Talia
Talia Atkins
My name is Tally! Whoohooo!
In October I plan on embarking on a year-long adventure and journey around the world. I have decided to defer from college to discover new cultures, help others and explore my passions in life.
Travel Blog Posts
May 7th 2009
DISCLAIMER Sorry for the lack of travel blog entries....I have had a difficult time spending time on computers to record my travels. Soon to come... (who knows when); SPAIN~PORTUGAL (Grenada) (beach in Portugal-London flight....forget London...on to India!) INDIA (rishikesh) (high north) (Ramana's Garden Orphanage) NEPAL: (stuck due to strike breakouts) (Ama Ghar~home for children in Kathmandu) THAILAND: (meeting with Evan in Bangkok, on to Laos! I am currently in Vang Vieng Laos with Evan. Today we swam in cave pools, biked around..everywhere...trekked around the valley near steep, protruding jungle (Indiana Jones) mountains. We have seen the king of Thailand, a dead guy, a sculpture park with 7 story high sculptures of many Buddhist and Hindu Gods, got our first Thai massage! -and many other random things.... ...I don't know when I will be home... read more
February 1st 2009
After a week or so, Drew and I departed from Tagazuit on a solid mission to achieve a visa for India . During our stay in the surf town, Drew blew out his eardrum in a gnarly surf fall. Our good friend, Sylvain gave us a lift to Agadir so we could visit the hospital and request a diagnosis. The effect was not too harsh, but would have to keep Drew out of the water for at least a month. After obtaining (medicament), we found the bus station and carried on our way to Rabat . We stayed in Rabat for a week, met the kind India Visa staff, applied for our visas and tried to make the most out of the busy city. We found some great places to eat, sat on the 5 story ... read more
January 19th 2009
We bid our farewells to Khalid, who headed back to Casablanca. I was sad to see him go, left in a blur of travel opportunities to company my plane ticket issues for the holidays. I was already missing Anja and Vanessa, good friends who had also left Imsouanne the day before. Not knowing what to do or where to go; I sat on the beach with a blown up globe in my hands, carefully spinning it with my hands. Pondering... It is wild how consumed I was in this moment, worried about many things while I failed to see what was really in front of me. I raised my eyes to view the waves and regain perspective. I heard a voice, turned to see Pinta, Anjas dog trotting my way. Confused, I realized Anja was in ... read more
Morocco update
Published: December 11th 2008Africa » Morocco » Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz » Essaouira
December 11th 2008
Morocco is wonderful. I have been to Casablanka to Marrakech to Essaouira to Sibiceoki and I now reside in Imsouanne, a small surf town. I have been living in a Moroccan cave (beach front shack) on a sandy cliff ledge right next to the ocean. To me, it is a much more than an exotic castle in paradise. I fall asleep to the music of the ocean every night and try to swim in it every day. We cook tagine (traditional meals cooked in cone shaped platters) on a one burner, gas tank stove by candel light every evening. It could never get old. The bread is by far the best bread I have tasted in my life and a massive, round bread is only about 13 cents. I rarely know what time or day it ... read more
November 23rd 2008
I bid my farewells to my new family in Komga. I have never felt so emotional and torn to leave so many people I love in my life. Open Arms is not just another volunteer opportunity to cross off the list. It has become my lifetime commitment to follow up on these children and do everything I can to see that they have some of the same opportunities I have had and will have. I hid my tears and said goodbye to the children with (I will see you later) singing in my mind. Yui, Rita, Kassi and I headed to East London for one last shake and a delicious meal. I must say,the car ride to East London was one of the most painful rides of my life. I slowly eased out of my sadness ... read more
October 25th 2008
"MOLO!" I am in South Africa at an Orphanage called Open Arms. I reside in a tiny town called Komga, about 45 mins away from East London. I absolutely LOVE it here. I am part of one big family...a family of 30 kids that is! We live on top of a hill that overlooks the town, rolling mountains and even the sea. Africa is beautiful in every aspect. The culture is wild and people are generally friendly, though it is still a wise choice to be cautious. I am learning bits and pieces of the language (Xhosa) and am proudly adjusting to such an amazing lifestyle. I try to watch the sunset every evening, and the hope to wake for the sunrise a few times a week. I have been doing photo work for Open Arms, ... read more
October 7th 2008
With a 12 hour layover, a backpack and a mandolin in Frankfurt Germany... I made the educated decision to escape the airport and my comfort zone to forge my way into the big city. I eventually figured out how to exchange euros for a train ticket and boarded the underground train. I held onto a scratch piece of paper with scribbled letters, emphasizing my German destination. The train eased to a stop and I caught sight of a sign that matched my only clue. "HAUPTWACHE". I stepped off the train with an open mind and limitless expectations. As I wandered up the cement stairs, I was blinded by the city sunlight. I was surprised to discover I was not surrounded by sky scrapers and taxi cars, but massive architectural buildings, monuments, autumn leaves and small local ... read more
May 21st 2008
In may, I set out on a journey to Cambodia with 7 girls and 3 chaperones from our Interact Club. Our mission was to bring seeds to the villages, build water filters for the Trailblazer Foundation, teach english and bring art projects into the elementary schools. Our trip turned out to be even more than we had all anticipated... ... read more
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