Welcome

January 12, 2024 in Travel, JourneysfortheSoul

I have a lot of meaningful experiences that I have kept to myself. I have been hesitant to start a "blog" though. The idea of someone reading my personal thoughts and opinions seems invasive and just too public. In fact, I don't even care for that word, "blog." It sounds ugly. Despite my distaste for the word and the concept, I realized that most people will never experience what I have experienced and will never have the opportunity to see what I have seen in this world. I feel it is time to share these experiences in hopes of inspiring and educating others. So, I invite you to read about my travels and my personal reflections. I invite you to see the world through my eyes.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead

Journey to Colombia: Wellness with the Xol Foundation

April 30, 2020 in Yoga, Travel, philanthropy, news

As part of a service trip with the Xol Foundation, I was invited to attend and be a part of a community wellness day in one of the villages outside of Cali, Colombia set high in the mountains.

Healing the Heart: Journey to Rwanda

November 30, 2017 in Travel, Rwanda

I think it is essential sometimes to go into retreat, to stop everything that you have been doing, to stop your beliefs and experiences completely and look at them anew, not keep on repeating like machines whether you believe or don't believe. You would let fresh air into your minds. - Jiddu Krishnamurti

It has been three years since I left Rwanda. For three years, I wondered what it would be like to return. But I made a promise to 16 teenage girls that I would attend their graduation ceremony at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV) and so I kept that promise. In October 2017, I went back to Rwanda to visit the Village where I worked for a year from 2013 - 2014.

ASYV is an non-profit organization whose goal to heal and educate vulnerable Rwandan youth. It is a residential community of more than 500 orphaned teens located an hour outside of Kigali, Rwanda. Though secular, the organization focuses on two Jewish principles of tikkun halev, healing the heart, and tikkun olam, the healing that comes from helping others. The youth have some trauma in their past that prevents them from connecting to the present moment and reimagining a future beyond what they know. I spent the last few years healing my heart.

Most people take a week-long retreat to rejuvenate and restore. Mine lasted around two years. Though a beautiful and profound experience, living at the Village was also challenging, physically and emotionally. Prior to Rwanda, I spent the majority of my twenties living in Prague and coordinating student trips with a focus on Holocaust and World War II education.

From the Upanishads to the Bhagavad Gita, my bookshelf soon grew to be a collection of eastern philosophy, yoga, and wellness. Other areas of my life changed as well. I started exercising and became a vegan, being more mindful of what I consume in general. I also didn't have a car or a phone for the first year I was in the U.S. I now teach and share these same tools that I learned.

Rwanda Reunion

Agahozo-Shalom was just as peaceful and beautiful as I remembered it to be. It felt like an oasis in the middle of Rwanda. It was an emotional reunion with old friends and family. I reconnected with the 16 girls I mentored, all happy and eager to graduate. No longer were they the frightened teens that I met four years ago, but bright young women ready to face the world. I was overjoyed. It’s a beautiful thing to witness youth grow and flourish.

Heal the Heart, Heal the World

My return to Rwanda was more than just a visit to attend the graduation. I realized that not only were these young students ready to face the world, but I was too again. Sometimes it's important to step away and examine your life through a different lens. Jiddu Krishnamurti said it beautifully. Stop what you're doing and take time to examine your life, so you don't keep repeating old habits. Breathe in new air.

I'm embarking on a new chapter and I look forward to sharing with you what will unfold in the next year.

Spreading love and light.

xoxo,

Rwanda Photos

Tips for Eating Vegan Food When Traveling Abroad

May 11, 2017 in Food, Travel

Maintaining a certain eating routine when traveling can be overwhelming. You're going into uncharted territory and the place you visit may not be used to your eating habits, let alone healthy eating habits. The idea of being vegan is a newer concept, one that not every culture will know. Here are a few tips that I've learned to still eat healthy vegan food abroad.

1. Do Your Research

The best way to ensure you'll be able to eat is to do your research in advance. Find out if the city you're going to has vegan restaurants or markets nearby, search for vegan Facebook groups and ask for advice online. Fortunately, when I planned my trip to Cusco I also found numerous vegan restaurants within walking distance to my accommodation.

2. Learn How to Order Food in the Local Language

No carne, por favor. If you like to travel to remote locations or outside city centers, it's best to write a list of words to describe what you cannot eat. The word, vegan, is a newer concept and many countries aren't familiar with the idea. I found this to be especially helpful when traveling throughout Thailand when fish sauce is used in almost every dish.

3. Bring Your Must-Have Snacks

If you know your food options will be limited and you have the space in your luggage, bring snacks that will keep you energized. When I hiked a 5-day trek to Machu Picchu, I wasn't sure if the food available would sustain my energy for the 75km hike, so I packed Vega One bars. These small bars are perfect for traveling and are loaded with the essentials. Each bar contains 12g of plant-based protein, 50% DV of 12 vitamins and minerals, 3g of fiber, and veggies. I also took the Vega Sport Protein bars for those extra strenuous hikes, which have 15g of protein.

4. Shop at Local Markets

A big part of the travel experience is the food. Though it's great to eat at restaurants, the markets are a wonderful way to experience the culture and how people live. It's also much cheaper than eating out every night. My favorite days of the week in Rwanda were market days. I walked 20 minutes down a dirt road to buy fresh produce and avocados for $.30 each, but it was a wonderful opportunity to meet everyone on the street and experience shopping like a local.

5. Go with the Flow

There might be nights when all you can find is bread and a salad, and sometimes that's okay. My friend and I visited Lisbon and I remember eating at a local fish restaurant because we couldn't find anything else. I ordered salad that they used for garnish under the main dishes. It was only one meal and the experience dining with locals rather than the food itself was the most enjoyable part of that evening.

Let me know what works for you (and what doesn't) and enjoy your travels!

Peace,

Why I Booked a Last-Minute Trip to Peru and How You Can Too

May 04, 2017 in Travel

I never imagined I’d end up in Peru this way. I never thought that I’d book a last-minute flight and travel alone to hike 75 kilometers to Machu Picchu. But I suppose death has an interesting way of bringing new meaning to life. A couple of weeks before I boarded a plane to Cusco last year, my cat suddenly died. He was only seven years old. Out of all my relationships, I never imagined that my greatest love would be with a tuxedo cat named Antonio. Tony was the family pet and a beloved family member. It's amazing how much you can love an animal.

I always wanted to go to Peru and hike up to Machu Picchu. Since there is no time like the present, I set out to make it happen with only a week to plan. Seize the moment, right? I bought my flight on a Friday and went the following week. You can only spend so much time talking about doing something, rather than just doing it. So, I finally booked it. Here's how I made it happen:

Book Flights

It can be intimidating to book a flight without knowing what you'll be doing, but buying the ticket solidifies your plans. I booked a return ticket with Spirit Air from Ft. Lauderdale to Lima for $320. I got lucky. Then, I booked a local flight to Cusco with LCPeru for $109. You can probably find local flights cheaper if you book in advance.

Pack

Pack lightly. For most hiking treks, you can only take 5 kilos with you. Here are a few essentials I packed:

Lightweight, versatile clothing (i.e. anything from Lululemon)
Warm clothing (coat, hat, gloves)
Bathing suit for the hot springs
25L backpack for the trek that will hold your things for the day.
Cameras: iPhone, a small Sony digital camera, and my Canon Rebel T2i DSLR.
Snacks: Vega One bars, cough drops, gum, and some nuts. Snacks were provided on the trek though and I found other items in Cusco.

If you forget anything, you can rent or buy all of it in Cusco.

What I Wish I Packed: Moleskin. Despite wearing broken in hiking boots, I got terrible blisters on my feet and moleskin could have saved me hours of pain.

Find Accommodation: AirBnB and Yoga Centers

Lima: Most flights from the USA have a long layover in Lima if you're going on to Cusco. Many tourists spend the night in the airport, but I wanted to get some rest since I had 8 hours until my next flight.

I booked an AirBnB room at Mama's Hostel just outside of the airport. I admit, I was a bit nervous to leave the airport with some taxi driver who spoke no English. I arranged the taxi with the hostel and everything was fine. The owner was a sweet little Peruvian lady who spoke no English. My Spanish was incredibly rusty, but I managed to speak to her through hand gestures, constant nodding, and broken Spanish. It was under $20 for the night, which included breakfast. She also arranged transport back to the airport.

Cusco: I love to connect with yoga communities when I travel, so I stayed at the Healing House Cusco in the art district of San Blas in a single room with shared bathroom. Breakfast wasn't included, but yoga classes were (if you stay more than two nights). There are also farmer's markets within walking distance. This was a perfect place to stay: no nonsense, great location, and wonderful people. I felt completely at home and I loved the neighborhood. San Blas has a ton of cafés and vegan restaurants (Green Point was my favorite).

Find a Tour Operator

Cusco has a tour operator on every street corner offering trips to Machu Picchu (pronounced Ma-chu Pick-chu). I researched tour companies before I left, but I didn't book anything until I arrived. There are actually many trails you can book. The Inca trail is the most popular and also the most expensive. That can take months to half a year to book in advance.

Since I didn't plan, I found the Salkantay Trek, which looked equally as impressive. This trek was 5 days/4 nights and the highlight of it was passing through Salkantay (savage) Mountain. I visited different tour operators in the main square and found Marvelous Peru based on a recommendation from a tour I did the day before. The price ($250 in 2016) included the trek (accommodation and vegan food), sleeping bag, transport, and all entrance fees.

Hike the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Day 1 - Humantay Lake

Starting at 5am, the tour company picked me up and we headed to the starting point of the trek. The first impressive site was Humantay lake, a pristine lake at the base of the mountain. It was a struggle to hike up to it because of the altitude, but one of the most beautiful places I've seen.

Day 2 - Salkantay Mountain

Another early morning, this was the longest and most difficult day. I've never really hiked that much before, but it was an incredible feeling to make it to 4600 meters above sea level without dying. Salktanay means "savage" in the Quechua language. I can see why.

Day 3 - Jungle Hike and Hot Springs

What's so interesting about this hike is the diverse landscape each day presents. One day I crossed snow covered mountains and the next I was hiking through dense green forests. I was thankful I paid for walking poles because the hike down the mountain was hard on my knees. They cost around $30 and you can rent them in Cusco. This was the day to also bring out the insect repellant.

Day 4 - Zip Lining and Aguas Calientes

I've zip lined before in Costa Rica and it's just not for me. So, I opted out of this activity and watched the others fly by. After, we made it to the base town of Aguas Calientes. It was the first time I had a real shower in four days. Tip: Make sure you have a nice clean pair of clothes for Machu Picchu. You don't want to spend the last day in smelly clothing.

Day 5 - Machu Picchu

I spent the final day of the trek visiting Machu Picchu. Because my feet were so sore from the hike, I waited in line by 6am, along with hundreds of other people, to take a bus up to Machu Picchu instead of hiking up the stairs. The cost was $24 return trip, and oh so worth it. Unfortunately, it rained most of the day until 4pm. It was the only day that week that it rained, so it's hit or miss. Luckily, the sky cleared around 4pm and I was able to enjoy the views. I'm so glad I bought a rain poncho. It saved my life on the trek.

The rain finally stopped and I sat on the mountain looking at these ancient Inca ruins. I took my phone out to look at a picture of my cat Tony.

I had always wanted to hike to Machu Picchu. Before my cat, Tony’s death, I imagined I would go when I had more money, more stability, or a travel partner. I created these rules in my mind thinking I’d have time for it later when I’d be safer and more secure. I realized though that the only time is now, not yesterday not tomorrow. Now. There may not be another day or another year.

Whether it is a pet, family, friend, you never know when it'll be the last time you see them. The same applies to everything in life. All is transient and the only one thing for certain is death. When you understand death, you understand how to live.

I realized you can live today as day one or you can live it one day. It's your choice. It took a small black and white cat to remind me that.

Let your journey begin.

Peace,

How Rwanda Taught Me the Meaning of Forgiveness

April 10, 2016 in Travel

I woke up thinking about Rwanda, a place I used to call home and to some extent, I still do. April 7 marked twenty two years after the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. Almost one million people were brutally murdered in that small landlocked country in the heart of Africa. To this day when I share my story about living in Rwanda, most people either seem bewildered or terrified. Quite honestly, I never felt scared to live in Rwanda. In fact, I think of this country not as the Land of a Thousand Hills, but the Land of a Thousand Smiles. I felt an overwhelming sense of generosity and respect unlike anywhere I've ever felt before. Kwibuka meaning, to remember, in Kinyarwanda, is the nation's theme for the commemoration. Not only do Rwandans come together to remember, but they focus on unity and renewal for a better life, a more peaceful life. The progress that Rwanda has undergone since 1994 is unparalleled to anything I've ever witnessed. It's truly remarkable the sense of community that I felt when living in the the country. For example, every last Saturday of the month people gather to perform umuganda, or community service. Neighbors help out in their communities, build homes, and clean the streets (Kigali is known to be the cleanest African capital). I was in awe of the level of peace that I felt in the country and I often wondered, "how?" How could a post-genocide nation achieve this level of peace in such a short time span? There could be a number of viable answers, but one that always comes to mind is forgiveness.

Webster's dictionary defines forgiveness as, "to stop feeling anger toward someone for doing something wrong." But it's much more than that. It's about the willingness to achieve inner peace despite past circumstances and external factors. Forgiveness doesn't mean condoning someone else's behavior or giving a free pass. It's about being in choice, and choosing to live a life with more freedom and happiness.

Rwanda's people a true testament of the power of forgiveness. These past few days, I've been reading stories of former victims and murderers living side by side in peace. I reflect on the people I've met who have overcome and atrocities beyond imagination.

I'm not implying that hatred or animosity doesn't still exist in Rwanda. I'm sure it does like anywhere else. But the Rwanda I know today is beautiful. Its people are kind, gracious, and respectful. The Rwanda I know is strong. They embrace the present moment and create possibilities that didn't exist before.

I think about my Rwandan friends and family often, and the lessons that they unknowingly shared with me. I never really understood what it meant to forgive until I lived there. I didn't realize that forgiveness meant freedom. For that, I'm forever grateful. As Rwanda embarks on its 100 day mourning period, I'm embarking on 100 days of gratitude for having the privilege to live and work in a place of peace, love, and hope. To the people of Rwanda, you inspire me to be a better human. With all of my heart, Murakoze cyane (thank you).