Morgan from Smith, Here!

This week five of my favorite bloggers have agreed to be interviewed about their love for travel.  I am honored to have worked with each of them, and I think you will enjoy getting to know how travel fits into their lives!

Morgan Smith has a lovely blog called Smith, Here! I was first introduced to her blog through Caitlin Wilson's blog. Caitlin did a feature on Morgan's amazing wedding. Smith, Here! chronicles Morgan's work (Guess by Marciano), zest for life, and love for her husband Joel. Today Morgan shares her favorite trips and travel tips. Enjoy!

Liz: What is your favorite trip of all time? 

Morgan: India. It was my most challenging trip, but also my most rewarding! It's a world of its own.

Liz: If you could travel anywhere right now where would you go? 

Blogger's Travel Week - Mara from A Blog About Love

This week five of my favorite bloggers have agreed to be interviewed about their love for travel.  I am honored to have worked with each of them, and I think you will enjoy getting to know how travel fits into their lives! 

Mara Kofed has a wonderful blog called A Blog About Love.  I was first introduced to her blog by Design Mom and I can't get enough.  Mara has a big heart, a positive attitude, and a passion for helping others.  She shares her life lessons on some of the following topics: How can I love in a healthy way?  How can I face marriage, being single, dating, trials, divorce, infertility, etc?  
I highly recommend checking out her blog, I promise you will be glad you did. Enjoy!

Liz: What is your favorite trip of all time?

Mara: We went to Europe for 5 wks together soon after we got married!

Liz: If you could travel anywhere right now where would you go?

Blogger's Travel Week - Megan from The Polished Pickle

This week five of my favorite bloggers have agreed to be interviewed about their love for travel.  I am honored to have worked with each of them, and I think you will enjoy getting to know how travel fits into their lives!


Today Megan Riley from The Polished Pickle shares "advice for the endlessly anchored".  I was first introduced to Megan through her creative blog Gypsy Feet.  One link led to the next and I discovered her personal blog The Polished Pickle.  I instantly fell in love with her adorable family and her amazing photography skills. Just check out the photos on her blog and you will know what I mean.

While we were in college my husband and I often fantasized about the grand adventures we'd have the moment we thew our graduation caps. As the story often goes, our family-sized budget, along with the weight of student loans, has necessitated our quest to "soar with planted feet." One day we'll see the Earth from an airplane window. Until then we're making an art of enjoying the view from down here.

Three things to do with your buds while you're waiting for life to blossom...

Blogger's Travel Week - Gabrielle from Design Mom

This week five of my favorite bloggers have agreed to be interviewed about their love for travel.  I am honored to have worked with each of them, and I think you will enjoy getting to know how travel fits into their lives!

Gabrielle Blair (author of the fabulous blog Design Mom) and her family (she has six adorable kids) have spent the last year living in France and exploring Europe.  To say they are an adventurous family would be an understatement.  Gabrielle frequently highlights their travels on her blog. Her recent trips include: Amsterdam, Canoeing on the Dordogne River, Cologne, Holland, and Mont St. Michel.

Today she shares about her recent family trip to Barcelona. Enjoy!  

Liz: What is your favorite part about traveling?

Gabrielle: My favorite part is getting to see what the world looks like from another point of view. To realize not everyone treats time and money and history the same way as my native culture. Discovering what the landscape looks like to someone in a different culture is pretty amazing.

Liz: Tell me about your recent trip to Barcelona? 

Know Before You Go Week - Your Airline

Your Airline

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A little preparation goes a long way when traveling.  Before making your way to the airport it is import to know all the rules that are unique to your airline.  Navigating the check-in and boarding process can be confusing so I compiled a list of tips that should help.

Think about these things the next time you book a ticket:

Kiosk or no kiosk - Did you know some airlines charge to speak to a person?  Some also charge if they print off your boarding pass versus using the self-check kiosk.

Celebrity Sightings

Working around airports I get to see thousands of people everyday.  Here are a few celebrities I have seen recently.

ABC's The Bachelor Lindzi Cox eating dinner with friends at the airport.

Know Before You Go Week - TSA

Transportation Security Administration

Traveling is stressful and it can bring out the worst in people. One way to reduce stress when traveling is to do your homework. The topic this week is all about knowing what to expect before you travel. I highly recommend becoming familiar with TSA's current policies on what can and can't go through security. I am a big fan of the TSA. I feel like they are keeping us safe and doing their best. I have sat through hours of trainings and learned about the important ways TSA has saved lives. I appreciate what they do and I feel bad that they get a bad wrap. People who work for TSA are just like you and me, they are trying to make an honest living. 

The mission of the TSA - "The Transportation Security Administration protects the Nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce" quote.

This free TSA App gives you 24/7 access to security wait times, list of item allowed through security, and airport  updates.

My tips for navigating TSA: Less is More!
-Pack light.  If at all possible check everything you don't need with your checked luggage.
-Buy items at your destination.  The more I travel the less I bring with me.  I either go without items or plan on buying them at my destination

Know Before You Go Week - Your Airport

Know Your Airport

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This rabbit sculpture is located at Sacramento Airport's  new Terminal B. 

No two airports are alike.  I know some people hate airports, but I love them.  There is something exciting about all the people coming and going from thier destinations.  From reuniting with loved ones, to rushing to catch a flight; I enjoy it all. I also love how airports are like mini cities.  Where else can you get a massage, mail a package, get your hair cut, visit Brookstone, and eat a good meal all under one roof?

I get to travel a lot because of my work and I have noticed a few things during my travels. 

Know Before You Go Week - Safety

Safety

Trying sugar cane in Tikal, Guatemala.

When I travel safety ranks as my number one priority when planning my trip. The U.S. Department of State has the most comprehensive list of current travel warnings. Before you buy your plane tickets please check out their website. Also, watch the news, read articles, newspapers, blogs, and pretty much everything you can get your hand on about safety at your destination.

An example of poor planning - In 2004 my sister Jayne and I planned a month long trip to Guatemala.  We found round trip tickets for $250 taxes included and couldn't pass up the great deal. We planned to backpack around Guatemala and visit places like: Tikal, Antigua, and Guatemala City.  A week before our trip my sister Kathy recommended visiting the State Department's website.  We checked out the website and were able to view recent reports on crimes against Americans.

Japan Week - Harajuku Lovers

I think the packaging for Gwen Stafani's Harajuku Lovers perfume is unique and creative. 
Have a great weekend!

Japan Week - Cherry Blossoms

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Whenever I see cherry blossoms it takes me back to Japan and reminds me of all my great vacations. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom over here in the Pacific Northwest right now.

Japan Week - Mike and Sally

April 2012

 In April of 2012 my parents traveled to Japan for three weeks. Here are a few photos from their trip.

Japan Week - Traveling with Jayne

January 2002

During one of my weekends off from Americorps, my sister Jayne and I flew to Japan. Highlights included: Gyozas, 100 yen store, Imperial Palace gardens, cherry blossoms, shopping, shrines, subways, and a lot of sister time.