Summer to Summer

A Traveler's Tale

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Category Archives: Summer

Working as a Maid in a Ukranian-Buddhist Guesthouse in China Changed My Life

September 4, 2016by shxxu Leave a comment

The day before my flight out of Shanghai, I spent 4.5 hours cleaning every corner of a four-story guesthouse until my hands blistered, and it’s one of the most rewarding experiences […]

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Reflection, Summer, Travel

Hey City Girl, Whatcha Doing?

Featuredby shxxu Leave a comment

Within two hours of breakfast, I managed to smash a thumb and punch myself in the face with a tree. So begins my first official morning in Casa Rosi, an organic family […]

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Study Abroad, Summer, Travel

Soul Searching in Seoul

August 24, 2012by shxxu Leave a comment

As I strolled down the winding alleys of Seoul like a princess through an enchanted castle, munching on a pack of excruciatingly expensive sweet potato crisps, I couldn’t help but […]

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Summer, Travel

Just some pre-departure jitters…

July 30, 2012by shxxu Leave a comment

The early evening sun bathes the streets in gold, I hop out of the passenger seat of Uncle’s minivan, round to the sliding side doors, take the bags from his […]

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California, Home, Reflection, Summer

The lovely and twisted way in which everything falls into place

July 29, 2012by shxxu Leave a comment

Hello! It’s been quite a while since my last update. So, here is the abridged version of the long post to come… tomorrow. I don’t have the energy to make […]

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California, Home, Summer

The Workin’ Life

July 8, 2012by shxxu 3 Comments

As a slightly obsessive shoe connoisseur, I thought I owned enough pairs of beautiful shoes to last me a lifetime of stylish business casual outfits. However, none of them can […]

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California, Summer, Work

A Sunny San Francisco Weekend.

June 25, 2012by shxxu Leave a comment

I adore this photo. The happiness on my face. The colors. The perfection. This photograph completely captures my Sunday. I have been out and about from the second my plane […]

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California, Home, Summer

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Where in the World am I?

Seoul, South Korea

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Foggy city vibes. 💙 #home #sanfrancisco #travelersnotebook #artsyfartsy #iphoneography #filter #instaphoto #skyline #cityscape #actionshot #architecture
These kids are pretty fun. . #liveoutsidethebox #travelersnotebook #adventure #liveoutdoors
A walk along the edge of the world. ⛰🌊 . Hierve el Agua: a set of natural rock formations 70km east of #Oaxaca that resemble cascades of water. . #travelersnotebook #liveoutsidethebox #exploretocreate #mexico
After 20 long, impatient minutes breathing dust and tailpipe smog along the road, it felt like an Easter miracle when a small rickety bus rounded the corner, with “Tlacolula” spelt out on the window in yellow tape. Every Sunday, villagers from all over Oaxaca gather at the tianguis (Sunday open air market) at Tlacolula de Matamoros, a town 40 minutes west of Oaxaca City, to sell their goods. After two hours navigating live poultry, fruits, hand-crafted goods, cheap imported toys, smoky food stalls, and rows of women in traditional garb lined up to sell tortillas... we slipped into a market brimming with bbq stalls for lunch. We joined Karla (a plate vendor), her infant son, her friend Edith, who spoke up when a vendor overcharged us 5 pesos (~30 cents) on tortillas, and a friendly Quebecois man with glistening sweat coating his whole face and his quiet husband. We conversed over delicious barbacoa (roast lamb), home-brewed mezcal, and blood sausage — which my mom finally tried after some convincing. At night, we strolled through Oaxaca centro and were absorbed by an Easter Sunday procession of parishioners, a mariachi band, a brass band, a statue of Jesus, and spectators. For an hour we slowly drifted in a rosemary scented river of white flags, smoke, and music. The procession terminated at a small church beside the main cathedral with fireworks and, of course, more #music. This trip dispelled the preconceptions I had of Mexico. Yes, there is violence. Just a year ago, teachers were murdered on the same plaza where I casually bargained for a handwoven basket while sipping juice. There is poverty. Small children sift through the crowds peddling goods, and sit alone on the curb at midnight hoping for a customer. But the Mexican people are some of the most well-mannered and hospitable I have ever met. Every eye contact with a stranger returns a smile and occasional conversation. There are stunning differences in lifestyle between the bustling Mexico City, luxurious tourism hub San Miguel de Allende, and rustic Oaxaca; but none in the attitude of the people. This has been another eye-opening #adventure. . #travelersnotebook #liveoutsidethebox #exploretocreate
🌵☀️💐💃🏻🇲🇽 I used to be a travel snob. “There’s a difference between tourists, travelers, and explorers,” I would say. Vacationing with my mom is a very different experience from the backpacking & Couchsurfing I prefer, but I’ve come off my high horse to enjoy the luxury. I’m not sleeping in airport bathrooms or wandering the streets in the burning sun with two backpacks. Instead, I get to meander through art galleries, take taxis, stay at nice hotels & look like a #classy motherfucker. 🕶💋 . (While still wearing dirty Docs & hanging out with my backpack Monroe, of course.) ❤️ . #travelersnotebook #conceited #hoboprincess #liveoutsidethebox #ootd #doors
Monroe disapproves of oligarchy también. 👀🎒#vivalarevolucion . I wish I could say I’m a history buff because I love learning about politics & war (and spent half a decade doing so)... but I have a shit memory & can’t remember dates or names past, present, or future. 🤷🏻‍♀️ . #travelersnotebook #liveoutsidethebox #identity #politics #history #mexico #chapultepec #davidalfarosiqueiros #mural #revolution #art #photography #power #eyes
No matter where you go or who you become, never forget where you came from.

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