Merv Aranda World

"Travel. It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller." I'm Mery, but everyone calls me Merv. I have a passion for traveling, food, adventure, and different cultures! Here's my story on the road (: instagram: mervy_go_round snapchat: mervinn #vivaVenezuela #mervygoround

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We made it! We crossed the Atlantic and went to Barcelona for Pablo and Eva's wedding! Since we got there a week before the big day we decided to rent a car and check out areas around Barcelona's perimeter. We went to Montserrat, a Benedictine monk retreat with a spectacular view of the city and surrounding rock formations and Tarragona, an adorable ocean front city where ancient Roman ruins remain. I got to see my abuelita Sanchez, whom I haven't seen in five years, and let me tell you she is one sassy, fabulous, energetic grandma. Sadly Carl had to go to the hospital, but my mama kept him company (makes hard times better, right?). The whole family also visited him and spent time with him. We also got matching shirts for everyone that crossed the pond for Pablo's big day. It was chaotic. Can you imagine 20 ecstatic Venezuelans posing for spontaneous photos with the people we love?? My favorite was the jumping one! That was fun! -Mervy Remembering the good times P.S. of course that's me in the back of the car. They always throw the peanut back there!

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I know , I know! It’s been a year, jeeeeeez! My lack of writing and sharing my travel experiences with you makes me sad, but I had a writers block or I was busy (there was always some excuse). But I’m back and I have to fill you in on 365 days. A lot can happen in a year… hmm where did I leave off ? Well to start I’m still living in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, I got pretty good at skiing and bought my first pair of skis, I became a gardener, one of my lifelong friends got married (Kelley!), I got a beautiful new niece(little Esther Rose), I chopped 13 inches off my hair and donated it, my little brother graduated high school, I visited my dad in the DR, my mom adopted a new dog they found on the side of the road, my cousin got married in Barcelona, I went to Barcelona (as well as other cities and countries), and my grandma turns 100 and her bday party is tomorrow! Phewww what a year! Oh and I no longer have my parents health insurance, I’m getting old!! More posts to come of my European adventures and Grans 100th bday party!

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Happy (belated) Birthday Casey! We went from boatin/ beachin it in South Florida to kickin it in Colorado. I wuv you forever ! Cara and Tori were even there to celebrate. There's nothing like a reunion! I really love my friends and the positive energy we all bring when we're together.

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I'm a little late, but Halloween was amazing ! My favorite holiday . I was a patron XO cafe bottle one night and the other I was an alien. My lovely friend Sami (pictured to the left) did my space make up. The trio went out and got extra weird that night. Casey dressed up as Bill Murray in space jam and Sami was a skull, I think.

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Went on a lovely cruise on the mountain (buffalo pass) yesterday with these two. To the right is my bestie, Casey. We met in South Florida, lived together there and then I decided to follow her to the majestic mountains of Colorado. And to the left is Casey's bestie and my new friend, Knox. At the bottom of the mountain everything is still "fallish" all the leaves are yellow and it's a little chilly, but out here on the top it is full on winter wonderland! So beautiful and crisp ! Happy that winter is coming! I need skis!

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Last night I made my favorite soup for the very first time and it came out delicious! Butternut Squash soup .. Yummm! I used my mama's secret recipe ;). I also made cauliflower buffalo bites for the first time too. Both recipes were super easy and they came out tastier than ever (since I've never made either before , I can say that!) I have a new love for cooking and since I don't have a job out here in steamboat , cooking has become a great way to pass time, as well as drinking of course. Oh! Those recipes aren't secret, so if anyone wants them. Let me know! Is it considered talking to myself if no one reads this? Ok I must go now. Merv full and happy

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Oh btw, the coffee shop that I mentioned before is called The Ristretto Coffee Lounge. I also found another gem. A juice place! For those of you who don't really know me... I LOVE natural juices. I got a beets, carrot , ginger, apple one today! Yummy! This little hidden treasure is called Rootz! I'm a happy girl! I keep asking myself if anyone actually reads this blog? Who knows??

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I know , I know, I haven't written in a while or kept you guys posted on my travels. Well "long story short" we got back to Georgia, hung out with my family, and Dietrick and Carson left for South Florida. I am currently sitting in a coffee shop, drinking one of the best espressos I've ever had in the cutest small town ever. A place I'm going to call my new home for the next six months . A place so deep into the mountains and secluded that you're surrounded by beauty every where you look. A place that has welcomed me with open arms and the people are so friendly , you could never be in a bad mood. A place where I'm truly going to experience my first winter and hopefully get really good at skiing. A place called Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I'll start taking more pictures. Merv in the Rockies

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We met this nice fella in Boston, and he turned out to be an amazing musician ! This is one of his originals. Enjoy! He goes by the name Jack Higgins .

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The road has been so good to us! No big issues, only minor mechanical ones that Dietrick fixed pretty fast . After Philly we drove down to DC and stayed with my cousin, Will. We went out drinking , ate some bomb Korean food, and we even did karaoke. Will and I were going to take a picture together before we got too drunk , but obviously that didn't happen... Oops, I guess we'll take one at Christmas . After DC , we drove down to Raleigh, NC and stayed with another one of Carson's friend. They welcomed us to their home and like everyone else, they spoiled us. We are now at my parents house in Grantville, GA (where it all began). 10 minutes before we got to their house we hit horrible traffic on 85 that was not moving . And when I say not moving, I mean not moving! We all got on top of the bus and chilled for a little. Tried to see what was going on, but all we saw were cars. When we finally got home my beautiful family was all there waiting for us. We had a fabulous dinner and played some fun card games! There's no place like home Merv back in Georgia

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After New York, we went to Philly and we HAD to try a cheesesteak from there. A friend of mine recommended this spot and he was right. Those cheesesteaks were super juicy and savory , I would drive up there just to have another one! After we got our cheesesteak fix, we went out and visited Carson's friends house! Maggie and Paul were so hospitable. They fed us dinner and breakfast , gave us beds to sleep in, and allowed us to relax and shower! I am very thankful for all of our friends that we met up with on the road and to all the new ones we made!

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The Big Apple! Spent a day in the city touristing around . We went to Time Square, Central Park, Rockefeller center, and did lots of window shopping! We stumbled upon the MoMa and there was gender equality movement by the women of the UN! That was interesting. We also ate lots of delicious pizza and some of the best tacos I've ever had. Which was very surprising, since I grew up in South Florida. Not going to lie, we also got pretty drunk ! Haha we got the full New York experience!

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Why are you so good to me Boston !? You introduced me to amazing people, fed me some tasty ass food, and provided me with experiences that I'll never forget. I'm literally in love with Boston, actual the whole state of Massachusetts! We had a good ole time hanging with our friend Marcial, he let us park the bus in his driveway for an entire week and he took us out to some of his favorite spots. Such a good host! There was also a hemp festival our last two days here. Makes me feel like we're on the right path. Merv heading south (New York next!)

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Today we went clamming for quahogs in buttermilk bay. Casey's mom, Mary, her brother, Keith, Dietrick, Carson, and I went out and filled two buckets of them. We steamed one and dipped them in delicious drawn butter. Not sure what we will be doing with the other. Speaking of clams I'm hungry... Gotta go!

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Cape Cod has my heart! Had so much fun with Jen Jen and Pat Pat. They took us to Martha's Vineyard, got us jobs at The Port, one of the top 20 raw bars in the country, and introduced us to all their chill ass friends. We stayed here longer than I expected, but damn did those two weeks go by fast! Can't wait until we all live together in Steamboat Springs, CO. Winter is coming. Off to visit Casey's mom in buzzards bay!

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Let me tell you about my besties, Jen and Pat. They took us out to explore all of Cape Cod. From their house in Harwich to Provincetown , the eastern most point of the US. This week is the 100th anniversary of national parks so we didn't have to pay for any parking or entry fee to any of the beaches we went to. We had a jolly ole time drinking, eating, and visiting around. When we got to P-town we stopped and had oysters and for the first time I actually enjoyed them and ate a couple! Jen and I even got our tragus pierced ! Shoutout to the piercer, Cameron, he was very good at his job and the piercing didn't hurt at all! What an amazing touristy day we had! Poor Pat and Dietrick are so hungover! Haha

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Portland, Maine! We got to do some fun stuff here! We went to Two Lights State Park and walked around, we hitch hiked for the very first time, we went to a REAL farmers market with an enormous amount of fresh veggies, and got on a ferry boat that took us to Peaks Island. We finally had a famous Maine lobster roll! Yummy! I wish I had more pictures of Cape Elizabeth (where we were staying) and of our lovely hosts here, but oh well. Now we're off to Cape Cod!