I'm Dreaming of New Zealand

I've always been fascinated with the idea of moving to Australia or New Zealand after graduating university. There's just something about those accents and the way of life there. I feel that it's more my style of living than in America. I can't say in Europe because Europe IS my style of living and I love it but I just don't picture myself living and working there forever.

Recently, I've become romanced by New Zealand though, especially Queenstown on the South Island. All of the mountains, lakes, nature and photos I see that convinced me it was the place I will settle down one day. I've never been there but I just have that sure feeling. I'm actually hoping I can make a trip to New Zealand either this December or January 2015.

Fingers crossed!

But anyways, I am wondering if any wanderlusters have been there and what they think about it, even better if you live there!

Well, I'm back to dreaming about New Zealand, travel on wanderlusters!

THE WORLD'S BEST DRESSED COUNTRIES

As an avid fashion lover, I was excited to read this article. They also give "essential items" for each country.

8. United States

• Essential item: sweater dress

7. Brazil

• Essential item: bikini

6. Australia

• Essential items: dress (Alex Perry) for women and for men, a paisley shirt. 

5. United Kingdom

• Essential item: slim pencil skirt

4. Japan

• Essential item: flannel long sleeve tunic

3. France

• Essential items: cotton tweed culotte skirt (women) and leather jacket (men)

2. Sweden

• Essential items: long knitted polo neck jumper (women) and Royal Blue Johnny sweater (men)

1. Italy

• Essential items: Miu Miu bag (women) and tailored Zanetti blazer with pocket square (men)

Travel (and from this post, fashion) on wanderlusters!

BEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD TO GROW OLD

If you are like me, a college student who is trying to figure out their life after college while trying to make it through university and graduate with a degree, the question of "where am I going to live after I graduate" probably crosses your mind a lot. At least, it does for me. So, if you are in the same boat as me or you are getting to that age where you are getting ready to retire but want to experience more of the world, then you should take a look at this list:

15. Finland
14. Australia
13. United Kingdom
12. Ireland
11. Austria
10. Japan
9. Iceland
8. United States
7. New Zealand
6. Switzerland
5. Canada
4. Netherlands
3. Germany
2. Norway
1. Sweden

The countries in bold are the places I am seriously considering moving and settling down in after I graduate from university.

You can read up all you want with this.

Travel on wanderlusters!

UNKNOWN ISLANDS OF THE WORLD

So you think you know all the little islands this planet has to offer? Well, here are 10 that you probably have never heard of. We're not off to the islands of Waikiki, as Nicki Minaj would say, but the secret islands hidden in plain sight.

1. The Azores, Portugal


2. San Andres, Colombia

3. Summer Isles, Scotland

4. Chiloe, Chile

5. Lord Howe Island, Australia


6. Isle au Haut, Maine



7. Ibo Island, Mozambique

8. Juist, East Frisian Islands, Germany

9. The Corn Islands, Nicaragua


10. Koh Rong, Cambodia


Have you ever been to any of these mysterious islands? I know I sure want to go and see what these islands have to offer.

Travel on wanderlusters!

'THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE AUSTRALIA'

Every Thursday to Sunday when I am on the metro escalator heading into work, I pass by a poster that says 'There is no place like Australia', I smile and think to myself, "I will be living there in just two or three years." Seeing that poster makes going into work that much easier. 

As much as I love university...correction: university life, not the school work and Prague, I am so eager to move to Australia (Melbourne) and live there for the rest of my life. 

I am starting to work on the Malaysia post so expect it tomorrow morning! I also came across this article the other night: 'Forbidden travel destinations that you can visit', hmmmm. 

On the list was: 

1. Cuba

2. North Korea...maybe you do not want to go there now but you can actually go there with the right, authorized paperwork. About 1/3 of the 2,000 annual tourists are American. 

3. Myanmar

4. Iran

I once took a Google Maps trip to North Korea, I could only see one area but still, cool stuff!

Have any of you been to these locations, if so what did you think and would you recommend it to other wanderlusters?

Travel on wanderlusters!

FREE TRAVEL

Whaaaaat, free travel?! Yes, you read right. Well, some of it is very, very cheap and some are free. I loved reading this article because as a college student who is an extreme wanderluster, you are always looking for budget-friendly or even free travel opportunities. From EscapeNormal, they offered 23 ways to travel for free or close to free, I will give an explanation after each one:

1. Work Away- free food and accommodation just handed to you on a silver platter by families in places throughout the world...in exchange for volunteer work.
2. Escape Normal: Adventure Jobs- (I would assume offered by the website) job postings in many locations doing many different things: exotic retreat centers to kayak guiding.
3. Back door jobs- fear of commitment? me too...this is perfect because it is numerous short-term jobs throughout the world doing the most random of jobs (cheese-churning?).
4. Coolworks- a job search engine in places throughout the world- both long and short term.
5. Retreat Finder- think Bali in Eat, Pray, Love. Bliss.
6. Couchsurfing- you literally couch surf...well not literally, literally, but you sleep on random people's couches...don't worry they have backgrounds checks beforehand so you aren't walking into a death trap. I have had several friends who have done this and said it was a great, free experience.
7. WWOOF- volunteering on farms throughout the world, if you are into agriculture and what not.
8. Help Exchange- similar to the above, but with a wider range of options...volunteer work in exchange for food and accommodation.
9. Footprints TEFL- Teaching foreigners your native tongue for money...good deal, good deal.
10. Kibbutz- volunteer program for about 2 to 6 months, you have to pay a small amount of month to reserve your spot though.
11. Peace Corps- (I have actually considered doing this) it's a 2 year commitment doing volunteer work in one place, no leaving for 2 years so if you can't sit still in one place, don't even think about it. You get paid for your volunteer work and also afterwards until you get on your feet with a stable, steady job.
12. Summer Camp Counselor jobs- exactly what the name says. You can be the one calling the shots this time at summer camp...maybe they will offer band camp?
13. Au Pair- Nannying for families in countries throughout the world, I actually applied for a Au Pair in China but I never heard back :(
14. TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language)- again, teaching your native tongue to foreigners in another country for an extended period of time for pay. You have to take online classes and get certified first however.
15. Yacht Crewing- working on a yacht, not a cruise ship...it could be good or it could be horrible and stressful- depending on the yacht owner ultimately.
16. Americorps- a 1-3 year program based on volunteering for social issues (poverty, disease, women's rights, etc.) that you receive a pay for, healthcare, training and another bullet point on your resume/CV.
17. Se7en- free or very cheap volunteer opportunities throughout the world.
18. Home swap- ever seen The Holiday? Think what Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet did, switching their homes when they traveled to the other's country...not sure I would do this, pretty risky if I do say so myself...
19. Caretaker- of a mansion, castle...celebrities and the world's wealthiest hire people to care for their house and pets when they are away for pay, a free stay and a taste of the sweet life.
20. Craigslist Rideshare- forget planes, trains and buses, you can car-pool with other travelers to various places for a small amount of money.
21. Vantage- where you are the trip leader with friends and family...it'll be free for you but not the others.
22. GVI Careers- amazing, interesting and diverse job opportunities throughout the world...might check this out at work today.
23. Idealist- cause-based jobs and volunteer opportunities throughout the world.


Now, yesterday I mentioned I would talk about something I have been thinking about lately, a decision that I think I am going to make in coming weeks, months, maybe in a year. I graduate university with a BA in Journalism and Communications at the extremely young age of 20 (I was one of the youngest in my grade during high school and the BA programs here are only 3 years), so I was planning on just packing up after that summer (2015) and moving to Melbourne, Australia. This was my plan for some time now. However, then I got to thinking, after writing this blog and trying to sort out my life...why would I want to begin working and being committed to a career for the next 30+ years of my life when I am only 20 years old out of college? I should want to travel, explore and see what is out there before I have to plan vacation days and enter the big girl world. So, with that, I think I have decided that I will spend a year, year and a half after university and just travel around to as much places as I can, ending my trips in Melbourne, Australia where I plan to begin my career, my big-girl life and so on. I want to travel to different countries where I would do volunteer work and work in smaller villages to get a little more than the city life experience. I am thinking of maybe going to some places in south-east Asia, New Zealand, South Africa and maybe some central African countries, South America, Hawaii, Philippines, Alaska and maybe Japan. A random island might by nice as well. I have to do my research of course, but I think the volunteer work and travels would be a once in a lifetime experience. Plus, after I start working, have a family, settle down etc., there won't be time to travel when I am young, only when I am old and my knees have officially given out (I have knee problems already at a young age).


P.S. For those of you working this weekend, like myself, here's 17 ways you can be happier at work...who would've thunk...I won't be officially happy for the long-run in a job until I am working with either a travel magazine, fashion magazine or TV station.

1. DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF WITH OTHERS...this is a great tip, it's hard not to but you will only make yourself feel worse if you continue to do (or start doing this).
2. NEVER OBSESS OVER THINGS YOU CANNOT CONTROL...I'm guilty, I'm guilty, I do this too much in every job I work.
3. KNOW AND KEEP YOUR PERSONAL BOUNDARIES AND LIMITS.
4. DON'T OVERCOMMIT YOURSELF OR YOUR TEAM.
5. REMEMBER THAT YOU GET THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME AS EVERYONE ELSE, EVERYDAY (that means on a 24 hour clock).
6. DON'T TAKE YOURSELF SO SERIOUSLY, NO BODY ELSE DOES...I am guilty of this at times, I beat myself up over silly mistakes.
7. DAYDREAM MORE RATHER THAN LESS...I need to do this in work more often.
8. DON'T BOTHER WITH HATE; IT'S NOT WORTH THE EFFORT.
9. MAKE PEACE WITH YOUR PAST LEST IT CREATE YOUR FUTURE.
10. DON'T TRY TO "WIN" EVERY ARGUMENT...hard for those of us who are very stubborn.
11. REMEMBER THAT NOBODY IS IN CHARGE OF YOUR HAPPINESS EXCEPT YOU...so if you don't like your job, get out and try to find a new one that you will be happier at. It's not worth working a shit job that gets you down.
12. SMILE AND LAUGH MORE FREQUENTLY.
13. DON'T WASTE PRECIOUS ENERGY ON MALICE AND GOSSIP.
14. DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK ABOUT YOU; IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS...when you learn not to care what others think, not only does it improve your work ethic but it improves your overall quality of life and the way you look at thing. Best thing to let go of, ever.
15. TRASH EVERYTHING IN YOUR WORK AREA THAT IS NOT USEFUL OR BEAUTIFUL...sheesh, the trash can is about to be full...
16. REMEMBER THAT HOWEVER BAD (OR GOOD) A SITUATION IS, IT WILL CHANGE NO MATTER WHAT..."there is a reason for everything" or "after a rainstorm there is sunshine."
17. BELIEVE THAT THE BEST IS YET TO COME, NO MATTER WHAT...I absolutely love this. Not only does it apply to work but to life in general.

Travel on wanderlusters!

2013 TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

According to the Travel section of the NY Times, there are 46 places wanderlusters HAVE to go in 2013. It's cool because I have been to some of these places or will be going there sometime this year. Some places I plan to go when I move to South America in a year.

Get your suitcases packed and plane tickets printed: 
1. Rio de Janiero, Brazil (next year)
2. Marseille 
3. Nicaragua (next year)
4. Accra, Ghana 
5. Bhutan
6. Amsterdam, Netherlands (in two months!)
7. Houston, Texas (this summer!)
8. Rossland, British Columbia
9. New Delhi, India (maybe this winter)
10. Istanbul, Turkey (maybe this fall)
11. Singapore
12. Montenegro
13. White Salmon River, Washington (been there!)
14. Hvar, Croatia (been there!)
15. Mongolia
16. The Big Island, Hawaii (maybe next spring)
17. Philippines (very soon, I have family there)
18. Vernazza, Italy
19. The Kimberley, Australia (when I move there in 2015)
20. Ningxia, China
21. The Adirondacks, New York
22. Oslo, Norway (very soon)
23. Constantia, South Africa (I want to!)
24. Lithuania
25. Burgos, Spain
26. Lens, France
27. Changbaishan, China
28. Porto, Portugal (maybe in the summer)
29. Puerto Rico
30. Koh Phangan, Thailand
31. Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka
32. Jackson Hole, Wyoming (maybe in the summer)
33. Bangkok, Thailand (sometime this year!)
34. The Jeseniky, Czech Republic (been there!)
35. Waiheke, New Zealand
36. Yucatan, Mexico (been there!)
37. Charlevoix, Quebec
38. Pecs, Hungary
39. Republic of Congo (the post for later today!)
40. Ireland (been there! maybe going back this year)
41. Getaria, Spain
42. Mergui Islands, Myanmar
43. The Falkland Islands
44. Washington D.C. (been there...way too many times ;) )
45. Casablanca, Morocco (hopefully for my birthday week this year!)
46. Paris, France (been there! going back in June)

Where are you going this year? Where do you want to go this year? I'm just itching to book plane tickets...

Travel on wanderlusters and keep an eye out for the Congo post later today!

A Roman Recap

Good-morning wanderlusters! I barely got any sleep last night...must be because I am so excited for uni to start again today! Please know that was completely sarcastic, haha. So, I decided to get up early, make some egg, onion, cheese, tomato and seasoned concoction of a breakfast with a big cup of green tea and some Swedish House Mafia to get me going. I don't want to jinx it but it looks like it might actually be a nice, sunny day here in Prague! I'm kind of tired of being a vampire in my dark cave of a apartment, you know? Bring on the sun! My last morning in Rome was so beautiful, I got to drive by the Colosseum with the sun rising behind it and see the St. Peter's Basilica since we didn't make it out there on Sunday afternoon. The Pantheon and Vatican will have to be for next time!

Now is the perfect time to write about my week long trip to Rome, Italy. In one word, it was superfantasbulousmazing. I took the airline Wizzair from Prague to Rome in the morning. I'll just be honest and say I was not at all impressed with this airline. Granted, I should have read some more reviews before I bought the cheapest ticket I saw, the ticket I bought back in October was about $60 (USD) but if I were to buy a ticket after October, the price would have gone up to about $180-$200 (USD) and I would have absolutely not paid that price now that I know the airline. First, they changed my flight randomly about 5 times; they changed the dates and times, forcing me to stay longer. Yes, I'm glad in the end but what if someone was on a time-crunch or had work or school and could not stay that long? An airline should not be just allowed to do, trapping their customers or forcing them to pay a ridiculous fee for cancelling the booking. Wizzair seemed pretty reliable and desperate with their additional fees. Next, they suggested being at the airport anywhere from 3-4 hours early because sometimes they decide to leave earlier than printed on the ticket. I get being there about 2 hours early so you can comfortably do the check-in, go through security, find your gate and etc, but since when is it normal that an airline who has already changed your booking up to 5 times can change the time on the day, without any notice, leave earlier than printed?! My flight, thankfully, left as printed on the ticket but from reviews I read, there were some pretty pissed off customers. Another thing, to take any bag larger than a standard tote bag or backpack, you had to pay 10 euros, it doesn't sound much at the time but when you calculate that into your week in Rome and then 10 euros for the trip back, it quickly adds up. So I had to pack lightly in a backpack, and it seems like a majority of the passengers were forced to do the same. If you are hungry or thirsty on Wizzair, be prepared to whip out your wallets because even water is NOT free. I got some dirt tasting coffee with one sugar, they seemed to be angry that I wanted more than one packet of sugar, for 2.50 euros. I'm sorry but some of the delicious pizza and gelato I got in Rome was 2.50 or less! Insanity. The flight itself was fine on the way there. On the way back was a different story. I get squirmish on the plane if there is turbulence or if it feels weird taking off, which happened on the way back almost inducing a very premature heart attack. We took off and for about 15 minutes it actually felt like the plane might just fall out of the sky and crash, the pilot was turning and doing all sort of readjusting, almost like it was only his 2nd or 3rd time driving a plane. People were being loud and obnoxious, it resembled an American frat party with the guys hooting and hollering and just being overall disrespectful to everyone else and especially the cabin crew. Yes, it's their fault but it tends to oversee the quality of the airline. When still in Rome, the plane was late causing customers to be angry and rant in Italian or Czech and one of the check-in employees started to get attitudes with a calm woman who simply asked a question, this causing everyone in line (about 100 people) to stare with jaws dropped. All in all, if you have any other options than Wizzair, take them. If Wizzair was not the worst airline I have ever flown, it was most definitely a runner-up.

Other than the airline, Rome was full of sun and semi-warm weather, great food and great company. I slept on a small IKEA couch for the week at my friends house so I was so happy to come home to a nice, big, blanket and pillow filled bed but it was all an experience. I experienced some great nightlife, delicious food, those "crazy Italian men", Vespas whisping past you, all the extravagant and ancient buildings and architecture and just a week in the life of an average Italian. Pretty cool stuff, pretty cool stuff. Definitely an experience I will love to share with others in the future. I had an almost scary incident with a taxi when I first arrived though...it all started outside in the rain and clothes that were all too thin for cold rain. My friend was going to come to the Termini Station to pick me up and so I waited and waited and waited then decided enough was enough and I would go inside to get some WiFi and see what was happening with her. Turned on my phone...welp at the future phone bill...and she tol me to take a taxi and she would pay for it..fair enough. So, I power-walk outside to the taxi line waiting behind a massive family, all of them frantically speaking Italian and throwing their hands up in the air. First taxi guy says he has no idea where my destination is and speeds off, then a man, who was standing with the other taxi drivers waiting for their next victim, and he told me "come with me, special price 30 euros". SWEET! I accepted and we begin to walk away...away from the other taxis in the taxi line that is. Hmm, strange...? I got this weird feeling in my stomach as we inched farther and farther away from the taxi line and began to think, "where on Earth is this Italian taking me?!" We are walking and he keeps looking back and giving me a stereotypical creepy smile. RED ALERT, RED ALERT, I thought in my head. So, finally, we get to this back alley-type of parking lot...where is station wagon is parked and there is no meter in his car, aka it is a fake taxi. Immediately, I thought of that crazy movie Taken and thought "well this is about to be Taken 3, no way am I doing that!" Before even getting close to the passenger door I told him I wanted normal taxi and he insisted on "good price, good price", told him "no, sorry" with a trying to remain calm but internally freaking out smile plastered on my face and with that he crumpled up the paper with the address on it, threw it at me and I quickly walked away and back to the taxi line. I ended up paying 60 euros for a taxi, which is RIDICULOUS but my friend paid me back so it was okay. Pretty much the most "exciting" thing to happen other than exploring, eating good food and you know, everything I wrote above.

Rome is definitely one of my new favorite cities and I will be returning in the very near future. I recommend it and suggest you spend about 4-8 days there to get the full effect of an "Italian lifestyle".


Travel on wanderlusters!

P.S. I find out about Australia either today or tomorrow...SO EXCITED! Fingers crossed x2!
P.S.S. If you want to follow my travels and daily adventures on Instagram, my account is:  shelleahlenka

This Morning

I am day-dreaming of Australia! Don't get me wrong, I don't want to wish away my college years but I am so excited to move to Australia, more specifically, Melbourne and start my travel journalism career there.

Australia just seems so perfect and I could definitely imagine settling there, but then again I may just think that because I haven't grown up there and so a place that is new and exotic would seem perfect in my opinion. We shall see :)

Two days until Roma! I have one, small backpack to fit a week's worth of clothes into...can I do it? Hopefully. I will post an essentials packing list Sunday evening or Monday morning before my plane sets off to the land of pizza, gelato, Vespa-riding boys and beautiful architecture. Also, my friend and I are making a to-do list in terms of places we have to see and a fun to-do list filled with crazy things/pranks to do to shake up the daily lives of Italian passerby-ers. I love me some silly shenanigans in public, makes life a little more interesting...

Travel on wanderlusters!

P.S. Happy Australia...well post-Australia...Day to all the wonderful Australian wanderlusters out there!

Just One of Those...

Nights where you can't sleep no matter what you do? Yeah...that was my night last night after tossing and turning for a few hours I decided to watch catch up on some Homeland and Vampire Diaries and I instantly passed out. Well, for only about 4 hours but something is better than nothing right?

I'm staring outside as I type and it's really yucky and depressing out. I miss the sunshine and warm weather...never thought I would say I miss the warm weather because I am definitely a cold weather type of person. Hmph, I blame it on Europe! Haha.

Well, I promised my friend I would take him up to the Prague Castle, snow or no snow, today so that's what I'll be doing a majority of my day and I promised you wanderlusters that I would post some pictures of Prague in the snow! Bear in mind it will be some dreary, gray/dark pictures but you'll get the jist of Prague winter beauty :) Despite how beautiful Prague is in the winter, I am dreaming of Thailand...only 2 more months until Bangkok and Phuket Bay beaches.

P.S. I started my internship with CollegeFashionista.com, for those of you who haven't heard about it, CHECK IT OUT! But my first post went live and my wanderlusters should check out the fashion-loving side of my writing! I convinced my best friend to do a mini photo-shoot for me in my backyard and now she's the face of my first CF article! http://www.collegefashionista.com/shelleahpedersen/style-advice-of-the-week-these-boots-were-made-for-spikes/

P.S.S. ONE WEEK UNTIL ROME!!

Travel on wanderlusters!

Empire State of Mind

"Now you're in New York, These streets will make you feel brand new, Big lights will inspire you, Hear it for New York, New York, New York!"...you know the rest, at least I hope you do. You know that Alicia Keys, Jay-Z song that makes you really want to go there when it comes on the radio, or rather when it came on the radio. 
So, why am writing about New York? Am I in the Big Apple for New Year's Eve...no, I sure wish I was though! I'm writing about it because I will be going there next week for 3 days and 2 nights. 
I LOVE New York City, ever since I was little I have loved that city. Definitely one of my favorites. I have always wanted to live there when I grew up and maybe I will after I experience some more of the world and live in Australia for a while. We will see where my plane tickets and mind take me! 
There is so much to do today...including a special New Year's Eve dedicated post later this afternoon.

The Second-to-Last Day of 2012

The days are flying by and right when I'm in bed each night I think "Ah I need to post on the blog n....tomorrow..." then tomorrow comes and well, you get it.

But I am posting now in the spare few minutes I have to myself since being home for some of winter break. I'm so excited to be going back already, mostly because my good friend (from high-school in America) is coming to stay with me for a few days in Prague and I get to show him around. Also, because all the fun travels of 2013 will be kick-started by I go to Rome at the end of January. Don't get me wrong, I love America- being home and all but I have the urge to travel each day that 2013 nears us.

So far, the travels set and stone planned for 2013 are: 
January- Rome, Italy
February- Berlin, Germany
March- hopefully Amsterdam, Netherlands OR Dublin, Ireland for St. Patrick's Day
end of March-April- Bangkok and Phuket Bay, Thailand
end of May-June- Budapest, Hungary; Paris, France; Barcelona, Spain then home to America for the summer.

I've been keeping my fingers crossed for a few months now because in January or February I find out if I get to go to Perth, Australia for my fall 2013 semester. My two best friends and I are all wanting to go so we've been dreaming and hoping everything works out. We will see what happens!

Hopefully I made your eyes happy with a new...long...post!

Travel on wanderlusters and happy second-to-last day of 2012! Blog you all tomorrow.

Tragedy Strikes in Newtown

I'm sitting here writing this in tears, as a big sister to a little sister in kindergarten and a little brother in 2nd grade.

I took a nap this afternoon only to wake up to the horrific news of what happened in Newtown, CT. My heart instantly ripped into two. I cannot even imagine the devastation the families of the children and teachers killed and the whole community of Newtown. No, I am not a mother but I am a big sister who has two elementary school siblings and my heart and thoughts go out to every one affected by this tragedy.

I don't understand how someone can wake up with the urge to kill so many innocent people, let alone YOUNG CHILDREN. Why? Why, why?! For the sake of the country I grew up in and where my friends and family live, I hope this prompts change. I sincerely hope this was finally the last straw after all the shootings that occurred throughout America just this year, 2012. Watching Obama wipe the tears from his eyes, pause for a few seconds between words and say his final words really makes me hope that change will finally be made.

I cannot imagine living in fear everyday, I cannot imagine sending my child or brother and sister to school worrying about if this will happen again. I just can't. This is why change needs to be made. No parent should EVER receive a phone call that their 5-10 year old child has been shot in school, a place that is supposed to be safe, a place that gives them a future.

Again, my heart and my thoughts go out to the families and everyone affected by the Newtown school shooting this afternoon.

Spotted: Tom Cruise

On the Charles Bridge yesterday afternoon! Now where is little Suri?!

Today, on the walk to the National Library, we were stopped in our tracks when we saw they were filming a movie right outside of the library. So, of course we stopped and stared, waiting patiently for some A-list celebrity to come running in the scene. We left minutes after to the Christmas market then came back and right when we came back they were filming a scene...couldn't tell if it was Tom Cruise but it sure looked A LOT like him.

Whatever movie they are filming, they are trying to portray it being in the Netherlands, nope, it's in Prague. The fake street signs and Netherlands license plates were added to make it seem like it was in the Netherlands.

It's beaaaautiful and sunny today but I get to spend the entire, FREEZING, afternoon in the library studying for finals next week. I just looked up from typing this and realized an extremely creepy lady with a "I'm going to steal you and throw you in a cave" grin was staring at me from across the library. Okay, then.

Travel on wanderlusters!

Lazy Fridays...Love 'Em

You want to know what I did today? Do you really, really, REALLY want to know?

I did three things and three things only: drink hot wine, eat tons and tons of carbs and sleep, er, nap...

My beautiful Colombian friend is here in Prague for the weekend so we started out early this morning, stopping to get hot red wine at a Christmas market by my house, then proceeding to Bohemia Bagel and then the Old Town Square Christmas market. Half way through, I bailed to go home and study, which turned into a 4 hour nap. Yeah, it was one of those days.

Did I ever mention that whenever I get hot wine, it ALWAYS spills everywhere on me? After the first sip, it's downhill from there. It's 10AM and I'm treating myself to a cup from the gods and BAM! burning screaming skin and wine stains in my white wallet and leggings. Also, when I was making sweet, sweet love to my nutella crepe today, everyone was watching. Strangest thing ever. People would stop in their tracks and crane their necks around to see what I was eating, people would walk by and make comments or noises...jeeze people have you ever seen a chocolate crepe before?! If not, get yourself educated to chocolate crepe-logy.

Then I proceeded to come home and pass out for several hours, waking up extremely disorientated.

Off to show my lovely the Golden City at night.

Travel on wanderlusters!

December 21st...

For those of you still anticipating 'doomsday' or the end of the world on December 21st...you can come out of your deep protection holes in the ground (yes, people really have those), sit back and relax because it's NOT happening. The face on the calendar is still kind of creepy though...

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/government-promises-world-won-t-end-dec-21-192819519.html#more-id

Breath easy and travel on wanderlusters!

P.S. get ready for Christmas market pictures tomorrow!

The Email That Changed My Spring Semester

So, while sitting in a coffee shop this evening, having our first official "business" meeting and organizing the blog/website/clothing line...I check my email, mid-sip from the holy grail (the coffee is heaven and in a grail shaped cup)...and what did I receive?

A big, wonderful, CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations what though? Congratulations I'm pregnant? Congratulations you looked like a smelly mess today? Congratulations there's a llama farm in the middle of Prague with your name as the title? No no no silly. Congratulations because I got the fashion internship I was crossing my fingers for about two months for! 

I did a loud wiggle in my seat, accompanied with some squealing which caused the really confused stares, which then was followed by some fist-punching in the air. Yes, Jersey Shore style...

The website is called CollegeFashionista and it's fantastic. For students who are in college and love fashion instead of just going to class in stinky, wrinkly PJ's and sweats. The website is for students in colleges all across the United States and even internationally. I discovered the site when looking through blogs and was really hooked. I then wondered if my school, in Prague, was featured...it wasn't. So, I was ballsy and decided to email the founder and suggest Prague be included. I received an email back saying I should fill out and application and give them a sample of what I got (photos and writing).

A month later, I get the acceptance email. I am so so thrilled to be part of the CollegeFashionista family and start the Prague universities' page. This is also pretty exciting for my business partner and I because we are hoping that some of the students in our university will begin wearing our DIY clothing line so it will promote our new DIY community and clothing line. So many fantastic opportunities, I am more than grateful for them.

If you haven't checked the site out, you most definitely should. Pretty inspiring! 

Check us out:

www.CollegeFashionista.com

www.twitter.com/Cfashionista 

www.facebook.com/CollegeFashionista

www.google.com/+CollegeFashionista

Travel on wanderlusters and happy Monday/Tuesday!

My Online Jewelry Boutique: Mixed Signals

As of this afternoon, I opened up an online jewelry boutique called 'Mixed Signals'. Check it out!

https://mixedsignals.kitsylane.com/index.php

Travel...and shop...on wanderlusters!

"10 out-of-this-world places"

While checking my email and drinking my MullerMilk this morning, I came across this cool article: http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/10-out-of-this-world-places.html

"10 out-of-this-world places"

1. Salt Flats Bolivia
2. The Chocolate Hills, The Philippines
3. Rio Tinto, Spain
4. Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland
5. Spotted Lake, British Columbia
6. Socotra Island, Indian Ocean
7.Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona
8. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
9. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
10. Simpson Desert, Australia

Pretty cool, right?! I know where I want to go next, what about you wanderlusters?

Travel on wanderlusters!

"The 10 Amazing Exotic Vacations"

Whenever I read these on Yahoo, I always feel the need to share them with my wanderlusters...

"The 10 Amazing Exotic Vacations"



1. South Island, New Zealand
2. Hawaii
3. Tasmania, Australia
4. Thaiti
5. Adelaide, Australia
6. The Cook Islands
7. North Island, New Zealand
8. Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
9. Fiji
10. Brisbane, Australia

Here, have a look for yourselves: http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/10-amazing-exotic-vacations.html?page=1

Have any of you wanderlusters traveled to these places?