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Tikal, Guatemala
May 13, 2013
in Central America, Guatemala, Latin American Adventure, Round the World, Tikal, travel

Tikal

I spent an afternoon in Guatemala exploring the Mayan ruins of Tikal. There were several options for getting there but I chose an afternoon sunset tour. The sunrise tour sounded interesting, seeing the ruins in a mist, hearing the jungle wake up. But personally I...

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Flores, Guatemala
May 12, 2013
in Central America, Flores, Guatemala, Latin American Adventure, Round the World, travel

Things to do in Flores, Guatemala.

If you're looking for things to do in Flores, Guatemala the answer is: there aren't many. The island of Flores, for me and most people, was really just a jumping off point to explore the nearby Mayan ruins of Tikal. So most backpackers didn't stick...

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Semuc Champey, Guatemala
May 10, 2013
in Central America, Guatemala, Latin American Adventure, Round the World, Semuc Champey, travel

Semuc Champey (or, that time my tour guide tried to grope me)

I had intended to write here about how, sometimes, I feel like an awful traveler. Like how I've been forking over extra money to take shuttles instead of chicken buses because I feel more comfortable and because it's just that much easier. Or like how...

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Guatemalan Blankets at Chichicastenango, Guatemala
May 7, 2013
in Central America, Chichicastenango, Guatemala, Latin American Adventure, Round the World, travel

Souvenir shopping at Chichicastenango Market in Guatemala

Chichicastenango is a large market a few hours outside of Antigua. It's held every Thursday and Sunday, and a slew of vendors take over the town, selling everything from tourist trinkets to tools to soap to live chickens. I managed to come away buying just...

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Lake Atitlán: San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala
May 2, 2013
in Central America, Guatemala, Lake Atitlan, Latin American Adventure, Round the World, San Marcos La Laguna, travel

San Marcos

On my fifth day in San Pedro, when my back was still sore but feeling a bit better, I joined my friends Marlies and Jorien (a pair of Dutch girls I'd studied with in Antigua), and another Dutch boy and we explored a nearby lakeside...

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Lake Atitlán: San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala
April 30, 2013
in Central America, Guatemala, Lake Atitlan, Latin American Adventure, Round the World, San Pedro La Laguna, travel

Prostitutes, Aliens, and All…

I arrived in San Pedro La Laguna on the suggestion of just about everyone I'd met. It was meant to be a lovely place. It was meant to be fun, relaxing. It seemed like the perfect distraction after studying Spanish for a month in Antigua....

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A woman stands by a door in Antigua, Guatemala
April 26, 2013
in Antigua, Central America, Guatemala, Latin American Adventure, Round the World, travel

Antigua, Guatemala.

After four and a half weeks, after a month of Spanish lessons, it was time to move on from Antigua...

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Sevilla Spanish School in Antigua, Guatemala
April 22, 2013
in Antigua, Central America, Guatemala, Latin American Adventure, Life List, Round the World, travel

Life List #21: Learn a new language. (Aprender un nuevo idioma.)

¡Hola! Yo quise aprender un otro idioma por mucho tiempo. Yo estudie francés en escuela pero yo no aprende nada. Muchas personas yo conozco saben muchas idiomas. A veces yo estoy celosa. Yo aborrezco hablar en inglés solamente. Cuando yo decide viajar en centroamérica yo...

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Cerro de la Cruz in Antigua, Guatemala
April 19, 2013
in Antigua, Central America, Guatemala, Latin American Adventure, Round the World, travel

A (real) walking tour of Antigua, Guatemala

There's a lot to see and do in Antigua. But, to be honest, after studying for four hours each morning, I kind of wanted to do nothing many afternoons. One day, determined to see as much as humanely possible, my friend Charlotte took some of...

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Monterrico, Guatemala
April 17, 2013
in Central America, Guatemala, Latin American Adventure, Monterrico, Round the World, travel

A weekend trip to Monterrico Beach in Guatemala.

After three and a half weeks taking Spanish lessons in Antigua, with over a week left to go before leaving on our separate ways, we needed a break from all of that intense studying. We needed to relax. We needed to have some fun. We...

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Hi, I’m Val. I spent most of my 20s in a standstill, unable to pick which path in life I wanted to take. I wanted the nomadic life of a traveler but also wanted the husband, the condo, and the teal couch. Unable to decide which life I wanted more, I did nothing. I lived my life in limbo. When I turned 30 I’d had enough of putting my life on hold and decided to start “choosing my figs.” So, I quit my job and bought a one-way ticket to Europe. After 3 years on the road I’m back in Chicago, exploring the city, learning guitar, decorating my apartment in too much teal, cuddling my cats, and planning my next adventures.

            

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2006 –

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WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO IN YOUR LIFE?


Feeling stuck? Sick of living your life in limbo? Want to finally do all those things you always say you're going to do? Sign up for the Choosing Figs newsletter now to get a FREE e-book with tips on starting your own life list, inspiration for things to do in life, and worksheets to get your life goals out of your head and into action!


Your information will be used to send you our Life List e-book and subscribe you to our bi-monthly newsletter. View our full Privacy Policy.



            


MEOW | Is Val in Chicago?