50 Amazing Moments & Lessons From My Travels

My mom sent me an article of 50 travelers saying why they loved the world so I decided to put together 50 of my top moments and lessons from traveling in the last few years (though I wouldn't have no problem hitting 2,000).

Please excuse the obnoxious format and order....this website sucks!

The sheer ridiculousness of adventures with Tiffany Winston

The Art of Living - life-changing course
with a brilliant group of people

Being able to casually say, "Yeah, we go to Rome on the weekends."

Between my three housemates in Italy & I, we spoke seven languages & had been to more than a dozen countries. It was never-ending learning, laughter & mind-opening

Learning to speak other languages and thereby connect with
an entire continent of people
(Soccer game in Mexico City - Mexico vs. U.S.A.)

Taking part in an ancient ceremony; growing closer with the universe and understanding more about yourself and your connection to it - Sharing the most beautiful meal with the most beautiful people at the top of a mountain in Peru
-The magical energy of Cuzco-

Getting to dance with Jorjet, Troy & Lee Rios
Bachata Festivals - Seoul, Korea

Trekking, rock climbing, hiking, swimming & running in Latin
America, the most beautiful nature I have ever experienced

Using chopsticks, sitting on the floor and eating live
octopus in Korea.
Sitting in a loud family's house, elbows on the table,
eating an eight-course meal in Italy.
Washing down a delicious, home-made lunch
with tequila with our 80-year-old parents in Mexico.

Exploring small, unique cities near our home in Viterbo, Italy
(Not to mention Florence)

Standing on the O'Brien Bridge
& later passing the Shannon River 
-Ireland-

Spending birthdays in different countries each year, participating in the traditions of that country--even if it means getting
your face shoved into a cake

Trusting in life and your circumstances, making the
most of every experience and being grateful for
the friends who become family
-My angel, Renata, with me in the hospital in Korea-

Getting to know a family in their home in Korea

Strolling with friends through the parks and famous landmarks of
London, Dublin, Galway, Madrid, Córdoba, & Almería

Visiting Alcazaba Castellanos and the beautiful beaches of
Almeria,Spain -a country with cities so different that
each place is a whole, new adventure

Ancient palaces in Korea, colorful & keeping a unique culture alive

Taking a week to do nothing but relax with friends

Growing in courage, confidence and independence by living outside your comfort zone
Giving someone a way into another culture,
Sharing what you've learned, even if it's the smallest of lessons

The hospitality shown by friends, acquaintances and strangers alike
(Família Perez-Brito, Bruce & Shworm, Janette, Karla, Anaii, Ali, Chelsea, Bruno, Jessy, Verenice, Jenny, Nico & countless others)
-Roadtrip from Sao Paolo to Trindade with my new friend, Bruno-

Trindade - outdoor yoga in the mornings, tropical fruit breakfasts & exploring beautiful beaches

Learning to ski on the same mountain where the 2018 Olympics will be held
YongPyong, Korea

The ability to see beyond the boundaries that hold the majority in tiny bubbles, afraid to meet their neighbors or explore the outside world - Forming incredible networks of friends and overcoming challenges and goals together
-Spartan Race with Tania (Peru) & Choi (Korea)-

Whether it's a mud beach, one of the deepest canyons or
highest peaks in the world; covered in snow or 110 degrees, nature is
unique and astounding everywhere you go
-Boryeong Mud Festival, Korea-

Proving to men from many countries that women really can play soccer
-Men's soccer league for foreigners in Seoul, Korea-

Learning that material items are just as
unimportant as we're taught they are

Taking part in an ancient tradition that celebrates freedom,
dance, strength and respect: capoeira

Running four half-marathons along the Han River in Seoul

The joy of connecting so perfectly with another human in celebration
and pure joy, becoming close friends and only realizing years later that you
don't even speak the same language and that your friendship was created without words

Surfing on the aftermath of a typhoon the day my first nephew was born,
feeling the freedom and joy I want all my nieces and nephews to experience

Being accepted into new families everywhere I go
-Govinda Lila's in Cuzco, Peru-

Exploring ancient Mayan ruins in Mexico and Incan ruins Peru
(Machu Picchu)

Being a real U.S. ambassador by being average - my friends get to know real people
rather than the image we put out through our media and Hollywood films

Sunrises, sunsets, beaches, forests, the view of stars from inside a canyon,
The world is generous and I will forever take advantage
-Paraty, Brazil-`

Loving someone that you just met with your whole heart
A family from a favela on Copacabana Beach, Someone you just met in the airport,
Someone you help or who helps you in the street

The building of friendships that defy all rules of time and distance
(Bridget, Renata, Becca, Jacqui, Chelsea, Tortilini, Shworm,
Renata, Jooyeon,Tiffany, Allie, Liz, Pollo, Phil & Jessica,
Katlego, Lizzy & Christian, Raquel, Emiliano, Nico,
Tania, Franz, Vere, Erin to name a very small few)

Walking around the border of North & South Korea,
one of the most unique places in the world,
where my grandfather fought 60 years before,
coming to understand the devastating truths of war

Making such an important friend, loving someone so dearly,
learning everything you can from that person;
"We must've known each other in another life." - Dona Maria

Living in Copacabana, looking over arguably the greatest city in
the world from above, running or playing on the beaches, enjoying live
music and the sounds of the beautiful language being spoken around you

The chance to walk into someone else's life (via
shared hostel room) just for a short moment in time,to share a conversation that they say was "just what they needed," and then let go

Rock climbing in the Andes, learning the importance
of controlling my own mind and not giving in to fear

Couch Surfing
Putting your trust in others, teaching & learning,
sharing, cultural exchange - meeting more family

Starting a new tradition the hostel I worked at:
giving the leftover bread from breakfast away to the people in the streets, a trend that they continued after I left.

Spending time with friends, old & new,
traveling and exploring new activities together

Learning humility and what it means to have the support of a friend
-Trekking: Colca Canyon, Peru-

Wind, Ocean, Sun, Animals, Friends
  -Islas Bailenas: Paracas, Peru-

Twilight salsa dancing in Lima, Peru
(Not to mention in Houston, San Fran, Seoul & New York)

The excitement of looking out the window of a bus or plane and knowing you're going somewhere you've never been

The world guiding you from passion to passion, place to place,
relationship to relationship, down the most human and beautiful path
you could ever hope to be a part of

At the end of every day, every single person on this planet is the SAME...worthy of love, inclusion, education, health & happiness.