It occurred to me last week that 2019 marks a full decade since my first international trip! In 2009, I was one of four high school juniors who accompanied our biology teacher to Costa Rica. With EF Educational Tours as our guide, we explored the lush landscape, went zip lining, planted trees, visited a school where students performed a traditional dance for us, kayaked at the base of a volcano, saw all sorts of exotic species of plants and animals, and caught sight of the Pacific Ocean for the first time while visiting a black sand beach.
20 countries and 10 years later, it’s incredible to think about the places I’ve been, the people I’ve met, and the experiences I’ve had. Here are some snapshots of the travel (and life) highlights along the way!
It’s always so fun to look back, but I love to daydream about the future too. Recently I’ve been on a solo travel kick. I’ve realized that I prioritize travel more than most, and pinning down travel buddies can be super tricky. Either our interests and travel styles don’t match up, they don’t have the time off and/or can’t swing the finances, or are super enthusiastic in theory and then flake out when it comes to making any sort of concrete commitment.
Consequently, I spent three weeks traveling solo in Scotland last summer. I was pretty nervous at first, but ended up absolutely loving it; that trip was easily one of the best experiences of my life. While sharing travel experiences with one of your favorite humans is great, exploring a place on your own can be pretty amazing too!
I’m headed back to Scotland this summer with a friend, but I’m also spending three weeks in Ireland (two of which will be solo). I’m so excited to say that part of my Ireland itinerary will include a week-long bicycle trip! This is some VERY new territory for me, and I can’t wait to see what other new adventures my next decade of travel will bring!