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Girl Gone Travel

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September 16, 2013

Privileged Trends: Slumming It With The Poor, Out of Curiosity

A friend of mine just shared this article on Facebook on a South African family, The Hewitts, who ventured out of their gated community and into the black slums of South Africa to experience what that life was like. There are both accolades and criticisms being[...]

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Public Relations & Branding
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August 5, 2013

The Role of Media & Diversity: Sticking Out Like A Sore Thumb

I was at a press event with a little over 35 other travel writers, bloggers, and brand representatives. I was talking to a travel writer about Japan, extremely curious about it because it is one of the places my family and I want to travel to soon. I asked her wha[...]

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Public Relations & Branding
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July 29, 2013

Is The Blogger Only As Good As Their Sponsorship?

Sponsorships. It is the factor in many conversations on blogging that often divide the blogger from the journalist, the self-proclaimed ethical writer from the so-called non-ethical one, the true professional from the opportunist. It is the thing that allow elitist[...]

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Travel
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April 1, 2013

Do what you love.

The video below has been circulating around the Internet for some time now. I saw it a few months ago, but saw it again just recently when a friend saw it and thought of me - something which I have to say flattered me deeply. And this is because I believe in thi[...]

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March 20, 2013

Pitching Bloggers: To Call or Not To Call

I am having a hard time focusing this morning. I am exhausted from a 5 and half day trip and am feeling the pressure of impending deadlines. It's taking me a bit to get to things, but I was just getting to it when my phone rang. 212 number. NYC. I immediately imagi[...]

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March 11, 2013

Pursuing Your Dreams, Against The Grain

Every so often, here on Girl Gone Travel, I like to share a personal story or two to remind people that the person sharing stories on travel and food, beautiful hotels and retreats, is a real person who experienced some really harsh moments, all of which pushed her[...]

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February 7, 2013

The Courage to Travel: How to Make It Your Own

The media dog has found a new bone. This time it is the topic of women traveling solo, and why we shouldn't, using as the example the tragic death of 33-year-old solo female traveler, Sarai Sierra, an American, in Turkey. I won't start another post talking about w[...]

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January 26, 2013

“Who’s with the kids?”

The email came one lazy afternoon, distracting me from an article I had been trying to wrap my head around for hours. It was an invitation, to somewhere beautiful, warm, and overseas and though the deadline to respond was a week away, I responded immediately withou[...]

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January 10, 2013

That thing that travel does

"I want to go to Finland and Japan, mommy." This is what my 7-year-old shared with me today, as easily as saying he wants to go to the park. His obsession with both countries has everything to do with three things: his favorite video games (Angry Birds/Finland an[...]

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November 8, 2012

Politics at the airport: Yes. It’s true. I do want stuff.

I am on my way to Los Angeles. My baby brother is getting married. It is going to take me close to 12 hours to get to him, courtesy of the latest storm to hit the North East, Athena. In order to get to LA, I am having to travel from Newark to Charlotte, NC to Pho[...]

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Snow day and the art of doing nothing even when th Snow day and the art of doing nothing even when the world demands we do so much. 

It’s ok to breathe. Process in silence. Seek comfort in yourself. Laugh. 

REST IS RESISTANCE. 

They want us scared. Broken. Isolated. Hopeless. Joyless. Exhausted. We are not. This moment is not how our story ends. 

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation and that is an act of political warfare.” - Audre Lorde
A wintery day with coffee and books was had in Syr A wintery day with coffee and books was had in Syracuse, NY. For our coffee cart (@cafecomodony ) we headed over to @peakscoffeeco roasting site and were treated to a tour and cupping experience of their beautiful coffee selections which we are excited to serve at market this summer. 

We then headed to Books and Melodies to browse through their large selection of used books and vintage vinyls, while the cozy vibey tunes filled the space. 

Followed that with a stop at @kelseyscoffeeandfriends for a warm matcha and delicious breakfast burrito. And while a visit to Peaks Coffee roasters is not a public affair, you can still pick up a bag or two or more at Kelsey’s - trust us, it’s worth it!

Stay warm and safe out there everyone!

#syracuseny #newyork #winterday #thingstodoinsyracuse #booklover
People are sharing memories from 2016 but I think People are sharing memories from 2016 but I think this is my favorite one: going to Jamaica for work with my family. We went on a family adventure and it was the first time the boys were trying snorkeling. 

My youngest was so so scared but I made him get in the water still promising him I would hold his hand, be with him the entire time, and never leave his side. 

When I made him get in the water the other tourists on the boat gave me nasty looks and made comments making it clear they thought I was a shit mom for “ignoring” my son’s fears. I jumped into the water and he was crying tears coming down from behind his snorkel mask. I held his hand as promised and we started swimming.

The coral reef was bustling with life. Fish of all colors, eel, sand sharks, starfish. I wasn’t sure if it would terrify him or excite him. 

I would occasionally check on him with a thumbs up sign and he would confirm with a thumbs up back. After a while he signaled to come up and said “It’s ok mom. I can go on my own from here.” And let go of my hand and off he went. 

I watched him swim away from me and then it was me who started crying feeling both pride in him and that bittersweetness in seeing him not need me anymore. This memory still makes me cry. Today the little boy is pursuing a career in environmental science and forestry and photography (see his work at @liamlcc).

The second best memory of 2016 was Elle King renewing our vows at the Beacon Theater during one of her NYC concerts. Travis had arranged the entire thing…a blur as I was in shock the whole time! We just celebrated 23 years together❤️
@sagra_italia, a newly opened “Brooklyn-style” @sagra_italia, a newly opened “Brooklyn-style” Italian cafe has opened in Rochester, and though I am always skeptical of anything claimed to be “Brooklyn”, I have to say, it was really pretty close. 

We started at the bar for drinks and light bites, where the bartender was friendly and made some pretty kick-ass drinks. We then moved to an open table (no reservations here - walk in and grab an open spot) before ordering from the counter (food is brought to you) You bus your own table, which I think contributes significantly to the affordable menu, and which I honestly didn’t mind. 

The food was solid. I ordered the funghi pasta and we shared a Caesar and fried burrata, which was 😘👌🏾❤️!

The whole vibe was exactly what I needed and the perfect spot to catch up with Rochester friends on a snowy night. 

Kitchen closes at 9PM, bar closes at 10. 

And if you’ve ever been to @tapas177 next door and loved it (if you haven’t, you should go), it’s by the same family. 

Highly recommend and excited to go back. Another Rochester win!

#fingerlakes #rochesterny #rochestereats #newyork #italianfood @visitrochester
The world feels heavy, so here’s some light I no The world feels heavy, so here’s some light I noticed today: this dormant field of wildflowers we planted has been nesting bunny rabbits, birds, and little insect ecosystems this cold season. So even though on the surface it just looks like a field of dead and dried stems, when you look deeper, you’ll notice that it’s also a reprieve, a safe space, a comfort, and a resting place. 

I guess, maybe, that’s a lot of us right now. A little worn out. Tired. Sad. Drained. Overwhelmed. But we can also be someone’s comfort, safe space, peace, shoulder, friend…a little light for those who need it. And maybe that’s what we should remember to keep us going.
I get asked often if I miss the city, and the answ I get asked often if I miss the city, and the answer is all the time, but not really, but also yes, but kinda…depends. 

I think living in a slower paced environment has been good for me. Healthy and challenging in different ways. I sometimes get restless, but often need rest too. I love the space both environmently and in time to be creative. And I love that if I ever do get too restless, I am not far from Rochester (a city I’ve grown to love) or NYC. 

But I also love that when I feel any sense of anxiety, I can step outside, be surrounded by nature, and come back home a little more healed. Life is unpredictable, but during my era of slow living, I want to make sure to appreciate and enjoy all it offers.

#fingerlakes #newyork #slowliving #citygirlinthecountry

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