...and *bam*, you spot something handwritten, something that's not a junk ad from the local fast food joint, or a bill reminding you of how much you spent on gas this month. It's a postcard! Snail mail is one of my favorite ways to stay in touch with friends, and let's just admit it, we all love to get personal notes in the mail. Like, we little-kid-hearing-icecream-truck love it.
So, I want to make your day by sending a postcard your way! I got this idea from The Bro'd Trip, who send postcards to each of their followers (cool guys, right?). My postcards might be from any city I'm staying in or traveling through, and it is sure to be handwritten and full of some happy encouragement and sunshine. You in?
Here's how:
1. Follow my blog by email right over there on the right side ->
2. Send me a message through the "Contact me!" form with your address in the message section.
3. Check your mailbox each day! It may take a while, but you will get your snail mail, promise :)
No limits on where you live in the world - I will gladly send to any country! Plus, by following my blog by email, you will get more happy articles delivered into your inbox too, making your Faithful Nomad reading even easier.
Friday, April 29, 2016
Monday, April 18, 2016
The Day I Became a Street Musician
It's called "busking." Did you know that? I didn't. That day, I wasn't sure what to call what I was about to go do.
I stood in my room before a mirror, my hat and sunglasses on, sun lotion applied, and my violin case strapped to my back.
I was nervous.
I tried talking myself out of it a thousand times. But what if nobody wants to hear your music? What if you actually get on their nerves? What if you aren't any good?
But then, my heart would fight back. You've wanted to do this for so long. Why not do it? Everyone will just walk by, if they don't like the song they will just keep walking! It's not like you are making them listen. Besides, people probably won't even remember you. It will be a moment that means way more to you than to anyone else.
For the past year or so, I had had this crazy dream to stand on a sidewalk and be a street musician, my case propped open and everything. I have played violin since I was 5 years old, and currently I have a violin with me abroad that a friend gave me when she moved. It comes out every once in a while, just for me to play in my room and warm up on a few songs. But lately, the old nudge to get out and play had been creeping back into my mind. It's sad to just sit in my room and play for myself; why wasn't I sharing my music with others? What if I did something more with it?
I've enjoyed my own share of street music. One fond memory I have is from Charleston a few years back with my family. We sat in an open-air restaurant, eating our seafood, and across the street stood a young college guy playing his saxophone. It was the most beautiful thing ever, and it made our meal so much more relaxing and enjoyable as we sat back and listened to him play. After enjoying so much of his music, we walked over after our meal to drop a few bucks in his case. Come to find out, he was a music student who decided that if he needed to spend a few hours practicing each day, he might as well make some money while doing it. The fact was, we got the better end of the deal. When he shared his music with us that day, it was a beautiful gift that I will never forget.
I almost didn't walk out of my apartment door that day with my violin on my back. My fears almost got the better of me. As I shuffled out of my apartment, I told myself, You know what, you look kind of cool and hipster with the violin on your back. If you don't end up playing, at least you will look chic while walking along the boardwalk.
I walked to the local sahil and all of a sudden was overcome by the crowds. It was a Sunday afternoon. In April. The sun was shining, and literally every person who had a soul inside of them was out on that boardwalk. My fears started welling up, and I couldn't understand why I was so scared.
So I walked.
And walked.
There were so many people and so many boats, and so many people on the boats, and so many fishermen....I felt like I was trying to get myself to skydive I was so frightened. But I wanted to play so badly. My fingers itched. So I kept walking. Eventually, I walked past the most crowded areas and parks and found a place where there weren't any boats docked, and it was just plain boardwalk.
So I sat down. I stared at the water. I told myself that it would be a good start to slowly unpack my violin. I did, while getting a few strange looks.
And I started playing. I was wearing my hat and sunglasses, which made it easier for me to not even look at the people walking by, but to just focus on my playing. And I got more brave...and more loud...and the music became more beautiful. More full of soul.
My first lira came from a little girl. She was about 5 years old. She walked up to me mid-song, holding out her coin in her hand. I stopped, took it, thanked her, sat it in my lap, and kept on playing. After that first coin, they somehow just kept falling. One lady even put a 10 lira bill in my case.
But money can't compare to how I felt.
I had conquered a fear. I had fulfilled a dream.
The lies in my head that said people wouldn't like my music, they were so wrong. I had a lady clap. Some people video-taped me. One person stopped and sat nearby, chatting with me later after I finished. My music not only brought sunshine to my heart; it brought sunshine to theirs as well.
Don't let you fears tell you that you can't do something. Don't let anything stop you from fulfilling a dream.
All those roadblocks that you see are only ant hills in reality; step on over them and live.
I stood in my room before a mirror, my hat and sunglasses on, sun lotion applied, and my violin case strapped to my back.
I was nervous.
I tried talking myself out of it a thousand times. But what if nobody wants to hear your music? What if you actually get on their nerves? What if you aren't any good?
But then, my heart would fight back. You've wanted to do this for so long. Why not do it? Everyone will just walk by, if they don't like the song they will just keep walking! It's not like you are making them listen. Besides, people probably won't even remember you. It will be a moment that means way more to you than to anyone else.
For the past year or so, I had had this crazy dream to stand on a sidewalk and be a street musician, my case propped open and everything. I have played violin since I was 5 years old, and currently I have a violin with me abroad that a friend gave me when she moved. It comes out every once in a while, just for me to play in my room and warm up on a few songs. But lately, the old nudge to get out and play had been creeping back into my mind. It's sad to just sit in my room and play for myself; why wasn't I sharing my music with others? What if I did something more with it?
I've enjoyed my own share of street music. One fond memory I have is from Charleston a few years back with my family. We sat in an open-air restaurant, eating our seafood, and across the street stood a young college guy playing his saxophone. It was the most beautiful thing ever, and it made our meal so much more relaxing and enjoyable as we sat back and listened to him play. After enjoying so much of his music, we walked over after our meal to drop a few bucks in his case. Come to find out, he was a music student who decided that if he needed to spend a few hours practicing each day, he might as well make some money while doing it. The fact was, we got the better end of the deal. When he shared his music with us that day, it was a beautiful gift that I will never forget.
I almost didn't walk out of my apartment door that day with my violin on my back. My fears almost got the better of me. As I shuffled out of my apartment, I told myself, You know what, you look kind of cool and hipster with the violin on your back. If you don't end up playing, at least you will look chic while walking along the boardwalk.
I walked to the local sahil and all of a sudden was overcome by the crowds. It was a Sunday afternoon. In April. The sun was shining, and literally every person who had a soul inside of them was out on that boardwalk. My fears started welling up, and I couldn't understand why I was so scared.
So I walked.
And walked.
There were so many people and so many boats, and so many people on the boats, and so many fishermen....I felt like I was trying to get myself to skydive I was so frightened. But I wanted to play so badly. My fingers itched. So I kept walking. Eventually, I walked past the most crowded areas and parks and found a place where there weren't any boats docked, and it was just plain boardwalk.
So I sat down. I stared at the water. I told myself that it would be a good start to slowly unpack my violin. I did, while getting a few strange looks.
And I started playing. I was wearing my hat and sunglasses, which made it easier for me to not even look at the people walking by, but to just focus on my playing. And I got more brave...and more loud...and the music became more beautiful. More full of soul.
My first lira came from a little girl. She was about 5 years old. She walked up to me mid-song, holding out her coin in her hand. I stopped, took it, thanked her, sat it in my lap, and kept on playing. After that first coin, they somehow just kept falling. One lady even put a 10 lira bill in my case.
But money can't compare to how I felt.
I had conquered a fear. I had fulfilled a dream.
The lies in my head that said people wouldn't like my music, they were so wrong. I had a lady clap. Some people video-taped me. One person stopped and sat nearby, chatting with me later after I finished. My music not only brought sunshine to my heart; it brought sunshine to theirs as well.
Don't let you fears tell you that you can't do something. Don't let anything stop you from fulfilling a dream.
All those roadblocks that you see are only ant hills in reality; step on over them and live.
Thursday, April 7, 2016
A Weekend in Cologne
A few weeks ago, I packed my backpack and jumped on a plane to Cologne, Germany, to visit a few of my friends who have recently moved there.
This was my first trip to Germany, and it was so much fun! Here are a few of my favorite things that we did over the 4-day weekend. Each item is linked to the website for that activity/place.
Have you been to Cologne? Did you also enjoy these things, or did you try other activities/museums? Comment below and let me know :)
#1 - Free Walking Tour in Cologne
Instead of just wandering around on our own in the city, my friends and I joined a "Can You Handle It?" free walking tour, which took us on a 2 hour walk around Cologne. This was one of our best decisions! Our guide showed up exactly on time and led our group on a beautiful walk past churches, Roman ruins, World War II memorials, the famous cathedral, breweries, and more. On free walking tours, you are asked to give a tip to your guide (around $5/5 euro equivalent per person is a good minimum to tip). It was definitely worth it!
One of my favorite parts: Our guide showed us an old building which was covered in statues and engravings of important men. Evidently, the guy heading up the construction wasn't very nice to the workers. They got back at him in an eternal way; if you look above the statue of him, standing nice and pompous, you will see a man pulling down his pants and mooning the viewer. Lesson: Be nice to people immortalizing you in sculpture.
#2 - The Chocolate Museum
As I researched what to do in Cologne, the Chocolate Museum popped up and I was so excited! I love chocolate, and I also love learning how things are made and how they work (the scientist in me was overjoyed). This museum, situated right on the Rhine river, is ultra-interactive and walks you through the whole process of chocolate-making, from how the beans are harvested to a mini-factory that was making chocolate bars as we watched. I learned a lot about the ethical issues surrounding chocolate and how different companies are working to create free-trade chocolate. I got to see a large dug-out boat that was used for transporting cacao beans from the small farmers to the processors, as well as watch a video of natives creating one of these boats. We all stopped in our tracks as we watched chocolate being stirred in a machine in the factory - it was so mesmerizing! This museum is the perfect mix of history and science. We even got to taste some chocolate while we were there, and the attached chocolate store has a huge variety to choose from for taking home and enjoying (or eating out on the deck while watching the river boats slip by, as I did). My tastebuds will always remember this trip!
#3 - Observation Deck
One evening, just as the sun was about to start setting, we got in line to go up to the Observation Deck across the river from the Cathedral. For only 2.50 euro (because we talked to the people in line behind us and formed a group *wink wink* for the discount), we went up an elevator about 28 stories and came out on a huge deck. My favorite pictures from my trip to Cologne came from this view! We were laughing our heads off as we crammed in against the glass and took selfie upon selfie with the Cathedral in the background. As the sun set, it was a glorious view.
#4 - Die Wohngemeinschaft Hostel
This was my first time staying in a hostel, and it was one of the best experiences ever! I stayed in the "ballet" room, a 6 girl dorm room, complete with a full-wall mirror, ballet barre, pointe shoes, and light pink walls and curtains. My roommates were amazing, and we were fast friends by the end of the trip. We loved having breakfast together in the hostel living room (the hostel offers a 5 euro breakfast buffet), and we hung out in that same living room until the wee hours of the morning one night, swapping tales of travel and adventure over free coffee/tea that is available 24/7. What an amazing place! None of us wanted to leave - this hostel is almost better than "home away from home."
#5 - Melaten-Friedhof Cemetery
Cemeteries are fascinating places, giving you a glimpse into history. This cemetery was gorgeous, with monuments and wooded walks that reminded me of a certain scene in The Phantom of the Opera. We spent at least an hour walking down countless paths, peering at tombstones and reading about the families that have lived in Cologne over the years. This is right by the park (#6) as well as just a short walk from the hostel (#4).
#6 - Aachener Weiher Park
I love being outside, and I literally walked up to a tree and hugged it in this park because I was so happy! The park is huge, stretching over 3 different blocks, and includes a large pond with ducks, hills and wooded paths, workout equipment as well as balancing exercises (one of which I fell off of and have lovely bruises as a souvenir lol), and lots of trees and flowers. Many people were running, and I wished that I had packed my running clothes on this trip. If you are staying in the hostel, this is so close that you could fit in morning jogs very easily. Would be a lovely place for picnics as well.
#7 - Habibi Cafe
Habibi means something like "sweetie" in Arabic. My friends treated me my first night in Cologne to this wonderful Middle Eastern restaurant. The falafels were amazing and I loved sipping on the free ginger tea! It was completely packed with both Germans and foreigners, which is a very good sign that its a tasty place. This restaurant doesn't just have great food - it also has a great atmosphere. The walls and ceiling are covered in fun, colorful pictures, and laughter fills the air constantly.
#8 - Museum Ludwig
I am an absolutely huge fan of Surrealism - ever since my Art Appreciation teacher taught us about Dali, I have been fascinated with looking at his and Joan Miro's pictures and really seeing the depth and meaning to these works of art. While in Cologne, I looked up museums and saw that the Museum Ludwig was close to the center of things and housed a wide range of modern art. I loved walking through its galleries, looking at Picassos, a huge Dali (pictured above), and a gorgeous Jackson Pollock that made my heart sing. This museum also has a beautiful gallery from which you can do some fun people-watching.
Over the course of 4 days, I was able to spend quality time with my friends while really enjoying this German city. These places and activities really made my trip quite an adventure. So if you make it to Cologne, these 8 things are musts for having a wonderful time. Know of any more? Comment below!
This was my first trip to Germany, and it was so much fun! Here are a few of my favorite things that we did over the 4-day weekend. Each item is linked to the website for that activity/place.
Have you been to Cologne? Did you also enjoy these things, or did you try other activities/museums? Comment below and let me know :)
#1 - Free Walking Tour in Cologne
Instead of just wandering around on our own in the city, my friends and I joined a "Can You Handle It?" free walking tour, which took us on a 2 hour walk around Cologne. This was one of our best decisions! Our guide showed up exactly on time and led our group on a beautiful walk past churches, Roman ruins, World War II memorials, the famous cathedral, breweries, and more. On free walking tours, you are asked to give a tip to your guide (around $5/5 euro equivalent per person is a good minimum to tip). It was definitely worth it!
One of my favorite parts: Our guide showed us an old building which was covered in statues and engravings of important men. Evidently, the guy heading up the construction wasn't very nice to the workers. They got back at him in an eternal way; if you look above the statue of him, standing nice and pompous, you will see a man pulling down his pants and mooning the viewer. Lesson: Be nice to people immortalizing you in sculpture.
#2 - The Chocolate Museum
 |
| A chocolate model of the cathedral |
As I researched what to do in Cologne, the Chocolate Museum popped up and I was so excited! I love chocolate, and I also love learning how things are made and how they work (the scientist in me was overjoyed). This museum, situated right on the Rhine river, is ultra-interactive and walks you through the whole process of chocolate-making, from how the beans are harvested to a mini-factory that was making chocolate bars as we watched. I learned a lot about the ethical issues surrounding chocolate and how different companies are working to create free-trade chocolate. I got to see a large dug-out boat that was used for transporting cacao beans from the small farmers to the processors, as well as watch a video of natives creating one of these boats. We all stopped in our tracks as we watched chocolate being stirred in a machine in the factory - it was so mesmerizing! This museum is the perfect mix of history and science. We even got to taste some chocolate while we were there, and the attached chocolate store has a huge variety to choose from for taking home and enjoying (or eating out on the deck while watching the river boats slip by, as I did). My tastebuds will always remember this trip!
#3 - Observation Deck
One evening, just as the sun was about to start setting, we got in line to go up to the Observation Deck across the river from the Cathedral. For only 2.50 euro (because we talked to the people in line behind us and formed a group *wink wink* for the discount), we went up an elevator about 28 stories and came out on a huge deck. My favorite pictures from my trip to Cologne came from this view! We were laughing our heads off as we crammed in against the glass and took selfie upon selfie with the Cathedral in the background. As the sun set, it was a glorious view.
#4 - Die Wohngemeinschaft Hostel
This was my first time staying in a hostel, and it was one of the best experiences ever! I stayed in the "ballet" room, a 6 girl dorm room, complete with a full-wall mirror, ballet barre, pointe shoes, and light pink walls and curtains. My roommates were amazing, and we were fast friends by the end of the trip. We loved having breakfast together in the hostel living room (the hostel offers a 5 euro breakfast buffet), and we hung out in that same living room until the wee hours of the morning one night, swapping tales of travel and adventure over free coffee/tea that is available 24/7. What an amazing place! None of us wanted to leave - this hostel is almost better than "home away from home."
#5 - Melaten-Friedhof Cemetery
Cemeteries are fascinating places, giving you a glimpse into history. This cemetery was gorgeous, with monuments and wooded walks that reminded me of a certain scene in The Phantom of the Opera. We spent at least an hour walking down countless paths, peering at tombstones and reading about the families that have lived in Cologne over the years. This is right by the park (#6) as well as just a short walk from the hostel (#4).
#6 - Aachener Weiher Park
I love being outside, and I literally walked up to a tree and hugged it in this park because I was so happy! The park is huge, stretching over 3 different blocks, and includes a large pond with ducks, hills and wooded paths, workout equipment as well as balancing exercises (one of which I fell off of and have lovely bruises as a souvenir lol), and lots of trees and flowers. Many people were running, and I wished that I had packed my running clothes on this trip. If you are staying in the hostel, this is so close that you could fit in morning jogs very easily. Would be a lovely place for picnics as well.
#7 - Habibi Cafe
Habibi means something like "sweetie" in Arabic. My friends treated me my first night in Cologne to this wonderful Middle Eastern restaurant. The falafels were amazing and I loved sipping on the free ginger tea! It was completely packed with both Germans and foreigners, which is a very good sign that its a tasty place. This restaurant doesn't just have great food - it also has a great atmosphere. The walls and ceiling are covered in fun, colorful pictures, and laughter fills the air constantly.
#8 - Museum Ludwig
I am an absolutely huge fan of Surrealism - ever since my Art Appreciation teacher taught us about Dali, I have been fascinated with looking at his and Joan Miro's pictures and really seeing the depth and meaning to these works of art. While in Cologne, I looked up museums and saw that the Museum Ludwig was close to the center of things and housed a wide range of modern art. I loved walking through its galleries, looking at Picassos, a huge Dali (pictured above), and a gorgeous Jackson Pollock that made my heart sing. This museum also has a beautiful gallery from which you can do some fun people-watching.
Over the course of 4 days, I was able to spend quality time with my friends while really enjoying this German city. These places and activities really made my trip quite an adventure. So if you make it to Cologne, these 8 things are musts for having a wonderful time. Know of any more? Comment below!
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