#backpacking.

[masayaproject]

An Occidental tourist, Filipino style.

Image: Mt Mayon, an active volcano in Bicol as it simmers away, lava lighting up the rim at night. So you’re thinking about adding the Philippines to your list of Asian holiday destinations. Great decision. This article will strive to give you all that essential info you might not glean from normal travel guides. After all, how could they possibly know? Let’s jump right in, should we.…

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[masayaproject]

Leading by example.

I am surrounded by an interesting group of people. Three Filipino’s, hired as labourers sleep on site with us, a young local lass does the cooking and cleaning and the rest of us are a mix of foreign cultures. I am helping a German born and educated Filipino setup an eco-hostel for backpackers. Eco is an unheard of term in the Philippines and the use of natural materials for building is frowned…

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[cascadia17]

Before Sunrise

The last week in Europe was the perfect cap to my journey. The last week I really wanted to experience more culture in Europe so I decided to head to Paris and then Amsterdam before heading back to Dublin to catch my flight home. I am glad I chose this route.

Eiffel Tower

When I arrived in Paris I was slightly culture shocked. No one spoke English and all of the signs were in French. If it wasn’t…

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[cascadia17]

So I think I have discovered the most beautiful city in at least Northern Europe. Edinburgh, Scotland. Not as much of a city as it is a a real large town. Don’t get me wrong, it is pretty big, but compact and not fast moving and hectic like Dublin and Belfast. Honestly it reminds me of the big sister of Galway. Beautiful buildings, good night life and on a beautiful bay. It is a surprising 490,00 people.

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Awesome cathedral in the middle of town.

Edinburgh Castle

Walking around this town I am constantly in aw. Every building is ages old and most of the streets are cobble stone. Edinburgh Castle sits right in the city center giving a 360 view of the city. Edinburgh has the most historicaly protected buildings than any city in the world. If you were to take a picture 100 years ago, minus the giant cranes, it would look the same.

Meeting a lot more people but from a lot of the same countries. We all did a pub crawl last night that ended when the sun was coming up. Priceless.

I am heading on a 3 day tour of Scotland. Going to see the Isle of Skye and Loch Ness. Should have some awesome photos and more good stories.

Country Time Blues So I think I have discovered the most beautiful city in at least Northern Europe. Edinburgh, Scotland.

[t-w-o-s]

Move Over, Elizabeth Gilbert!

So, I know what y'all are thinking... How in the hell will two best friends pull off a backpacking trip to Europe this summer? They must be trust fund babies. Or their employers are funding it. Or they have sugar daddies. *Cue maniacal laughter.*

Answer: Groupon, one year of planning/saving, and desperation.

Let's focus on the latter.

Turns out, the life I planned didn't happen. And I don't care. Well, I do, of course. We all keep on keepin' on. But when you rack up heart attack-level student debt, move into an apartment with your short-legged, squirrel-hunting dog, and adjust to the single life as a non-tenured, lowly "academic," who is a writer who teaches, or a teacher who writes. Or you're not a writer at all because you don't have a book published. Or whatever label "others" give you, you make rash decisions--like applying for a writing residency to become an Artist in Residence in Noepoli, Italy--a program that you know you have no shot at (Behold, the magic of Pinot Noir).

But then you receive the acceptance letter. And you call your best friend. And you speculate about ways to turn down the offer because there's no way you can possibly teach for three universities (all in adjunct/short-term contract, capacity) and just take off across the world to pursue art. You know? The kind that gives you joy (some days), headaches (most days), and a chance to dream (every day).

And, then what about your dog? Thank God for brothers...

But... One month later your best friend is also accepted into said residency. What are the odds?

*Cue fist pumping via Skype*

I'm terrified. Ms. Always-Has-A-Back-up-Plan is freaking out a little. Okay, a lot. We'll live out of backpacks this summer. We'll stay in a hostel or two--and maybe a monestary. Who knows? Some of the trip is planned. Other parts aren't. Which brings me back to the "desperation" theme. Sometimes you have to leave everything you know behind. I mean, everything. So, when you pack all your worldly goods (mostly books by children's book authors) into a 10x15 storage unit without a clue where you'll live come fall--hives are bound to happen.

They're healing. *Sorry, TMI*

Anyway, I can only speak for myself in these blog posts. This trip is necessary. I know. You're probably thinking: "Geez, take a Xanax, suck it up or make an appt. to talk with a shrink..."

Been there. Done that.

Sometimes, though,  when you give yourself--the whole of your heart, actually--to 157 students, your recent divorce, your squirrel-chasing dog, and to novels that you have no clue if anyone in their right mind will ever like. Or accept. Or laugh at. Or call you out as a "fraud." Sometimes, you have to take a chance. Sometimes, you have to live. And, sometimes, that means, you stuff a backpack full of works by Roald Dahl, turquoise heels, and mini-laundry detergent sheets (yeah, they exist).

But, don't mix us up with Elizabeth Gilbert (though she seems like a sweet lady and all...). Ours is an Eat Play Write trip. You won't know our itinerary--mostly because we don't know half of it either. But, follow us. I can't promise anything other than you'll experience two friends who will take their lives back.

So, join us. Jyoti will vlog. I'll blog. Let the fun (and tension/conflict/clothes stealing--from each other--not from Parisian boutiques) commence!

Always,

Mell