Dear Diary

If there is one thing I encourage every traveler to take with them on their trips, it would be a journal.

Right before I studied abroad, my Mom's best friend gave me a journal and ever since, I haven't travelled anywhere without it. On my plane ride home from Paris a few weeks ago, I noticed that it was the 3 year anniversary of my first post in the book. My journal has lasted 3 years, 8 countries, and 4 states. It has been my best friend through 3 life-changing years for me and if I forget any part of those years, I have my words on paper to prove where I have been and what I have done.

The reason I encourage the use of a journal is because it allows for a traveler to reflect back on their trips. The memories, the laughs, the tears (happy and sad), the hello's and good-byes, etc. are all written down by YOU and it is only for YOU. Memories last, but it is funny how quickly the little details become one and you have this big idea of how your trip was, but all those little things that mattered at the time you were there are forgotten. How I saw Paris in 2011 was very different than how I saw it in 2014, and without my journal, I wouldn't have remembered all that. From ticket stubs to dried up flowers, my journal has a little bit of everything. It is basically a scrapbook that I'm too lazy/cheap to put together. But it is my journal with my memories and that in itself makes my soul smile.

A journal can also allow you to write down the places that you liked and disliked. Restaurants, bars, cafes, tourist sites, hostels, hotels, companies..the list goes on and on. Trust me, if you don't write these things down, you will never remember them and I can promise that either you or someone you know will want to know that advice sometime in the future.

So keep a journal. Write your favorite things, write your memories, write a poem while in a park or museum  that inspires you. Just document your trips more than pictures because a smile next to a monument can only say so much.

The Travel Bug

Hello! Hola! Bonjour! Hej! Hallo! Guten Tag! Aloha!

My name is Alyssa Fara (hence the FARAway) and I am a 22 year old student at Bradley University. I am studying International Business with a Marketing minor. I am from a western suburb of Chicago called Burr Ridge and I come from a household of 6. I have three wonderful older brothers who tease and spoil me at the same time, but I wouldn't be the woman I am today without them (and my parents).

As many people know (and if you don't, you'll quickly find out), traveling is one of my favorite things to do. Ever since I studied abroad in London, England for 5 months during my sophomore year of college, I fell in love with the world and all it has to offer. My first time on an air plane was when I was 18 months, so traveling isn't a new thing for me. While in London, I caught the travel bug and it hasn't left me since and I hope it doesn't for a while.

Throughout my life I have been so thankful to have a family that likes to travel and can afford to do so. From Disney World to Hawaii, my parents worked hard in order for my brothers and I to create memories in many places.  Now that I am older, it is obvious why I am so interested in travel and why having International Business as my major makes a lot of sense.

I am starting this "travel" blog for many reasons: 1. I want people to hear my stories and share in the experiences with me, 2. I want to encourage my readers to travel and see the world, 3. life is beautiful and you can't spend it all in one place.

My posts will be random, from stories to travel advice to recommndations and whatever else comes to my mind!  So far the places I have been are: [US] Illinois (duh!), New York, Massachusetts, Washington DC, South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Arizona, California, and Hawaii; [Europe] England (London, Oxford), Wales, Ireland (Dublin, Cork), Italy (Milan, Rome, Florence), France (Paris), Spain (Barcelona), Sweden (Stockholm),   and the Netherlands (Amsterdam); [Asia] India (New Delhi, Pune, Mumbai).

Like I said, you can tell I am a traveler, but in my opinion, I have only dipped my toes into what is out there. Yes, I am lucky to have been where I have and I am thankful every day. There are a lot more places I like to go and I'd happily go back to every place I have already been. To go to every continent before I die would be one of the best accomplishments. Since I love travel so much, I am making this blog and I hope it can make you love it too. I am not an expert, just a girl who wants to make memories all over the world.

As we start this journey together, BON VOYAGE! =)
-Alyssa