maldives for the absolute longest time.  I would do just about anything for one stress-free day in a hut over the beautiful, crystal waters. Oh, and who can forget the absolutely stunning Sea of Stars which is located there?

Sea of Stars, Vaadhoo Island, the Maldives

9. Greece
Ever since I watched The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants when I was 9, I longed to visit Greece, particularly Santorini.  If you aren't familiar with the film, one of the girls in the movie goes to visit her family in Greece for the summer.  Anyway, I hope I one day get to visit Greece's mainland, and hopefully a few of its isalnds.

8.  Morocco
Filled with palaces, mosques, and artisan workshops, going to Morocco seems like a completely spectacular trip into history. Walking down the open markets and diving into the culture seems like a great way to enjoy time.

7. Thailand
My uncle went on a vacation to Thailand a few years back with his wife, and they loved it.  My uncle, being a professional photographer, brought back many pictures from his stay and I fell in love. It looks like absolute bliss. Oh, and from what I hear, the food is bomb, which is just another bonus.

A small boat sails away in Thailand

6. Brazil
Ok, so this may sound really, really, stupid, but it's the truth.  You know that movie about that blue bird, Rio, which just so happens to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?  Well, that movie - an animated film about birds - sparked my interest to visit Brazil.  I would love going during Carnaval, because it just seems like such a blast.

5. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I remember seeing this city featured on the CBS TV show The Amazing Race, and my initial reaction was that the thin, no-space-between-them buildings were the coolest thing ever.  I looked up some information about Amsterdam, and my lust for it grew.  A couple years later, once the hit book, The Fault in Our Stars  was released, I read and realized that part of the story takes place in Amsterdam.  Of course, this sealed the deal for me in being one of the places I would love to go before I die.

4. Argentina
The second South American country on my bucket list was of not much interest to me until my mom brought it up in a conversation one day. She started telling me about how much she wanted to visit there one day, and through her talking it caught my attention.  I then learned that Patagonia is located there, shared with Chile, and now I really would love to go.

3. Norway
Heritage, heritage, heritage.  For some reason, when you learn that you have ethnicity from some other country, you instantly are more set on visiting.  And since I am part Norwegian, visiting Norway is a must.  One day, I will be watching the Northern Lights in northern Norway.

The Northern Lights

2. Italy
I have no consanguineous relationship to anyone Italian, or anything Italian for that matter.  All I have is my desire to go there.  I would love to visit Rome, and check out the phenomenal Colosseum, and then go to Venice, and ride a gondola (do they even do that, or is that just for movies?  I wouldn't know).

1. India
I think that visiting India would be a huge eye-opener for me. The jam-packed streets with cars and tuk-tuks honking at eachother, and then the incredible contrast when you look at the calm and peaceful environment of the 5-star resorts.

Also, taking part in the Holi Festival, also known as the Indian Color Festival, seems like the experience of a lifetime.  Oh, and who could forget the Taj Mahal.

My ultimate goal in making this list was to let people know where I would like to visit in the world, and to inspire people like you, reading this, to maybe dream of visiting a place like no other, for whatever reason you would like.

Thanks for reading,

xoxo,

Sylvanna ♥

Being Comfortable on the Plane

You wake up, sleepy-eyed. Your hair is a mess, your teeth feel gross from the lack of brushing, and the person next to you is snoring like crazy.  You check the time, and then the realization kicks in - you still have more than half of the flight left.

All travelers have been there before.  It's not fun - at all.  But, I am here to help!  I'm here to tell you the tricks of the trade so that you never have to experience this.

PRE-FLIGHT:

• Before you depart, I seriously recommend reviewing your outfit choice. My personal preferences include leggings with a warm, loose sweater. As for shoes, choose something comfortable.
• Give yourself time to gather some snacks.  Airplane food is the absolute worst, so come prepared. I advise going for something that takes awhile to eat, that will keep you full for at least a few hours, and isn't dripping with sauces that you know for a fact will spill everywhere. A nice, hearty sandwich is my go-to.
• Aside from a nice sandwich, pack a couple non-perishable snacks. Think something like freeze-dried apples, or trail mix.

  

  Freeze-dried apples

• Make sure you have a refillable water bottle on hand.

ON THE FLIGHT:

• Have a book on hand.  Especially on long flights, an entertaining read can keep you busy for a couple of hours.
• Have your iPod or iPhone ready. Listening to some music while relaxing is a good way to spend some time. 

• If your flight has movies playing, look at what is showing. Most airlines show new movies, which is another way to kill a couple of hours.
• When it's time for a nap, pull out a neck rest. They keep your neck in place when sleeping, and you can avoid the awkwardness of falling asleep on your neighbor.
• Have your toothbrush ready. For some reason, my teeth always feel like they get dirtier faster on the plane (is that just me?). Having a toothbrush and a travel sized toothpaste is key for a fresh breath.
• Socks are your new best friend. I can almost guarantee you will get cold at one point during your flight.  Socks will keep you warm and comfortable.  My favorite kind are the ones with the little gel/sticky/circle thingys that keep you from slipping and sliding around. These are great for those moments when there is a lot of turbulence on the plane but you need to go to the bathroom which just so happens to be on the other side of the plane.  

That pretty much wraps it up for today; hopefully you learned something new.  Thanks for reading everyone,

xoxo,

Sylvanna ♥

Top 5 Places in 5 Minutes

Yo.  So I'm guessing you've probably read at least one top 5 list in your life.  You know the drill - I tell you my top 5 of whatever - in this case it's places I've been and loved.  You can read it and maybe, just maybe, you will want to visit these places one day.  So, uh, here we go.

#5 - Portland, Oregon

"Keep Portland Weird," is something I read off of cars on their bumper stickers. That statement couldn't be more true. Portland is one of my favorite cities - it's so different and special all in one. Although the grey weather bothers many people, it doesn't phase me at all. In fact, I kind of enjoy it.  The first thing I can tell you about Portland is the infamous Powell's Books. Go there. Just do it, okay. You won't regret it.  Even if you hate reading, go, because odds are you will like it. 

The interior of Powell's Bookstore, Portland

Also, check out Northwest Portland. It is slightly less uppity than its neighbor, Portland Heights (a group of millionaire homes all perched atop a nice mountain), and you can avoid the mountainous terrain.  Another cool thing about Portland are the people. They are just so chill. They don't really care about anything except their wool coats because it's so darn cold in the winter, and they are all pretty nice. So yeah, go to Portland guys.

#4 - Paris, France

When you think of Paris, you may think of romance, or baguettes, or maybe a mime sipping wine in front of the Eiffel Tower. The stereotypes really don't do Paris justice. When I think of France, I think of the 11 p.m. walks I took down Champs-Élysées when I was there. 

The streets of Paris

I think of sitting at a bistro in the Latin Quarter with my mom, as we watched eager college students get to their next class.  I think of the Louvre, and how the Mona Lisa was really disappointing.  I think of taking the metro, sitting next to an absolute stranger and wondering what their life story is.  Go to Paris.  Trust me, falling in love with a city is totally possible.

#3 - Antigua, Guatemala

Every other year (more or less) I am lucky enough to visit some of my family in Guatemala. Antigua is a     college-backpacker-clad town, it's roads still paved with cobblestones.  I never knew that Antigua was a desirable place to visit - not to say it's not beautiful, because it is, but because I thought it was kind of isolated and not many people knew about it.  If you ever get the chance to go, walk up to Cerro de la Cruz in order to get a fascinating view of Antigua, and dine at El Tenedor (English translation: The Fork), a restaurant on a huge hill which you take a small bus to arrive at. Once you are seated at El Tenedor, you will be provided with amazing views of Volcán de Agua (Volcano of Water).  

Arco de Santa Catalina, Antigua, Guatemala

Also, don't miss out on walking underneath the Arco de Santa Catalina and viewing the local businesses - one of which where I used to take ballet lessons as a child.  The Baroque-style architecture, indigenous people wearing "huipiles," and beautiful sights are all reasons to visit Antigua.

#2 - Sydney, Australia

Sydney is one of the most popular tourist destinations all over the world - and this is for a reason.  First off, you really can't get much better with the beaches. For big waves and a good surfing experience, check out Manly Beach, but if you want a calm and relaxed swim, Balmoral Beach is a definite must.

An aerial view of Manly Beach,  Sydney, Australia

The people in Sydney couldn't be much nicer, which to an American tourist can be a great change. Walk through downtown, eat lunch in Darling Harbor, take a ferry underneath the Harbor Bridge - you won't regret it.

#1 - New York City, New York 

My favorite place I have ever visited is New York City.  Hands down.  I've been there twice, one in summer of 2011, and the most recent time, last summer in 2013.  It's spectacular.  The moment you arrive, you get and incredibly energizing feel, as if anything is possible.  If you get the chance to visit this city, by all means take the opportunity.  Some of my personal favorites of this city include The Highline, a formerly deserted railroad which was turned into a thriving garden and park elevated above the city for Yorkers and tourists alike to take.  Also, Little Italy is worth a definite check out, with Italian-themed restaurants serving multitudes of pasta and gelato.  Oh, and you can't forget Broadway.  Every time I go to New York I watch at least two Broadway plays.  Out of the five I have seen, my two ultimate favorites are Phantom of the Opera, and Rock of Ages.  Walking the Columbia University campus is also worth doing, along with checking out the quirky West Village neighborhood, in which I dream to one day live in.

NYC's West Village 

To end this post I will leave you with a quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald about New York,

"The city seen from Queensboro Bridge is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and beauty of the world."

xoxo,

Sylvanna ♥

An intro, among other things

When I was told during technology class that we would be creating our own blogs, I was mentally cringing.  What was I going to write about?  I mean, it feels as though no one would really care, and who would want to read this when given the choice?  But since it is counting as a large chunk of my grade, I put my thinking cap on and chose something to write about.  Something relevant to myself, and something I enjoyed doing were my two pieces of criteria when creating this blog.  So, I settled on a travel blog.  They're popular, fun to look at, and it's something I do frequently, so why not?  And so here I am, beginning my blogging journey at 8:46 p.m. on a Thursday evening, forgetting about my original draft for my first post and writing what comes to my mind.

...And, since I suck at the "About Me" sections of things, I figured a hodgepodge, one-paragraph description of myself will suffice.  I'm a 14 year-old girl born and raised in 'Murica, trying to make the most of every moment, and not taking myself too seriously.  I like the outside smell after rain, lying on warm clothes after they come out of the dryer, chai tea, good music and good books, college sweatshirts, dancing, and cuddling.  Oh, traveling too - but you already know that much.  I have a good group of friends whom are practically family, and my parents - my rocks and my everythings.  

Hopefully reading that has provided some insight into what I am like as a person, and hopefully it wasn't too disappointing.  

I'll begin my real blogging very soon,

xoxo,

Sylvanna ♥