Month: December 2020

Farewell 2020. Hello 2021.

Published on by jychen3Leave a comment

Happy New Year!

2020 has been the most challenging year for all of us and it’s definitely given me my share of tribulations. But, I don’t want to dwell on the negatives of this year. Instead, I have also gained some valuable lessons from this year:

  1. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to cry and seek help. Always make your mental health a priority and take time for yourself to discover what truly sparks joy for you. In my case, traveling is my therapy. Although I could not travel far this year, I was able to make new experiences closer to home and relive my trips through my vacation photos.
  2. Your plans will not always work out or go as planned. It’s like the saying, ‘if you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.’ I’m pretty sure I gave God quite a big chuckle with my plans. My husband and I had planned in 2020 to relocate and venture out on our own somewhere else. We were also supposed to travel to London and Edinburgh back in April; visit Highclere Castle and do some sightseeing. Obviously, the trip was cancelled and we stayed put in Kentucky for now. All’s well that ends well. I suppose I’ll have to leave it in God’s hands for now.
  3. Having a 3 – 6 months (or more) of expenses in your savings account is very important. I’m a big believer in Dave Ramsey and the Baby Steps. If life throws you some rotten lemons, you will at least be able to keep a roof over your head and food on the table for a while until you can straighten things out.
  4. Your actions can affect someone else’s health and life. Especially in a pandemic. Covid-19 is no joke and too many people have died who could have been alive today to see the new year. Please continue to social distance and wear a mask.
  5. Relationships are a two-way street (whether it’s romantic, with family, friends or work) and boundaries should be respected by both parties. Don’t be afraid to speak up when your boundaries are crossed or let anyone minimize your feelings if you feel uncomfortable. I get it, it’s not easy, especially if it’s someone you care about who has disrespected you.
  6. Challenging times will always reveal your true friends. My best friends have stayed close to me and been supportive for me even though they all live far away.
  7. Taking a break from your busy lifestyle and getting some quiet time can be very beneficial for your mind and soul. My friend always says ‘please take comfort in silence’ and there’s definitely some truth in that. This year has been a constant reflection and discovery of who I am. Though I agree, the quarantine is getting to be too long.
  8. Being open-minded and empathetic to people who are different from you. You might learn something new or gain understanding of a different perspective.
  9. Dental procedures are very expensive even if you have dental insurance. Use an electric toothbrush and floss regularly. I learned this the hard way.
  10. Lastly, but not the least. Be unapologetically you.

With all the lessons I have gained, I am also grateful for a lot of things. I am thankful:

  1. That I am still employed with my company and had the opportunity to work from home.
  2. That I can pay my bills/rent, keep a roof over my head and food on the table.
  3. That my close friends and family are safe and healthy.
  4. For Kentucky’s governor. I am glad I was in Kentucky during this pandemic as Kentucky is one of the few U.S states that has been managing the pandemic well since the shut downs began in March.
  5. For our scientists and the rapid development of the Covid-19 vaccine.
  6. For all the healthcare frontline and essential workers.
  7. For the significant number of people, especially people of color, who came out to vote in the November election.
  8. For my corgis, Gatsby and Daisy. They loved spending 24/7 at home with us!
  9. For my childfree lifestyle.

Hooray, we survived 2020! I wish you all the best and have a wonderful 2021!

Travel Tip: Sign Up For a Local Food Tour

Published on by jychen3Leave a comment

I’m an amateur traveler. I began my international travels in my mid-twenties which led me to crave an appetite for more adventures and a pursuit of my happiness. I do not have much advice to give when it comes to traveling as I continue to learn myself, but I’ve picked up a few tips from my experienced travel acquaintances or stumbled across some on the way.

I believe that the gateway to all cultures is through food. I mean, who doesn’t love food? In my personal experience, local food tours are the best way to learn about the city and meet locals or other travelers in the area. My husband and I have booked local food tours in our last three international destinations and the experiences have been unforgettable. We usually book our tours through Expedia, Musement and/or Urban Adventures. These websites have a diverse selection of food and/or wine tours and with diverse itineraries to choose from. The tours usually takes 2-3 hours with a local tour guide and 6-8 other tourists. Cost can vary; I would say it is about $100-$180 USD per person.

Why do I love these local food tours? Here are my thoughts about the benefits of booking a local food tour in your travel destination:

Discover the best local restaurants and shops to explore during your stay

Our first local food tour was in Barcelona back in 2018. We met our tour guide, Jane, at the meeting point along with 6 other tourists. We started our tour with a glass of Cava, a Spanish sparking wine. Jane led us through a zig zag of narrow passageways through the heart of Barcelona, the La Boqueria, the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas neighborhoods, while giving us a brief history through a local’s perspective. We were introduced to local family restaurants and larger restaurant chains in the city; we were served with a variety of authentic Spanish tapa dishes and tasted dishes that was only unique to their restaurant. Some of my favorite tapas are: Patatas Bravas, Jamon Iberico, Manchego cheese, Calamari, Catalan bread & tomato and various selection of coquettes. I’ll never forget about the infamous Tinto de Verano, which was a mixture of Spanish Rioja wine and Italian lemon soda, and could be ordered at any restaurant and/or bar in Barcelona or you could make it yourself at home! One of my favorite local family shops was the Torrons Vicens which was hidden in the heart of the city led to through a narrow sidewalk off the main streets. Torrons Vicens sold a variety of delicious sweets to locals and tourists that pass along the way.

Learn about the city through a local’s eyes

Venice (Italy) is a popular touristy location for travelers. We’re all familiar with the images of the Bridge of Sighs, Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Saint Mark’s square, and have read about the Italian culture that we feel we could get around ourselves. These popular historical structures is just the tip of the iceberg; and I believe the best way to experience this beautiful city of Venice is through a local’s perspective and learn from their knowledge. Our tour guide, Clara, who originally grew up in France and then moved to Venice for college, and had rooted her life in Venice ever since then. She led our tour group through a series of hidden walkways that the local Venetians take to go about their day without getting mingled with the tourists visiting the city. It was amazing to explore these pathways without any crowds and we were able to walk freely without bumping into the next person. We walked through the Mercato di Rialto where we saw vendors lined up selling fresh produce, vegetables and seafood. The local cooks/chefs and residents living in Venice will come by in the mornings to stock up on their kitchens for the day. Another significant stop we made was at the oldest bacaro (traditional wine bar), Cantina Do Mori, originally founded in 1462 located near the Rialto Bridge. We also made stops at other local taverns and Osterias that were tucked away from the main streets in Venice on the tour and spent our time snacking on delicious Cicchetti (small snacks which are similar to Spanish tapas), and with glasses of wine as we discussed architecture and the history of the city.

Opportunity to meet other adventurous tourists from other parts of the world

Our most memorable local food tour group was in Vienna (Austria). Vienna is a beautiful city with streets filled with the locals and tourists from around the world. We stayed at a hotel across from the Vienna State Opera House near the Ringstrasse road. The Innere Stadt district of Vienna was where the famous Hofburg palace and other historical buildings were located. The city is rich with the Hapsburg culture and musical legacy where famous composers such as Beethoven and Mozart called Vienna home. We met our tour guide, Will, in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral with two other international couples attending the tour. We got to know the other two couples; one was a middle-aged Israeli couple and the other was a young South African couple. Not only was the food tour amazing, but getting the opportunity to learn about the other couples’ travel experiences and their stories about their country. We also learned that our tour guide, Will, is British descent born in Germany and later relocated to Vienna when he started college. The South African couple in our tour was previously job training in Germany and they stopped by Vienna for vacation before the husband went back to Germany for training. One fascinating story was that our Israeli tourist told us that her grandmother lived in Vienna in the 1930-1940s and fled to Israel when WWII started, and that she HAD to find her grandmother’s home in Vienna. With a lot of walking and searching for the street name, we finally found her grandmother’s home! This was the best adventure I’ve had and I will never forget this experience. It’s silly, but once in awhile, I still think about them and wonder how they’re doing.

If you’re convinced and looking to book a local food tour on your next trip, I recommend checking for tours on Expedia, Musement and Urban Adventures as I had mentioned above. If you’re passing through Vienna, Barcelona or Venice and you’re interested in the tours I’ve described above, here are the website links for those local food tours:

https://www.urbanadventures.com/Venice-tour-Cicchetti-and-wine-tour-of-venice

https://www.urbanadventures.com/Vienna-tour-vienna-food-coffee-and-market-tour

https://www.musement.com/us/barcelona/barcelona-tapas-evening-walking-tour-673/

I would definitely rate 5 stars for all my food tour experiences! If you have any questions about these food tours, please feel free to reach out to me in the comments below or email me directly at jenniechen2013@gmail.com.

Until next time!