24 Things To Do Before I am 25

I visited Ashley and Joel in the Portland area for New Years Eve, and we had a discussion about resolutions. Ashley decided to create a list of 24 things to do before she turns 25 because she was tired of the cliche resolutions such as: stop procrastinating, loose weight, or get organized... I loved her idea, so I decided to make a list for myself!

Here it is!

1. Sew a full body apron
2. Make plenty of time and space for yoga
3. Teach at least five people to hoop
4. Write a letter to at least five friends that I am not actively in touch with
5. Host a crafting party
6. Watch the sunrise
7. Introduce myself to at least five people who I don't know
8. Ride my first century!! (biking for 100 miles)
9. Read more good books - any suggestions?
10. Start saving for my next travel adventure
11. Thank an old teacher
12. Climb a tree, preferably in the summer with bare feet
13. Treat myself to a massage
14. Do a craft/art exchange
15. Spend some quality time in a garden
16. Support a nonprofit that is doing work that I admire
17. Give someone else a compliment, daily
18. Start a dream journal
19. Experiment with vegan cooking recipes
20. Find the perfect place for the hammock I bought in Nicaragua
21. Make a bunch of handmade cards and envelopes
22. Follow the news from more alternative sources
23. Go on at least three new hikes
24. Listen to more classical music (it's so lovely in the evenings)

Thanks Ashley!!

The last leg

The last night of my trip was well spent celebrating with a couple new friends.

We ended up cutting our time short in Costa Rica because of a longer visit to Nicaragua.

The victory of the fire!

We met Jeff and Nate on the boat ride over and ended up hanging out with them for most of our stay in Ometepe. Nate and Jeff are like the odd couple-super different from each other, but it just works. After about a an hour of collecting the perfect dry sticks, layering the sticks in just the right way, trying to get an empty lighter's sparks to catch a napkin on fire, and rigging up a beach towel to block the wind, we finally have a beautiful bonfire! We sent the boys to pick up some beers, enjoyed telling late night stories, listened to music on Nate's ipod with portable speaker, had a refreshing midnight swim, and ended up deciding to bring our sheets out to sleep on the beach. It was a good idea until Kamille got two mosquito bites on the tip of her nose.

We boated to Isla de Ometepe, a large island comprised of two volcanoes surrounded by a HUGE fresh water lake. Did you know that there are sharks that live in the lake?

I bought a beautiful handmade hammock from this place. It was interesting trying to strap it onto my backpack, but I was able to make it work, and I am glad for it!

My first time gambling! Jonathan from Granada was really excited to take us to a Casino, so Kamille and I both used $2.50 to play on some slot machines. Verdict: After 3 free drinks and sandwiches, an hour of slot machines, and feeling like I am a bit like a fish out of water, we walked away with a net gain of about 25 cents (hey, we are both traveling on a budget). I have a feeling this is not going to become a habit.

In Granada, we were able to get Kamille in to see a doctor for her mysterious, migrating disappearing, reappearing rash that started on her foot and has since moved up her leg. The doc's verdict was 1. It could be an allergic reaction 2. It could be an infection from a mosquito bite (which I highly doubt). Armed with some cream and the intent to keep a food diary, Kamille decided to get another doctor's opinion in Panama City.

"Freedom is to have nothing to lose"

Nicaragua: Leon, Granada, Ometepe Island

Blog Catch Up

This beautiful beach is 20 minutes from Amado's house. It's HUGE waves are perfect for surfing, although the waves were a bit too intimidating to try it out.

I like that there is nothing touristy about El Salvador. It's been a nice break from hearing"chinitas" (little Chinese girls) when Kamille and I walk anywhere. We couch surfed with Amado, a retired teacher who was also hosting two other backpackers. He lives small minimalist home filled with stacks of books, a collection of classical music CDs, a few paintings on the walls, and not a whole lot more. His warm kindness and hospitality reminds me that there are good people everywhere despite the poverty and lack of work that many people are facing. The city turns off the water every once in a while when it gets low so I am learning to adjust accordingly. I like the feeling that living from my backpack gives me-that I don't really need much at all to be content and satisfied. With good company, Kamille and I enjoy going to the market and cooking dinner for everyone in the evenings. Although I still need a lot of practice, my spanish is getting better and I can understand the gist of most conversations.

When I am traveling, I like to eat whatever the locals eat because food is such an important part of anyones culture. My diet has consisted of lots of beans, rice, fried chicken, tortillas, and fried plantains, but I was able to mix it up a bit at a food tour with rabbit-it tastes like moist chicken.

El Salvador

"Guate, Guate, Guate"

Kamille, Efrat, and I woke up at four in the morning to catch the sunrise. We realized that the sun wasn't going to come up for a while, so we laid out our blankets on the dewy grass and fell asleep again. Suddenly I awoke to a frog about the size of my hand on my leg--perfect timing!


It kind of looks like a Pankiewicz's nose!
Tilt you head to the left, and you might be able to see the side profile of a face.

I met up with a few other travelers for a lovely day hike up to the top of the nose. There have been a few robberies lately, so I opted to only bring water. Towards the top, there is a small village that harvests corn and coffee. As my fellow hiking buddies and I huffed and puffed our way up the mountain, 60 year old women carried sacs of potatoes up the hill. How they do it so gracefully? I have no idea.

*note: Check out my new fisherman's pants! Super practical for traveling...

San Pedro, Guatemala

Goodbye Outpost, Hello Civilization

Stopping for a moment of peace...
I luckily stummbled upon an amazing place to do yoga. It was quite magical to be surrounded by birds sing to you in the downward dog position.



Right outside of Antigua, I hiked the active volcano, Pacaya. Normally, I am not the biggest fan of group hikes, but it was nice for saftey reasons. I loved having rolling clouds come over me and then hiking above the clouds! It felt like I was in a dream. Once we got to the top, Kamille and I proceeded to rost marshmellows with hot lava! We did an evening hike starting at 2:oo becuase you can see the lava better at night, although it made for quite an interesting descent in the dark.



The three pictures above are in Tikal. This has been one of my favorite places so far. Kamille and I even heard some jaguars! Can you find the monkey in the trees?

Yay! I made it to Guatemala!



The last time I sat three to a seat on a bus was in kindergarten!

Riding the chicken buses (an old school bus used for public transportation) in Guatemala has been quite the experince.

1) The bus rarely comes to a full stop, so you have to grab onto the handle bar and hope you make it on in one piece.
2) You sit shoulder to shoulder, three to a seat, and every turn is like playing a game of corners.
3) The driver's assistant will suddenly tell you that you have arrived, throw your bag off the bus, (mind you, it is still moving but has slowed down) and a cluster of people will be pushing to get out the door as theyjump off one by one.
4) You believe that you are at your final destination, but being "there" really means you have to take another transfer to do it all over again.



I would like to introduce you to my new furry friend, Mango (sorry Rudy). She's cute, cuddly and loves to play a mean game of 'haha... you can't catch me' with the neighborhood dogs.

Belize---> Guatemala

From the Outpost, I will greatly miss:
The amazing homemade food
The other volunteers
The amazing wildlife
Beautiful scenery
Fruit with every meal
Mango, the monkey

From the Outpost, I will not miss:
My daily serving of insect bites
Never being able to get your clothes 100% dry from the humidity

This Way to the Jungle!!