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Livingston, Guatemala
May 26, 2013
in Central America, Guatemala, Latin American Adventure, Livingston, Round the World, travel

Welcome to Africa

"Welcome to Africa," a man said as we piled off the boat from Rio Dulce and entered Livingston, a Guatemalan town known for it's Garifuna culture. But, you wouldn't really know it unless you were told. The town is comprised, mostly, of two touristy streets...

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Rio Dulce, Guatemala
May 23, 2013
in Central America, Guatemala, Latin American Adventure, Rio Dulce, Round the World, travel

On taking things for what they are.

Roger Ebert, a famous American movie critic, recently passed away. I was sitting on my couch in Antigua when I read the news, and his final blog post, and I started to cry. When Mildred, one of the girls who worked at my student house,...

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Fishing Trip in Caye Caulker, Belize
May 20, 2013
in Belize, Caye Caulker, Central America, Latin American Adventure, Life List, Round the World, travel

Life List #28: Learn to fish.

I hadn't exactly planned on going fishing in Caye Caulker. But, when a vivacious Dutch girl I'd just befriended drunkenly stammered across the table, "I'm going to catch a fish tomorrow! Valerie, do you want to catch a fish?" really the only thing to do...

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Snorkeling Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize
May 17, 2013
in Belize, Caye Caulker, Central America, Latin American Adventure, Round the World, travel

f-ing manatees. f-ing turtles.

I wish I could say I was fearless. But that is far from the truth. You've probably noticed that I'm afraid of a lot of things. Pretty much everything, actually. But, truthfully, most of these fears congregate over two main themes: a fear of heights...

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Caye Caulker, Belize
May 15, 2013
in Belize, Caye Caulker, Central America, Latin American Adventure, Round the World, travel

Oh, baby, baby, it’s a wild world

Sometimes the world seems so small. Like when you're standing on a dock at night, wind whipping past your skin, looking out over the horizon. And the edge looks so close. Like you could just reach out your hand and slice your finger on it. Or...

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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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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?