Coast to Coast and Everywhere Else

I recently found this article on Facebook about traveling and how you shouldn't date a girl who travels (unless you can do certain things and can accept her ways).

"She’s the one with the messy unkempt hair colored by the sun. Her skin is now far from fair like it once was. Not even sun kissed. It’s burnt with multiple tan lines, wounds and bites here and there. But for every flaw on her skin, she has an interesting story to tell."

"Don’t date a girl who travels because she will bug you to book a flight every time there’s an airline seat sale."

"Don’t date a girl who travels for she has chosen a life of uncertainty. She doesn’t have a permanent* plan or a permanent address. She goes with the flow and follows her heart. She dances to the beat of her own drum."

"...When the waves are calling, life stops and she will be oblivious to everything else for a moment."

"She’s busy living in the present. She talks to strangers. She will meet many interesting, like-minded people from around the world who share her passion and dreams."

All of these things spoke to me. But a large portion of the article focused on being completely independent, and completely self sufficient. That this type of person will never be able to accept rules or guidelines. I believe "girls who travel" should be strong and practical. We should want to understand every bit of life we can. That we should be intrigued by those around us - even in our own towns. That we should observe the different cultures, people, and lifestyles. That we should  c r a v e new experiences. But I think "A girl who travels" should know that there is so much joy in sharing experiences with the people you love. That going to all of these great places and escaping a mundane lifestyle is one of the greatest achievements but means nothing if there isn't someone to share it with. I don't mean specifically a love interest, but also friends, family, and perfect strangers. I understand being restless. I feel a constant longing to be seeing a different landscape, no matter where it is. I daydream, I plan adventures, I resist urges to drive until I find something interesting, I wake up looking at my passport itching to use it.  I feel a calling to take my dreams, my ambitions, my goals, my beliefs and my love and take it wherever I possibly can in this great world. 

This article made me think about who I am as a traveler of this world. Who "a girl who travels" really is. Im not saying I am her. I am saying I share a few of these beliefs. But most importantly I think "a girl person who travels" should yearn for a sense of peace no matter where the road may take them. 

Today was a sleepy day.  While the others were sleeping in our cabin, I sat on the front porch, bundled up in my blankets, and read Hamlet for class. I finished the book - but thats okay. It was very relaxing and I got to watch the plethora of bunnies hop around our camp site. 

Once I finished the book and finally herded the rest of the group out of the cabin and into the city for our last time. We went in and saw a market and we then wandered around a bit more and souvenir shopped a bit more.  

We then went to the best burger place ever. And in true respect for the culture - we had Heineken to accompany our burgers. We then ended up heading back to the hostel with a few Heineken of our own and relaxed in the campsite.

Being a tourist

AmsterDAMN adorable ;)