rush of water

Ever since I first visited Niagra Falls when I was 8 years old I developed a fascination with waterfalls.  The beauty of water falling down and the tremendous view that came along with it was a combination I really enjoyed.  Canada would be the next destination I visited.  There were a few cities I got to go to while I was there which were Toronto, Niagra Falls, and Windsor.  The cool thing about Toronto was the fact that they had was the Skydome, similar to the one in Chicago.  Toronto was a cool city sort of modern looking and very spacious.  But yet again I'm not much of a city girl.  

Windsor was quite different however.  It reminded me somewhat of New York with all of the buildings.  It was more of a night life if anything.  Since the legal drinking age in Canada is 19 you would always see a younger crowd.  The bad thing about Canada was that they had such a high tax rate for their goods compared to here in the United States.  I would say that this was probably one of my least favorite places I visited (no offense to Canada) but I did really enjoy Niagra Falls and would love to visit it again someday. 


This guy inspires me! I hope to visit quite a few of these places in the near future :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY

Leave a comment stating whether you prefer the city or beach setting and why I'm open for discussion :)

Upcoming places to visit:
1. Dubai
2. Brazil
3. Italy
4. Madrid
5. Switzerland
6. Greece
7. Australia
8. London
9. Netherlands
10. Singapore

14 year reunion!

So after about 14 years I finally got to go back "home" to my parent's country where they were born.  I'm talking about Macedonia.  Now most people have no idea what it is or where it is, but if you look on the map of Europe you can find it right next to Greece.  It was weird being back but I was amazed at how much I remembered even though a lot of things changed.  I mean I was only about 8 years old at the time of my last visit.  So here, a majority of my family lives.  I'm talking about aunts, uncles, cousins galore, and so on.  It was so weird seeing them after that many years, it felt like meeting strangers.  I almost didn't even remember how everyone looked like either and of course they didn't recognize me either. There's not much to do in Macedonia besides climb the mountains and go out in the city/town.

 I ended up climbing a waterfall on the mountain which was really cool because I love waterfalls!  There were a lot of nice places to visit there such as Ohrid.  Ohrid is a "beach" like city that's by the water and has really nice views.  Its also kind of like a small town where you can go shopping and eat at restaurants.

When you see other cities compared to Ohrid, you don't even think your still in Macedonia that's how different it is from the rest.  Its definitely a tourist place because you see different kinds of people everywhere.  Also, at night time there was a bar/clubbing scene just like anywhere else you go to.  The cool thing about their bars and clubs was that they were overlooking the water which I absolutely loved!  I was supposed to drive over to Greece since it was so close but never got a chance to.  It's definitely on my list of places I want to visit though!  But, I was so glad I got to come back to visit my family after so many years, it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.

feeling the heat!

One of my favorite places I've visited had to be Montenegro.  In case you don't know where that is, it's located near Bosnia, Serbia and Albania.  Let me tell you this place is paradise!  From the spectacular views, weather, people, everything about it- I loved.  It looked like an island, but more features to it.  There are many different cities in Montenegro and I went to a few of them.  Each city had its own unique attribute to it.  The first city I visited was Podgorica.  Podgorica had a desert look to it and I went to a pool there that was incredible!  I guess you could say it was a city pool where guests can go there by paying a fee.  It was the biggest pool and most amazing pool I had ever been to.  Another city I visited was Lesandro.  Lesandro had a unique feature of stones. (I forgot what they were called) The next city I visited was Budva.  The best city there!  It was pretty much a beach and I laid out by the sea to tan and I ended up going jet skiing which was super fun! 

I had never gone to a place like Montenegro.  They were also famous for there palacinki which is aka for crepes with Nutella and let me tell you DELICIOUS!! If anyone were to visit Montenegro I would highly suggest trying them there, I guarantee you won't be disappointed!  I also noticed that in Montenegro the weather was extremely hot and overall amazing!  I got a nice tan almost immediately, which I really enjoyed.  Even though I was only there for 4 days, I was so happy I got to go there.  It was completely spontaneous and I didn't plan on traveling there, but I guess that's what make it even better!

city of love! je t'aime

So about two summers ago I embarked on a trip all alone to none other than the city of love Paris, France! I was so excited words couldn't even begin to describe how I felt! I had family there that I haven't even met so that made me even more anxious.  It was a long, long flight but I finally arrived at Charles De Gaulle airport terminal.  It was very different from the airports we have here in the states.  It looked like a mall or something along those lines.  It was a little bit confusing but I ended up finding my way and luggage! Phew! So after that, I went to meet my cousin who was picking me up.  I haven't seen him in 14 years so it was like meeting a stranger or somebody for the first time.  So we got to talking, and I finally arrived at their place and I met my aunt for the first time ever! It was so exciting and it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. 

My cousin wasted no time and took me out sight-seeing immediately.  There I was, looking at all of Paris's famous landmarks.  The Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Arc De Triomphe, the Boat Tour, and the list went on.  I felt like a kid in a candy store! Everything I saw was so incredible and amazing to me.  I couldn't get enough of it.  I took a million pictures, of course. Who wouldn't? I got to climb the Eiffel Tower as well which was incredible!  The view overlooking France was breathtaking.  My cousin was a great tour guide he showed me all of the interesting places Paris had to offer and they were all amazing.  It was definitely an experience I would remember for the rest of my life.   

 

Took a bite out of the big apple!

I never thought I would someday end up going to New York City.  I guess you could say it was one of the places I wanted to see but I'm not much of a city girl.  The beach is more my style.  It was nice having the opportunity to go there even though it was only for a day.  It wasn't something I had planned, I ended up going to a Convention in New Jersey so on the way back, my friends and I decided we might as well cross over to New York since it wasn't too far away.  It was so weird seeing all the buildings and how many there were.  We ended up driving around for a bit and decided to take a stroll around Times Square and Manchester. 

We visited ground zero and it was crazy that I was at the exact spot it all happened.  It was definitely something I wouldn't forget.  I didn't get to see the Statue of Liberty, only from a distance which was disappointing.  Regardless, walking around in the busy city and experiencing it for the first time was memorable.  But, I still enjoyed the beach and palm trees more.  I love fashion and I know that New York is the top city for that so that was also enjoyable.  If only I had more time to experience all of New York I would of liked it better.  We only got to sight see since we didn't have much time but it was still fun and I'm glad I got to at least see what it was like.

welcome to hollywood, baby

The one state I wanted to visit forever, and it finally happened! It was the Summer of August in 2011.  I had a blast and it was amazing there! I fell in love with Laguna Beach it's one of my new favorite places.

Everything about California was breathtaking to me.  I ended up visiting Los Angeles, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Venice Beach.  Every place I went to had something I enjoyed.  Whether it was the view, people, food, or atmosphere it felt like I had to live there.  I love the whole surfer style so that made California even better through my eyes.  I'm kinda bummed I didn't get to try surfing while i was there due to back problems but I'm going back and that's one of the first things I'm doing!

I met new friends there too and they were fun to hang out with and they took me to as many places as they could while I was in town.  When the day came that I had to go back home, I was so upset.  I felt like California was going to be my future home someday.  I haven't been back since, but I plan on moving there after I get my Bachelor's degree hopefully this year.  The place I want to live there would be Laguna Beach, there were no other places like it.

first vacation as an 18 year old!

The first trip I ever took outside Michigan was in Clearwater Beach, Florida.  I remember it like it was yesterday. It was on my spring break from high school.  I was so excited to finally leave the state and embark on an adventure with a few of my close friends.

As soon as we landed I knew it was completely different from Michigan.  The palm trees were amazing! When we finally got to the beach, I was so happy to finally see the ocean. I quickly ran in to get a feel for the water. I knew that from that point, I had to live somewhere where there was a beach.  The view, the feel, the smell, everything about the beach was incredible.  We spent everyday on the beach since our hotel was right by the water.  I never wanted to be inside, Clearwater Beach was too nice to not take advantage of.  Sadly, we were only there for a week and the week flew by and before I knew it, it was time to head back home.  I ended up bringing the sunshine back with me and I was already missing the ocean. I knew in my mind that it wasn't going to be the last time I visited Florida.