How to Live Like You're Traveling : Part 2 - What Makes Us Happy When We Travel?

Welcome to "How To Live Like You're Traveling" series, where we explore what is it that makes us happy when we travel and how to achieve this happiness in our everyday lives. Join us on this adventure, and write out your very own travel day that stands out in your memory using this template in part 1 of the series. 

In this Part 2, we are going to break down one of my favorite travel days to see what makes us happy when we travel and if these elements are transferable into our everyday life. 

Let's take a look at a favorite travel day together...

The Set-Up
Family vacation in France, staying at the lovely Les Mathes Camping in a delighful mobile home, as one does. 

The Characters
• Alla - that's me!
• Vito - my other half
• Mo - our delightful oldest son 
• Vin - our equally delightful youngest son
• Dan - my high-school sophomore brother visiting from NY
 

1 - Waking-up
How did you wake up? When? What did you do?

We were woken up by Vin who must have been treckking through the Sahara desert during the night judging by his thirst. Once the milk bottle was in hand we were able to continue waking up propensed by Mo who decided to contribute to the process by running into our room and joining us all in bed. Mother's joy is complete... when all children are within an arms reach!
 

2 - Breakfast
Think about your first meal, what did you eat, who did you eat with? How did you feel about the coming day spread out ahead of you? 

Breakfast would usually start with a walk to the little market together with Dan. We would talk about life and universe and so on and so forth. My brother is totally smarter than me... and better looking. At the market we picked up freshly baked croissants, with chocolate for me, plain for Mo and Vito, and a pecan pastry for Dan and a baguette for everyone. Back at the house we'd sit down at our little table to eat and plan our day. (Well, usually I would just tell the family what I wanted to do and expect complete and immediate agreement.) 

3 - First part of the day
Write down everything you did in the first part of the day. Did you sight see? List all the activities and think about how they made you feel. 

We (I) decided to drive over to La Tremblade, a little fishing village to just check it out. A quick google search revealed very little information about the town so we had absolutely no idea what to expect. Plus, it just so happened to be Bastille Day, and judging by other towns we drove by on the way, everything in La Tremblade would be closed. Lo and behold we arrived to a PARTY. To our amazement the tiny town was filled to the brim with people! There was a market happening in the central square and many shops lining the streets were opened. We strolled and promenaded and bought presents for family back home. 
 

4 - Lunch
One has to eat! What did you eat, where did you have lunch? Remember the tastes, aromas, views... 

For lunch we sat down at one of the sidewalk cafe's ordered cappuccinos, and juices. The cafe we were at did not serve food but we noticed a long line next door at the bakery. We thought it would be a good idea to get in line and buy whatever it is they were selling in there. My brother and I joined the line to continue our earlier conversation about the universe. Mo joined us, and since I'm priming him to become aerospace engineer it's good that we expose him to the relevant topics early on. At the bakery there were all kinds of delights! We ordered baguette sandwiches and got a few different little cakes and pastries to try. They were delicious! We then sat, chowed, people watched and took turns taking bites of the pastries. Ahhh...  On the way back to the car, we ducked into a very atmospheric indoor food market to get meat for a barbeque we decided to have for dinner. Mo was introduced to various sea creatures... 

5 - Second part of the day
What did you do after lunch? How did you feel? Who were you with? Who did you meet? Why did you enjoy it?

After lunch we happily drove back to the house for a nap. Then it was time to grab towels and head over to the pool, the pool is nice, but you know what else is nice? The bar right next to it. So after an hour or so of splish splash, Vin and I headed over to the lounge to polish off a 51. Well, a 51 for moi, and Vin got a drink and a banana. 

6 - Dinner
How did you decide what you will eat? Where did you have dinner? What did you eat, who were your dinner companions? What was your favorite part about this dinner? 

Dinner was a barbeque outside of our little home. The meat and the shrimp from the market were going to be our hero dishes. We tossed some salad together and cut-up amazingly sweet melon as side dishes. A couple of beers made the everything complete. Dan and Vito did the manly things like grilling and Mo, Vin and I did the rest, like chowing down on the sweet melon. It was sunny, we were eating al fresco, random things were hilarious for no reason, and everyone was happy! 
 

7 - Evening time
What evening activities did you do? Did you do some more sightseeing, did you relax? Did you go to a party?

Remember how you felt. Embarrassingly enough Vito and I went to bed quite early. Dan on the other hand went to hang out with the neighbors, a rowdy French family. 
 

8 - Night
Perhaps you stayed up all night? Or maybe just the opposite, you had the best night of sleep?

We did have a great night of sleep, with our little window open, hearing fireworks in the distance...

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THE 6 ELEMENTS

So what DID we do all day to be so happy and was it directly tied to the specifics of the location? Let's inspect...

I think it's pretty clear that we spent quality time with each other all day. We had nothing else on the agenda but to spend time together. What and where was pretty much secondary. 

The day started with us daring to discover something new and being pleasantly surprized stumbling in on a local town Bastille Day party. 

Something important to notice is that we did not have a schedule, we did not rush, we did everything at our own pace.  We took a nap, some of us read, having a drink.

We all got creative. I took photos, Dan wrote in his blog. Vito read a novel. We got creative in our own ways and took on activities that we immersed ourselves in.  

We spent most of the day outdoors. 

We frolicked at the pool, and walked a lot.

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Which elements were most abundant in YOUR travel day? 

These six elements were in abundance during my travel day. It turns out that all the elements had nothing to do with the actual geographic location.  In the next installment of How to Live Like You're Traveling, we are going to look at the science behind these elements and why they make us happy.

• • •
Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling  

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Wake-up to a New View Right in Your Own City!

The travel industry often times ignores their third and most readily available client segment...THE LOCALS! 

Hotels dread the off season and scramble to fill rooms. The bad economy and rising fuel prices that drive up air ticket costs all add to the nightmares of hoteliers. The out of country, and out of city travelers may very well get grounded by all kinds of factors but so what!?  The locals are a third client segment that does not need to get on the plane to get to you! They may be stuck in their own cities and in dire need to feel like they're traveling. Save them!!! Give your own city dwellers an idea that they can have a mini-getaway right in town. Let them feel miles away, pampered and spoiled right in their very own city, minus the expensive air ticket to say... Bali. 

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For the third year, Amsterdam is hosting a Hotel Night to inspire its own residents to feel like they're traveling and see their own city with a fresh eyes as they wake up to different views of the lovely Amsterdam all around 40+ participating hotels. On Saturday, January 17th, Amsterdamers can try out these hotels with a special discounted rate and participate in various events that the hotels maybe organizing. Perhaps a spa experience? Special dinner? Or an activity aimed at rediscovering your city...   

Well done Amsterdam! Live like you're traveling movement is on the rise! 

Do you have a hotel night in your city? You can always sign-up for newsletters of your target hotels, or even better, follow them on Instagram, to know when deals come up. 
 

• • •    LESSONS LEARNED    • • •

Sweet dreams are closer then you think! 

Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling  

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LLYT Challenge : Live La Dolce Vita

I spent a few glorious days in Rome last week for my birthday! There were romantic walks along the Tiber river with the dusk setting. There was taking in of the sites punctuated by tiny magical espressos. Afternoons were spent leisurely sampling wines in piazzas overlooking century old works of art. It was a total disconnect from everyday life and a complete immersion in "La Dolce Vita." The few days Vito and I spent in Rome seemed like a full two weeks.  

I got inspired to break down the whole concept of "La Dolce Vita." Clearly living la dolce vita is not only for the Romans, though of course the architecture, cozy piazzas to canoodle over a glass of wine, and the moonlight basking in the cool surfaces of smooth naked marble forms...do help to put you in the mood. So, what what can we learn from the Italian way of living life sweetly and how can we recreate it right where we are? 

Mid-afternoon espresso and tiramisu in Trastevere, Rome

Firstly, the translation of "La Dolce Vita," from Italian is "The Sweet Life." It is a way of living that is opulent, full of pleasures... physical and otherwise, full of romance, indulgence and luxury. That's right! I said romance, indulgence, opulence, and luxury! It's OK, I promise. In real terms it means to take time to enjoy life for no other reason but to receive pleasure... oh-oh.

Shockingly vulgar...don't you love it!?   

So how are we going to be a bit more like Marcello and Anita? By taking a few regular every day things and dolce-vitafying* them:
 

Dolce-vita-fy, verb  
(according to the OTSP dictionary)
• • •
To up the glamour quotient, to make more sexy, to make something enjoyable for no reason other then to luxuriate in the moment. To take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. Synonyms: glamorize, sexify, romanticize, elevate

Regular: Drinking water 
Dolce Vita! Drinking water out of a crystal wine glass with an ice cube and a lemon slice!

Regular: Sleeping
Dolce Vita! Sleeping on 500 thread count sheets wearing naughty little silk something!

Regular: Dinner (in the company of baby spitting peas and 3 yr old re-enacting fire rescue operation on the table)
Dolce Vita!-ish Dinner with a glass of wine, candle light and a bud vase bouquet on the table (+ baby & 3 yr. old)
 
Regular: Manicure
Dolce Vita! Manicure in bright red, magenta, orange, neon or any other color that makes you feel like the type of woman who kisses men in dark alleys and jumps into fountains!

Now that we've extensively defined what La Dolce Vita means we can introduce the challenge for April...

Create Your Dolce Vita Challenge

Reflecting lights in the Tiber river, Rome (More pics from my birthday getaway.) 

La Dolce Vita moments regardless of the myth, don't "just happen" and they are not only reserved for Rome and Romans. I in fact clearly saw said Romans in their cars yawning and looking not amused stuck in after work rush hour traffic along the Tibor river completely oblivious to the beautiful scenery. This just proves the point that these moments need to be CREATED and furthermore you have to put yourself in the MOOD for them.  

Thus in order to successfully create dolce vita moments you need to have these 2 elements: 

1. Ease of execution - so that when inspiration strikes you it's not a whole big production to set-up a certain atmosphere, situation or experience. Also if it's easy and accessible then you will want to have more and more of these moments!

2. Mood - yes if you yourself don't feel like the star of a sexy Italian movie then you won't really want dolce vita moments. And notice that you have to PUT yourself in the mood, not 'wait' to be in the mood.

The Approach

Plan ahead for spontaneity:
Think about what kind of dolce vita moments you'd like to enjoy, visualize them, think about where they're happening and the kind of mood you're in... Is it a prosecco lunch al fresco? A candle lit evening at home? A rowdy family brunch with freshly baked bread and adorable kids wearing cute outfits? 

Figure out what "props" and "gear" you need to execute the setting. A picnic basket for an impromptu dinner fuori (outside)? Beautiful candles for a romantic dinner per due? Having a clean and organized house to lounge around in or spontaneously invite friends for a cocktail?

- Get your home ready room by room for dolce vita moments 
- Take 'inventory' of what you have and what you need to the dolce vita moments you wnat

Always be in the mood: 
What puts you in a good mood? What makes you 'ready' for an adventure? (And how you define "adventure" is absolutely non of my business...) Does it take a good hair day? Mani/pedi? Working out? Statement necklace? High heels? Latin music? Then make it happen - everyday. What gives you energy and inspiration? Do more of it - daily!

Aspetta! (wait), you say, you mean "spontaneous" and "effortless" dolce vita moments actually require PREPARATION!? Si si, correct! Feel free to call me a soul sucking killer of romance, but you'll be thanking me when you're lounging around in over-sized sunglasses on your sexy lawn furniture sipping Ferrarelle water from long stemmed champagne glass with a strawberry perched on the rim. 

Now let's go prepare for La Dolce Vita!

Doesn't spring cleaning now seem like making love to Adonis in the afternoon on the black sands of a secluded Mediterranean volcanic island!? (Stromboli btw.)
 

{ IF YOU'RE UP FOR MORE --> VIEW ALL LLYT Challenges  }
 

• • •   SAGE POSTCARDS  • • •

Love it? Share it! - We are dedicated to sharing stories that spark ideas and are meaningful to you. The best way to let us know is to post a comment, like below or pin on Pinterest! ~ For More ways to Live Like You're Traveling, follow us on Feedly, Bloglovin, Pinterest, or Facebook. 

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LLYT Challenge : Be a Lifelong Student (Wrap Up)

Wow was it just me...or did March blow by? Nevertheless, it was a fruitful month for our March Challenge to learn something new, in the spirit of being a lifelong student. oh yes AND don't get us started on its anti-aging effects! Yes people, approaching life with an eagerness to learn and be inspired keeps us young at heart! We continue to gain new insights and see that there are so many possible experiences to be had.

Here's a quickie on what Alla & I have been up to this month...

• • •

Learn Something New 

Me: Learn how to cook fish. (pictured above)
Why? - I went on a 9 day detox which also coincided with an elimination diet to try to understand which foods are wreaking havoc on me. I tend to get hives or just get plain itchy, due to food sensitivities. This detox included a shake from Metagenics, which is meant to support the liver through the detoxing process. You begin by eliminating sugar, dairy and grains until you're only eating cruciferous greens and fish and the shake. Being that I needed to eat fish everyday for a week...it was the perfect time to learn how to season and prepare something that had always seemed a bit exotic for me. 

What I got out of it - I got over the mental block that fish would be something that would take me forever to learn. I have been so excited to make my own mango salsa as a dressing and I could not wait to eat it! Hubby and I were so enthralled by our meal that we ate in silence for a portion of it, too busy being seduced by the fresh and vibrant flavors. It was also the first time that I tried using apple cider vinegar in a salad dressing. It was so refreshing with a barely there touch of sweetness. Not only did learning about fish force me to think about new ways to season, I also got to a point where I was no longer having physical reactions. Another bonus...we were learning how to prepare food in a way that was quick (baking fish along with roasted veggies, or simple salads) and adding to our repertoire of healthy-delicious-but-do-able dishes!

• • •

Me: Pick up African Dance. 
Why? - After being cooped up in the house all winter...I needed to MOVE! And I don't know of a dance that is more freeing (yet controlled). Oh and also because I totally have a thing for live drumming! I'm excited I found a really great teacher, Tosha (pictured). Near the end of class when we've got the choreography down, she jumps on these drums joining the main drummer and the vibration of all them literally move you! Here's a taste of the drumming if you're curious.

What I got out of it - While I have a background in yoga and definitely rely on it for centering and therapeutic affects, sometimes only one kind of activity doesn't cover what I need at the time. This kind of new activity was exactly what I needed to jolt me out of my winter coma. Also, in trying something new, I recruited friends to come along and I saw how positively it affected them (which I love) and it meant I got a chance to see these friends more frequently. Pluses all around. 

Founder Tosha 'Ayo' Alston of Ayodele Drum & Dance

Alla: Start learning and practicing flower arranging.  
Why? - I always say that when I'm disgustingly rich I will have a florist on my speed dial and they'll deliver a fantastic new bouquet to my gigantesque villa every Friday. Then I stopped myself and said, well why can't I just have such luxury now? Is it really about having a huge complicated bouquet on my table obscuring my view of Vito's red beard while we eat dinner? No. I just want some fresh flowers peaking out here and there to surprise the senses. I knew Mu-Hsien is the queen of bud vase bouquets, but not until she broke it down in her glimpse post that it struck me that I could try it too! 

What I got out of it - Fresh flowers really bring in a bit of luxury into the home and making bud vase bouquets is an affordable way to have something brand new every week. My oldest son, Mo, loves going to the market with me to choose new flowers for the week, it's our little adventure. Feeling like a countess in my villa... priceless!     

Using shot glasses to create a bud vase composition. 

Alla: Cook pheasant.  
Why? - I actually joined Vito on this as it was really HIS challenge. He was hosting a manly dinner at our house and fittingly thought wild game and "old man's" liquor would fit the bill. After a consultation at our poultry shop, he decided to try making pheasant which had to be procured for him. After hearing his chosen recipe, Pheasant in calvados sauce with apples, I of course got jealous and demanded he make this dinner for me too!  We had so much fun cooking this and it turned out incredible! It also gave us a chance to make some inroads into our bottle of calvados which I'm obsessed with ever since reading Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises".   

What I got out of it - This was a great reminder that many experiences that you think can only happen elsewhere, can actually be created right at home! You don't have to go to a restaurant to eat seemingly complicated things like pheasant. And you definitely don't need to be in Normandy to indulge in a little nip of calvados.  

Vito's pheasant in calvados sauce over buttery apples!

Of course...we don't want to be having all of the fun ourselves. We invite you to do these challenges with us and share your progress in our OTSP Global Neighbors private group! It's a private experimentation space where you can ask neighbors questions about challenge ideas you're considering, motivate and inspire together. Leave a comment or let us know if you would like to join this talented and culturally diverse group of ladies.
 

• • •   LESSONS LEARNED #56   • • •

Be a lifelong student, because being a beginner
keeps you young at heart.  

Love it? Share it! - We are dedicated to sharing stories that spark ideas and are meaningful to you. The best way to let us know is to post a comment, like below or pin on Pinterest! ~ For More ways to Live Like You're Traveling, follow us on Feedly, Bloglovin, Pinterest, or Facebook. 

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Design a Lifestyle You Love : Seeking Greener Pastures with Ashley of Wilson Creek Pottery

I feel fortunate to know Ashley and Shannon of Wilson Creek Pottery. They are light hearted, deeply passionate people who give freely, and refer to their closest friends as "superfriends." When we last spent time together, we went to visit them in their new home in idyllic Spring Green, Wisconsin. Still freshly inspired from their month long trip to India, Shannon taught me how to make Ghee and we feasted on homemade Indian food. We visited Ash's Pottery Studio, met a neighboring Rhasta donkey, played a riveting game of pictionary, ate inappropriately large amounts of warm pretzels & curds, and toured the Hindu Temple that happened to be on a nearby estate. It makes me smile just thinking about it. In a short weekend, Eric and I got a colorful taste of their new life.  

I witnessed them take a chance and move from the city they knew for years, to seek "greener pastures" with a new house and pottery business. I had to imagine there was a lot leading up to this decision. I wanted to know, how did they turn a "what if" into a reality? When I interviewed them for their story, they immediately brought up a guiding concept that has influenced their decisions. One that deeply resonated with me and set me on a my own course to make tremendous changes with my job and life. 

Choose a lifestyle, not a career.

Beginning in our early youth, we're conditioned to focus our attention on what career we'd want. Is that really the guidepost that would provide the fufillment that we seek? What would happen if we asked children "how do you want to live?" rather than "what do you want to be when you grow up?" This quote was exactly what I needed to hear at the time, and I'd like to share with you some key principles that supported their journey. For those who are on the fence...I hope it might be just what you need to spring into action!

• • •

Get inspired & dig deep.
Ashley read and reflected on the insights of writers and luminaries that she admired, all of which guided her overall approach towards life. One person in particular, her art professor, John Slavik, also had a particularly strong influence. He achieved a balance that she had always wanted: he gave time to himself creatively as well as giving time to the people he loved. Also, there are sacrifices to consider with anything that you desire...whether that takes the form of money or time spent. For Ashley, it meant simplfying her life to gain more time. 

Give weight to what you want.
Ashley had a job she enjoyed. She was happy, but there were still facets of her life that were unfufilled. When Katrina happened, they wanted to be able to react quickly and help, but work schedules didn't allow for it. After several trips abroad were denied, it was clear her job situation was not aligned with how she wanted to be able to use her time. Outside of work, she and Shannon dreamt of a quiet life set in nature with neighboring animals. (Fainting goats and mini donkeys...to be specific!) They wanted to create a home for friends and family that was a sanctuary, yet offered new experiences. 

Let it reveal itself. Stay open and get out there.
Originally they weren't looking to buy a house, let alone a business. However, a dinner with her art professor's family led to discussions of a "what-if" opportunity. One where Ashley would have the chance to apprentice and transition a pottery business from the previous owner. Unsure, but open to the idea, they took a fun road trip to check out the house and studio. When they arrived, the ideas came pouring in. Suddenly, the space and the life that they could have, started to take shape in their minds.

Be courageous & stay the course. Gather like-minded support.  
Shannon provided a backbone of support to aid in taking the risk. The move to Wisconsin required a substancial investment and bet on a career that was uncertain and taking that leap was scary. But to Ashley,

"It was scarier to think that I might let it pass by." 

Create a legacy.
Pottery is especially meaningful to Ashley, "being that it's meant to be touched and used. To be shared during a meal, one of the most important things to do together." There is an intimate quality to her work because her pieces are tied to personal events for her customers. Wilson Creek Pottery, has been a go-to place for Spring Green locals to get gifts for weddings and special occassions for years. The pottery is durable and stays around so long that families collect and enjoy them generation after generation. And in the same spirit, Ashley hopes to carry the torch lit by Peggy Ahlgren (the previous potter of 40 years) while bringing to it a rustic, yet modern perspective. 

• • •

I'm excited to see Ashley's work evolve and whether we're preparing or gathering around the table for a meal, we're reminded of Spring Green and a potter's loving touch. (Shown: Milk Jug Vase & Honey Pot) --> Visit Wilson Creek Pottery to see more of Ashley's designs. 

Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling  

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LLYT Challenge : Be A Lifelong Student

Can I make a confession? I'm speeding at extremely high velocity towards my birthday. On March 26th, I will turn... let's just say, I will turn the age when I'm legitimately allowed to say things like: "Listen to me, I have a lot of life experience" while sagely gazing at the horizon. It's a nice feeling not to "have" to learn new things, but of course not having to do something is precisely what makes it fun to do. So here we are, we can finally enjoy learning but... now there seem to be a lot more obstacles standing in the way. The full time job, the family and children, limited budget... the wind blowing in the wrong direction, my alarm didn't go off, but my show is on TV... But even more prohibiting is this fear that if I start learning something new now, I'll never become an expert at it, so shouldn't I just concentrate on things that I have clocked 10,000 hours in already? (Have you read "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell?) Very valid and logical concern.  Shall we call it "beginner's anxiety''? 

Who is that handsome pair in the photo? That's my grandparents. They really are life long students. That's them in 2007 on a Euro-trip, and they are serious when they travel, they go to museums with guides, not just sit in picturesque locations sipping drinks, like I do. Oh, and guess where they went the following year? Brazil and Argentina! Some people would ask why they wanted to go "so far" and my grandpa wold explain that it's simply because they haven't been there yet! My grandma would add that she had to accompany grandpa because she didn't trust him around all the exotic women. (My sweet grandma has passed away a few years ago, so now I guess it's my grandpa's turn to be concerned about her and all those handsome angels.)

Grandpa turned 90 this February. NINETY! He celebrated it on a cruise from New York to the Caribbean. (He has cut out the overnight bus transfers that he did in his 80's.) When I think of lifelong students, I definitely think of my grandparents. I have yet to encounter two people who are more in love with seeing and learning new things. 
 

MARCH CHALLENGE   

What is something you've been wanting to learn?

1 - Get started by learning it on your own or find a teacher/mentor. 
I am personally going to give myself a very easy assignment, which is to learn to style bouquets! I learn better and faster if someone teaches me, and who knew our very own Mu-Hsien is just the right person for the job!

2- Make time for it.
Find a spot for it on your calendar and go for it. Since I'm giving myself a super easy task that isn't very time consuming, I'll just go today and pick out some flowers for my first bouquet arrangement! { Learn flower arranging with me. Follow our Pinterest board: Bud Vase Love }

3- Practice what you're learning.
I will put it on my agenda to make one bud vase arrangement a week.   

Here's a peek:

Want to see how Mu-Hsien & I did with this challenge?
--> Challenge Wrap up
 

• • •   LESSONS LEARNED   • • •

Be a lifelong student, because being a beginner
keeps you young at heart.  

Love it? Share it! - We are dedicated to sharing stories that spark ideas and are meaningful to you. The best way to let us know is to post a comment, like below or pin it on Pinterest! ~ For more ways to Live Like You're Traveling, follow us on Feedly, Bloglovin, Pinterest, or Facebook. 

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IDEA143: Get On the Edge

{ P on Mt. Huashan in Huayin, China }  

Why is it that when we travel it's so easy to take all kinds of risks? Maybe because we're somewhere for the first time and we don't know when we might be back, so it's always a "once in a lifetime chance"? We bravely climb things we probably should not be climbing, since "this mountain ONLY exists here!" We eat things that... well, are most definitely NOT kosher, because when in Tokyo...we talk to strangers as they're not really strangers they're fellow friendly travelers, and that makes them practically family! And we speak our minds, since our friends are not here to judge us and our co-workers will never hear the drift of it...

Boy... sounds like we live on the edge when traveling and have one heck of a time!!! 

• • •

{ Mu-Hsien climbing Jade Mountain in Taiwan }

The other day I came across a terrifying looking hike. Immediately a thought crossed my mind, "I would NEVER..." As I continued looking at the pictures of the happy and smiling travelers I reluctantly admitted to myself that yep, I probably would have. If I'd have found myself at the entrance to the trail, I'd have talked myself into risking my life doing the plank path just because it's a "once in a lifetime chance!" When is the next time I'll get an opportunity to have tea at Buddhist temple on Mt. Haushan??? 

So what happens when we get home? We don't even want to leave the house if it's a bit rainy... Where does our sense of adventure go? But there is no Mt. Haushan where I live! And the mountains we have, I've done them! You might say pouting cutely while stomping your fuzzy bunny slipper. (And when I say "you" I mean "me," because I totally stomp my feet.) 

• • •

{ L in Colorado, USA }   

No Mt. Haushan where you live? Oh really!? Maybe it's really not about a MOUNTAIN. It's about having the guts to live out experiences that get our blood pumping and heart racing, that make us say: "wow I can't believe I'm doing this!" And really, the opportunities to have these kinds of experiences are all around us if you really think about it. Let us count the ways...

Do you love your job? If not, then why not look for another one? If you're in the wrong field all together, change fields! Scary huh? Less scary then Mt. Haushan or..?

Is there someone you've been meaning to apologize to? And it's been years? Why not call them up... Blood pumping yet?

What about organizing your garage? Ok, less dramatic, but I bet the sense of accomplishment just might equal one after climbing Mt. Haushan. (This is on my list.) 

We shouldn't loose our gutsy side just because we are not in a picturesque, once in a lifetime setting. The decision process to take the risk and go for it is really the same whether we climb a dangerous mountain or decide to change something in our lives.   

I personally am very risk averse when it comes to climbing things, so there is no dangerous looking picture of me, but trust me I get out on the edge in other ways. Like those magenta, crocodile print boots I got in Prague...and now I leave you to meditate on all this at the Pulpit Rock.

• • •

{ @Lyngaasa, Pulpit Rock in Stavanger, Norway }  

• • •     LESSONS LEARNED #53    • • •

Risk taking is a sport of it's own. 

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about 11 years ago

LLYT Challenge : {Love} Like You're Traveling!

This "Live Like You're Traveling" joins "Floral Fridays" with a beautiful theme of "Something Romantic". More info on "Floral Fridays" below.

Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess who lived in a Concrete Jungle. One fine day she met a dashing prince from a kingdom far away and over the ocean. They fell in love! Every 6 weeks they would fly all over the world to meet each other at a new exotic location... They fell more and more in love! Then, exactly a year from the day they met, the dashing prince whisked the princess from her Concrete Jungle to his kingdom far away and over the ocean... where they're living their happily ever after...

Hmmm... fairy tale? Yes! MY fairy tale! (ps. Eat your heart out Hollywood!)

Am I lucky? For sure!!! BUT that's not my point. My point is that actually falling in love is a simple science and if we can crack it, staying in love will also become as easy as eating cake for breakfast! WHAT!? Yes, yes, that's right, SCIENCE! Just stay with me...

Take Vito and I for example. We fell in love under very High Emotion* circumstances, let's add them up:

1 - We had obstacles to overcome together (living on 2 different continents, being from 2 different cultures, different languages, etc.) 

2 - We had a limited amount of time (we saw each other about every 6 weeks for a long weekend, thus we knew at some point in time we would have to make some decisions.)

3 - When we did see each other, we usually traveled to a place that was new for both of us (that's already exciting all on its own).

Here we are circa 2006 reunited in Schiphol airport, such young punks :) 

• • •

Have you ever wondered why co-stars in movies fall in love so often? Because they're thrown together in "High Emotion" circumstances. They usually have to overcome some kind of obstacles together, like long shooting schedules, tyrant directors, and so on. They know that the filming of the movie is only for a limited time, and we tend to stress when we think something nice might be taken away from us. Finally, the filming of a movie is usually in some location that's not their home.

This is also the reason, people that work together fall in love, pairs figure skaters usually get married (Olympics on my mind!), and lovers that meet while traveling always stay sharp in each other's minds.

So what can we learn from all this? 

{ Love } like you're traveling!

If we can figure out how to create similarly High Emotion* circumstances in our daily lives, just like the ones that come up naturally when we travel, then we'll be able to stay in love forever. Theoretically speaking... :) 

One of our missions of living like you're traveling is to see beauty with a pair of 'fresh eyes', this doesn't just apply to your surroundings, your city, it also applies to the people you love. So how do we create these *High Emotion* situations in our everyday lives?

Glad you asked, because this brings us to our...
 

• • • THE LLYT CHALLENGE • • •

Let's do one specific thing for each one of these!

1- Surprise each other
Thinking up new "projects" to do together will give you opportunities to surprise each other. Like... putting together IKEA furniture (...then again let's scratch that), or signing up to learn scuba-diving, or having a baby together (ha!). Or simpler and less expensive then babies, how about just surprising your loved one with something that seems "off schedule" that you'll know will bring a smile to their face?

2- Learn something new about each other
Again, if we do the same thing every day as a couple, there is very little chance for you to learn something new about your partner. Let's break the routine. Get off the couch. Go to a shooting range and maybe your partner can learn about your aggressive Rambo qualities! Go cart racing? Camping? Simply doing something different together will render plenty of opportunities to learn something new about each other... and even for you to learn something new about yourself too. *Also, don't forget to ask probing questions about each other!...try to find out something you didn't know before about your partner!

3- Celebrate each other
And this is an EASY one! But one I'm sure we all easily forget. Give presents to each other for no reason. A little box of chocolates? Champagne with strawberries on a regular Wednesday night? A fancy night out for no reason! Or simply, give each other a compliment everyday for a week...! 

And since this is a romantic Floral Friday, I'm remembering the TWO DOZEN long stemmed red roses that arrived at my house one Valentine's day when Vito and I were doing our inter-continental dating... Maybe I'll ask Vito to "surprise" me with something equally ridiculous (and FABULOUS!) this Valentine's day! The rose in the photo above is also a present from Vito on my birthday, but this time a more practical and long lasting version planted in our patio outdoor pots. 

{ IF YOU'RE UP FOR MORE...VIEW ALL --> LLYT Challenges  }
 

Floral Fridays is a monthly photography project with different themes each month. This series is about fun and taking time out to smell the flowers. To play along, please email Trishie (trishie@underlockandkeyblog. com) for next month's theme

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LLYT Challenge : Try Out New Traditions

about 11 years ago

Do What You Love...Right Now.

Yesterday we put extra layers on and went for a walk on the beach. My first time seeing an open sea was when I was eight years old and my parents and I went to Sevastopol. I remember my dad pointing towards what seemed to be just a darker patch of sky in the distance and telling me that it's the sea. I was almost afraid to approach because it seemed that the sea would spill over washing us away. 

From that moment I was in love with "it,'' all of it! The salt, wind, sand, a bit of danger, a lot of adventure and a shimmering horizon that promises...well, anything even an eight year old can dream up. There on the horizon everything is possible! Romantic isn't it!? 

Speaking of the far away horizons... The other day a mysterious packet arrived all the way from Costa Rica. Sofia sent me a garland made of colorful leather patches, a bit of Costa Rican colors to decorate Netherlands with. I was beyond excited and it was immediately decided that the "colors" are coming with us to make their first international appearance at the beach! 

{ "Costa Rican colors" flying high on a North Sea beach...Made by cueropapel&tijera. }

• • •

The idea was to bring a bit of Costa Rica to our North Sea beach. A symbol of international friendship and a reminder that we really are closer to each other then we think, all part of a big global village. As I was trying to snap a picture of the garland being thrown here and there by the strong wind I noticed something. There, dotting the water were surfers. Yes surfers! This is Northern Europe... in the middle of WINTER! But there they were on their boards! 

It's not the first time we've see them, they're always out there. But with Costa Rica on my mind I said to Vito, why don't these crazies just move to Costa Rica if they love surfing so much. Vito said: "Why should they? They seem pretty happy surfing right here." And there it was, the Aha! moment (again). That's true! Why should they move somewhere else!? They're doing what they love right here at HOME!!! 

I'm guilty of this as anyone else, not doing certain things that I love because I get caught in the "If this, then, that" statements. If I lived in the warm Costa Rica, then I would take up surfing. If I lived on a Caribbean island, then I would run on the beach every day. If I win the lottery, then I will quit my job to sail on my pimping yacht around the world...

• • •

{If I lived in the time of Ben-Hur, then I would ride an epic chariot...
No "if this, then that" statement is stopping these guys! }

• • •

Do you do this too? In our defense, it's natural to do this. We go on vacation we try new sports, new foods, we get inspired, and we come home sad that we can't partake of these experiences anymore. Ohh, if I was...then I would... Let's ask ourselves what's really stopping us? Is it REALLY impossible to do what we want? What is your "if this, then that" statement that is holding you back from doing what you love right now???

• • •

Jump start your week and flip the statement! "If I really want to...then I WILL make it happen!"
 

• • •     LESSONS LEARNED   • • •

If you really want to surf, then grab your board.
The waves are closer than you think.

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about 11 years ago

LLYT Challenge : Try Out New Traditions

There is some kind of magic that envelops January... It's the start of the new year and it's impossible not to feel just a little bit like this year ANYTHING is truly possible. So many interesting and exciting adventures await! Ahhhh....

Ok, did you finish giving yourself a hug and twirling around the room with eyes closed? Guess what, those interesting and exciting adventures will not just fall in your lap (well they might if you're lucky) but are you willing to leave it up to chance to have "the best year of your life?" Why not actively pursue those exciting and interesting adventures instead of just waiting for them to happen? That's right, inspiration drill sargent Alla is here! Now drop down and give me 20...and on your knuckles! 

That's the magic of travel, it puts us right in the path of adventures. Whether it's because we have our eyes open for them or simply because we're immersed in a new atmosphere of another culture, we find excitement all around. But this magic does not have to END when we touch town at our home airport. Let's review the first concept of our mission shall we?

• • •

Foster a curiosity for the world and celebrate our differences.

Well that's why we travel right? We want to soak up a new language, discover amazing food you won't get elsewhere or shop in the quaint streets of a charming town... even to see what it feels like to live like a local. The life-long student in us, feels alive with the stimulation of new experiences and learnings. We borrow from other cultures and traditions to enrich our own personalized approach.

 

So what are we going to do about all this? 
How about just 3 SIMPLE THINGS?!!! 

1 - Choose ONE holiday celebration from another culture to celebrate this year. 
Is there one you've always been curious about? Maybe you've seen your neighbors celebrate and it looked like a good time? Maybe your city or a cultural house organizes a celebration. Challenge yourself this year to join in on the party!

2 - Choose a cuisine that you've never cooked before... and learn to cook ONE dish! 
Perhaps a friend can teach you? Or how about a cooking workshop? Why not get in touch with a food blogger and ask them for advice.

and the 3rd... EASY!

3 - Follow a global neighbor on Instagram from a country/culture that you're curious about. 
Choose someone who likes to share views of their country and everyday lives (and their eats!). Ask them questions if you see something you're not familiar with! 
 

You might be thinking, ok maybe I will take your challenge...
but are YOU guys going to do this too? 

Of course!

I'm very infatuated with Asia in general lately and Chinese New Year celebration in particular. My curiosity was peeked through friends that have taken me by the hand and introduced me to this holiday over the years. Amazingly enough a French friend took me to China town in NYC for Chinese New Year to hear the drums and see the dancing dragon collecting money from shop owners. A Panamanian friend introduced me to one of her Chinese New Year traditions of going out for a dim-sum brunch. Both these friends are not Chinese, they just fell in love with the holiday and decided to make it part of their traditions! 

So I in turn would like to introduce my little family to the fun of Chinese New Year and create a CNY tradition in our house! To help me, our very own Mu-Hsien will share a glimpse of a special way to celebrate from her home town and a global neighbor Amy, who writes a delightful cooking blog, will guide me with getting started with Chinese cooking! I'm beyond excited! Of course we are sharing it all with you in case Chinese New Year is on your list of holidays to 'try on'.  

• • •     LESSONS LEARNED    • • •

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