Lent. Turn down for Lent. This year for Lent, I gave up drinking. Yes, I really did. It’s been 28 days so far. Saying that sounds weird, like an AA meeting, but without the coffee and donuts. Every year during lent, I try to give up one of my many vices. I have come to…
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Sweet Sixteen
Sixteen. That’s how many flights I have been on in the past two months. I’ve seen Les Misérables live in London, been bathed in Istanbul, met GRiZ in Switzerland, and flew home to Chicago for a party. It’s been a fun ride. But, I’m tired now. All too often people don’t talk about travel in an honest way. You…
Read MoreConversations with Strangers: The Strangest Stranger
About him: Mystery man was very unassuming: a standard tall american white male; quiet and North Face clad. Once we started talking, I quickly realized that I had stumbled upon a truly fascinating man. Mystery man was originally from the States, but had been residing in Dubai for the last ten years. He had lived in Afghanistan working with military…
Read MoreConversations with Strangers: Grant from Michigan a.k.a. GRiZ
How we met: My friend Katie and I flew to Switzerland to see GRiZ, and went out to a venue where he had just played, in hopes of running into him. Once at the bar, he noticed the Chicago cap I was wearing and introduced himself, even though I was fully aware of who he was. Grant was amazingly easy to…
Read MoreGRiZ on Your Face
This past weekend, my friend Katie and I decided to fly to Switzerland for two days to see one of her favorite artists, GRiZ, live in concert. Because why not? For those of you who are unfamiliar with the electronica/dubstep music scene, talking to you Mama Kulka, GRiZ is a saxophone playing, American DJ who…
Read MoreSqueaky Clean in Istanbul
Over the weekend, I flew to Istanbul to visit my friend Kristi, otherwise known as KrIstanbul. Clever right? Check her out at kristanbul2015.wordpress.com. We made the tourist rounds all of Friday, marveling at the magnificent Hagia Sophia and Istanbul’s numerous mosques, so Saturday morning we decided to indulge in a Turkish Bath or Hammam. I honestly…
Read MoreTurkish Hospitality
I loved Istanbul for many reasons: the rich culture, amazing food, friendly cats and gorgeous mosques. However, what made me fall in love with the city was the Turkish people; I have never felt more welcome in a foreign place than I have this past weekend in Istanbul. I wandered out of their mess of an airport…
Read MoreConservations with Strangers: Juan from Barcelona
How we met: Juan and I met while boarding our flight to Istanbul Thursday night. We ended up sitting in the same row in window seats on opposite sides of the plane and insisted on obnoxiously yelling to each other in Spanish across the aisle for most of the flight. Needless to say, the other…
Read MoreA Day in the Life
You’re probably wondering what I do on a daily basis. Or not. You probably weren’t wondering at all. Which is all very valid, considering I do nothing 86% of the time. I have officially mastered the art of doing nothing and everything all at once, and it’s the best thing to ever happen to me.…
Read MoreLa Vida es Un Carnaval
Last night, I was locked in a tiny, dark bathroom with mayonnaise on my tutu, with my friend kneeling in front of me, helping me button my leotard from underneath, while an Icelandic Pharaoh and a costume-less American waited outside. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Carnaval. Carnaval is the festive season immediately before Lent and typically involves intricate parades,…
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