Harry Potter was a tremendous part of my adolescent life. Growing up, fantastical thoughts of attending Hogwarts excited me. I wanted to eat in the Great Hall, learn magic spells, create potions, wear the Sorting Hat, and defeat Dark Lords. In the early to mid 2000s, I was so obsessed over these books I was… Keep Reading
Books: A Pleasant Travel Alternative
I have a secret for my beloved readers: rare moments exist when I’m grateful I’m not traveling all the stinkin’ time. So. I don’t think full time travel is for me. I realize the above statement is practically sacrilegious to write on a travel blog. I’m sorry, but it’s the unfiltered truth. Please listen to… Keep Reading
Quick Guide: Christmas in Philadelphia
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY WAYFARERS WHO CELEBRATE IT! As you already know, I don’t travel on Christmas because I would miss my family’s holiday traditions way too much to enjoy the sights around me. So what did I do on Christmas Eve instead of sleeping at random airports and fighting lines at hostel check… Keep Reading
Aldous Huxley was Correct about Travel
I didn’t like Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World.” I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I’ve always been more partial to George Orwell’s representation of dystopia in “1984.” Plus, when I read Brave New World, I was in the process of tackling a “100 Books Per Year” reading goal, which concluded with me skimming through thoughtful novels and… Keep Reading
How Teaching Improved My Travel Skills
“Oh my god, how do you teach teenagers without losing your mind? I’d quit in three seconds.” I’m often asked this question in hostels. Then a twitchy smile follows. A raised eyebrow. A disbelieving shake of the head. Yup, these are all reactions I witness whenever I tell my fellow travelers that I’m a high… Keep Reading
My Failure To Visit Shakespeare and Company
I’m sensing a pattern here, aren’t you? Failure. Literature. Paris. Oh, yes, the ridiculous saga continues, my friends. If you read my blog, you’ve already laughed at my failure to kiss Oscar Wilde and realized that 1. research is important and 2. relying on 3 year-old information isn’t the brightest idea. Now I like Paris a lot…. Keep Reading
New Adventure Quotes: What Great Authors Say About Travel
New Adventure Quotes That’ll Inspire You to Go! Who’s ready for some new adventure quotes? Me, me, me! And I’m sure you are too! A bit of background: I’m a gigantic book nerd. If you’re here, you already know literature, right behind travel, is one of my major obsessions. (And if you had no idea about me being a “litnerd”… Keep Reading
My Failure To Kiss Oscar Wilde
Lovin’ Oscar Wilde I’ve admired Oscar Wilde since I was sixteen years old. Not to reveal my age, but that’s a crush lasting more than 10 years (yikes). I first read The Picture of Dorian Grey in a lame attempt to feel intellectually superior to my classmates. … I know, I know, I know. Teens are ridiculous, huh? I… Keep Reading
The Ultimate Literary Gem In Porto
In many ways, I’m a walking cliche of an ex-literature student. For example, bookstores fascinate me. If the opportunity presented itself, all lit. nerds would reside in an adorable and independent bookshop, especially if they didn’t get busted for illegal loitering, and I am no exception to the rule. As I’ve mentioned in my overview of Porto, I didn’t research… Keep Reading