I consider myself really lucky, in that I grew up with multiple languages around me. Growing up in Ottawa, Canada (the capital, which prides itself on being bilingual) we had French as part of our core curriculum, starting at age 6. I also grew up in a family with a Peruvian-born Dad, and so I heard a lot of Spanish growing up from that side … Continue reading Speaking Foreign Languages Abroad: Why Effort Matters Most
This weekend, my partner has an all-day softball tournament. The last time I had the apartment to myself, I told myself I was going to enjoy being alone. Instead, I got bored and cleaned. CLEANED. Because I’m risking becoming a boring homebody, I told myself this Saturday I am getting out of the city and explore England a bit. I don’t want to wander too … Continue reading Four Day Trips to Take from London, England
There’s a heatwave in the UK, and it. Is. SWELTERING. I can’t stress enough how much the heat in the UK at 33 degrees is unbearable—and how it seems like no one outside the city believes me when I say this. Truthfully, it’s not just the heat; it’s a perfect storm of humidity (the air is hot and damp), the houses were designed to keep … Continue reading Surviving a Heat Wave If You’re Travelling to the UK
As anti-tourism protests take place in Euopean capital cities, I’m asking myself: What can I do to stand in solidarity with people who are saying, your vacation is impacting my livelihood negatively? The immediate answer is, of course… Continue reading Housing, Tourism, and Protesting in European Capitals
Le Creuset has had a special part of my heart for about 10 years now. The brand comes with a lifetime guarantee, and more than once I’ve heard first-hand TikTok storytimes of people who find the Dutch ovens in their parent’s attics or charity shops, realize there’s a problem with the item, and then work with the brand to fix the piece. It’s less garbage in the ocean, and befitting of a promise—buy once, and you won’t have to buy another. Continue reading My “Heirloom Quality” Obsession: Inside Le Creuset’s UK Pop-Up
I planned my solo, 10-day trip to Paris for months. I made lists, saved tiktoks, and built myself mini-schedules. But even with all that prep, there were things that I realized too late that I should have booked sooner, gotten to earlier, or educated on myself on more thoroughly, before arriving. I’m hoping sharing my story will help you avoid any of my mistakes! The … Continue reading Four Things I Wished I’d Planned Better In Paris
We’ve all done it—tried bringing a piece of a trip back home, only to find that it doesn’t really have a place in your life. In order to stop this practice of buy > take home > don’t use > throw away, I’ve gotten a lot pickier with the things I bring home…
Continue reading How to Choose Souvenirs You Won’t Regret
Paris feels like a city of artists, and I’m convinced they do this by making you feel like you’re not one. Everywhere I looked in Paris, I saw art—beautiful city streets, galleries in every arrondissement, bakeries with featuring artisan pastries. And people who really look like they belong to a bohemian, beautiful city. And it made me want to be part of it. But although … Continue reading Three Places That Inspired Creativity in Paris
No Small Wander 