Author: ajinananth
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TAKING A RESORT DIVE COURSE IN THE BAHAMAS
The shark looked 20 feet long. Or maybe that was the length of my excitement. I had last scuba-dived 20 years before, when I took a resort course in the Florida Keys. Not because I had needed instruction: I’ve been a certified diver since age 28. Rather, because I was a mom trying to keep…
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EATING WELL IN ATHENS ON ANY BUDGET
When I travel abroad, I set aside most of my money for two things: food and sights. I’ve forgone souvenirs, comfortable beds, and convenient timetables for the ability to eat well and see what I’ve always dreamed of seeing. My trip to Athens was no different. I had the good fortune to snag a dream…
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10 APPS FOR SOLO TRAVELERS
Traveling by yourself can be intimidating. I travel for a living and I’ll admit it’s overwhelming. No matter how much you plan, there’s something scary about being in a new place. And, if you’re outside North America, the language barrier may be problematic. But solo travel is also empowering. There’s an incredible feeling when you…
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POPPING CHERRIES IN DOOR COUNTY, WISCONSIN
At a certain age, popping cherries takes on a different meaning for women, especially in Wisconsin, where it’s highly preferred to popping pills for natural health benefits. The tart Montmorency cherries harvested and celebrated each summer in Door County ooze with superfood properties such as antioxidants, anthocyanins (anti-inflammation agents), melatonin, potassium, and pain relievers. They…
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GET YOUR PURSE READY FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Packing for a big trip overseas is exciting but overwhelming. There’s so many to-dos to remember. It’s important to think about your purse just as much as what you put in your suitcase. Being prepared and having everything you need at your fingertips can keep you safe and stress-free. Protect Your DataThieves don’t have to…
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GETAWAY TO HOTEL LAC CARLING
My friends and I love to go for a weekend away in the Quebec countryside. We live in Ottawa in Ontario, Canada, so our jaunts never require more than a couple of hours travel time. Quebec is a varied province encompassing vibrant happening cities such as Montreal, historical sites such as Quebec City and Gaspé,…
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TAKING A BITE OUT OF JAMAICA
“Diana, what exactly do you do with these green bananas?” I asked. Diana looked at me with inquisitive eyes, in a what-do-you-mean-you-don’t-know way. “I bought these green bananas by mistake, thinking they’d ripen. But they haven’t.” She smiled sweetly and proceeded to show me how to cook them. “Slice the top and bottom, make a…
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MYKONOS WASN’T AT ALL WHAT I EXPECTED (BUT I FOUND ADVENTURE ANYWAY)
I had planned my trip to Mykonos—that perfect-looking blue and white island on the Agean Sea—to perfection. My Google Maps was filled with hikes that I’d meticulously scoured on the Internet, restaurants that I was assured were “where the locals go” by anonymous bloggers, and a heavenly yoga resort that was miraculously both atop a…
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WOMEN’S STORIES IN OUR NATIONAL PARKS
“In nature nothing exists alone”—Rachel Carson, “Silent Spring” It’s that time of year again. School is out, summer is upon us, and road trips are like a siren’s call. Whether you’re cruising the east coast’s I-95, checking out the California coastline on Highway 1, or traversing the nation on Route 66, you’re bound to find…
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GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY
“Anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.”—J.K. Rowling How can we decide to make a change? Opening ourselves to travel and risk is a bold act. I know. I’ve been there. As a kid, I was the sleep-away camper who proudly proclaimed, “I don’t like change.” Each session, counselors would shift and each year unit…