Category Archives: Personal Interests

Taking a Career Break to Travel: a Q&A with Meet Plan Go

Yes, there are days when we want to quit our jobs instantly and leave our cubicles behind. But with some advance planning, would you go ahead and do it?

If you seek to find your way in this world, while fulfilling a dream of seeing it, consider taking a career break or sabbatical. Recently, I had a virtual Q & A with Sherry Ott of Meet Plan Go – a leading career break movement in North America – on planning and taking this time off and about their upcoming conference in New York City.

How did Meet Plan Go start?
The idea for a career break resource came into my mind when I was initially planning my trip in 2006 because I struggled – a lot. There was no information out there about how to do long-term travel or an adult gap year from the American perspective. I found a few books from the UK but it wasn’t the same. I was really frustrated and nervous about taking the leap but felt very alone. I mainly used the only resource out there to help plan at the time – Bootsnall.com.

Meet Plan Go actually started when I met (co-founders) Michaela Potter and Michael Bontempi in New York City after they had also recently finished a three-month career break. We decided to take our passion for the benefits of a traveling break and create a website. It started as Briefcase to Backpack and launched in 2009 and has taken off since then. Via our website and events, you’ll meet like-minded, supportive people, get tools and tips to plan your career break travels, and find inspiration to go by hearing/reading other career breakers’ stories.

How does taking a career break help a person?

Career break benefits are numerous. Most importantly, getting away from of our day-to day-routines is essential for effective thinking. Combine your career break with travel and reap even more benefits. Exposure to cultures that function differently from our own – from language to social customs to public transport – awakens the brain, alerting it to a much broader range of possibilities for being, living, and creating. You will come back to the workforce with skills other peers won’t have.

What factors should a person put into planning a career break?

That’s different for every person. But one of the first things to consider and figure out is budget. Figuring out how much you have to spend or how much you want to spend sets the other decisions in motion; where to go, how long to go, what to do. Next you’ll want to consider what you hope to get out of your break. Are you looking for time away to contemplate a career change, want to knock things off your bucket list, travel before you settle down, etc. All of these things are factors.

We have articles about the various planning choices, a free online 30-day course, and an in-person workshop on September 20 in New York City. But be careful to not get too caught up in planning. We normally recommend that you plan the first third of your trip, then leave the rest open so you can take your temperature and see what it is that you want to do next. Often when people get on the road, their desires and needs change so you need to leave things open to accommodate those changes.

The current economy might make people hesitant to leave their jobs. Why would one still consider taking a career break?

Look, there’s never going to be the perfect time to leave your job and take a risk. Never. So stop waiting for one. You either have the desire to make change and travel or you don’t. If you have that desire, then you’ll want to check out Meet Plan Go, as we are good at fueling it. But if you want warm fuzzies and security in your decision all I can say is that I’ve NEVER talked to anyone who regretted their decision to take a break and travel – NEVER.

I recently wrote an article about how a career break actually enhances your career and learned a lot by interviewing people who used their break as career defining. You can use the time to figure out a career change or focus, or simply revitalize. You will come back with additional skills and you will stand out in a crowd of applications as someone who isn’t afraid to take risks and someone who knows what they want.

What issues might someone face when taking a career break and what can they do to handle and avoid them?

The big fear is always money. But you don’t need a lot of money to travel. Where there’s a will there’s a way. Traveling long term is actually cheaper than living day to day in our current lifestyles. And it’s certainly cheaper than taking vacations. If you don’t have much saved up, then you explore ways that you can work on the road – which can be a really rewarding cultural experience. You can teach English, consult, teach yoga, work at a farm, house sit, and even be a tour guide. Anything is possible, and by traveling slower and more locally, you’ll keep costs down and meet a bunch of people who will connect you to opportunities to make money if that’s what you are looking for.

How Travel Makes You a Better Person

Leave a reply

Photo by Kate Ter Haar via Flickr.com

If travel were packaged as a product, the label might read like a prescription. The (positive) effects would include making you smarter, stronger, healthier, relaxed, and, yes, happier. Even much more interesting as a person; I’m just throwing the last part in.

Like many similar articles out there, travel can make you a better person for a ton of reasons. Here are some of mine.

You learn to adapt to new and different situations and surroundings quicker.
You see how others live, sometimes with more and often times with a lot less. How you measure the difference is up to you.
You will mistakes and possibly tough ones, or even get caught in worst-case scenarios, but learn and grow from them. Experience is a great teacher.
You discover how very little you need and what you don’t have to buy, from what gets packed in your suitcase or what is not worth buying there.
You will become more conscious of what’s going on around you as well as pick up on when and where you need to be more cautious.
You will have great stories to tell and memories that will last a lifetime.
You realize you have to keep track of your spending as well as plan and maintain a budget.

Image by tup wanders via Flick.com

Your taste buds will get a workout in sampling different foods and drinks. Yes, at times, your stomach too.
You will meet and befriend people from all walks of life, locals and fellow travelers. It’s certain that most will be friendly and helpful and want to talk to you.
You will gain self-confidence and, perhaps gradually, a better sense of direction.
You will always learn something new: history, culture, religion, politics, culinary, nature/wildlife and, of course, language.
You can conquer your fears: of the unknown, of physical challenges, of getting lost (insert here). And if you realize you have limitations, it’s okay.
You learn to go with the flow and realize that people have a different way of doing things than they do back home.
You will see how a destination’s past and present coincide. You’ll also see how certain things are changing the future of the places you go to.

What to Look for in a Travel Partner

Leave a reply

Photo by dichohecho via Flickr.com

As much as I think people should not be hesitant with solo travel, I have to admit that it’s nice to have a travel partner. But how you pick one is very important.

Drawing from my experiences, here are my suggestions on how what to look for in a travel partner.

1) Be upfront about your travel expectations before you leave.

It’s exciting to book a trip together to a place you’ve always wanted to see or if the opportunity strikes to go somewhere. However, you and your travel buddy may or may not share the same sense of travel style. While your idea of seeing a tropic destination is pursuing local activities, your travel partner may be more down for a ton of beach time. Or while you plan to visit museums, your friend may want to explore the local scene or the outdoors. Before leaving, talk about what you both would like to do. When I go overseas with my cousin, we email and text each other the names of places and things that we want to see and do—a few weeks beforehand. We also set up a general day-by-day itinerary, with some wiggle room for changes, solo activities, and downtime.

2) Be honest about what you both can afford.

Slightly or greatly, spending limits and habits can differ, so talk openly about what financial shape you’re in. With making reservations and purchases, I find it’s best for each person to buy his/her airfare. It’s also important for both of you to be very clear, as well as mutually agree, on how to divide up shared expenses like lodging or transportation. Figure out, too, how you both might respond to unexpected costs. For one girls’ getaway, I booked our hotel reservation with my credit card; my friend gave me her half in cash. When we got to our hotel, we found out our reservation had listed us as arriving the following night. We were still able to get a room, but a new and higher price (which I fought against but lost) was charged to my card. So, I asked my friend for the difference. To my surprise, she said no, arguing that she had paid the amount I had told her it was going to be. Whether she was right or wrong, her answer made me leery about traveling with her again. (We’re still friends.)

3) Make sure you both can adjust to situations, or at least compromise.

Since no travel plans are fully secure, it’s important for both of you to be able to go with the flow—or be open to switching up your schedule. At your destination, you might learn about a great scenic tour or a hit up a locally recommended nightspot. Food can also be tricky, so see what and where each of you will eat—and won’t. I’ve been lucky in that most of my travel partners are pretty open to trying new things or agreeing to last-minute changes. I’ve gotten better in these areas too. A college friend of mine is very spontaneous, especially when traveling, and by doing things on a whim (like driving one night from Chicago to Gary, Indiana for riverboat gambling) we had some great times on the road together.

4) Know when to let certain things go.

In following Tip 4, remember that people react to issues in different ways and reactions can change the course of your trip. When tensions get high, and depending upon what’s happening, remember to not take it personally. If possible, step away for few seconds or more, or just stop what you’re doing, so you each can calm down. It will also help you both out in addressing the problem better without initially responding with your emotions. During stressful scenarios, I’ve discovered that some people I’ve traveled with can get “tough” on others and I learned quickly when to ignore them and when to push back. And don’t be afraid if you or your travel partner needs alone time. If you’re both comfortable about splitting up, just check in with each other about where you’re at and if everything is okay, and set a certain time and place to meet up later.

In all, remember that with your travel partner it’s the journey that should really matter. Make sure you’re both on the same route.

Eating Alone? Try Communal Dining

Leave a reply

Travel and food will always go together. Yet if the thought of requesting a seat for one could leave you without much of an appetite for solo dining, don’t go hungry. Here are some options of what I would call “communal dining,” for eating with others in your destination.

Feastly

Currently with offerings in major U.S. cities and other locations through the country, Feastly is like an Airbnb for diners. The online community website connects eaters with both home cooks and professional chefs willing to make and set meals for strangers in the venue of their choosing.

Diners first have to create an account through Feastly, then they can browse through current or future scheduled meal dates. Once they see an event or meal that they can sign up for (with a listing of what’s on the menu) they then register and pay for their seat. The meal “ticket” price goes toward ingredients.

Often based on their personal backgrounds and taste preferences, the cooks set the menu. The picked location can be held in their or someone’s private home. In May through Feastly, I got to try Filipino cuisine for the first time through The SALO Project, a traveling Filipino pop-up feast. Created by Yana Gilbuena, a talented home cook, the SALO Project consists of bringing a sit-down, five-course, family style meal in all 50 U.S. States. I ate at her stop in Connecticut.

That evening in New Haven, the SALO Project menu consisted of a fish soup served inside a green pepper, a rice medley with coconut milk, okra, scallions, radishes and garlic, mussels, cooked bok choy with salmon and bluefish and a rice pudding for dessert. A row of banana leaves doubled as a table cloth and place mats.

EatWith

Similar to Feastly, EatWith is a community centered site where people who cook for work or for fun and like to share they can make with others with offerings within the U.S. and also overseas. It can be weird to go over a stranger’s home but EatWith does have safety check measures in place.

Also like Feastly, reviews are listed, so you can read what they have to say about their experience. I haven’t booked a meal through EatWith just yet. Hopefully soon enough.

Dishcrawl

Another professional “meal” site, Dishcrawl is like a pub crawl but takes out the bars and puts in restaurants instead. Outings are set by location, like in Connecticut’s Fairfield County, or by a certain type like brunch or a foodie scene. Locations are usually hidden until about 48 hours before the event takes place.

Meetup Groups

As Meetup groups are based on common interests, look for one that’s all about dining out. Group organizers may schedule group dinners out at restaurants, ranging from ethnic to diet-types to hotspots. Sometimes, due to reservations or restaurant space, signups can be limited to a small number. If all these fails, the organizer might opt to include a waitlist, which could give you still a chance of getting a seat.

In May, I went with a group to Pok Pok, a hip Thai-inspired restaurant in Brooklyn and shared four dishes with about five other people). I had a nice time and enjoyed a good meal.

Food Tours

If you don’t mind walking while eating, food tours are a fun way to discover local good eats. Most often, tours will include at least four or so stops (look for a reasonable number to make sure you get your money’s worth) and, unless it’s a single theme, it’s also good to go ones that present a good culinary mix.

Recently, I went on a food tour in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg section that led me to a pizza place, a barbecue smokehouse, a neat bagel place, a cheese shop, a funky ice cream shop, and yes a chocolate shop. Especially in NYC, check out by neighborhood food tours as they really give you a taste (no pun intended) of your location.

Editor’s Note: Feastly invited me to attend the SALO Series dinner in Connecticut, in which I accepted on gratuity.

Claire’s Corner Copia: A Vegetarian Delight

Leave a reply

Lately I’ve been more open to trying vegetarian dishes. So when I got invited by Visit Connecticut to have brunch at a well-respected vegetarian restaurant in my home state, I couldn’t pass them up.

Over the years, I had heard a lot about Claire’s Corner Copia, a fixture in downtown New Haven for almost 40 years. Last Saturday, as part of Connecticut’s Open House Day, I joined other bloggers to dine at this cozy and colorful eatery on Chapel Street, near Yale.

Claire’s Corner Copia was founded in 1975 by Claire Criscuolo, with her husband Frank Criscuolo, based on the couple’s shared belief in the importance of healthy eating. Each also grew up in a family of bakers and cooks. Still today, Claire owns her “corner copia,” which has a quite a large menu of entrees, soups, salads, smoothies and desserts with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free ingredients.

Lines–and waits that come along with them–can happen here quite a bit, but my group lucked out. I ordered a roasted eggplant flat bread pizza with organic baby spinach, mozzarella and garlic oil on a whole wheat tortilla. Other guests chose different salads, quiche and other pizzas with pesto or as a caprese (which the second one was great). I thought my pizza was pretty good. I’m used to picking up slices, but with this version I had to end up using my knife and fork. Next time, I would probably try a salad or sandwich instead.

The desserts at Claire’s are really visually appealing. Treats are an eclectic mix. They include vegan chocolate cupcakes (which I definitely recommend), a rainbow colored assortment of frosted cupcakes, as well as cakes such as carrot cake, a Lithuanian coffee cake, and a lavender cake (another good choice; I bought a slice to take home). There’s an assortment of cookies too.

Overall, meal portions are well sized, and prices reflect what you find in New Haven. Also note: If you eat in, your food is brought to you by servers, but you’re the one that has to bus your finished plates and utensils. And if you know New Haven, parking can get a bit hairy. I recommend using the parking garage on Crown Street, and then take the short walk over to Claire’s.

In all, Claire’s is worth a visit. Leave room for dessert.

Editor’s note: I was invited to a brunch at Claire’s Corner Copia held on behalf of Visit Connecticut, in which all the attendees’ meals were comped.

A Night with Papua New Guinea Tourism

Leave a reply

If New York City seems like a far away destination, imagine if you were coming to the Big Apple from Papua New Guinea. Last night, cultural representatives from Papua New Guinea Tourism hosted a reception inside their PNG Pop Up Village/Art Gallery in Manhattan’s Chelsea district.

The evening party also featured a screening of the film, “Dancing with the Papuans.” Directed by French filmmaker Marc Dozier, the movie tells the real story of Mundiya Kepanga, a Huli tribesman who invited three Parisian cabaret dancers to Papua New Guinea to join his village in the country’s largest tribal gathering. Mundiya met the dancers at Cabaret Lido while on a trip to Paris.

Mundiya and Dozier talked about the hour-long film before and after the showing, touching on everything from cultural differences to perceptions about beauty.

The event also marked Mundiya’s first time visiting the United States. During Thursday, Mundiya and Papua New Guinea Master Carver Fabian Paino spent a promotional “day out” in New York City. Truly in tourist fashion, the two rode on a subway, went to the Empire State Building, and visited Times Square, even having their photo taken with The Naked Cowboy. Fabian was kind to pose with me for a photo.

Now, if I could get to see Papua New Guinea, perhaps I should start taking dance lessons?

Meet the Ladies Behind WHOA Travel

Leave a reply

When Danielle Thorton and Allison Fleece met while planning a trip to Kilimanjaro in 2012, the ladies realized that they had two major things in common: a zeal for adventure and a high energy level to pursue it. After going on their life-changing excursion, these fast friends founded WHOA (Women High On Adventure) Travel, a boutique business that brings women together through Bucket List itineraries to provide transforming travel experiences.

Recently, I had a virtual Q & A with Allison about WHOA travel and how females can venture more into adventure travel. Here’s what she said to say.

Why does WHOA focus on adventure travel?

There is something very exciting about adventure travel, that forces you to physically and mentally step outside of your comfort zone. We believe in the idea of women coming together to meet challenges that sustain other women. Our model has been to connect women to take on adventures together while simultaneously connecting with and giving back to women locally in the regions we visit. This has been an amazing way to combine physical activity with culture and sustainable travel all at the same time.

From your perspective, how does adventure travel appeal to women? Also, what misconceptions do you think women may have about it?

Women want adventure just as much as anyone. Sometimes people are held back from taking on adventures that are outside their comfort zone because they may not have friends or others to adventure with or there is an innate fear of the unknown.

But, WHOA really brings together like-minded women, women who should know each other, but their paths haven’t crossed and that makes these adventures more comfortable for people. Some misconceptions that we’ve heard women have about adventure travel is that they don’t think they are fit enough to do some of the trips we do. But in actuality, we stand by the notion that our trips are 90 percent mental.

You don’t have to be a marathon runner or a triathlete to hike Kilimanjaro or to hike to Machu Picchu. You just have to have a little drive and will. We love the expression, “Mind over Matter” because that really is what it’s all about. Where there is a will, there really is a way.

What advice would you give women interest in giving adventure travel a try?

You have to go for it. If you have any desire to push yourself and experience the world in a new and different way, you just have to do it! We have a really supportive group of women who come together to take on adventures, and that creates such a positive energy on our trips, we promise you it will be worth it. Also, there may never be the perfect time, but you have to make it a priority and try…Don’t let fear of the unknown hold you back, because you will regret the chances not taken.

How can they physically prepare themselves for these types of trips?

We always say the best training is to just get out there and walk, hike, run, do anything you can to get on your feet and stay on your feet! Break in your boots, and wear your backpack (daypack) that you will be using on our trips. Stairmasters are great and taking the stairs instead of the elevator is a plus too, to get used to the vertical trekking.

What’s next for WHOA Travel?

We are heading to India at the end of the year to do research and exploration for a WHOA trip in 2015. We have big plans to turn WHOA into more than just adventure travel, but for now we are looking to have an adventure on every continent… and we are almost half way there!

Get Adventurous in Urban NYC with OutdoorFest

Leave a reply

If the thought of exploring the great outdoors in New York City involves a lot of head shaking, Sarah Knapp will be quick to change your mind. She’s the organizer of OutdoorFest, a 10-day outdoor/adventure festival (May 30-June 8) happening across all five boroughs.

Using local resources to offering everything from hiking excursions and yoga classes, to sailing and surfing lessons, and even community service projects, OutdoorFest’s schedule of curated events cater to different activity levels and personal interests. Knapp recently shared with me what went into putting on this event and what she hopes New Yorkers get out of it.

OutdoorFest Founder Sarah Knapp -Credit: Larson Harley

Tell me how and why OutdoorFest got started.

OutdoorFest began in October 2013 when I left my job at an outdoor guiding company. I knew that the idea of an outdoor festival within a city was something that had enormous potential and was something that not only I needed, but many other New Yorkers I had met along the way as well.

How will this event change perceptions about having to leave NYC to enjoy the great outdoors?

One of our goals at OutdoorFest is to change the way we view our lives as city dwellers. Yes, part of New York’s identity is the “concrete jungle” but that doesn’t mean we can’t find hidden gems, that we can’t continue to pursue our passions in an urban environment, and that we can’t connect with people who do the same.

Where there any places within NYC that you were surprised to learn about?

I always knew about surfing in the Rockaways but I never knew about the vibrant surf community out there. It’s really an incredible, supportive network for local outdoor athletes.

Are these various activities suitable for different levels?

They are definitely for different levels – which is actually one of my favorite parts of the outdoor community. OutdoorFest will be accessible to die hard enthusiasts as well as newbies looking to dip their toes in the water for the first time.

Offhand, I wouldn’t think of NYC having an outdoor community. What is this community like? And, of course, what would they get from participating in OutdoorFest?

New York’s outdoor community is definitely still growing – and I hope that OutdoorFest can provide support as well as inspiration for that year round. The community now is very much centered around niche sports – climbing, caving, running, surfing and on. I think the assumptions are that outdoor enthusiasts don’t live here when in fact they very much do. I think the contrasts that you find in New York’s community are fascinating: doctors, artists, and attorneys who also double as cyclists, paddlers and more.

OutdoorFest provides the structure to connect people to the local resources – that means both organizations and people. For both amateur and more experienced outdoor athletes this means new people to explore with, new places to go, and more organizations that support/share their passions.

Registration for OutdoorFest events is now under way. See a full schedule and sign up at www.outdoorfest.org. Spaces can fill up quickly.

Taking a Walk in Midtown with Walks of New York

1 Reply

Taking a walking guided tour can be one of the best ways to learn more about a destination. In New York City, one of the newest tour companies is Walks of New York. Recently, I went on a media-only preview of their “Highlights of New York Tour” through major iconic sites in New York City’s Midtown area.

Launched in late April, Walks of New York hosts small, customized tours that center on the city’s cultural marvels. It’s ideal for visitors interested in NYC history and architecture as well as those who enjoy art and photography (more on that later on).

Walks of New York’s “Highlights of New York Tour” takes you along the most well-trafficked sections of Midtown: from Rockefeller Center to Grand Center and then ending in Times Square. Meeting our guide at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, my group walked across Fifth Avenue to spend some time around Rockefeller Center to get a closer look at the first of the many signature Art Deco statues and buildings featured on this tour.

We began our tour with a stop at Atlas, a bronze sculpture installed in 1937 that got a lot of flack because of its resemblance of a world leader at that time. The building behind him was once said to house a covert spy organization set up by the British Secret Intelligence Service in the early 1940s.

Of course, we spent a good amount of time in Rockefeller Center, a commercial building complex which gets its name from the late John D. Rockefeller Jr. On the site, he was originally going to build an opera house for the Metropolitan Opera but the Crash of 1929 put a major dent in his plans. So he decided go ahead and build this complex – and financed the project entirely with his own money.

We moved along to Grand Central Terminal, another key stop on the tour that often gets passed through. We heard information on everything about this place, from its celestial ceiling to its unique floor plan to handle heavy commuter traffic. Plus, those who haven’t seen the lower level of the terminal will be led down to see and try out a section known as the “Whispering Gallery.”

As our media tour was an abridged one – due to our schedules and our knowledge of New York City – this Walks of New York Midtown tour also takes attendees along Fifth Avenue to the great New York Public Library and its neighboring Bryant Park.

The tour ends in Times Square with a great rooftop view over this vicinity at a great chic hotel. It makes for great photo taking too, like my picture below.

Other tours offered by Walks of New York include “Highlights of the Metropolitan Museum of Art,” “New York City Photography Tour of the High Line,” and “Lower East Side Stories.” Check them out! Take walks!

Walk through Granada’s Alhambra

Leave a reply

Without a doubt, mention Granada, and the first attraction that often comes to mind in this city in Spain’s Andalusia region in the Alhambra. Rightfully so. Talking a stroll through this UNESCO World Heritage site, a standing legacy of the region’s Moorish architecture, can make you feel like you just stepped into an Arabian Nights story.

Dating back more than a 1,000 years, this palace and fortress complex grew over time in space and structure, from once being a small fort to being first a Muslim and then Christian palace and then finally being restored to its glory after rediscovered by explorers and travelers.

As pictures can show much more than my writing can describe you, here’s my pictorial on my recent visit to the Alhambra. Yet, with some guidance.

Being its own walled-in city, the Alhambra is primarily divided into four main parts: the Alcazaba, Nasrid Palaces, the Partal area, and the Generalife. I’ll break down each of them.

After going through the entrance, you’ll first pass along the Royal Water Channel and the Seven-Storied Gate to make your way eventually to the Alcazaba. It’s the oldest part of the Alhambra, and it was the military area.

Going inside, the Nasrid Palaces are a thing of sheer beauty. With three palaces in this collection, the ornate designs with circular patterns and colorful mosaics showcase different living periods.

Heading onto what’s called the Partial area, this section contains a portico, gardens, the Rauda, the Palace of Yusuf III and the Paseo de las Torres along several towers.

The Generalife area was built as a leisure area for Granada’s monarchs, where beautiful gardens provided a pleasant escape from day to day living. This section includes the Alhambra’s lower and upper gardens and the Generalife Palace.