Lemons to Lemonade

“When Life hands you lemons, make lemonade!”

You hear this phrase often….but what does it entail? I eat just about everything and am head over heels in love with fruit, all kinds, all shapes, all sizes but even I cannot sit down, slice open a lemon and take a bite. Lemons are a fruit that have to become something else, enhance something, change something, make something happen. Can you think of another fruit that is almost inedible on it’s own? That becomes so divine in combination and transformation? Lemon bars and cookies, lemon meringue pie, lemon in hot tea or squeezed into a pitcher of sweet tea, fresh lemonade, that sweet and sour masterpiece that can change your life on a hot summer day. What about those metaphorical lemons that life is bound to hand you now and then? Acidic, sour, trying times that you just can’t seem to enjoy or digest? The most successful and happy among us have never miss out on an opportunity to turn sour into sweet, hard times into learning experiences. While it may not be easy, we know that seeing those lemons as pure potential is the way to go. Adversity spurs creativity, challenge breeds success. When you’re feeling surrounded by useless lemons, never forget that you always have a choice. When you seem to be stuck in a difficult time, you can change your outlook, which in turn can change your circumstances, you can keep yourself healthy and surround yourself with kind, good-hearted people, you can seek out and find hidden treasure all around you….I know it’s not always easy, but look for the good all around you, even if you have to squint.  Be grateful for any and everything that comes your way.   We all want to be happy, and happiness is useful for other things, too. For example, happiness improves physical health, improves creativity and even enables you to make better decisions. (It is difficult to be rational when you’re unhappy.)

You may have heard of the famous studies showing that people are happiest when they are in a state of “flow.” Flow is the state you’re in when you are fully engaged in a task that is interesting, challenging, and intrinsically rewarding to you. This is the experience of “losing yourself in the moment” or, as sports players say, “being in the zone.” Finding flow has largely to do with performing tasks that match your skill level. When a task is far beyond your skill level, you will feel defeated. When a task is too easy, you’ll be bored. Only when a task is challenging but achievable will you feel good about doing it.

If you’re struggling with negative thoughts, achieving flow is probably the best medicine. Contrary to popular wisdom, forced positive thinking often makes things worse. Trying to not think about Upsetting Thought X has the same effect as trying to not think about pink elephants: you can’t help but think about pink elephants. While being “lost in the moment” may provide some of your happiest moments, research has also shown that when you’re not in flow, taking a step outside the moment and practicing “mindfulness” – that is, paying attention to your situation, your actions, and your feelings – can reduce chronic pain and depression, reduce stress and anxiety, and produce a wide range of other positive effects. Below are a few methods for becoming happier.  You will need to think about who you are, what makes you happy, what makes you unhappy, and what you can achieve in order to determine which of the below methods should be attempted first.

1. Improve your self-esteem and optimism.
2. Improve your agreeableness. In simpler terms, this basically means: increase your empathy. Try to see things from another’s perspective, and thinking more about people less fortunate than oneself.
3. At the same time do not let people mistake your kindness for weakness. Do not over exert yourself. Do things that make you happy and you should always help others, just make sure you know how to say “No” sometime
4. Improve your conscientiousness. Examples: useful organization, strong work ethic, reliability, planning ahead, etc. Each of these individual skills can be learned. The techniques for overcoming procrastination are useful,. Some people report that books like Getting Things Done have helped them become more organized and reliable.
5. Develop the habit of gratitude. Savor the good moments throughout each day. Spend time thinking about happy memories. And at the end of each day, write down a few things you are grateful for: the roof over your head, the loved ones in your life, the delicious dinner that you had, etc.
6. Find your purpose and live it. It may take a while to find it though, and you may have to dip your hands and mind into many fields. But once you find a path that strongly motivates you and fulfills you, take it. (Of course, you might not find one purpose but many.) Having a strong sense of meaning and purpose has a wide range of positive effects.
7. Find a more fulfilling job. Few people do what they love for a living. Getting to that point can be difficult and complicated. You may find that doing  other things on this list first is needed for you to have a good chance at getting a more fulfilling job. To figure out which career might be full of tasks that you love to do, aRIASEC personality test might help. In the USA, O*NET can help you find jobs that are in-demand and fit your personality.
8. Improve your relationship with your romantic partner, or find a different one. As with finding a more fulfilling job, this one is complicated, but can have major impact. If you know your relationship isn’t going anywhere, you may want to drop it so you can spend more time developing yourself, which will improve future relationships. If you’re pretty serious about your partner, there are many things you can do to improve the relationship.
   Try reading “The five love languages” together. You both will be able to identify your love language and figure out ways to better communicate with one another and show love for each other.
9. Be Active and move your body. This will improve your attention and well-being. Whether it is taking a hike, a yoga class, a swim, a bicycle ride, just get out there and move…play in the sunshine. 
   
10. Spend more time in flow. Make easy and boring tasks more engaging by turning them into games or adding challenges for yourself.
11. Practice mindfulness regularly. When not in flow, take a deep breathe and try to pay attention to how you are behaving, how your emotions are functioning, and how your current actions work toward your goals.

Note that seeking happiness as an end might be counterproductive. Happiness is a way of Life, not a destination. Enjoy your day!

Turning dreams into reality!

Picture it! A television show with a modernized version of  Travel.
It’d be a combination of No Reservations, Man vs. Wild,  Wild on! E! with Brooke Burke, Departures, NusetCulottes and Globe Trekker……

The show: Gypsy Adventures!  The host: Yours truly! Sydney Duarte aka The Traveling Gypsy

I’ve been infected by the “travel bug” since I was a little girl. I loved National Geographic, Discovery channel, Travel Channel. Anything that dealt with other countries, people, animals and cultures had me entranced. The adventurer/explorer part is who I have always been. My parents tell stories from my younger years, climbing the highest trees/buildings to sit on the roof and look at the stars. If it wasn’t high, it wasn’t fun. Bringing home any animal I could find, snakes, bats, raccoons…fangs or not, I had to keep it. Hanging out by the train tracks near the river waiting to grab the back ladder of the caboose and ride for a while, building forts and camping in the woods for days on end with my little brother. As I grow older, my taste for adventure has enhanced quite a bit; running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain for San Fermin’s, trekking volcanoes in Guatemala to roast marshmallows over lava, scuba diving the coral reef of Madagascar, Riding elephants in Thailand, Jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, the list goes on and on. I crave adventure and know that working in an office day in and day out is not where I’m meant to be.

As many of you know, my mind never stops. I have so many ideas and dreams. I live to try new things and brighten others’s lives. I love to explore, touch and taste and smell everything! Being out in the wilderness soothes my soul and embracing other cultures helps me enhance my knowledge and understanding of the world. When I find those magical hidden places that many others miss along the way…it is complete bliss.

If my gut says “go” I “go.” I’d rather live a life of “oh wells” than what ifs. I always end up regretting not going with my intuition from past experiences where I have had second thoughts. So I decided several years ago to live a life with no regrets. My journey has molded me for the greater good, and so far it has been exactly what it needed to be. Every so often the thought crosses my mind, that I have lost time but then I remember it takes each and every situation you encounter to bring you to the now, and now is right on time!

And now is the time to become a TV host! My adventurous and explorative personality will make for an entertaining show. I like to keep my mind and body in constant motion and love anything that gets my adrenaline pumping. I productively handle any rapidly changing situations that I encounter and can navigate through remote areas. I never meet a stranger and as you can see from my sites listed below, behind or in front of the lens, I am in love with the camera!

http://www.youtube.com/user/duartesydney

http://travelinggypsyadventures.wordpress.com

http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/the_traveling_gypsy/

https://twitter.com/travling_gypsy

http://instagram.com/traveling_gypsy

http://pinterest.com/travlinggypsy/

I am always prepared to inspire and motivate others and would love an opportunity to show the world what I have to offer. I have faced many challenges, encountered numerous opportunities and people who have been instrumental in shaping my life. I have worked hard for everything that I have and all of these experiences keep me light hearted and eager to learn about the world around me. I have picked up many tips and tricks along my travels about culture, history, mannerisms, food and language. Each time I travel to a new country the locals that I meet are usually under the impression that Americans are uniformed about the World that lies beyond the US borders. I would like to help change that preconceived notion and help educate and inspire people about the World around us and teach them to embrace other cultures and give them a chance to look at life in a whole new perspective… possibly inspire them to get out of their comfort zones and travel to new places.

My 2012 World venture took me through, New Zealand, Australia, Bali, Singapore, South Africa, Madagascar, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Guatemala. Some of it was planned and some destinations were very impromptu….All of it was absolutely incredible! I travelled alone and couch surfed and camped the whole trip. I met so many amazing people along the way and would like to base the show on allowing the viewers to see each destination that I visit through the eyes of the locals. Go on adventures with me as I am taken to the “hidden” spots that tourists don’t normally know exist, taste new foods, learn new trades, dance new dances, speak new languages…  From the sea floor to the highest mountain peak, I want to cover it all and explore it all!

I’ve been to 26 countries throughout my life so far and would love to increase that number exponentially! I am ready to turn these dreams into a reality. I hope you all will join me  If you have any ideas, thoughts for the show, Things you’d like to see me do/eat, places you’d like me to explore/learn about, please leave a comment below.

Love & Light!
Sydney

Don’t be delicate. Be vast and brilliant!

Happy Friday! I hope you’ve all had an amazing week! Just wanted to share a little positive thinking

Don’t ever let anyone dull your sparkle. Have faith and a burning desire to keep on going no matter what happens. Life may not always turn out as you had planned, but it’s like a camera; Focus on what’s important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives and if it goes wrong…Take another shot. If it makes you happy, do it. If it doesn’t then don’t, but choose what is worth fighting for and stick with your decision. If times are tough, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, keep going. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm and every difficulty is an opportunity in disguise. Do what you feel in your heart to be right for you’ll be criticized anyway.

Each day holds possibilities for great discoveries and hidden joy. What appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make. Believe in your ability to make great things happen. Turn your cant’s into cans and your dreams into plans.

Be in Love with your Life, every minute of it ♥

Look around at what exists in your life right now. Look at every event that had to be orchestrated to get you to exactly where you are, doing exactly what you are doing, with exactly who you are with, learning exactly what you are learning and experiencing exactly what you are experiencing.

 

Jumping for Joy at Sky High Sports. cha.jumpskyhigh.com/

Look at all of this and know that it was meant just for you. If it feels like you are in a place that you would rather not be at this time, just know that you are in the middle….on the way from here to there…..and that you will get through it…that it will last exactly as long as it’s supposed to last and teach you exactly what you are meant to learn. And later, you will see how this time was one of your very greatest teachers. Take a long look in the mirror and remind yourself That Life is not a race, but indeed a journey. Be honest. Work hard. Be choosy. Say “thank you,” “I love you,” and “great job” to someone each day. Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper. Love your life and what you’ve been given, it is not accidental. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you aspire to be. Laugh often. Appreciate and enjoy the little things in life. Some of the best things really are free. Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming. Forgive, it frees the soul. Take time for yourself. Plan for longevity. Recognize the special people you’ve been blessed to know. Live for today, enjoy every moment ♥

If you are in a place that feels miraculous and wonderful…full of beauty and peace….be sure to marvel in it. Breathe it in, know that everything brought you to now…and that there is always a reason that will take your breath away.

Headstands at Noda Yoga in Charlotte, NC. http://www.nodayoga.com

Everything matters. Every decision matters, every experience matters, every relationship matters, every interaction matters, every lesson matters. Each piece creates a whole that is the life you are living in this moment.

Have a beautiful weekend!
Love & Light!
♥ Sydney

Every Love story is beautiful, but ours is my favorite…

It’s quite simple really. boy meets girl, boy likes girl, girl likes boy… They had known each other for several years through mutual friends. They’d been invited to the same events, parties, ski trips, but always as a group, only knowing each other’s friendly smiles in passing, never really spending quality one-on-one time together.

After several crash and burn landings in attempts at true love she decided to give up on her Fairytale and set off on a trip around-the-world to discover herself and figure out what she wanted out of life. Days, Weeks, Months passed by… traveling from city to city, country to country. Meeting so many amazing people along the way, each one welcoming her into their lives and their homes, but none that she completely bonded with on every level. Until that hot summer day in Bali when his lips met hers, she melted not because of the heat but because he unlike any other had touched her soul so deeply. All of the time before when she had questioned who she was, why she was, what she was… After this connection, after the days and weeks that followed her emptiness began to disappear and her heart began to feel whole. Why hadn’t she realized and recognized this connection before, why now? She still had a long journey ahead of her, many more countries to visit, many more adventures to have.

Their three days together in this exotic land were incredible. The sparks between them never stopped! This had been a planned stop on her list of destinations, he was visiting for a friend’s wedding. Coincidence or fate? It was a feeling unlike either of them had ever experienced before.  Elephant rides, dinners near the ocean, falling asleep on one another during bus rides, headstands on the beach, long talks,  it all flashed by in the blink of an eye, and as they stood at the airport exchanging goodbyes she wondered where it all would lead? Will she continue to travel the world forever or will something come from these sparks?

She knew who, she knew why…now she needed to figure out when and  how. Her next leg of the trip was to Singapore, South Africa and Madagascar and he on to Thailand. Days passed, and finally, a message! He had returned back to Charlotte, North Carolina and she was now in Madagascar with little wifi connection. Weeks passed by and he was back at his to his 9:00 – 5:00 job, but the messages continued back and forth. There were many questions running through both of their minds, but they found the answers along the way.

Once she arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina they were able to advance to Skype calls, most carried on into the wee hours of the night and on one conversation in particular they were talking about surprises and how they both enjoyed them, but he made the comment “nobody can surprise me”….she accepted the challenge and booked a flight in a few days.  She would still be traveling north to Iguazú Falls but couldn’t contain her excitement. It was extremely difficult keeping her surprise from him, but not only from him, from everyone! She figured she might as well surprise family and friends as well.

Luckily the wifi connection in Iguazú wasn’t the greatest so she told him she’d speak with him in a few days. She hopped  on a bus to Brazil, caught a plane that stopped in Lima, Peru, hopped on another plane to NYC…. layover after layover the intensity of her emotions grew, she felt like she was going to explode, one more flight and she’d be back in Charlotte. Finally arriving home, she contacted his friend to see if he could find out the boy’s location so that she could properly surprise him.

What luck! After being out on the lake all day he had just arrived home! She picked up her car and drove on. She messaged him on the way with normal chit chat, a mile away she asked “Have you received any packages?”, “No” he said, “Hmmm…I think you have a special delivery coming, You should check outside” she said ….His front door opened and there she was, his jaw dropped and they embraced.

Her heart smiles every time she reminisces about the passion that followed in the weeks after she arrived home.  Adventure after adventure, surprising family and friends, romantic getaways to  Bradley Falls for her birthday, watching fireworks on Lake Norman for the 4th of July,  a road trip to meet his family in Virginia, getting a phone call from his boss the day after arriving in Virginia to tell him that he was going to California for two  months, she went to the west coast with him for 3 weeks and then back down to South America to continue on her journey while he finished up his on-site assignment.

She explored her way through Bolivia, Peru and Guatemala. Each place engulfed her in beauty with the dishes she tasted, music she hear and places she saw, but every day that passed she longed to be with him. Spending several weeks with her family in Antigua she felt the love that she hoped to one day build with a family of her own. Her 98 year old grandmother held her hand in her last days of life and asked the girl how she felt about this boy? She saw the love in the girl’s eyes and told her that she knew he was the one for her and that they were to take care of each other because in the end love is all you have and the best thing in life to hold onto is each other. She booked her flight back to the States after this conversation with the woman that she had always looked up to and viewed as the strongest woman in the world. 

Just being with him, even in the silence knowing nothing needs to be said because of the love, because of the completeness, because she knows his soul loves her soul. A love like this is rare in beauty, rare in grace, so rare like a dream that has been forgotten. How does a love like this happen? It was one of those moments that nobody was looking for, that came out of nowhere but is a moment that can never be erased. In the past they had both been secure with who they were individually but never matched with anyone else.

Their stores are very much intertwined and then, BAM! he found his best friend, she found hers. Now this story has come to a crossroads she knows her worth and he knows his worth. They do not know exactly how the rest of their story will go, but that is what keeps the excitement alive. They will spend the rest of their lives reminding each other daily how loved and how cherished one another are, creating memories and sticking beside one another regardless of what obstacles are placed before them. They are soul mates until the end of time. 

Soul mate – A person with whom you have an immediate connection the moment you meet — a connection so strong that you are drawn to them in a way you have never experienced before. As this connection develops over time, you experience a love so deep, strong and complex, that you begin to doubt that you have ever truly loved anyone prior. Your soulmate understands and connects with you in every way and on every level, which brings a sense of peace, calmness and happiness when you are around them. And when you are not around them, you are all that much more aware of the harshness of life, and how bonding with another person in this way is the most significant and satisfying thing you will experience in your lifetime. You are also all that much aware of the beauty in life, because you have been given a great gift and will always be thankful.

This is our Love story, that you for sharing in it ♥

 

I took the road less traveled…

I am very excited! Bridges Magazine  published a new article featuring some of my @travling_gypsy adventures – http://www.bridges-mag.com/?p=464

Couchsurfing – the New Alternative Way of Exploring for this “Traveling Gypsy”

For some, traveling abroad is a scary thought. For others, it’s a dream. For Sydney Duarte, 26, it’s a way of life. Wandering to and fro from continent to continent is how this self-proclaimed thrill-seeker gets her kicks. Making her rounds in a nomadic style is a pastime all too common for this former Boyd County resident.

Charlotte, N.C., is where she now makes her strides, selling art in several studios across town. Her specialty: photo blocks and jewelry inspired from her journeys.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TravelingGypsyArt

“I was the girl who kept 50 disposable cameras in my backpack during high school just to make sure I captured as many memories as possible”.

Beginning at age six, her love for travel was sparked by shows like Wild on E and those on the Discovery Channel.

“I started saving money for my first international trip to Guatemala working as a bill collector and as a pizza delivery girl,” Duarte said. “This is where my dad was born, so it seemed like a good place to start.”

After returning home, the travel bug ensued. She began planning her next trip to Thailand, this time accompanied by a friend. The thirst for new horizons became unquenchable. Realizing that globe-trotting is not everyone’s forte, she began seeking alternate methods of travel.

“I got tired of waiting on other people to go with me, so I began couchsurfing”.

Simply put, couchsurfing is an online community of people all around the world who open their homes and hearts to visitors who want to experience a country from the local point of view. Besides providing food and shelter, your host doubles as a personal tour guide, giving you the scoop on the city’s ins and outs. You’ll be advised on the best travel routes, treated to the best food and taken to the hottest local scenes.

“Couchsurfing provides you with other people who have the same outlook on life,” Duarte said. “You make life-long friends and I keep in touch with every single person I have stayed with along the way.”

She couchsurfs everywhere she goes, always lining up two or three people as back up and traveling with her tent in case something falls through.

Her first couchsurfing experience was a trip to the Encierro, home to the world-famous Running of the Bulls during the seven-day festival of Sanfermines in Spain. Accompanied by her brother, the two camped out and couchsurfered while visiting the event.

“This was the biggest rush of adrenaline I’ve ever experienced”.

Next came a trip to Europe. She couchsurfed her way across Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland.

The third and most recent couchsurfing experience turned into a seven-month expedition. She covered New Zealand, Australia, Bali, Singapore, South Africa, Madagascar, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Guatemala.

“This took a lot of coordination,” Duarte said. “Madagascar was my favorite. It seems as though your gone 100 years back in time. The women still wash their clothes in the rice fields.”

Volunteering during her stay is an essential part to her journeys. In Thailand she volunteered at a monk temple replacing tiles. She taught English in Madagascar, built homes in Guatemala, worked at a home for abused children in South Africa and spent time doing beach and forest conservation in Australia.

Teaching children at Aina Madagascar places first on Duarte’s list of favorites.

“These kids had no other hope for an education. They’re not like American kids. They jump at the chance to attend school. They’re excited about the opportunity to learn and know there is no better way to move forward in life than through education,” Duarte said.

To keep family and friends informed on all her adventures, she has created a blog. It is chock-full of pictures, stories and interesting facts about the places she’s visited and people she’s met along the way. When asked to describe her blog, She says it’s simply a journal that she intends to show her children one day.

Since reaching seasoned traveler status, she’s picked up a few tips and tricks to make travel much less complicated for the average person.

“Packing light is a must,” Duarte said. “I take clothes I can layer and easily change the look of. I also bring a jar of peanut butter for protein, a pack of chewable Pepto-Bismol®, a flashlight, first aid kit and my camera.”

Making sure vaccinations are up-to-date and bringing a cheat sheet of common phrases are essential. Also, bringing a sketch pad to draw pictures on just in case the language barrier proves too great can be helpful. She says if all else fails, body language is really the best communication.

For travelers on a tight budget, she offers some moneysaving tips such as bringing a reusable bottle for drinks and taking the metro or buses instead of a taxi.

“Buses are fantastic because often you strike up conversations with locals and other tourists from all over the world. I met a girl from Belgium on a 10-hour bus ride to Machu Picchu and now have a place to stay if I visit her country”.

Along with learning other languages, cultures and customs, she is quick to share several life lessons she’s picked up along the way.

“As bad as you think it is, it’s not that bad,” Duarte said. “As long as there’s a source of food and a roof/tent over your head, you’re OK!”

There’s no end to her travels anytime soon. “The more I travel, the more I realize people are pretty much the same everywhere I go, they just eat different food, wear different clothes and play different music.  ” Duarte said.

Next on the list is a trip to the eastern Caribbean and then it’s off to Finland to visit friends. Taken from an anonymous quote, she shares her mantra in hopes it will inspire others to follow in her footsteps.

“There is no end to the adventures we can have if we seek them with our eyes open.”

Fun and inspiration for all of your February Photos

Hi All!
I hope that 2013 is treating you very well. January went by in the a blink of an eye.
I’ve whipped up a new list of fun inspirations for you to play with throughout the month of February.

For all of  you that would like to join in on the fun, you can find the details for the “Photo-A-Day Challenge” at: http://travelinggypsyadventures.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/add-a-little-fun-and-inspiration-to-add-your-day-photo-challenge-for-2013/
Remember to use the hash tag #GypsyPhotoOfTheDay to share all of your fun and adventures with everyone.

Below are some of my favorites from the pictures I posted each day for January on my instagram @traveling_gypsy

Day 3: Surprise – Awesome Shark footed onesie that my brother surprised me with

Day 9: Smile - Love him and these beautiful, alluring, fiery blooms! Orange roses symbolize passion, pride, desire & enthusiasm. Just as the red rose means passion and the yellow rose means friendship, orange roses often mean a cross-over between these two emotions

Day 12: Love – Found this great Love sign while Exploring Taiwan

Day 16: Reflection - Imperfection is Beauty. Madness is Genius & its better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring!

Day 18: Your View – This was my #view this morning through my frozen windshield. Kinda funky wish it would’ve snowed though

Day 29: Moon - Full moon over the Mountains during our ski trip to Snoweshoe Mountain, WV

Add a little fun and inspiration to your day! Photo Challenge for 2013

If you’d like some fun daily inspiration I will be posting a picture a day on my instagram @traveling_gypsy every day of the month, a total of 30 -31 pictures  every month. I am going to call it “Photo-A-Day Challenge” for those that’s like to join in on the fun. You can post themed pictures of your own. Just use the hash tag #GypsyPhotoOfTheDay. Below is your first list for the month of January. Have fun

The photo a day challenges are fun, easy and keep you on your toes everyday! There are no rules. So start letting your creative juices flow! Everyone is welcome to play along and join in on the fun.

Frequently asked photo-a-day question from photo-takers

Why would I want to play?
Well, for starters, All the cool kids are doing it and it’s tons of fun! It reminds you of what is important to you. It helps you notice your surroundings, most that you probably wouldn’t have payed such close attention to on a regular day and helps you be a little creative. In today’s world there are many social media communities full of photo-sharers that “like” and comment on each other’s photos.

What exactly is a photo-a-day challenge? 
Each month I will create a list of words for every day of the month that will help trigger your mind and give you inspiration for your photos. You can use any camera you have {iPhone, Smartphone, Digital, DSLR, Polaroid … seriously anything that captures photos} and use the daily word(s) as inspiration for your photo.
Example: Day twelve’s word is “Love”, take a photo of anything that reminds you of this word, an old couple holding hands in the park, your favorite ice cream, The love of your life’s smile, A new born baby, Your mom’s arms around you, the new color that you painted your nails….basically anything that makes your heart happy

How do I share my photos? 
You have several options. Select the “share” button to your favorite social media locations. The photo a day community is shared across Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and more.

If you’re sharing on Instagram or Twitter – be sure you use the  hashtag {#gypsyphotoaday} so that people can find your photos.

If you’re sharing on Facebook, you can share on your personal or business page, on your business page or over on The Traveling Gypsy’s Facebook page.

How can I see all of the unique photos that everyone else is posting? 
Ever wondered what is going on in everyone else’s mind? …Well, now you can see it! After sharing your own photo, you are just a click away from viewing everyone else’s pics. You can find them on the social media platforms mentioned before. Browse them, Comment on them, Like them, love them! You are now part of the photo-a-day community. Embrace it! Enjoy it! Share it with the world!

I forgot to take a photo yesterday, I melted my smart phone on the stove, I was stranded on an island with no wifi, What do I do? Have I failed?
Of course Not! This is not a competition, Photo a day is all about having fun! Life happens, we understand. So you missed a day, so what? It doesn’t mean you have to abandon he photo-a-day ship completely. Now you can double your fun by taking two photos in one day! Or you could not take one at all, whichever works best for you. If you skipped a week or two you can always begin on the current day or make them all up and go on a photo taking spree. Remember, there are no rules, jest enjoy yourself.   

To New beginnings! Let’s see what 2013 holds :)

Create positive affirmations in the present moment instead of resolutions for 2013.  Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year and this will be the most AMAZING year of you life!

2012 has without a doubt been the craziest and most successful year of my life, it’s a BIG blur of amazingness and im just getting started. A friend of mine asked what it has given me and several things came to mind:

1 – A group of incredible friends from around the globe

2 – I have grown much more comfortable with death. Time waits for no one and you never know what tomorrow brings and you should spend as much time as possible with the ones that care about you. I could not be here tomorrow, you could not be here tomorrow, it makes no sense to hold grudges over small insignificant things. Spend time with the people that you care about most and tell/show them everyday that you love them and what they mean to you.

3 – I am Happy, in love and looking forward to see what 2013 holds

4 – Positive thinking evokes more energy, more initiative, more happiness. Dream of where you want your life to lead and then begin taking steps to get there.

5 – You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy ice cream and it’s kind of the same thing

6 – What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.

7 – In life, you usually get what you ask for, but it rarely comes in the package you think it’s supposed to come in.

8 – Never let one bad day make you feel like you have a bad life. Just because today is a terrible day doesn’t mean tomorrow won’t be the best day of your life. You just got to get there.

9 – Tell the truth, or eventually someone will tell it for you.

10 – Sometimes you’ve got to emotionally let go of the things that once meant a lot to you, so you can move beyond the past and the pain it brings you, and open the next chapter in your life.

11 – We don’t meet people by accident, they are meant to cross our path for a reason. To all of the amazing people that I’ve met along my journeys, I appreciate you and love you all…One of the things I appreciate about traveling is the immediacy in which decisions and consequences play out. Also, the fact that these happen among strangers who don’t have any responsibility towards each other. There are rare moments that you meet someone who is on the same page as you and you feel like you’ve lived a lifetime together. Sometimes, you find a soul mate and it doesn’t matter if you never see them again, the experiences that you share together are unforgettable. I’ve found myself in wonderful and unexpected company and I hold each of you near & dear to my heart ♥ Each country has held new friendly faces, incredible destinations, amazing experiences, delicious (and disgusting) foods, new traditions, languages and memories.
Love and light to everyone that has crossed my path along the way!

Happy New Year! Feliz año nuevo, Bonne Année, Frohes neues Jahr, Selamat tahun baru, Felice anno nuovo, 새해 복 많이 받으세요, Arahaba tratry ny taona, Szczęśliwego nowego roku, Feliz ano novo, Un an nou fericit, สวัสดีปีใหม่, Gelukkige nuwejaar

Machu Picchu – Dream BIG and give yourself permission to envision a You that you choose to be

An enchanted world is one that speaks to the soul, to the mysterious depths of the heart and imagination
where we find value, love, and union with the world around us.

Machu Picchu, perched high in the Andes, is one of the most spectacular and enigmatic archaeological sites on Earth. Abandoned, overgrown, and unknown to the outside world until 1911, the lost city has now become the most recognizable icon of the Inca world. Built at the height of the Inca Empire around 1450, perhaps as a sacred religious site or an estate for the emperor Pachacuti, the complex consists of giant precisely cut and polished stone walls, terraces, ramps and homes. This impressive architectural feat, sits amongst cloud-covered green mountains above the Urubamba River at 8,000′ above sea level, makes for a breathtaking experience.

Waking up in Aguas Calientes at 4:00am was a little rough, but the excitement of getting to the top of Machu Picchu filled me with energy. We threw on our hiking packs, head lamps and boots, drank a cup of cocoa tea and headed out the door in search of the steps up to the main entrance (for my budget trekkers, this is the free way to get to the top).

The trek itself was a bit strenuous and takes about 90 minutes. I hike quite a bit and I was struggling to breathe with each step that I took up the steep cobble stoned stairs.  The highest point is over 4000+m  in altitude so it can definitely slow you down a bit. Nevertheless, just take it slow, and stop and admire the beautiful valley below. The steep path roughly follows Hiram Bingham’s 1911 route and offers extraordinary views of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, which looks almost as it did in Bingham’s time. The only sounds were of the rushing water at the bottom of the canyon, heavy breathing of other hikers and the songs of faraway birds. It was the most alone we’ve felt in Bolivia, and remarkable for the fact that we were so close to the city.

The steep path roughly follows Hiram Bingham’s 1911 route and offers extraordinary views of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, which looks almost as it did in Bingham’s time. The only sounds were of the rushing water at the bottom of the canyon, heavy breathing of other hikers and the songs of faraway birds. It was the most alone we’ve felt in Bolivia, and remarkable for the fact that we were so close to the city.

We reached the entrance gate packed with people, got out tickets scanned and continued on toward the mythical ruins. There it was! Absolutely breathtaking! I stood in awe as the beams of sunlight began to cascade over the ancient Incan ruins and the sun rose above the mountain tops, it was the highlight of the trek for me.

After exploring for a few hours wandering through the hills of pristine Bolivian nature, making sure to witness it from all angles and elevations, I felt satisfied that I had explored it to the fullest.  For those that are conditioned to the explanatory signs at national parks,  Machu Picchu provides virtually no information about the ruins. (This lack does have one advantage—the ruins remain uncluttered.) The excellent Museo de Sitio Manuel Chávez Ballón ($8 entry) fills in many of the blanks about how and why Machu Picchu was built (displays are in English and Spanish), and why the Inca chose such an extraordinary natural location for the citadel. First you have to find the museum, though. It’s inconveniently tucked at the end of a long dirt road near the base of Machu Picchu, about a 30-minute walk from the town of Aguas Calientes.

I made several new friends while exploring around, some human, some llama. So many friendly faces just as excited as I was to see this beautiful treasure. 

When I was first planning my trip around the world, Machu Picchu was one of my top places to visit and while researching I read several warnings about bringing snacks with you into the ruins. You are able to bring snacks with you, just be sure to clean up after yourself and leave to trash behind. You should always bring food and water with you whenever you are traveling anywhere, you never know what may happen and what situation you may be put into, especially when hiking. You do not want to risk dehydration or passing out due to lack of nutrition because you didn’t bring the proper things with you.

It was an amazing day, but sadly it had to end and we had to begin the trip back to Cusco. Giovanni and Felippe wanted to explore the ruins for a bit longer so I told them I would meet them at the train station so that I could pick up some postcards. So, I climbed back down to Aguas Calientes and spent another hour and a half exploring the markets

Anxiously waiting at the station 15 minutes before the vista dome train was about to depart I finally see the guys running and out of breathe. They barely made it back in time, but still hadn’t picked up anything to eat. We quickly ran up the street to a small bakery owned by a frenchman (I didn’t see a sign on the store but it is located on the last street on the train station side of the village) and picked up a few sandwiches and drinks. Sped back to the station just as the doors were opening, found our seats and smiled at each other knowing we were all able to check another bucket list item off the list. 

The train stopped back at the hydro electric plant where we began our hike. We found our bus from the day before, hopped in and were on our way back to Cusco. The twisting, bumpy, deadly road couldn’t phase all of the beauty that I’d seen. I sat back and enjoyed the ride. The sunset over the valley was wonderful.

An hour away from Cusco we got a flat tire, but luckily we weren’t stranded for long. Everyone got out of the bus and assisted the driver and we were back on the road in no time. Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. It made my day to see everyone come together. When we pulled back into Plaza de Armas we hugged our new friends goodbye and wished them well on all of their journeys. Another amazing day to add to the books