Archive for February, 2011

1. Are you moving to Argentina?

While Argentina does hold an extra special place in my heart and I would love to live there one day, Lucas will in fact be moving to Charlotte, North Carolina after our wedding in Buenos Aires.  He and I both agreed that I have invested too much time, energy, money, and love into my Chinese Medicine clinic.  We are bringing him over to the States on a K-1 Fiance Visa.  Since this is such an incredibly important and detailed process we decided that it was not wise to do this on our own, thus we hired an international lawyer.  If you are reading this and are looking for an international lawyer, please get in contact with me, as I highly recommend ours.  Once Lucas enters the States post-honeymoon we have 90 days to legally get married (yes, there will be a 2nd wedding!).  Then we must start the process for the K-3 Green Card.

2. How are you incorporating a travel theme into your wedding?

Since traveling is one of the most important things in my life and it is the reason that Lucas and I are together and it played such an integral role in our relationship over the last 6 years, of course it had to be the theme of our wedding.  However, I was careful to not let the theme overwhelm the wedding and chose to highlight it in subtle ways.  Here are some of those ways:

Wedding Invitations

Our invites were designed by the talented graphic designer Audrey Desalliers, whom I found on Twitter.  I sent out a tweet that I was looking for a graphic designer to design our invitations and she responded immediately.  I skyped her a couple of days later with an idea of what I was looking for and she absolutely nailed it on her first design attempt.  The “love” is over Charlotte, the “amor” is over Buenos Aires, and the heart is over Buzios, Brasil (which is where we got engaged).

Table Decorations

I am not a DIY’er, so I turned to Etsy for help.  One of the things that I found and fell in love with was confetti made from vintage maps.  I ordered thousands in the shapes of butterflies and airplanes.  I have always been obsessed with butterflies, but someone who was even more obsessed with them was my deceased grandmother.  I will be wearing her vintage gold Dior butterfly pin either on my dress or it will be attached to my bouquet to honor her memory.

Flower Petal Cones

I also found on Etsy these fabulous paper flower petal cones that I had modeled after my invitations.  They will be tied on the backs of the chairs during the ceremony and pedals in shades of pinks and red will be placed inside.  After the ceremony our guests can throw the pedals on us as we walk down the aisle as husband and wife.

This is our design and the cone will be all white.

There are several other ways we have incorporated travel into our wedding, although a girl cannot share all her secrets can she?  I will give you a hint: think vintage luggage and globes.

3. Is the wedding going to be in English or Spanish?

It is going to be in both languages from start to finish.

4. How many guests are attending?

There will be around 70 guests coming from all over the world as far as China and Australia.

5. What will be your first dance?

To be continued (please feel free to ask me anything you are curious about). . .

Today I am writing about the end of love.  Sure, it is not World War III, but on personal level it can feel like it.

When a relationship is over it can really affect  a person’s health, to the point of apathy, lack of self-esteem, or even depression.  A loss is always traumatic.  Having said that, the experience of a breakup can show us many things, one of the most important being that we are strong enough to overcome difficulties.

Changing habits is not easy.  When you get used to something it is hard to live without it.  The same happens when you are losing your partner.  You have gotten so used to that person being a big part of your life, and now, for whatever reason, that person is not by your side anymore.  And it feels like your car, your house, or your heart is missing.

Every time there has been a breakup in my life there has been a trip too.  I experienced a traumatic situation, I felt oppressed, and I needed a change.  I just could not carry on with my life the way it was, as everything was still the same minus one important element.  Thus, I would take my luggage and go somewhere!  Sometimes for a few days, sometimes for a long period.

Changing scenery truly works to heal a broken heart.  Last time I did this was a couple of months ago after a particularly difficult breakup.  I rented one of the Berlin apartments, bought a plane ticket, and the next thing I knew I was in Germany.  I was in a new city — with no friends around — just me and my fears and my sadness.  But when you find yourself alone you have no other choice then to become your own best friend.  As you explore the new place, your self-esteem and confidence grow; since you prove to the world that your life does not revolve around that person and that you can actually survive on your own.  It is simply about changing perspectives and getting distance from the situation.

In all honestly, I had been doing this subconsciously.  It was not until this past trip that I discovered that I had been doing this all along.  To me, traveling to overcome a breakup is proving to yourself that you are strong and is not you running away from the situation.  Always remember, every bad experience in life gives you wings.   So, use them to fly to one of the apartments in Berlin and get your smile back!

Maria Climent is a 26-year-old Catalan lady.  After studying translation, she decided her life was odd enough to became a humor scriptwriter and by default, a blogger.  This is how she is now a mother of no one and a better person.  She also cooks her meals.

Song of the post:

Back in Buenos Aires there were reminders everywhere about ex-President Nestor Kirchner’s death.  It was a strange feeling to be planning such a happy moment in my life, when I was surrounded by such sadness.

Nonetheless, the show must go on as they say, especially when all I had left was 3 days to complete everything that must be done in person before my wedding, since I would not be returning to Buenos Aires before the big day.  But first I needed to sit down with Julie, my wedding planner, and go over our plan of action.  Thus, she invited me to her home for brunch, with the guest of honor being Hachi (see below).

One of the most important appointment’s was with potential hair and makeup artists.  The first one was a disaster, however the second was absolute perfection!  I instantly knew that Kelo and his assistant were a match made in heaven.  Although, I was surprised that I completely changed my mind about how I want to wear my hair at my wedding.  Until that point I was convinced I would wear it up.  Kelo showed me several different updo’s, but nothing felt right.  He took my hair down to try yet another style and in that moment I knew that I should wear it down.  It is how I feel the most comfortable and beautiful.

Then after much deliberation Lucas and I chose our honeymoon destination.  It was interesting to see how after I announced that I was getting married the first question I was asked was, “So where are you going on your honeymoon?”  I suppose that is the most important question to ask a travel writer, although it did put a lot of pressure on me to come up with a unique trip.  We knew that we had no desire to take our holidays in Greece or the Caribbean like most American honeymooners typically do (we will save those places for our anniversaries).  We strongly considered the South Pacific, however to be honest we both knew in our hearts that the right place was Brasil all along.  It was was where we became engaged and it is where we hope to move one day.  As far as the exact details go, well, those will be revealed in exactly 2.5 months.  I can definitely promise it will be unique!

The following days were a blur of busyness and excitement.  I can only imagine the amount of money I spent on taxis going from barrio to barrio.  It was difficult to treasure my remaining time with Lucas, since we were both so preoccupied, but soon we will never have to say chau again.

Oh my beloved Buenos Aires, she who conjures images of sultry tango bars, glamorous Eva Peron, and an overabundance of leather goods begging to be purchased.  She who when turning corners reveals new architectural wonders and hidden charms, and sometimes, if she is in a particularly good mood, love.

Endnote: While this may be the last post of this series, there will be upcoming posts with more specific wedding details.  The reason I am eager to share them is that our wedding has a ‘travel theme.’

In the heat of a summer’s day the Catalonian capital of North Eastern Spain shimmers beneath a clear blue sky.  There are architectural splendors throughout the world, but nowhere boasts such a stunning display of quirky buildings quite like Barcelona.  I first came here as an Art History major and fell in love with every twist and turn.  I am glad to be back.

Anyone with an artistic heart will rejoice in the genius of Gaudi.  Not all his buildings are accessible, however even those, such as La Casa Batlló, are worth admiration from outside.  Meandering through Parc Güell is a relaxing must and no one can miss the fantastical cathedral La Sagrada Familia, although if you only visit one feat of Gaudi engineering, make it Casa Mila.  The beautiful interior swirls around, leading me upwards to the roof.  As I stand amidst the rolling desert of humanoid chimney stacks, the city glitters below in a pallet of color.

La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

Drawn back to the buzzing streets, I take a walk through Las Ramblas, the epitome of randomness that is this passionate city.  There is excellent accommodation available all over Barcelona, but for me, this is the area to stay.  A kaleidoscope of craft stalls and street performers cram enticingly beneath a canopy of trees.  Though if it is designer shops you prefer, try the Passeig de Gràcia, you will not be disappointed.  And sport is everywhere; the Olympic stadium, bullfighting, and football.  For me though,  it is the art galleries and museums that keep me coming back.  I hop on a bus to my favorite, the Picasso, before taking the tram to Tibidabo for the magnificent view.

Parc Güell in Barcelona, Spain

Tomorrow I shall stroll along Barceloneta Beach, but tonight it is to the Barrio Gotico, where there are many tapas bars, pubs, and some of the best restaurants in town.

Liah S. Thorley is a travel writer and novelist.  She loves to travel and having lived in the USA, returns there whenever she can.

Thank you to TurboTax for sponsoring my writing about household finances.Learn more about how TurboTax can help you find every tuit.com”>tax deduction you deserve. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

When asked by the Clever Girls Collective to write a post about “Managing Your Family Finances” I could have easily written a cut and dry piece on how I take care of my taxes every year, however I decided instead to share an incredibly personal story in hopes that it will somehow help others avoid the same mistake that I made.

3 years ago I went into business with my best friend.  I trusted this girl with every ounce of my being as if she were my sister.  Everyone warned me about going into business with her.  They said that friends should never be partners.  I foolishly ignored their concerns, claiming that I was smart enough to make the right decision for myself.  Thus, I cosigned a small business loan and our LLC was created.  We opened up a state-of-the art Wellness Center and put an enormous of time, energy, money, and love into it.  It was our baby.

Since I was the creative one and she loved numbers, I handled the marketing aspect of our company, whereas she handled our finances.  I never once questioned her judgment.  Around the year mark, like everyone predicted, our friendship got in the way of our business.  A disagreement that had nothing to do with our clinic turned into an embattled rage between us.  Neither of us could forgive each other, despite our close relationship.

Although I knew we were headed in a bad direction, I was completely blindsided when I discovered that unbeknown to me she had started a competing practice on the other side of town and had been sending our patients there.  After I recovered from the shock and feelings of betrayal, I immediately took over our fiances.  Unsurprisingly, she was dishonest with our numbers as well and I had to pay hefty fines for her not having paid our taxes on time.

A year later I am in a better place (in all aspects of my life) and I now know how to take care of my finances, since I was forced to learn.  This painful and valuable lesson taught me the importance of learning every single aspect of your business and not relying on anyone else, even if you are in a partnership.  And you better believe that this year I will be filing my taxes on time!

Me in front of my new clinic. Photo taken by: Kirsten Alana Larsson

The wrong hotel room can really put a damper on your holiday plans.  Noisy construction work, poor water pressure, no air conditioning — these are just some of the inconveniences that can affect your stay.

Most visitors will find that if their room does not meet expectations, the establishment will accommodate and change your room.  However, there a few questions and considerations you can ask about before you are handed your room key to ensure you will have a comfortable stay:

1. On the phone

Before you book your accommodation, ask a few questions about the applicable rates and inclusions.  This includes finding out about internet and phone charges, the availability of continental breakfast, as well as check-in and check-out times.  It also may be a good idea to inquire about any conferences or large events that are being held at the hotel at the same time.

2. At the desk

Upon arrival, you can find out more information about the hotel and the room they have reserved for you.  If available, floors that are higher up tend to be quieter as they are further away from traffic and offer better views.  However, some individuals caution against staying higher up as fire departments will not be able to reach rooms above the 9th floor in case of an emergency.

Meanwhile, hotels are often undergoing renovations and refurbishments.  If you are worried about noise levels, you can always check where your room is located relative to construction work.

3. In your room

Once you arrive at your room, check that everything functions properly including hot water, climate control, and television.  If you do find something dissatisfactory about your room you can always ask for a swap, most hotels will be happy to accommodate you if they can.

In addition to finding out what you can about the hotel and your room, do some research around the area itself including the distance from the hotel to key attractions, dining establishments, and access to public transport.

Take Sydney, Australia for example.  Many will find that staying outside of the immediate CBD area will offer better deals on cheap accommodation — Sydney suburbs such as Surry Hills and Darlinghurst are actually quite centrally located and easy to get to.

By ensuring you ask the right questions, you can find the perfect room with everything you need for your stay. Whether you are looking for cheap hotels, Gold Coast luxury accommodation by the beach, or a comfy romantic love nest, you will find a large number of options available to suit your holiday needs.

Paige Green writes for Quickbeds.com, provider of cheap hotels and last minute accommodation Australia wide.

Song of the post:

The next day we decided to just get lost again.  After the amount of wedding planning we had been doing, the last thing on our minds was coming up with another plan.  As we strolled through the city I was reminded by one of my favorite travel quotes that I heard for the first time when I was in South Africa,

I am like a cosmic wanderer, driven by the winds to land where they will.

The winds took me to Colonia and now I could not get enough of her.

One of the game’s I like to play when I am in a new city is finding an apartment or house that I would buy if I were moving there.  Below is me in front of Colonia’s pick!

We saw a lighthouse in the distance and decided that we needed to find our way to it.  But first we had to pass through sunlit parks with blossoming bougainvillea. . .

and by more colorful homes for me to lust after. . .

and through an ancient fort whose trees beckoned to be climbed.

Finally, the lighthouse emerged and for a minimal fee we opted to climb to the top.

The view from the top was definitely the highlight of the day.  It is the highest point in this picturesque colonial township with a vast look of La Plata river.

Off in the distance the Buenos Aires skyline could be seen.  It was a gentle reminder that we would be returning to Argentina the following day.  Back to the chaos, back to the planning.

Have you ever traveled alone?  Well, if you have not already and you are willing to accept advice from someone who likes traveling, meeting new people, and testing herself in an unknown land, then my advice is: you should try it!

My first solo trip was when I was 17 and it was to England.  My second trip alone was in Rome.  I had just finished my courses in University and had no plans for the summer.  I was eager to do something different.  So, I booked one of the apartments in Rome, a plane ticket, and there I was!  I had never been in Italy before, although after years inside a language academy I spoke some Italian, which by the way, I had never put into practice before.

I am sure a lot of you already know the emotions that I was going through regarding my trip; that feeling of half-fear and half-excitement.   It completely possesses you as soon as you arrive to a new place.  A place where you know no one and nothing about.

What happened in Rome surely was nothing out of the ordinary.  I mean, I did not meet the Pope and neither was I invited to one of Berlusconi’s parties, however some little things occurred that made me feel special. For example, the first night I was there I ended up in front of the Trevi fountain, surrounded by a circle of people watching how 2 Italian opera singers interpreted West Side Story’s song for me when they discovered my name.

Or the time when I was reading a book in the grass in front of the monument to Vittorio Emanuele II and crossing looks with a bohemian traveler who knew the city much more than me.  It finally became a crossing, not only of looks, but of steps through surrounding streets.  Searching to meet ourselves again in the next street or square, but with the fear of knowing that maybe one of us would get lost or simply decide to not keep playing the game.   After more than an hour of secret persecution we finally decided to stop at the top of the Spanish Steps of Trinità dei Monti church.  Over wine we talked about our lives and all the other things that are discovered the first time meeting someone.

Trinità dei Monti church & the Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy

The best thing about traveling, is that when you go on a trip you know that something will happen; you do not know what, but you know something.  You will meet people, you will discover places, you will find your favorite cafe or bar; and you will return home a different person than before you left.  The Rome apartments became my home and that bohemian traveler became my boyfriend.

It is always important when you arrive in new cities, like Rome, to look for a travel company to go on some Rome tours with, so that you can learn more about the city through a local’s eyes.

Maria Climent is a 26-year-old Catalan lady.  After studying translation, she decided her life was odd enough to became a humor scriptwriter and by default, a blogger.  This is how she is now a mother of no one and a better person.  She also cooks her meals.

Song of the post:

How could I have not already fallen in love with my posada when it was located on a street that looked like this:

And then with a name like El Capullo, or the Cocoon, the deal was sealed and I was smitten!

Its wrought iron gates, palm trees, and stray cats (more on that later) made it the perfect boutique hotel for a romantic weekend getaway.

After a long day of walking, we sought out solace on the daybeds underneath the bougainvillea and mandarin orange trees with a bottle of chilled prosecco.

One of the stray cats decided that Lucas should be paying attention to her and not me and claimed her spot on his lap.  Lucky for her he has a soft spot for felines.

After we finished the bottle, we decided to take a quick nap before dinner.  For some reason I could not fall asleep and decided to wander around the property.  As I was contemplating going for a dip in the pool, I heard a woman shriek.  I went inside to inquire and saw several people watching the TV intently.  The Argentinean ex-President Nestor Kirchner had just unexpectedly passed away.  Regardless of one’s political beliefs, it is always a sad moment to lose one’s leader.  I was not excited about telling Lucas the news, as Lucas had befriended Kirchner while he was his personal guard.

As expected, the news was difficult for him to hear.  I convinced him that dinner, more wine, and dulce de leche crepes would make him feel better, and of course I was right! He also reminisced and told me fascinating stories of his time with Kircher.

Afterward we decided to walk off our rich meal and as we strolled along the water, the sun had just dipped into the ocean, leaving behind an orange sky with strokes of black clouds crossing like pirate ships into the hot, quiet night.

Click on the link and see how many cheap holiday deals there are to choose from.  The destinations are diverse and there are so many options that everybody should be able to find the right one.

Being half English, half Canadian, I am accustomed to 2 types of weather: rain and snow.  The sun feels like some kind of distant relative; a great Uncle I see once every couple of years who loves to burn my pale, pasty skin to a crisp.  Okay, the analogy was a bit of a stretch there, but you get the idea!

Needless to say, I prepared myself for my upcoming trip to Dubai by buying several kegs of industrial strength sun cream.  I was definitely ready for all the UV rays the sun could throw at me.  What I was not prepared for, however, was the heat itself.  On walking out of the cool, air-conditioned airport, I was engulfed by an embracing warmth the likes of which I had never felt before.  It was simultaneously invigorating and relaxing, though seemed to have made me temporarily blind, as my glasses had completely steamed up!  After giving them a hasty wipe, I set off in a random direction and basked in awe at Dubai’s impressive scale.

Dubai is the richest and second largest Emirate of the United Arab Emirates.  Probably most famous for its ground-breaking architecture.  Wandering its streets is an experience in itself!  The buildings are not all lavish 5-star hotels either; I also came across many beautiful cultural sights, such as the ancient Al Fahidi Fort and the Jumeirah Mosque, which is open to curious non-Muslims.

Not being a millionaire just quite yet, I had be content with accommodation other than the newly built Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world at a whopping 828 metres.  Visiting its stunning observation deck was more in my price range, with a ticket bought in advance costing 100 AED (around $27).  If you want to prepare yourself a bit better financially before you jet off, check out MyDubaInfo.  It is always handy to see what advance deals are out there as it can result in some tidy savings (and given the amount of shopping to be done out here that is certainly not a bad thing).

On my final day, I treated myself to a halal McDonald’s and reflected on this unique destination and its curious blend of Eastern and Western cultures.  Exploring Dubai was an amazing experience — the only disappointing part of my trip was my eternal inability to get a tan!

Louis Jobin is an Undergraduate studying English and Japanese Studies.  His passions are European literature, Asian cuisine, and Scandinavian music.