Incredible India

It is hard to believe that a year ago I travelled 18 hours to India, and what a trip it was! For those of you who don't know (or haven't see the bulletin board in Baker), I took a "Doing Business in India" course at Bradley and as a part of it, we spent 10 days in India stopping in New Delhi, Pune, and Mumbai. There were 10 of us in the class: 4 guys and 6 girls, so the pairings were perfect. We got to know each other a little bit in class before the trip, but I think it is safe to say we knew each other well after that 18 hour trip I mentioned earlier.

India is a wonderful place and I don't think one can truly understand what I mean until they go there. The culture is much different than here in the US and I was so thankful to witness that. While there we went to a cookie manufacturing company, a university, a movie studio, Elephanta Caves, Jama Masjid, and the famous, Taj Mahal. I enjoyed that the trip had a good mixture of business and tourism, it kept us very busy and allowed us to appreciate the many sides of India.

I went through culture shock when we first got there because I couldn't believe how populated New Delhi truly was. We talked about the mass amounts of people there would be, but I never knew it would be as crowded as it was. Another thing that many of us didn't know how to take in was the fact that we could look out our bus window and see people bending over taking a dump. It was all a big change for us at first, but I think once we got over that, we learned to appreciate the people for what they were. One thing we found funny was how idolized Americans were. We would have little school children run after us to take pictures and we had people at the Taj Mahal line up to shake our hands. I didn't know if I felt like a movie star or endangered animal.

I think what I miss most about India is the delicious food! Every meal I had, from breakfast to dinner, was very appetizing. I couldn't really tell you what all I ate while there, but whatever it all was, I recommend it! =) One meal I do remember was when 6 of us went to a seafood restaurant. Keegan and I both got crab masala and let me tell you, it was one of the best meals of my life!! My drink of choice while there was the watermelon juice. In class, our professor would tell us how "divine" it was and it truly was divine.

At the university visit in Pune, we were welcomed with roses by the students and faculty. We were honored and definitely blushing most of the day. We toured the school and campus, sat in on a class, had lunch, and interacted with the students. This was probably my favorite part of the trip because it was interesting to see how their school system worked and I met a lot of great people that I still am in contact with today. We met up with the students that night and had a blast, memories for a lifetime.

Overall, aside from not being able to drink the water (cough Hunter and Ivan… cough) and being out of my comfort zone for moments, the trip was amazing and I am very glad I went on it. I made some great friends both in the class and over in India, I saw so many beautiful people, sites, and objects, and I had a few found admiration for the Indian culture. To anyone at Bradley who can take the India or China courses, I highly suggest it. It is worth every penny of the costs. To anyone who is considering going but are too nervous, do your research and try it out!

Namaste.

The Little Trips Count, Too

Today I will be going to the famous "Unofficial" at the University of Illinois. Yes, I am excited for the crazy antics that may happen, but I am also excited to get out of Peoria for a little bit.

Despite where you live, I think it is important to take little "trips" every once in a while. It can be a day trip to a city you've never been to or a store you always wanted to go but it's too far. It can be an over-night or weekend trip to St. Louis or like me, U of I. No matter where it is, just go! Get out of the bubble that you live in day-to-day and smell some new air and see some new things. To me, the only way to appreciate where you are is leaving and being able to call a place "home". You gotta shake things up a bit, especially after the brutal winter we had here in the Midwest.

So whether it be a college visit, a spontaneous road trip through corn fields, or trying a new restaurant 30 minutes away; just get out and enjoy.

Lesson Learned

Tonight as I was talking with my Mom, I realized that exactly a year ago I was home for the weekend. Unfortunately, that weekend I wasn't home for fun and excited things….I was home because that Monday I had to go downtown Chicago to get an emergency passport.

Let's back track a bit.

Last spring break I went to India as a part of the "Doing Business in India" class offered at Bradley. At the end of February, as we were filling out our visa information, Jim Foley mentioned that we had to give him our passports in the next few days. Not thinking anything of it, I called my Dad and asked him to send my passport so I can hand it in. Jokes were on me. I awaited the arrival of my passport and checked the tracking on the package everyday. Once I saw the words "DELIVERED" on my computer screen, I ran down to my mailbox (in St. James Apts) to fetch it…nothing was there. I was confused, but decided to wait a few hours and check again, but there was nothing. A little worried, I waited until the next afternoon, again, nothing. Before I could even try to feel anything, tears were running down my face. Of course this would happen to me. Knowing that my passport was gone made me feel like part of me was gone. I knew that I'd never get back my stamps from traveling while I studied abroad. 

Long story short, the post office didn't have my package and they didn't find it in any of their trucks, blah blah. Whatever that story is, I will forever be mad about it. With bloodshot eyes and a scratchy throat from balling to my roommates and parents, I calmed down and started to figure out what I had to do. After a lot of research, I realized that I had to go to Chicago ASAP to get a new passport. 

So that infamous Monday my Mom (she's the best) and I travelled to the city in hopes something would work out. Well, things weren't as easy as we'd like and I am forever thankful to my Mom for all she put up with that day just for me. Some of the things included running across the street to Walgreens for a smaller passport picture and searching 3 blocks away to find a FedEx so Jim Foley could fax me a letter to get proof that Bradley needed my passport the next day. WHAT. A. MESS. Things thankfully came together and I was finally able to leave that day, 8 hours later, with a  new passport. 

So folks, my advice to you….

1. never mail a passport

2. ALWAYS make copies of your passport and when you travel, carry a copy as well as e-mail one to yourself so you have access to it anywhere if needed

3. when working with government workers: keep calm, bite your tongue, and even if they're being mean, they're always "right"

4. always thank your parents for everything they do for you

Now that I'm all frustrated about this incident, I say good night! 

=)

Rain Rain, I Want Sun!

Today I put my rain boots on and it actually made me happy because I realized that spring may actually come. For a few weeks here with all of the snow and negative temperatures, I was convinced I moved to Alaska…I actually think Alaska was warmer.

Anyways, since spring is coming and I am itching for sun, I'm going to throw today back to last May when my brother got married in Hawaii. I don't really know where to start besides explaining that I was on the island of Maui for 2 weeks celebrating love, family, and friendships. Warm weather, palm trees, Mai Tais, and a laid back attitude is what I needed after a stressful senior year.

I have been to Maui, Hawaii (the Big Island), and O'ahu and Maui is my family's favorite. O'ahu is where Pearl Harbor is, however the Wakiki side of the island has a commercial feel to it and I wasn't impressed. The other side of the island is more quiet and a few resorts, including the Disney Resort (for all you parents or Disney lovers!) That side also has the beach where the first scene of Lost was filmed, so that was cool. I was younger when we went to the Big Island and there wasn't much on it. We stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa Village and it was really nice and a lot of fun, perfect for families. My most profound memory of this island was the volcanic eruption which is still flowing today.

Now Maui…pictures would be able to convince someone easily to go there. We stay on the Wailea side and since there are 6 people in my family, we usually rent a condo. This makes it easy for us to hit our favorite restaurants, but also enjoy a nice family meal on the patio looking for turtles and dolphins and the sun sets. In all our trips we have surfed, snorkeled, parasailed, scuba dived, zip lined, wine tasted, saw the sun rise from the top of the volcano, and plenty more. Honestly, just a morning jog or walk down the beach can bring happiness to me while I'm there.









Here our my suggestions for Maui:

Restaurants
-Mama's Fish House (expensive but the best view in the world and delicious food)
-any of Bev Gannon's restaurants (wonderful lady with a inspiring story)
-Tommy Bahamas
-Maui Tacos
-brunch at Grand Wailea (complimentary mimosas!)
-Gazebo Restaurant (breakfast- must get there very early, it is small and fills up quick!)
-Lappert's Ice Cream is to die for
-808 Bistro (they catered the wedding and it was phenomenal)
-Cool Cat Cafe
-Kimo's
-Monkey Pod Kitchen

Things to Do
-Old Lahina Luau is truly the best luau on the island!
-Road to Hana (it is long, but worth it…beautiful water falls and nature)
-if you want to scuba dive, I suggest B&B scuba--amazing guides
-Ulupalakua winery
-spa at Grand Wailea
-veg out on the beach!!!
-shop in Paia

Aloha =)

The World is Your Oyster

Very often when I tell people I am going on a trip they say, "You're so lucky you get to go there" or "I wish I could be like you and travel." My response to them is always, "you can!!" Like any goal in life, you have to put effort and patience to receive results. Yes, I have travelled a lot of places, but I didn't get there easily but I knew I wanted to go so I did. It is all about putting your mind to it and making it happen. Flights aren't the cheapest and fuel cost for a road trip can be nauseating, but if you save and plan smart, you can have some of the best trips of your life.

I know it is easier said than done, but if you have the passion to get out there and see the world, it isn't as scary as a commitment as it seems. I found the quote above on Pinterest a while ago and I instantly pinned it because it fits me and my peers so well. If you have that itch to explore a new place or find out who you are, TRAVEL. You don't need fancy 4 star hotels and resorts, some of my best times in Europe were spent in hostel rooms that I shared with 7 other people. The beauty of travel is that every where you go you meet all kinds of different people, try different foods and drinks, and see things you may never have thought you would ever see.

So folks, if it is as close as Wisconsin or as far as Australia, I urge you to travel. Get out there and see the world.  Learn about people and cultures, but most of all, learn about yourself. Once you're out there, you'll realize how small this planet really can be.

Paris is Always a Good Idea

I have decided that I am going to be like Instagram and do "Throwback Thursdays." By this I mean, I will blog on other days, however on Thursdays, I will write about my travels.

In January I went to Paris for 16 days with Bradley University and I had the amazing opportunity to be a student assistant for the Study Abroad office. So basically, for 16 days I took pictures and blogged; "living the life" is what people would like to say. Previous to this trip, I had spent a weekend in Paris back in January 2011. That weekend was so much fun, but it was filled with so much that I was exhausted after it. I was really glad to have the chance to go back to Paris and actually get to know the city and see what it had to offer.

Those 16 days in Paris made me feel more at home than actually back here in Illinois. To me, traveling and being in different places gives me that sense of independence and self confidence that I have the feet to take on whatever I want to do. I fell in love with London when I studied abroad and I never thought that could change, however Paris started making its way in there. The culture in Paris is similar in some ways, but also very different from the US. My favorite part of being there (besides the sites and food) was that when you sat down for dinner, you never saw a cell phone on the table. The conversations were intimate and only between the people you were with. There was no boredom or need to check a cell phone or even a slight temptation to eavesdrop. This was refreshing and being back, I already miss that. The French are also comfortable with affection. They will walk arm in arm down the streets and kiss on the metro. Usually PDA makes me roll my eyes and vomit in my mouth a little, however I embraced it in France because for some reason, I saw the passion in a relationship, not the need to prove to others that there was. Overall, it hasn't even been a month and I already want to go back!!

Now for the fun stuff...

While in Paris, I went to: Eiffel Tower, Sacré Cœur, Moulin Rouge, Musee D'Orsay, Père Lachaise Cemetery (where Jim Morrison, Chopin, and Oscar Wilde are buried), Musee de l"Armee, Catacombs, Arc de Triomphe, Palace of Versailles, Rodin Garden, Centre Pompidou, Palais Garnier (Phantom of the Opera), the Louvre, and Notre Dame. 

My Suggestions

MUST SEE/GO-TO

Eiffel Tower, Catacombs, Palace of Versailles, Centre Pompidou, Palais Garnier, the Louvre, Notre Dame, Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

MUST DO's

• boat trip on the Seine (night is breathtaking)
• Laduree-to eat or just buy macaroons (raspberry and pistachio are my favs!)
• top of the Eiffel Tower (another good one for night time)
• Happy Hour EVERY DAY (yes, every day! almost every restaurant/cafe/bar has Happy Hour in the evening--perfect for cheaper drinks and to take in the morning and your surroundings)
• check out the green stands along the Seine
• Latin Corner (for a crazy night life scene)

MUST TRY

• creme brûlée (actually vanilla beans make a hugely delicious difference)
• duck (chicken will never be the same)
• nutella and banana crepe
• hot wine
• mayonnaise 
• wine+cheese+baguette 
• Coca-Cola (silly, but it's different and better!)

TIPS OF ADVICE

• pick-pocketers and gypsies (little girls who ask you to sign things…DON'T!)
• keep a straight face on the Metro, smiling isn't wanted down there
• have appropriate shoes, walking is a perfect way to see the city 
• try your best to speak French at first, they will appreciate that more than being a straight-up American
• you don't need to tip
• embrace the culture and enjoy your time at restaurants, don't "dine-in, get-out", stay and enjoy

That's it for now! Keep calm and travel on!

Dogs Around the World

dog in Paris

As I watched the beloved “Puppy Bowl” yesterday, I couldn’t help but to squeal over the cuteness that was on my TV screen. I think it is great how dogs are such a loved animal and they truly are a human’s best friend.

One thing I take notice of during my travels are the pets and animals of different countries.  The dogs in Paris were BEAUTIFUL with shiny hair and proper walks. Each and every one left me missing my tiny little Yorkie and I thought, “Tori could have so many boyfriends here!” The dogs all had owners proudly walking next to them holding the colorful leashes. In London, the dogs walked themselves right ahead of their owners, but leashes weren’t necessary. Now in India, things were different. There were a lot of stray dogs on the streets living off the scraps. This broke my heart, I just wanted to take them in and hold them. Then I took a step back and realized that Indians will walk their cow into town and yet we only see cows on farms. 

dogs in India

I understand everywhere is different and cultures have their own way in viewing animals, which I can

respect. It makes you question which
is the abnormal culture? The people who allow dogs to fend for themselves on the streets or the people who sit on their couches for two hours and watch dogs play a game of “football”? The people who eat cows as a delicious meal or the people who view cows as sacred? Every culture has their own way of viewing things: not one is “right” or “wrong”, they believe what they have been taught and raised to do and don’t think otherwise. This is why traveling is such a thrill to me; I can see and witness different aspects of every culture, including pets!

dog in London