About Me

Hello!

Thank you for stopping by!  My name is Rachel, and this is my blog where I like to share my personal collection of travel stories, memories, photographs, and advice.

I originally started this blog in the summer of 2014 when I had the fantastic opportunity to travel abroad with the Center for 21st Studies at Virginia Tech.  I spent a month traveling throughout Morocco, Turkey, and Sri Lanka.  From up-close and personal encounters with wild elephants to bathing in rivers and sleeping in farmhouses, it was one of the biggest adventures of my life.  That trip fanned the flame burning within me to see and experience as much of the world as possible, and then to share those opportunities with anyone who is interested.

Sadly, that trip came to an end.  However, my travels and quest for adventure did not.  A few Spring Break service trips to Jamaica and mission trips to Mexico kept me going, both in terms of fueling my need to keep moving, as well as providing me with the deeply personal and fulfilling life-changing experiences I crave.  While I do know that a small bit of selfishness sits at the center of my desire to travel, I also feel a higher calling to use the resources I have to go to new places and create beautiful, lasting relationships with those I meet while sharing my love for Christ and people along the way.  I  crave opportunities for self-reflection, growth, and understanding and try to put something bigger than me at the center of my travels.

In August 2015, I moved to Malta, a very tiny island country located roughly 90 km south of Italy in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.  I lived in Malta for about nine months as I completed my Master’s in a joint program with the University of Malta and James Madison University.

During my time in Europe, I did my best to take advantage of the opportunities given to travel throughout the continent.  Long weekends, Christmas recess, and Spring Break were all being dedicated to exploring Europe and everything it has to offer.  I wrote about those trips here and am still trying to share the nitty-gritty details of what it’s like to live in Europe for a year.

I’ve been so blessed to have the opportunity to travel to the following places:

Austria, Belgium, Belize, Canada, Croatia, Dominican Republic, England, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Spain, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Turkey, and throughout the United States.

I’m a believer in the idea that the biggest aspects of a culture can be found in the smallest of details, and I always make it my goal to find those hidden secrets wherever I can.  I enjoy sharing these findings through stories and photographs and I’ve highlighted some of my favorites on the Photos page and the Videos page and in the Colored Stories series– feel free to check them out!

Thanks for reading, sharing your comments, and following me on this journey!  I am always looking for new ideas, inspiration, or insider tips from those who have experienced these places or others firsthand, so please don’t be shy and feel free to add your own two-cents in the comments!

~Rachel