Things have been a bit quiet here lately. In early December my husband and I were involved in a car accident. It actually happened the evening of my previous post. We were lucky to walk away. As I began to tend to my injuries, I came down with a nasty respiratory infection that is in its last phase.
Overall 2013 was a rough year, health wise, for me. Fortunately, I had some great travel moments to hold on to. While I’m shaking off the last bit of this cold, I want to share some of the moments that filled my soul this past year.
ISLA MUJERES, MEXICO
When I stepped off the ferry onto Isla Mujeres, I almost didn’t believe it was real. It had been just more than a year since my first visit and I honestly had no idea I’d be back that soon. Traumatic experiences bring out my wanderlust with such gusto, arrival takes a moment to sink in, even if I plan every detail.
Thanks to AirTran‘s new(ish) direct flight from Austin to Cancun, I was sipping a Cuban rum mojito in just two and a half hours. Our room wasn’t even ready yet. It was the first time in a long time (since arriving in Prague) that my surroundings felt so surreal.
After changing into my swimsuit and picking up a fresh coconut with a side of ceviche, I was in the zone. Forever grateful.
TORONTO, CANADA
Toronto was never on my radar until I decided to go to TBEX 2013. I fell in love with the city, met some amazing people, and I can’t wait to go back!
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Stopping for a moment on the side of the road in between Santa Monica and Malibu was like hitting a reset button.
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK
Seeing a life size Hello Kitty in Times Square, just walking to her destination like myself, was priceless.
There’s no place like New York City. I hadn’t been in three years, but found a round-trip ticket for $138 including taxes! I couldn’t pass it up.
I have quite a few NYC blog posts coming up in 2014! Stay tuned!
Catching up with my friends Kim and John from The Stargazer Lilies was wonderful.
They took me to Veselka for a traditional Ukrainian meal. This iconic restaurant serves delicious food 24 hours a day!
Seeing the US premiere of Finding Vivian Maier at DOC NYC was a thrill for me. I didn’t plan my trip around Vivian Maier, but the universe did. Plus, I got to see it with one of my best friends from college, her husband, and my husband (who I flew in for the weekend after finding a great last minute deal on Hipmunk). We enjoyed a fantastic Basque meal afterward at Txikito. The ideal evening, really. One of my happiest days in 2013.
On my last day in NYC, I made plans to meet up with a new friend I made in 2013 while on a press trip. I picked up a lobster roll at the Red Hook Lobster Truck and met Lauren for lunch in Central Park. Following a short stroll, we proceeded to Howard Greenberg Gallery to see the Vivian Maier: Self-Portrait exhibition. It was the perfect send-off.
What were your favorite travel moments of 2013?
May your journey be your muse,
Rachel