"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer"

10 Amazing Details You Don't Know About Travel:

Lagos, Portugal

1. The feeling you get when you start your journey... Everything is new and exciting!  Even a walk down the road feels like an adventure.

2. Travel makes you more confident.  You know for a fact that you can adapt to a different culture and step out of your comfort zone. Asking for directions and interacting with others no longer seems like a daunting task. Travel makes you feel that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to -- and you can!

3. You become more open-minded and respectful. Travel not only expands knowledge, it expands self-knowledge. This is a process that cannot be accomplished solely through reading or watching videos or movies but through interactions you have with others from a different culture. You will become more approachable and observant of various peoples, religions and cultures.

4. You learn to live your life to the fullest. You live in-the-moment and cherish your life and everything that is in it. You realize life is indeed, short and needs to be lived thoroughly.

5. You have amazing stories to tell to your friends and family. Travel stories will not only sound amazing, they encourage others to travel and experience this wonderful world we live in. Many of the stories I tell are of my day-to-day adventures I had while living and traveling abroad.

6. Travel teaches you to live with less. You will learn to be less materialistic and enjoy where you are, instead of enjoying a new pair of shoes or a new outfit. Traveling light will make you realize how little you actually need.

Me in Chefchaouen, Morocco

7. Travel chills you out. Traveling not only makes you happier, smarter and more approachable, it also makes you less stressed. You learn to accept things that are not in your control and make the best out of any situation.  In my case, I was unable to see the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican because of the ridiculously long line (it was seven hours...seven..whole..hours). Instead, I went walking through the city of Rome and ended up seeing more Roman ruins that were not touristy at all!

8. Travel makes you more courageous. You will do things you never dreamed of doing back at home.  Whether it is trying a new food or skydiving, travel opens you up to different opportunities you never knew you had the guts to do.

9. You become more sociable. This ties in with the stories you will have to tell your friends and family. But you can also tell these amazing stories to strangers and people you are just meeting! A great place to meet new people (future friends?) are in hostels and B&Bs around the world. They are travel fans like you and have travel-tales of their own!

10. Travel makes you hungry for more. Once you've had your first amazing trip, you are already planning your next.  For me, after I came home from Spain, I was already planning a trip to visit my sisters in Phoenix and Seattle. I am itching for another international trip sometime in the near future, but money and schooling have a different timetable in mind!

Copyright 2014 Bridget M Walsh

"The important thing in life is to let the years carry us along" --Federico Garcia Lorca, Yerma

Granada Part One:

Back in 2011, I had the wonderful opportunity to live and study in Granada, Spain. I went through the amazing program of The American Institute of Foreign Study (AIFS).  This is one of the best things I have ever done.  Granada is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to, so I obviously can't put all of its grandeur into one blog post! Expect more soon!

Granada is rich in both Spanish and Moorish culture and history.  It is located in Andalusia, a region in southern Spain.  Tapas, the Alhambra, flamenco and - most importantly - the siesta, are just a few of the amazing opportunities I experienced.

Me overlooking the Alhambra

Things to Do in Granada:

Fried eggplant with honey

Tapas: Where else in the world can you get free, yes, you read correctly, F-R-E-E- food with the purchase of a drink? That's right. Granada.  Dinner in Spain is generally not served until 10 or 11 in the evening.  Therefore, the main thing to do after work (or in my case, getting out of class) is to go for a quick drink and a free bite to eat.  " Bite to eat" can vary from a small basket of potato chips, to a sandwich of jamon serrano, to delicious mussels with a garlic butter sauce.  Going out on the town? Go tapas crawling! It is a great way to catch up with friends while eating on a budget!

Siestas: Seriously, why doesn't every country abide by Spanish hours? Lunch is the biggest meal of the day. Everyone - and I mean just about everyone - closes shop and heads home for a feast of a meal (I'm talking paella, stews, bread with olive oil, salads, kebabs, and more. Every. Day. It's fantastic) followed by a nap or relaxation time. It gives you just enough time to re-set for the day and head back out to enjoy the city.  You can always spot the tourist if you go out between the hours of 3 and 5 (it's actually quite entertaining once you've lived there for a while!)

Intricate carvings within the Alhambra

The Alhambra and Generalife Gardens: This magnificent structure was built in the 9th century as a citadel for the Moors then updated by the Moorish king Mohammed ben Al-Hamar as a palace and fortress in the 13th century. When the Spaniards drove out the Moors during the era of the Reconquista, it was converted to a palace for the Christian king Charles V. Extensive history surrounds the Alhambra and the Generalife (pronounced hen-er-ah-lee-fay) gardens.  This, in my opinion, is one of the best places to visit in Granada. Located near the Sierra Nevada mountains, there is always a cool breeze at the Alhambra (don't get me wrong, it's still hot - it can get over 100 degrees Fahrenheit!) Taking a stroll through the gardens is well worth your time.  The best time to go is in early summer (late May or early June) to see the flowers in full bloom!

Flamenco: This type of dance shows off the Andalusian culture.  A mix of guitar, voice, castanets, and intricate footwork will capture the essence of Andalusia and Spain. If you can, go to a traditional flamenco show (many tourist agencies have too publicized and not as authentic dance shows) and you will not be disappointed.

Copyright 2014 Bridget M. Walsh

“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” – Saint Augustine

Hello everyone! 

I have had this blog for some time now, but have never known what to write. After a while, I just thought: Something will come out if I stare at the page for a given amount of time...and look where I am now! Words! Travel blogging appeals to me because I believe I can give you great, reliable advice in regards to travel.  

What makes me a legitimate blog for all of your travel needs? I have been to many different countries in the last ten years and I don't plan on stopping.Travel to various countries has reshaped my perceptions of myself, of other people and their cultures. Buying gelato in Italy, dealing with a spice merchant in Morocco, buying a London Underground ticket – all such interactions have given me experiences that I want to share with you.  

Souk in Tetuoan, Morocco

Let me tell you a bit about myself:

I am a twenty-something nursing student from Michigan who LOVES traveling. I have been traveling since I was one and I haven't stopped since! Other interests of mine (which will most likely creep up on here more than once) are:

• photography - especially landscapes
• Hiking and camping -being out of doors in general. I can't stand being inside for very long!
• Reading - I never go anywhere without a book.
• Figure skating - I have skated since I was ten but just recently got back into it. I can only do two spins and a couple of jumps...but maybe I'll make the South Korea Olympics in 2018?!? 

Stay tuned for more and welcome to my blog!