Amy and the Great World

Lists Travel

Imagine If I Lived Here, Part 3

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It’s time for another rendition of my favorite travel game, Imagine If I Lived Here! (Read parts one and two!).

“Imagine If I Lived Here” involves careful research and thorough data collection.

Ha, not really–but it does involve me putting myself in the shoes of a local, and wondering what their everyday life might be like. I try to pick a variety of locals, from the girl at the market to the fisherman on the bay, to try to give myself a glimpse into what it could be like.

In truth? I really have no idea what it would be like to live those lives, since that is not my reality. It’s theirs. I’m sure I also make it much more romantic than it actually is. Such is my nature. However, I think it’s the best way to travel–to imagine the different nuances and daily events that happen in these beautiful places we visit.

I’ve imagined what it would be like to own a vineyard in Napa, California, seeing those views everyday, tending my vines, and hosting wine tastings…

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I’ve imagined myself living in Scotland, perhaps in the Highlands, with castles around every corner and a local pub where everyone knows my name…

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I’ve wondered what it would be like to live in a tiny surfing town, like Huanchaco, Peru, where the locals are friendly, the food is delicious, people come from all over the world to ride the waves, and the sunsets are divine…

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I’ve imagined (and am now experiencing!) what it would be like to live in Prague, to walk across a grand bridge and see a castle over the river, and to lose myself in the alleyways of the city.

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Do you play a game like Imagine If I Lived Here when you travel? 

Welcome to Travel Tuesday!

Travel Tuesday

I am so excited to announce that for the next three months, I will be co-hosting Travel Tuesday with Bonnie, Camila and Jessi! I’m thrilled to have been nominated (thank you past co-hosts!), as Travel Tuesday is one of my favorite days of the week. I can’t wait to read all of your travel stories and hopefully meet some new faces over the next few months!

Ready to link up? 

1. SHARE a post about travel! From road trips to trips abroad and from past travels to dream vacations. You can write about travel tips and tricks, favorite places to stay, or anything in between! Just make it about traveling somewhere!

2. GRAB the lovely button above. If you run into trouble, just make sure to mention Bonnie, Amy, Jessi and Camila in a link! 3. LINKUP goes live every Tuesday at 0800 GMT. Make sure to comment here, on the cohosts blogs, and visit around!

TIPS:

1. Please only one linked up post per blogger. Save other posts for future linkups!

2. The last Tuesday of every month will be a themed prompt if you want to join in!

3. HOP around and meet new travel loving bloggers! Check back to visit some of the newer travel posts!



Czech Republic

Czech It!

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Linking up again for Travel Tuesday!

Travel Tuesday

 

We made it to Prague! (In the Czech Republic in case you didn’t get my hilarious title).

I have to say, Prague was built up a lot for me before we arrived. I can think of about two people who had something bad to say about it–and one person said “But why would you want to live in a Communist country?” so they clearly haven’t read the news since 1987, and the other said that Prague had a “heavy aura.”

While I’ve only been here approximately 52 hours and I can’t really comment on the aura of the city yet (not that I know much about auras to begin with), I have to say that Prague is living up to my very high expectations so far.

(I really try to reign in the expectations. I do. I just doesn’t always happen).

Of course, everything has been through a heavy jet lag fog, and we started our ESL training program yesterday so it’s all kind of a blur. I will look at something and tell myself that I know it’s beautiful and awesome but it just doesn’t connect. Jet lag is a surreal world of its own, am I right?

Our travels here were long and not entirely smooth, which probably didn’t help the jet lag much. We  flew from Seattle, leaving at about noon, and had layovers in Vancouver, Canada and Frankfurt, Germany before arriving in Prague.  I love the Vancouver airport, and while I heard great things about Frankfurt, we did not have a great experience there as our flight had been delayed and we ended up sprinting across the airport. Upon our arrival in Prague, about an hour delayed, we found out that our luggage decided to stay in Canada. There was no explanation for this, but while it caused some undue stress waiting for our bags to arrive at our student flat (did we give them the right apartment? are you sure they said tonight? what if they don’t come? my toothbrush!), they were delivered to our door around 6 hours after we landed, safe and sound.

I feel really comfortable in Prague already, despite the jet lag and the workload already. It’s easy to walk everywhere, and while we’ve barely been able to explore (but don’t worry your pretty little head, I’ve definitely snagged some pictures!) what I’ve seen so far I find enchanting. The river through the city is just gorgeous, and the views of all the old buildings with the red roofs are almost too perfect. Except for our first afternoon, it’s been cool and rainy, which I kind of love (especially considering how hot all the buildings seem to be) but it’s not the best for picture-taking.

Despite this, I think the cloudy skies fit the architecture for some reason. Or maybe I’m just really tired.

I can’t wait to explore more and share it with all of you!

IMG_5761^^Brushing up in the Seattle airport before leaving the US.

IMG_5763 ^^The Vancouver airport has this amazing, giant aquarium!

IMG_5764^^Probably the most adorably named snacks ever.

IMG_5766^^Did you know Lufthansa Airlines serve free wine and liquor…like Bailey’s Irish Cream?

IMG_5767^^The view from our daily walk across a bridge in Prague.

IMG_5768 IMG_5769^^See what I mean about it being gloomy but how it also kind of works?

IMG_5771 IMG_5773 IMG_5774^^we shared some Czech food and beer on this little patio overlooking the river with live music.

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Lists Travel

Top Travel Adventures

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This week’s travel prompt for Travel Tuesday with Bonnie, Kaelene, Sammy & Van…

Travel Tuesday

is to share your travel bucket list!

I was particularly excited about this prompt because I love lists, like love. My day doesn’t really feel complete unless I’ve crossed something off some sort of list.  I even have a category on this blog dedicated to lists. Obsessive much?

However, when I sat down to write this post, I realized that to share my entire travel bucket list would take way too long, and, let’s face it, the list grows on the daily (pretty much every time I go online or talk to someone I find a new place to add to that list). That’s just impractical for a blog post, am I right? (You’re welcome. Although you can read my life to-do list here, my places list here, and my 30 by 30 list here, if you’re interested).

Instead, I’m sharing a few of my top travel adventures I’d like to have. While traveling anywhere is it’s own adventure, these are the trips I’ve always wanted to do that involve time, extensive travel, or some kind of unique activity.

Ski in the Alps.

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Ever since I visited Switzerland many moons ago, I’ve wanted to go back to the Alps in the winter to see the beautiful, snowy peaks and to ski down one!

Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef.

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As someone who loves to scuba dive, the Great Barrier Reef has always been one of my top destinations. It seems like the ultimate diving destination (although that’s just to my limited knowledge). But, look at those colors!

Ride the Trans-Siberian Railway.

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This railway, which can take you from Beijing, China, all the way to Moscow, Russia (via Mongolia!) has always been a dream of mine. It’s pretty expensive and not a fast trip, but someday I would love to carve out a large chunk of time to take this train and watch China, Mongolia and Russia pass by out of the window.

Drink a beer at Oktoberfest.

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I mean, look at this girl. This picture says it all! Oktoberfest looks like one big party I’d love to visit. I’ve heard it’s pricey, though, so maybe just for a day, and maybe just for a few beers.

Walk on the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver, Canada.

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For some reason this long suspension bridge in British Columbia has always been on my list. It’s just a bridge, but it seems so magical crossing the lush forests and appearing out of the mists.

Stay overnight in a castle in Ireland.

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Who doesn’t want to stay the night in a real-life, ages-old castle? Ireland is full of castles, and since I found the country so charming, I think I would feel the same about staying in one of their castles. (Not that I would say no to staying the night in a castle, anywhere).

Sail in the Caribbean.

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It sounds like such a dream to sail through the clear blue waters of the Caribbean without a care in the world.

Ride a hot air balloon over Cappadocia, Turkey.

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It seems like almost an otherworldly experience to float over the strange, alien landscape in this part of Turkey.

Go on a photo safari in Africa.

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I would go on a photo safari even if it meant an elephant hugged my car off the road.

Spend a year traveling around the world.

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This is a BIG dream that I hope to make happen, someday! I would love to spend even longer than a year just gallivanting around the globe. I have so much I want to see, this seems like the only option. Maybe someday when I get paid to travel.

I’d love to hear…what are some of your top travel adventures, either that you’ve done or want to do?

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