ABOUT ME
Hi, I’m Kristina! I’m a solo female traveler who is passionate about authentic travel, unique destinations, and the outdoors. My goal is to encourage you to seek adventurous experiences for yourself!
My Story • What to Expect • Where I’ve Been • Facts About Me
My Story
I’ve made some unusual choices in my life, including leaving the US to get my education, getting a PhD, taking up pole dancing, riding around on a motorcycle, and, most recently, backpacking solo for a year through South America.
But aside from these sporadic bold decisions, I am a typical woman. From my 20s to early 30s I worked a corporate job, led a normal life, and actively dated. Although I wasn’t completely satisfied with my conventional lifestyle, I was convinced that continuing to pour effort into my corporate job and meeting new people would surely reward me with the fulfillment I patiently waited for.
Well…sometimes life doesn’t work that way.
Life threw at me domestic violence and an unexpected layoff from what I thought was my dream job. Frustration doesn’t even begin to explain how I felt, and I realized that my current trajectory would continue to spiral me into unhappiness unless I took action.
In the span of 2 weeks, I sold nearly all of my possessions and moved to the other side of the country to live with my family in California. Taking a hard look at my savings, I realized I could realistically take a sabbatical from work to travel. I realized I needed to give myself a break for once after years of hard work. After all, isn’t travel supposed to help us clear our minds and gain new perspectives?
I started my sabbatical by setting off to Colombia, feeling excited yet nervous. I took with me an overly detailed itinerary and expected to be away for 2 – 3 months.
A year later, I ended up coming back home from Brazil. I had become a fearless version of my prior self: I was hitchhiking, taking 24-hour bus rides, hiking and camping alone in the wilderness, speaking 2 new languages, and never making my plans more than 24 hours in advance. While I’m thankful for this transformation, it didn’t come easy. I pushed myself far outside of my comfort zone, leading to many tears and lessons learned the hard way.
Travel didn’t provide the answers I initially sought; I’m still undecided on my long-term plan. However, travel did teach me some unexpected lessons. I discovered the beauty in uncertainty, realizing it is an open door to unlimited possibilities. I became better at adapting spontaneously when things didn’t go the way I wanted them to. I gained confidence in my abilities, understanding that courage is often the sole factor holding me back.
What to Expect
In this blog I’ll share my personal travel experiences, offering you a glimpse of the world through my eyes. I’ll also cover destination guides, emphasizing not just the most spectacular sights but also the stories and histories of the local area.
Throughout my adventures I’ve picked up a lot of tips and tricks for budgeting, travel, hiking, and backpacking. I’ve compiled these into guides so that they can help other travelers.
Lastly and most importantly, I hope to provide you with the encouragement you need to embark on your own adventure, no matter how big or how small.
Things That Are Important to Me:
• Authenticity
• Ethical and sustainable travel
• Off the beaten path destinations
• Budget-friendly travel
• Encouragement and tools for solo and female travelers
Where I’ve Been
Facts About Me
Languages I speak
English • French • Spanish • Portuguese • Arabic
Favorite Place
Bahia, Brazil
My Interests
Science • Dance • Travel • Hiking • Backpacking • Scuba Diving
