The Adventures of Nayeli D.
NayeliofNewEngland
The Adventures of Nayeli D.
Welcome to my Adventure Log!
UPDATED MARCH 2009
***After a LOOOONG unintended break (too long, actually)... I hope to get my blog rolling again. I am starting to learn all the new features made available since I last visited the site. Thank you for your messages and comments. I'm glad my tales have been of some use and entertainment. I am recently recovering from PRK eye surgery in mid January 2009, so I hope to start travelling soon again! I am already looking into my next destination possibility... Stay tuned for announcements and have a spectacular New Year!!***
A light-hearted collection of comments and pictures, written for fun and information.
I have over 70 photos here. So far the only impression here is me in LV, though I look forward to adding more destinations as soon as possible. I might perhaps backtrack and add photos from past trips before I started blogging, if there is sufficient interest. Otherwise, stay tuned!
Hometown: Stamford, Connecticut, Fairfield County, New England, United States
Residence: ??
Citizen of: the World!
Handed: Left in writing, Right in gymnastics
Zodiac: Leo
Height: 5'8
Profession: Business Owner
School: Trump University (Finance & Real Estate)
Luggage of Choice: Delsey, Diane Von Furstenberg, Brighton
Laptop: Sony Vaio
Camera: Canon SD 790 IS Digital Elph
Books: Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, Notes From The Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Success Principles by Jack Canfield, Guide to Investing by Robert Kiyosaki, Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins, Screw It Let's Do It by Richard Branson, Think Big by Donald Trump, Design Your Best Year Ever by Darren Hardy, On The Road by Jack Kerouac, Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, The Adventurer's Handbook by Mick Conefrey, Fearless Traveler by Charlotte Beech, Foreign Language guides, Poetry by Baudelaire/Bronte/Poe/Shelley (am a voracious reader)
Snowboard: Burton Goggles: Oakley
Has Traveled around U.S. mainland and Hawaii; Internationally: Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, France, England, Denmark, Ireland
I wish I had started blogging earlier so I could have included all of these trips, but oh well! I can make another round again 😉
Wants to travel to: All 7 continents!
Along with updating a select few people I know, including my cat (who likes to jump on my computer a lot) 😉, my goal is to include as many details and tips as possible to help others get an idea of what it's like being where I've travelled to and to entertain those who have been there already or like to read other people's stories 😊
Top Tips
My #1 tip is to BE SAFE. Be aware of your surroundings. Time and map your cash withdrawals according to when and where the highest security is available. Sometimes, as fun as it can be to wander, knowing where you are going can prove to save a traveller from a lot of potential grief. Educate yourself on the basic laws and customs of the particular geographical locations you are trekking to, and adhere to them as closely (if not preferably exactly) as possible. Blend in with crowds, groups, and families if you are travelling alone, and never let on that you're on your own. Always let your banks know where and when you are travelling, so your bank cards don't get frozen at the worst moment due to what an un-informed institution may see as suspicious international transactions. Let a relative or friend know where you will be going, preferably in writing so they don't forget in case of an emergency, unless you don't want to be easily found (if at all) if something happens. Be mindful about unintentionally (or intentionally) flashing your resources to strangers. A simple appearance can bring peace of mind in certain environments. Bring a whistle with you to call for help. Hopefully, you'll never have to use it. Good luck!
My #2 tip is to never travel without your laptop, no matter how bloody heavy it is, unless you absolutely have to. From experience, it has been a major inconvenience to leave it behind, especially when it comes to blogging and backing up pictures, aside from saving money and not having to wait in line at kiosks. Treos and iPhones, for example, are great for web browsing and e-mail checking, though nothing tops being able to look at a web page normally as you would on a computer! I am working on getting a lighter Vaio. At the very least, take a portable hard drive with you. I love my compact Free Agent drive!
My #3 tip is to always travel with a money belt. As much as purses are objects of admiration and affection, wrist wallets can be an essential alternative, especially if you're wearing a one-piece dress since it's not a good idea to have to lift your hem up to get your cash or cards out of your money belt in public, since it is foolish and dangerous. I have a fun cuff from Tokidoki. There are simple designs in lots of color choices from Bodiband that men and women can wear.
My #4 tip is to carry your favorite brand of personal product with you, along with any other necessity you might be able to get anywhere else, in carry-on size containers or regular sizes if you're checking them in. I can't tell you how much time, money, and energy I've wasted looking for a replacement of my favorite time-saving hair product in out-of-state and foreign shops, and accumulating a collection of identical manicure tools is quite unnecessary. I came home and saw four nail clippers, three tubes of toothpaste, five bottles of partially-used sunblock, and other repeatedly purchased items from my travels stashed in a drawer! I've read about traveling light and buying things when you get to your destination, but unless you're going to throw it out or be in one place for a long time, you're still going to have to carry it with you in your bag anyways, so you might as well save your money and your time. I'd rather be sightseeing!
My #5 tip is if you are travelling alone, don't hesitate to ask a fellow tourist or local to snap your picture (of course, use your good judgement on who you ask so they don't run off with your camera). I travel alone a lot and sometimes the timer on my camera isn't enough to get certain shots, especially where there's no decent place to rest the camera on. Also, if you have a Continuous Shot feature, set it before you hand it to them and have them hold down the button to take several pictures, in case the first turns out blurry or cuts your head off. Some well-meaning picture-takers simply take awful photos. It is worth it afterwards! There's no need to miss a moment 😊
My #6 tip is seek and take personal items with you that will save time, especially helpful if you will be on-the-go a lot and when travelling with other people! Being rushed when you quite haven't styled your hair or done whatever you feel you need to do to get ready does not make for a very good start to the day for either person!! Now I take an all-in-one leave-in conditioner with me that detangles and smoothes my hair so well that I can leave my hotel without taking additional time to have it blown-dry (a true blessing!). I use sunblock with a matte finish all over as both a moisturizer and skin protector. I use a tinted SPF15 lip balm for protection and color. I'll wear a clear pink tint on nails to feel finished but not overdone instead of a manicure I might have to worry about getting chipped. Of course, it depends on the situation😉 I love the luxury of putting on eye cream! If you really must keep a high-maintenance routine, my best advice is to do some of it the night before and/or get up extra early in the morning. It all depends where you go...I enjoy the simplicity of less in the rainforests and enjoy more polished looks in the (flashy) cities such as, ahem, Las Vegas and London. Having previously travelled with a guy a couple of times, I learned very quickly how to adjust to a simpler routine!
My #7 tip is to take costume jewellery with you or knock-off designer pieces if you will be in, err, certain states or countries...or if you will be on the go so much it may be difficult to keep track of your valuables. Take items that you will enjoy wearing, but won't be as heartbroken if you get them lost or stolen as you would be if it were the real thing. Make sure to lock up the real jewels very well.
My #8 tip is to bring plenty of clothes that look and fit well but you don't particularly care for...at least not as much as your "good clothes". Again, this depends on where you travel. I am just as happy in Abercrombie & Fitch jeans as I am in Sass & Bides, but I do take into consideration what items are more easily replaceable and which are not, should they be irreparably soiled, lost, or stolen. Also, any versatile clothes you can find can double for day and night so you don't have to carry as much. Nice clothes also look better in pictures, if that's what part of your aim is, as opposed to looking like having just climbed out of a laundry basket (although there are some geographical locations I can think of in which the walking-pile-of-laundry look would not be a bad idea at all, and more beneficial to one's peace of mind and safety).
My #9 tip is FLIP FLOPS ARE HAZARDOUS. Be mindful of the places and circumstances you wear them in. I have had the misfortune of enduring a few injuries due to these infernal slabs of sorrow...perhaps because I never liked them to begin with...thus, they finally unleashed their wrath on me (with the exception of the heaven-sent Adidas slide sandal with massaging footbed...and, of course, the Tevas). Yes, the flip flops are easy to slip on and off, and they can come in a sorts of fun colors with embellishments, but that's as far as they go. Wear at your own risk...
My #10 tip is...Have fun! Enjoy each and every moment. It isn't worth spoiling an afternoon over a rotten morning, or trudging around in misery over a minor quarrel with a travelling partner. Resolve what you must and keep the positive energy flowing 😊 There's virtually nothing worse than missing the moment. Unless you have a time-turner somewhere hidden in the depths of your pocket 😉