The monastery where I volunteered in Nepal, probably like any boarding school, runs on a regimented timetable. The boys have classes everyday except Saturdays and throughout the day they have brief breaks. I came to love the daily tea-time ritual every afternoon. Nepali chiya is different than Indian chai but just as enjoyable. Nepal’s version …
Growing up in the United States, I took for granted the fact that I have a common name. While it wasn’t the Jessicas or Jennifers of my many, many classmates, the name Shannon is a known name. It’s recognizable. Although you might not know a Shannon personally, you’ve heard it before. There was never a …
I’m on other side of my ten-day Vipassana meditation course. It was intense. Looking back, I still can’t pinpoint why I decided to take this spiritual boot-camp, of sorts. For those who undertake the ten-day course, that’s essential what a Vipassana meditation retreat boils down to. Before my Vipassana retreat, I had never meditated in …
Landing in Udaipur and staying for a week was a needed treat in these weeks and months of rapid travel through India, and newness every morning when I face the day. I landed in Mumbai and startled at the lessons I had to learn about this complex country. Social norms here are different, expectations, interactions, …
As my departure date creeps nearer, I have begun the teary goodbyes and last-minute visits to friends and family. As November 4th neared, those friends with whom I touch base about once started emailing me en masse. That’s where I am right now. I spent this past weekend up in Orlando visiting with college friends …
Last week I wrote about my readjustment to my Oceania travels. Even with laser focus on the Australia and New Zealand part of the trip, I am dropping the ball. There are so many countries I want to visit and I felt this pressure to plan it all perfectly and make it an amazing trip …
I had a total meltdown today. It was almost like a temper tantrum fueled by fear and overwhelm. I started crying for no definable reason. It turned into the ugly sobbing. I chalk this crying-jag up to pre-trip stress. It’s just . . . today I felt the full force of my decision to travel the …
This blog initially started as a way to chronicle my 2008 trip around the world over the course of 11 months. That trip ended so now I blog about my wanderings post-RTW trip. It also includes the fabulous tips and advice I have gleaned as a world-savvy solo traveler (too cheesy?), and other travel-y things …