After taking a cooking class in Bangkok back in August, I was hooked. It's one thing to chow down on some local food, and quite another to learn about the ingredients and prepare it yourself. The experience provides such a unique insight into the cuisine and culture. Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit Japan for a long weekend and take another cooking class. Being one of the top destinations for foodies, Osaka proved to be a perfect place to expl...

As I continue to settle into my new norm here in Saigon, I find myself reflecting more and more on the traveling I did before arriving, particularly the 6 weeks of travel I planned - and paid for - entirely by myself and my one travel companion. I had traveled enough prior to leaving in May to understand that when travelling, anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Even still, there were a few mistakes made that could have been avoided. I have taken them ...

Exhausted, and a little sore, I hobbled into my room last Saturday still beaming with excitement. Just 30 hours before I was boarding a coach bus, headed for my friend, and cultural partner, Quynh's hometown. Having previously taken the Megabus in the States, I expected nothing more than an uncomfortable seat with limited leg room - I could not have been more mistaken. The bus system in Vietnam is run differently than what I had experienced back home. For...

One week ago, I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, fully unpacking my backpack for the first time. It was a surreal experience, but one that had to take place eventually. I had grown to love living out of my pack, even if it meant sometimes (or always) wearing a wrinkled t-shirt or getting frustrated because the way things fit perfectly meant having to dig deep for my contacts. It became my home away from home, and packing it - each time with a little something...

Growing up in a family where a family road trip every summer was the norm and a "vacation" day or two, crammed with activities from museums to presidential libraries, was added to any out of town baseball game, tennis tournament, dance competition or college visit, I guess you could say the travel bug bit me early. I am so grateful for those early years of travel, and all the unforgettable moments they provided. Learning about different regions of my own c...