A year ago today, I had just arrived in India. New Delhi to be exact. With an 18 hour travel time, I was anxious, nervous, exhausted, but most importantly I was excited. 

Going to India has always been on my bucket-list, but I knew I needed to wait until I was further along in my "travel career". After living abroad and traveling to over 30 countries, I felt I was ready. India didn't feel like a place for inexperienced travelers, and I am glad that I went when I did. 

It also helped that one of my good friends (that I met in Italy), lives in Delhi. She was able to give me insight into what to pack, but I outlined the cities that we would go to, and the days that we would be there. I have a small obsession with travel planning, and am blessed to have friends that honestly let me do my thing. (Of course, I make sure everyone is involved every part of the way. :) )

Here are the places that we decided to go to on our 2.5 Week Trip to India:

• New Delhi - this would be our "home base".
• Agra - Of course we HAD to see the Taj Mahal. I was not going to India without seeing it. 
• Jaipur - Named the "Pink City", it was just a train ride away from Delhi.
• Udaipur - Named "The City of Lakes". I was very intrigued by this city, and it was an hour flight from Jaipur.
• Mumbai - Another "Must See" city on our list. The friend I went with, Madonna, is obsessed with Bollywood, and we had to go see the Hollywood of India.
• Kolkata - I also wasn't going to India without going to Kolkata. Growing up Catholic, I've always admired Mother Theresa and the work that she did to help others. Luckily Madonna felt the same way, and a 2.5 hour flight later, we were there.

Below you can see the path that we took in red. We also decided to do a 2 day stopover in Dubai, to hit another country (and feel a little more luxurious), on the way back home. 

Whenever I plan a trip to a new country, I first plan the "must see" cities, so that in case I decide that I don't need to go back to that country, I did everything on my bucketlist while I was there. Here were some places that fell off our list, because they were low priority:

• Goa - It's a tourist beach city, and honestly I didn't feel like I needed to go to a beach town while I was there. 
• Bangalore - I wanted to go, but the other cities we went to beat this one out. 
• Chennai - I actually met a woman on the flight to India, and she was from Chennai. After our conversation, I knew I had to go one day. 
• Kashmir - This place has been described as "heaven on earth". I know it is also extremely dangerous to go there right now. I will eventually go, when I come back to India.

My trip to India changed me, and is a part of my story. I wanted to share my itinerary for anyone that is thinking of going. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I honestly can't wait to go back!  

I am not sure why, but ALL my friends are foodies. Not that I don't like good food. I do. I'm just not picky, and typically will eat whatever is served. This has served well in my travels and maybe that is why I am an adventurous eater?

Anyways, I wanted to introduce you to my first best friend in life. Her name is Madonna (yes, that is her real name - and one more reason to love her), and we met in the 6th grade. She had just moved from Guam in the middle of the school year, and I remember exactly the moment that I knew we would be immediate friends. 

We had 6th grade journals that we had to write in every day, and typically volunteers were called upon to read their entry for the particular topic of the day. I remember that days entry was something along the lines of "I dislike... and why". Madonna bravely raised her hand (I literally would NEVER do that), and she stood up in front of the entire 6th grade class to give her answer. She proclaimed, "I hate lima beans. They made me fart". THE. WHOLE. CLASS. DIED. Like literally erupted in laughter. Talking about farts in front of a bunch of 6th graders? At that very moment I knew I had to be her friend. 

It's been 22 years since we met, and although she lives in Hawaii and I am in Seattle, our friendship is strong. We even tested it a little with our first ever international trip together last October, when we decided to venture to India. YUP. INDIA. It wasn't like it was Europe or a country with a little less culture shock. But we did it, and it was such a great experience. We laughed like we were 6th graders again (nothing had changed), and we created new memories that have brought us closer. My stomach still hurts from laughing on that trip. 

ANYWAYS. I wanted to introduce Madonna (who still resides in Hawaii), and give you her top 10 places to eat in Oahu. She chose our restaurants in India, and she never disappointed me once. I hope you enjoy this list, and if you're ever in Hawaii I hope you run into Madonna. She is a hoot! 

​I have food cravings.  Sometimes my cravings get so bad that I feel like I’m going to eat the whole world.  I’m not even pregnant nor PMSing when I wrote up this food list.  An hour before lunch time, I started to day dream about fried chicken and how perfect it would go with beer.  I then found myself thinking about sushi, shaved ice, rice, taro donuts, and everything at the end of the food rainbow.  My mind and my stomach were going insane, that the only thing to appease my hungry soul was writing down a list of all the food that I wanted to eat at that moment. And that’s why this list was created.  

I recommend ordering the bone-in kalbi and the signature Side Street fried chicken.  This restaurant gets packed quickly during dinner time.  You should also make reservations, or, go to the other location on Kapahulu Street. This restaurant was also featured on Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations". That's enough for a visit!

2.  Island Vintage Coffee Shop 
On the weekends, my friends and I like to go hiking and brunching.  Our go to brunch spot is the Island Vintage Coffee Shop located inside the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center in Waikiki.  I recommend getting the spicy tofu poke, because it comes with multigrain rice, salad, and fresh papaya from Kahuku.  I also suggest ordering the grilled shrimp salad, because it comes with big fat juicy Kauai shrimp seasoned with Hawaiian sea salt and a slab of freshly baked focaccia.  Need I say more?  

3.  Foodland Farms at Ala Moana Mall
I love Foodland Farms so much that I tried to convince my Oregon friend to have her New Year’s Eve feast there.  My idea got rejected because we would look ridiculous stuffing our faces with poke and chicken wings with our fancy evening outfits.  The best things to get at Foodland Farms are the poke bowls and the salt and vinegar fried chicken wings. You should go, even if it is just for the experience.

4.  8 Fat Fat 8 Bar & Grille 
I come here for the rib eye steak, shrimp fried rice, 8 Fat Fat 8 chicken, and to karaoke with strangers.  I once saw Bruno Mars’ mother sing karaoke and she totally rocked the place.  Everyone in the entire restaurant clapped for her and some even gave her a standing ovation.  She was amazing and talented.  I can see where Bruno gets his singing voice.  

​5.  Ahi & Vegetable 
 This is my favorite place to eat lunch on a work day.  There are two locations - one downtown and one near the Magnolia ice cream shop beyond the outskirts of Chinatown and the DMV.  The fish served at Ahi and Vegetable are always purchased at the morning fish auction at the fish market on the pier.  So delicious and fresh! 

6.  Nanzan Giro Giro
Don’t know what to eat and want someone to figure that out for you? Well go to Nanzan Giro Giro.  Without alcohol, the cost per person is around $65 per person.  Each dish is served on a special dishware that was made especially for that specific food item.  The chef prepares a 5 - 6 course menu and the food is Japanese.  I recommend making reservations ahead of time.  Also, there’s no signage outside the restaurant, so just peep into the windows and look out for the guy wearing a white chef’s outfit serving food.  

7.  Shirokiya Japan Village Walk
Sometimes when hanging out with a bunch of friends and everyone can’t decide on what to eat, Shirokiya Japan Village Walk is there to save the day.  There are cheap beer specials and lots of food stalls to choose from.  I like to order the broth from one of the ramen shops with the noodles on the side, and my friends like to order the beer.  It’s a win - win for both of us.  I like food and my friends like beer.  Thank you Shirokiya. 

8.  Diamond Head Market & Grill
The one thing that I look forward to whenever I run 4 - 6 miles around Kapiolani Park and Diamond Head are the blueberry cream cheese scones from Diamond Head Grill.  Those babies come out pipping hot from the oven and it’s just so hard to not say no to them.  It's definitely a must try!

​9.  Liliha Bakery
This is a local 24 hour island style diner. Their website says that "It is a neighborhood spot that feels like home, with a loyal following since 1950." The best food item to order from Liliha Bakery are the waffles. You HAVE to order the waffles.  

​10.  Hoku’s at the Kahala Hotel
Please go to Hoku’s on a Sunday afternoon.  There is all you can eat lobster, unlimited sashimi, a chocolate fountain, ocean view, dolphins dancing in the water, a stingray waving hello to passerbyers, ahi bombs, passion - orange - guava  (aka “POG”) mimosas, and so much more.  Eating at a hotel buffet should be on everyone’s Hawaii food list.  Especially at Hoku’s inside the Kahal hotel.  Hoku’s is expensive, but worth every penny.  

We hope you have enjoyed this list. Is there a restaurant that should be added? Have you been to any that are on Madonnas list?

Online quiz’s are fun, but you shouldn’t take them seriously. I took this Buzzfeed Quiz, because it's an addiction and I can't stop: 

Click HERE to take this quiz. I got the "Wanderer", which is partially true. I think I am a mix of a Wanderer and Planner. For example, I planned my India trip and planned every detail meticulously. Every flight, hotel, city, etc. BUT most of the time, my friend and I showed up to our destinations and asked our concierge and anyone that we talked to, where we should go for the day. I believe in not having a structured itinerary. I think that things that are supposed to happen along the way will happen. I have some pretty amazing travel stories because of it. 

Below are my results. Let me know if you take it and what your personality is! I'm dying to know what other travelers are out there. 

I have always loved collecting mementos that remind me of my experiences in life. Something that I started to do when I traveled, was keep a journal of my experiences, and to put some of those mementos in it. Receipts, tickets, chip bags, gelato spoons, and anything that I can fit in that sucker...gets put right inside.

My very first travel journal was created in 2000, during my first trip to Europe during high school. Unfortunately I lost that journal on that trip (I blame my reckless 15 year old self), but started another one when I studied abroad my junior year of college. 

I recently started reading through it, and thought I would share the entries that I wrote before I embarked on my adventure. 

Thursday January 26th, 2006
               I cannot believe that I am actually packing. It's surreal, its bittersweet, and its just fucking nuts. So many thoughts are circulating through my head, so many emotions can be felt. The one thing that I've always wanted has to happen right before I leave. This is the story of my life. "All dressed up and nowhere to go". Honestly though, I do have a wonderful life. I love my family, I love my friends, and I know that I am very blessed. Everything happens for a reason, that's what I believe. I just hate being confused, and hate being in the dark. I can't believe that I am actually leaving. I've wanted this for so long. When I first found the program I was almost in tears. I couldn't breathe. I wanted to explode. I want everything there to be wonderful. I'm excited, but sad to leave everything behind. I guess that's normal. Who would have thought that the boy from my class would have been the nicest boy I have ever met? I think I will miss him the most. 

Saturday January 28th, 2006
                 Today is the day that my lifelong dream came true. I am actually on a plane to Rome at the moment. The realization that I am going to study abroad makes me realize that I can do anything I set my mind to. Last night was sad. You can almost say it was bittersweet. The day started off with my cousins funeral, who was killed in a drunk driving accident. I didn't know him well, but the funeral was extremely sad. After the funeral I had to finish running errands and I couldn't make it to the reception. After errands I went back home, and my grandma came over for dinner and to stay the night so she could come to the airport in the morning. Packing was still not home when Jason* arrived at my house, and I was so happy that he came. He brought me a dozen pink roses with red brims. They were so gorgeous, and he also brought me the new John Mayer CD and a card. I think that he is the kindest, most awesome person that I have ever met. Although it was hard for me to let him go last night, I knew it was the right decision. Studying abroad was --> IS my dream. I had to do it no matter what. I just hope that he is there when I get back. And if he is, it is for a reason. 
                     Saying goodbye last night was sad, but I knew I'd be back. This was something I have to do. Now I'm on the plane to Rome. It feels like a small village of Italy on here. It almost gave me a panic attack LOL. The flight from Canada to San Fran was ok. I think there is a little less than 6 hours to Rome. I hate the fact that it will be 11am when we get there. Jason says he knows where we stand since we didn't have "the talk". I am curious to know what he thinks, especially since nothing has happened to influence his opinion. 

*names have been changed

I hope you enjoyed. Do any of you write when you travel?

Iceland is one of those countries that I had never actually wanted to go to. Then there suddenly started to be quite a bit of hype, as well as the allure of extremely cheap flights. A friend (that I had met in Italy when we studied abroad) and I were trying to figure out where to go to celebrate our 10 year "friends-versary", and Iceland got thrown in the mix. We decided to go to Iceland for 4 days, Rome for 2 days (we stayed where we first met), and then 3 days in Tenerife. 

Below are my top 10 tips if you are planning a trip to Iceland. 

1. Stay In Downtown Reykjavik For At Least A Few Nights.
We stayed at an AirBnB that was very close to the center of Reykjavik, the entire time we were there. I recommend staying somewhere central at one point on your trip. It is very easy to walk around downtown (a 10 minute walk to Laugavegur, the main shopping street), and the best part was that most of the excursion pickups are at nearby hotels- If you booked where we stayed you are also close to Centerhotel Thingholt (a common pickup), and it’s easy to find. The bus stops are also very central, if you want to utilize public transportation. 

2. Book Most Of Your Excursions Before You Go.
Iceland is really trendy right now, and even two years ago excursions got filled up and were booked fast. We booked a Northern Lights Tour, a Golden Circle Eating Tour, as well as the Blue Lagoon. It was easier than being disappointed, and also saved us tons of time (believe me – the Blue Lagoon line is NO JOKE.)
 Here are some sites that are helpful in booking tours in Iceland: 

• ​Viator
• Gray Line Iceland
• Reykjavik Excursions

​3. Visit The Blue Lagoon, And Get A Underwater Massage.
The Blue Lagoon was one of my favorite things that I did, but we decided last minute to get an underwater massage. It is about $70 to get into the Blue Lagoon, and for 30 minute underwater massage, it is an additional $100. If you want to double your time and get 60 minutes, it is about $160. I’ve had many massages, but never anything quite like that. 100% worth it. 

4. Buy Alcohol At Duty Free In The Airport.
Buy alcohol at Duty Free, right by baggage claim when you get off the plane. Alcohol is SO expensive on the island. We bought a bottle of wine and a bottle of champagne, but wished we had bought more. A beer costs about $18 USD in restaurants, and cocktails were usually priced at $25+. This island makes New York cocktail bars seem cheap. Also, while we were at the airport liquor store, there was an unsupervised "wine tasting" station. After snapping a photo, you better believe we took advantage! 

​5. Pack For All Types Of Weather
I experienced snow, rain, sun, and hail, all in one afternoon – and all while bundled up and wearing sunglasses. Luckily I came prepared. I went in March, so it was still really cold, but I made sure to buy insulated thermals, and I packed a hoodie, and three different kinds of jackets ranging from light to heavy. Make sure to pack a jacket with a hood, something warm for your ears, and shoes that can take you through all the elements! 

6. Be Ready For Extra Expenses.
Iceland is extremely cheap to get to. I got my ticket for about $400 round trip, and it was surprisingly only 7 hours from Seattle! Once you get to Iceland though, everything is extremely expensive. From alcohol, to meals and hotels, you will be paying quite a bit more than you probably would have anticipated. 

7. Go With Adventurous Taste Buds.
I tasted some very interesting dishes on this trip. I’m a pretty adventurous eater and I will try anything once. Every time I travel, I like to ask restaurant servers what are their favorite dishes on the menu, and what is actually a local cuisine. I tried puffin (poor little guys), fermented shark, a lobster dog, and whale steak (actually tasted like steak, and don’t worry it was not extinct). I also got to go on a really cool food tasting tour.

I HIGHLY recommend this food tour. It is called the Golden Circle Gourmet Food Tasting Tour, and you can find more information here: Viator Food Tour. It's an entire full day tour through the best of Iceland's cuisine. You get to visit a farm, where most of the meal is produced; go to really beautiful natural springs and waterfalls, and meet farmers at a greenhouse. I LOVE LOVE LOVED this tour so much. 

​8. Drink The Tapwater.
I remember being at the airport, and not being able to find a water fountain anywhere. I finally went to an airport kiosk and asked where I could find a fountain, and the woman told me to go to the faucet in the bathroom. I was SO confused, and then I realized that you can totally drink the tap water in Iceland! Bring a reusable water bottle, and get ready to taste the freshest water of your life!

9. Exchange Cash At The Airport.
Exchange money at the Reykjavik airport - because there is no fee. BUT, don’t exchange too much. You can typically use credit card for 99% of your purchases. I collect foreign currency, so I had to exchange something. :)

​10. Visit the Flea Market.
One of most interesting things that I got to experience was something that I stumbled upon - The Kolaportid Flea Market. It is located in the old harbor area, a few minutes from the city center, and is indoors and opened every weekend. They sell antiques, knick knacks, and vintage clothing. I got some really cool Icelandic kids books (in Icelandic), and gifted them to my niece and nephews. A lot of locals frequent the market, and there is also a portion of the market where you can try delicacies. We tried fermented shark (I did NOT like it), because it was really bitter. Also, if you go, know that they do not take any credit cards and it is cash only. 

I hope these tips help you as you plan your trip to Iceland! If you've been, what else would you add?

I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for a good Buzzfeed quiz, especially those of the travel kind.

I stumbled across this one and I had to take it:
Where Should You Go Next Based On Your Travel Habits?

It probably takes a minute or two and just asks you a few things about your travel habits, favorite foods, and your favorite kind of souvenir. Here is the destination I got:

Luckily I’ll be in Istanbul next month! It’s my first solo trip, and I’m excited and nervous all at once! If you have any tips for me leave them below. :)

Packing is literally THE WORST. The organizing, the outfit contemplation, the regular vs. travel size products. All of it makes me crazy. If it weren't for the amazing destinations, sites, and cultures in the world, I would not do it. Unfortunately this is a battle I will never win (because travel ALWAYS wins), and I will always be faced with this dilemma.
 
With my upcoming trip to Russia and Turkey rapidly approaching, this is something I have forced myself to start to think of. I have a very weird way of packing, and I thought I'd share because it has made my packing more efficient. I've forgotten less things, and I've always been prepared for the unexpected.
 
This trick works for a wide variety of trips, and for shorter trips that I don’t actually need to write a list, I use this: 

Now what does this exactly mean? Well, first I break down all elements of my body, and then I think about what I'll be doing on my trip. 

For example, I'll start with my Feet: Am I going to work out? Yes, I'll bring running shoes. Do I have an event where I want to dress up? Yes, I'll bring heels. Will I be walking alot? Of course! So I need to find a comfortable pair of shoes that I can walk for miles in. 

​Here is more of a visual for you: 

Whenever I think of my Legs/Lower Body: I decide what kind of travel I'll be doing. Will I be on a beach? If so then I need to bring self tanner (for my white legs), moisturizer, and some sunscreen. Is this climate going to be colder? When I packed for Iceland, I packed leggings for under my jeans,. I needed to stay very warm. I also think about what kind of underwear I'll need. 

When I think of my Hair: I have to think about everything that goes into doing my hair for the environment I'll be in. When I went to India I knew I wasn't going to use a blow dryer (I needed to pack light and I shower at night), but that I needed a small curling wand and flat iron. Other things on my list were hair ties, some fun hair accessories (i.e. a turban), and some leave in conditioner. I also thought about having smaller travel size shampoo's, so that way when one is empty I could throw it away and save space in my luggage. 

Other elements that I look at are:
My Face: I think about every part of my face and what I need. For example, I pack a face mask to refresh my skin every 3-5 days. I need to pack eye cream, eyeliner, and mascara for my eyes. I pack a lipstick color and some gloss for my lips, and I even think about my ears - do I need to pack one fun pair of earrings? 

Bust: Am I going to be bringing anything that needs a strapless or nude bra? For my armpits I need deodorant. 

Upper Body: I do think about what I'll be doing on my trip, and I think about the culture. If it's a more conservative culture, I make sure to pack nothing that shows cleavage. If it's a beach destination, do I need some tanks to cover up my bathing suit. 

For big trips I do make a packing list, constantly thinking about what I'll be doing while I'm at my destination. I do use this anatomy tip though after I've made my list, to ensure that nothing was missed. For shorter trips where I don't make a list, this tip 100% saves my life every time. 

I hope that you find some value in this post. Do you have any travel tips that are super valueable? Share below. :)

Once you start traveling, you start to realize that we are all very connected, and at the end of the day we are all humans. Traveling has made me more empathetic, more understanding, and more compassionate. It has given me confidence, helped me overcome my shyness (although its still there), and has made me extremely adventurous. In a nutshell, I wouldn't be who I am without travel. And if you know me personally, you know it's what I live and breathe. 

I've been lucky enough to have had experiences that have connected me with people from all over the world. Not only face to face, but digitally as well. I tend to gravitate towards people who have the same outlook on travel that I do. I've had a travel blog for awhile (guys I'm really trying to update it more frequently, because I have so much to share with you all), and I've been blessed to cross paths with travelers all over the world, in a digital space. 

I know many have questions about the "travel blogging world", and I connected recently with Lauryn, from @LEtravelgram, so I can give you all insight into what it takes to be apart of this very unique world. Lauryn and her husband Eric live in Atlanta, and are super passionate about travel. Their instagram feed is beautiful, warm, and full of personality, and their blog give their readers inside tips on how to spend their days in foreign cities, and what to expect. Lauryn recently took some time out to connect, and I was able to snag some of their secrets to how they are following their passion effortlessly. 

Can you tell me a little more about yourself?
In my day-to-day life, I am an Executive Assistant for an HR outsourcing company in Atlanta, Georgia in the USA. My husband, Eric, and I travel when we can get away from work. I am a planner in my personal and professional life, so travel planning​ is fun and exhilarating for me. I love figuring out how much I can fit in to our limited time away. It's amazing what you can fit in to a 3 day weekend ;)

How did you fall in love with travel?
When I was little, my family would mostly travel to beach destinations. We went on a few cruises to the Caribbean which was so fun, but my love for travel didn't really start until I went to Europe for the first time in 2006. I was 16 years old and it was like a whole new part of me awakened. I was hooked! I went back to Europe in 2008 and then didn't go back again until last year, 2017. It was like going home. Now I'm ready to see even more of the world!

Why did you decide to start a travel blog?
I have always loved to write. However, in school, it was very hard for me write about things I wasn't interested in. I sort of fell out of love with writing in college because being a Psychology major, I was mostly writing research papers. I fell back in love with writing when we traveled to the Grand Canyon in 2016. I wanted a way to keep track of everything we were doing and add in pictures. As I wrote the travel diary for that trip, I realized how much I really enjoyed doing it and I received wonderful feedback from family and friends who read along. A travel blog was the perfect outlet for me and so LE Travels was born!  

Thank you Lauryn for letting me into your world for a short time. Please got check her out on Instagram @LEtravelgram and follow her travels! :)

Also, what are some of your favorite travel bloggers? Comment below, I'm dying to see! 

“Why would you want to have dual citizenship?” I’ve gotten this question so many times, and every instance I reflect on my decision to embark on a journey that was so very important to me.
 
I vividly remember the first time I actually lusted after a second passport. I was in grad school in Italy getting my Masters in Fashion, and at the end of my program I was able to do an internship through my school. There were two choices: 1. Complete my internship in a group project directly through my school, or 2. Do an independent internship directly through a company in Italy – which required an EU Passport.

Well we all want what we can’t have right? I remember being so disappointed that I couldn’t go work for Emilio Pucci, or even work in the Gucci offices in Florence. I’m an independent spirit at heart, and one of my only regrets in life is that I didn’t figure out how to get dual citizenship sooner.

*Don’t feel bad for me just yet – I did get to do my group internship for Versace, and got to present to their top executives*
​
After grad school, I talked my parents into letting me move to England for 3 months (the only “allowable” time frame for someone who does not hold an EU passport). *shout out to my amazing parents who supported my craziest of dreams at that time* I did a PR internship while I was there, and although I loved my experience, London was not for me. I went back to the US, having reverse culture shock, and having such intense emotions around my exposure of life outside of the US. 

​The process started with a google search. A friend of mine had her British passport, and I knew she wasn’t born there, so I began investigating how you could possibly be privileged enough to have two passports (without having to marry someone). - I come from a smaller town, so while to some this may seem like a no brainer, I was in uncharted territory. – My google search turned into hours, and hours turned into days. I knew I was Italian, and that I had relatives there (I actually got to visit villages in Italy on both sides of my family!)

Here is what I found out:

• My Great Grandparents on both sides were the last generation in my family to be born in Italy. My generation (being a great grandchild), was the last generation that could try to obtain an Italian passport (I was actually reading that now you could go as far back as "great great grandparents"). --> I now had 4 pathways to citizenship (my great grandfather and great grandmother on each side)

• It is easier to go through your fathers side of the family vs. your mothers, because Italian culture is a patriarchal society. Both of my great grandfathers were born in Italy. -->I  now had 2 options

• In order to be considered for Italian Citizenship, my great grandfather had to have come to the US, had my grandfather, and THEN became a US Citizen through Naturalization. If he had been Naturalized before he had my grandfather, then I could not be considered. My great grandfather on my mothers side did not qualify, but my great grandfather on my fathers side did. -->I  was now down to 1 option!

• After I knew I was eligible for Citizenship, I had to make an appointment. The nearest Italian Consulate to my house at the time was in San Francisco, so I emailed them (they had no option of making an appointment online back then…) and made an appointment. YAY! The next available appointment was a YEAR out. WTF. I begrudgingly made the appointment, and then starting organizing my brain on what I needed to accomplish before then. In all fairness, I am glad the appointment was a year out, because that is how long it took me to get everything I needed!

• I then had to go through a huge laundry list of documents I needed to acquire, and THEN I had to translate them all into Italian. 

Here is what I actually needed to compile: 

• ​Great Grandfathers Birth Certificate from Italy
• Great Grandmothers Birth Certificate from Italy
• Great Grandfather and Great Grandmothers Marriage Certificate
• Great Grandfathers Naturalization Certificate
• Grandfathers Birth Certificate
• Grandmothers Birth Certificate
• Grandfather and Grandmothers Marriage Certificate
• Fathers Birth Certificate
• Mothers Birth Certificate
• Fathers and Mothers Marriage Certificate
• My Birth Certificate
• Death Certificates For All Applicable Above.
  

 
--> All Documents needed to THEN be translated into Italian, and had to have an Apostille (it authenticates signatures on all documents, and is recognized by foreign countries).

 FAST FORWARD to my appointment - I was so nervous, because I have heard of instances where you could be denied (I mean they are Italians - I had lived in Italy long enough to know that they do whatever they want) for any reason. Well, I walked in as an American Citizen, and walked out with an Italian Passport in hand! 

Here are some helpful links if you are looking to get your Italian Dual Citizenship:

San Francisco Italian Consulate:  click here
Register for an Appointment: click here
Information on Citizenship: click here
This was a great one stop shop, and explains everything clearly: click here
​

Have a great week everyone! :) 

Here is the second part of the lessons I learned in Brazil, and at the World Cup in 2014. A piece of my heart will always be in Brazil, as the country and people are amongst the most beautiful that I've ever seen or met. 

​8. Shit Happens
I would describe myself a relaxed soul, typically going with the flow of what life sends my way, but there were definitely times on this trip that I said a couple of prayers. When we arrived to Sao Paulo, we realized we had such a short time to see everything the city had to offer. Based on size and culture, Sao Paulo is equated to New York, while Rio de Janeiro is equivalent to Los Angeles. We mastered the metro in Rio and decided that Sao Paulo would be no different. We jumped in a cab and promptly told him to take us to the metro because we wanted to go to the famous “Mercato”. He told us for 10 Brazilian Reals more he would take us straight to the Mercato, but we told him that we did not have enough money. He said, “I’ll take you to a bank.” What??? At least if we died in that cab we knew we got to go to the World Cup. We agreed, and he pulled up to a grocery store that was not in the best neighborhood. He pointed at a small supermarket. We thought, “Excuse me Sir…is this a joke…this is not the Mercato??” We then realized he said there was a bank inside. We went in (to probably the sketchiest grocery store I have ever been in), and tried to get money out of the ATM machines. Then my card got stuck in the machine. I had money strapped to my bra, so just in case we got robbed of everything I had some of my dignity with me. My friend then had to go into the bank (which was on lock down, with a police officer letting only one person in at a time), and thankfully a woman helped me get my card out. I had never been more grateful for all the “Hail Mary’s” I said that afternoon. 

9. Looks Can Be Deceiving
I’m American, and I can anticipate what your money can get you in terms of accommodations: Hotels, Motels, and Holiday Inn’s. Booking accommodations in Rio was something that I did blindly. Everything was expensive, whether it was a hostel or a “hotel”. I even came across a hotel that didn’t have a roof. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t feel like having a heart attack in the middle of the night at the sight of someone jumping over my hotel wall. I had a travel agent book that part of the trip (my OCD self had to just let that go). We arrived at Hotel Itajuba, and judging by the outside it actually looked really decent. We checked in, received our 5 lb. key, and burst into uncontrollable laughter as we opened the door to our room. The size of our room was not luxuriously large (maybe the size of a dog kennel), however our shower was beautiful and could fit about 10 people, and would be within the Fire Marshall’s Compliance until you notice the electrical box in the shower…that could very be the last shower of your life! 

10. If You Love Something Let It Go
I was lucky to have not lost anything on this trip. My stuffed duck (Ducky) that travels everywhere with me, credit cards, and my passport were all safe and sound. The friend (Jenny) that I was traveling with was not so lucky. Prior to our trip, Jenny decided to bring a pair of her favorite gladiator sandals with her, but not before gluing the gold embellishment that gave them their distinctive flair back on. We must have walked miles around Rio in a matter of hours. Footwear never stopped the Romans, and it would never stop us. When we took our Samba skills to the street – yes, there was a “block” party by our hotel around 2am – shit got crazy. Suddenly we were learning to line dance, and I had a Mexican man singing the French song “Dominique” to me. Where were we? We met some fans from Orange County that had been in Brazil for a month, going to games and traveling around the country. It was some real inspiring stuff. Back to this life lesson. That night Jenny lost the gold embellishment on her shoe. She realized this the next day and immediately wanted to go search for it. I told her that she has to leave it there, throw away those shoes, and know that we left more than our hearts on the Brazilian streets of Rio that night. 

11. Life Isn’t Fair, but It is Still Good
I was first introduced to the Caipirinha four years ago when I was in Italy. This national cocktail of Brazil is lethal and intoxicating at the same time. The merging of Cachaça, sugar, and lime, was enough to make your taste buds do a small party in your mouth. We had gone to the Copacobana beach to watch the Russia vs. Algeria game at the quaintest bar. What had happened next completely shocked me. We were cut off. No more Caipirinha’s for us. Really Brazil? How does this happen, when the veins of the Brazilian people are flowing with Cachaça?? At the point we realized that sometimes life isn’t fair, but we know it is still good because we picked up and moved to the next beach establishment.

12. The Shortest Way to Get Anywhere is to Have Good Company
My advice for an amazing trip is good company. Find someone who travels at the same speed as yourself. Oh, and make sure it’s someone you can put up with and vice versa. This has to be someone that you can drink with, fight with, and run through airports with all in a short amount of time. I would describe it as a Kindred Spirit. This is a person that you can still laugh with at all of your unfortunate situations and still can hold your head high and go with the flow. Oh, and I highly suggest this is someone that you are ok scheduling poop sessions with, because yes it will go there. 

13. When In Rome, Do As The Roman’s Do
I will never understand people who will travel to foreign places, only to greet themselves with comforts of home. I believe in self emersion, and trying something at least once. We tried Bacalo, corn vendors on the street, and did the samba until our legs hurt. When you finally reach your destination I would like to say you are in your “Honeymoon” phase. Everything is new, your inhibitions are out the window, and you are ready to do anything and everything. That is until you get back home, check your credit card charges, realize that you consumed about 5 lbs. of sugar from all the Caipirinha’s you drank, and that you might possibly have to take out a small loan to get your stomach pumped so that it returns back to normal. 

I am reminiscing of my experience of the World Cup in Brazil, and it makes me extremely excited for my adventures to come in Russia. This time we are going to 3 matches, and we are excited for what awaits us. Let me know if you are going to Russia! :)