Despite the fact I’m a bit of a homebody, I love to travel. The possibility of seeing a new place makes me push myself to leave “my own bed” for the possibility of adventure. I’ve been fortunate enough to have visited some amazing places, and have a slew of travel stories.
San Francisco, United States: I was a really picky eater, but I started becoming more adventurous when I was 11. Since it was by the coast, everywhere you look(ed) in San Francisco was seafood. So I tried fried calamari for the first time, though my parents didn’t tell me what type of fish it was until two years later. Till this day, it’s the only seafood I really eat (so I guess I still am a picky eater).
Myrtle Beach, United States: I was 13 when my parents decided to be a nice vacation spot. I remember doing a random series of activities including not one but two Tanger Outlets, going to a Cirque du Soleil show, and going to a buffet restaurant that had a giant crab named “Tommy” on top of it. But I watched RENT for the first time on the car ride down trip, so it was a pretty historic trip.
Paris, France: The best thing about France is the way that the Eiffel Tower catches you by surprise at every turn as a constant reminder that yes, you’re in Paris. My legs have never been so tired as my parents and I got somewhat lost in the city to find the Pablo Picasso museum to discover it wasn’t open on Mondays. Not the worst place to get lost. Actually, the best place to get lost.
Tuscany, Italy: I hate tomatoes so I’m not too sure what is on this bruschetta right now but I am loving it. If I could paint a picture of what a Tuscan wine villa would look and taste like, this would be it. When my parents told me we’d be doing Italy via a tour I pictured my elementary school field trips–how was Paulo going to find me at the Trevi fountain and mistake me for an international superstar? Yet I couldn’t ask for a better time on the tour, extending my family to 40 people sitting at one long table covered with wine bottles and pasta who had been strangers 7 days before. Doing a tour (like Contiki!) was an awesome way to check out a whole bunch of places and see things off the beaten path!
What are some of your favorite travel stories? Tweet at us at @hercampusbu!