Is Portland Still Keeping it Weird? An Interview with Melissa Guzman and Richard Reyes

Portland, Oregon is a place that has always intrigued me to visit. It is a place known for being eco-friendly and liberal. I am a big fan of the show, Portlandia, that exaggerates (I'm sure) its friendly and hippie nature. Thanks to that show, my curiosity grew. Although I have not made my way that far north of the United States, I am lucky enough to have two friends (a couple) that have made it there. These two are some of my dear friends and travel buddies. According to The Points Guy website, Portland has quite a bit of strip clubs (per capita) in comparison to the rest of the country. I wonder if my friends verified that fact? In this post I will be interviewing to get some insight on a place that hopefully will not linger on my bucket list.
*Many hours have passed and by this point I am a couple of beers in and relaxing at Melissa and Richard's (and Cody and Emma's) house.*

 Rx: First and foremost, give me some background of places you have traveled, experiences and places you want to visit in the future?
MG: I think the only thing we haven't done together was New York City. I went about three times (two with family and one as an adult). It was f*cking awesome without the "parentals." I also went to San Francisco, Berkeley, Providence (Rhode Island), Toronto (Canada), Niagara Falls, Washington D.C., Boston, Las Vegas, and Miami. As for the future, I would say Madrid and Ireland are on my bucket list. Also, I always kind of always wanted to see Texas, although not sure where in Texas. I almost forgot, I went to El Salvador as a kid. We used to do such cool things. The beaches are so beautiful... but the sand is HOT (???).
RR: I used to frequent Boston every summer. I have also taken road trips to New York City (separately), Niagra Falls, Washington D.C., and one time I went all the way to Miami and Orlando via road trip (Melissa intercepts to ask: "really?!"). I have also been to Orlando, San Diego, Salt Lake City, and Atlanta. I also went to Guadalajara, Mexico and Guatemala. I would say Japan is on my bucket list, as well as Ireland, South America. I mean I want to go everywhere. Those are just the big ones.

Rx: I wan't to know if Portland is really "keeping it weird" as the saying goes? Coming from Los Angeles would you say that statement rings true to the vibe, culture, and people there?
MG: Yeah its weird, but it's not a bad thing.
R.R: Not to us from L.A. because we have a weird vibe here too, like in Hollywood. Portland has a lot of names though, such as: Bridge City, The City of Roses, Stumptown, and Rip City.

[And let me say that them telling me that beard oil is sold at bars was enough to convince me of the weirdness of Portland.]

Rx: Why did you choose to travel to Portland? What is it about Portland that made you want to visit?
MG: Thats a good a f*cking question. I kinda wanna say the first reason that drew me was the weather, although first I thought of Seattle, W.A. Then, in the talks Portland came up. Portland has the breweries, I mean c'mon. That tipped the scales, and that's where I wanted to go f*ck sh*t up.
R.R: I would say the "hipseter culture," the scenery and definitely the beer.

Rx: What are some of the main sights or landmarks that you were able to visit on your trip?
MG: The Multnomah Falls, who were named after an Indian chief. We also went to the Portland Japanese Garden, Voodoo Donuts, and Deschutes Brewery Portland Brewhouse. The good thing is that within 30 minutes you can be in city life and outdoorsy nature life.
R.R: I recall the International Rose Test Garden, for all the pretty roses. It was a nice walk.

Rx: Would you say that Portland is expensive? Or is it a place that you could go on a budget?
M.G: I definitely think you could go on a budget. However, you need to do research. I mean, you could also spend a lot on restaurant and splurge. I think it's cheaper than Los Angeles. (e.g. craft beer).
R.R: I say you can go on a budget, if you are comparing it to Los Angeles. I mean you can also drive to Portland if you don't want to fly.

Rx: Is there anything you disliked about Portland?
M.G.: I disliked the public transportation. I mean it was not faster than Uber or walking. It didn't make a huge difference. Public transport took a while although they did have options. They had a tram.
RR: I didn't dislike anything. I mean, the situation is similar to Los Angeles in regards to the homelessness situation. There is definitely a community there.

Rx: Tell me a bit about the food? Are there any dishes that are particular to that area? Is there a favorite dish you tried or a favorite restaurant you could recommend?
M.G.: Well, lets just say I gained nine pounds and regret nothing. The restaurant Portland City Grill is nice! It's pretty high up there and has a nice view. The thing with Portland is, if you serve alcohol you have to have a certain amount of food dishes available. It's the law. There is food everywhere.
R.R.: I don't think they have a signature dish. I keep recalling that tasty and had a burger that I liked. It was from Tasty and Alder. There was also TILT restaurant that had a massive jalapeno burger. It just had different styles of burgers. One was short rib, they all had cool names.  Blue star donuts was cool (Melissa intercepts to say they had the best donuts like the infamous Raspberry Rosemary Buttermilk - WTF)

Rx: As the beer connoisseurs that you are, tell me about the beer. What is the beer culture like? I feel like when I think of Portland I think of beer.
MG: Oh I loved it. One of the beers that stands out is the Pumpkin Patch Ale at Rogue Ales.
RR: There are a lot of breweries. We tried all of the beer places. We tried not to repeat for that same reason. One place I would definitely go backto was the 10 Barrel Brewing Co. I really liked their cucumber sour beer. I also really liked the Cascade Brewing Barrel. That place was memorable. They had something called "barrel aged sour beer," and because it is so strong they serve you less. Each beer is about 10% alcohol content.

Rx: Did you take any side trips? Or did you dedicate anytime in the "off the beaten path?"
MG: Did we?
RR: We went to the Columbia River Gorge, which is about 40 minutes from Portland. We rented a car and just drove there. We wanted to travel out more but got distracted.

Rx: One thing people don't understand is that the United States is so big that every state and even city can be totally different. People can be so diverse in their thinking, culture, habits, foods, etc. What was most surprising thing about Portland, or the biggest culture-shock you had?
MG: People are courteous in comparison to L.A. It is definitely hipster central, but not like in a "douche-bag" way. It is eccentric.
RR: Stoic and eccentric (Richard laughs because this was my email in high school). Well, not too much because we have gone to other cities in U.S. But leaving in L.A, people are more courteous, give pedestrians right of way, and ride their bikes. It is a big city with a small town feel.

Rx: What travel advice would you give, or what advice in general would you give to someone who doesn't travel much?
MG: I would say set up an automatic savings account. For me, there is no way in hell I would consciously save money. I am very strict with not touching my savings. Every paycheck the money would just go out.
RR: As for travel tips I would say: pack light, prepare for weather, and take comfortable shoes. I think you can travel on a budget to most places if you plan with time and do your research. I also think you can still have a good time in a short amount of time (i.e. weekend trips).

Rx: Lastly, is it true that there are tons of strip clubs there?
MG: Richard will never know.
R.R: Well-- the Uber driver said yes.

I want to thank Melissa and Richard for their time sharing their experiences with me and at the same time feeding me German beer and food during my visit. I also want to mention that Melissa's brother Steve was hanging out with us, and travel-geeking out, talking about his upcoming trip to Thailand (can't wait to hear those stories ;).

Please comment below and let me know what you think about this post, this place, what kind of things you want to see in the future, etc. Also, don't forget to follow me on social media.Until the next wandering adventure!

[All photos courtesy of Richard Reyes and Melissa Guzman]

Montrose Oktoberfest: The Experience

Oktoberfest. The word alone carries its own weight as an adult. But before I became an adult, I didn't know anything about it. I remember passing by Alpine Village in Torrance, California and thinking it was a "cute little town." As an adult I realized differently and experienced the madness of Oktoberfest at Alpine Village: drunken thugs, nonsensical chatter, fighting, and beyond excessive drinking and murdering of the liver. However, many years later I went to Munich, Germany with my fiance and a couple of friends and discovered that the idea of Oktoberfest that I had was totally warped from the real thing. The real festival is a much more friendly, family-oriented, supplies a platform to make friends, and is a much more of a relaxing and enjoyable experience, where the goal is not simply to get drunk beyond belief.
Oktoberfest began in 1810 (yeah, its pretty old) as a celebration of the marriage between Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. I mean dang, what a wedding celebration (I hope mine is that big). This year held the 186th celebration in Munich. The citizens were invited to celebrate and hence Oktoberfest was born. Normally Oktoberfest is towards the end of September and the beginning of October finalizes its end. However, in California we always bend the rules. I doubt anyone will remember my marriage that far down the road, unless I live to be 221 years old.
This brings me to my search for a more realistic Oktoberfest in Southern California that is a real thing.s close to the real thing as possible. Oktoberfest in Alpine Village (although they have a band that is pretty similar to what you hear in the real thing and have a big ol' tent) is far from what my heart desired. I love traditions. I love all things old. I love beer. I happened to come across Montorse Oktoberfest (I cannot recall how). I have now attended twice since going to Munich. I went back because I felt that it did the real thing some justice. There was tradition, there was beer, there were families, there were nice people, there was simply a good time. I won't lie, as you get older you start to value a simple good time (accompanied by a couple of beers).
My fiance and I were planning to go for a super-quick visit to Montrose, so we put on our outfits (mine less authentic) and headed out. Despite being there a short time, we still had a blast! As soon as we arrived we walked up and down Honolulu Avenue.

It felt like you were in a swap meet or a farmers market. That is the relaxing feel you should have, going to Oktoberfest although the real thing is much more massive. Now, if you're thinking, "well that doesn't sound fun," just wait until you have tried the German beer selection. Obviously aside from food and drink they also have things for those who take their kids with them. And in addition, they have big stages with bands playing oldies and other popular music (if tradition isn't your thing).

After walking up and down the main avenue, it was time for beer (and boy did I have a couple of those). Now although I believe the beer was a bit pricey for a half pint ($10), the beer was good. 

They had Spaten Oktoberfest  (my fave) and Warsteiner Oktoberfest.

I really liked that Warsteiner had its own little tent for people to sit and enjoy their beer from the hot sun. This gave me total Oktoberfest in Munich-vibes.

At this "mini-tent" we met two very nice ladies (which is basically what the spirit of Oktoberfest is all about). One of the ladies (maybe in her late 60's or early 70's) was in town to visit her friend who had a shop down the street and decided to come have a beer and relax. Now that's what I'm talking about! The other woman was German with her mother and Cuban mother-in-law. She was so excited to tell us about her families home town (Hümmel)? Or Herford?) Anyway, she was helping us pronounce German beers like Pauliner (Pau-lee-ner) was so excited of our outfits and love for her country that she scoffed and rolled her eyes when her mother and mother-in-law got up and pressured her to go. Now THAT is the Oktoberfest vibe. Have a beer, have a chat, and just have a good time! 

Even Golden Road (not German) had a cute little "Los Angeles-styled" booth for beer. It was located at the end of the "adult" section and reeled you slowly back in to reality. 

If you love hearty food (and are not Vegan) you would love the meat-eating varieties available. They had the regular wurst - in a hot dog bun for a twist. However, the sauerkraut brings you back to Germany. I love sauerkraut. The thing that struck me was the massive turkey-legs smoking away. Passing by this section of the festival gave me total Bavarian-vibes. Alas, I didn't have space to fit a turkey leg. Blame the beer (please don't).

As we kept walking, we went to the Bavaria Stage (which is where I wanted to plant myself with a tall cup of seasonal German beer and stay all night). Although we didn't stay for long, we still got a chance to view the D'Oberlander Dancers. 

We saw a performance of two older women with cowbells, a dance of two men and a women fighting over her (and kicking each other in the rear), a row of guys dancing something similar to what marching bands dance now, and a very moving horn-blower performance with an Alphorn called "An Dorfren?" I could not find the translation online, sorry if I butchered it.

I was specifically moved by how the German-American families took their children and dressed them up, immersing them in their culture. Tell me this little boy isn't the cutest thing you have ever seen. I saw many children and babies dressed up in traditional Bavarian dress.

Shortly after, we left. I struggled very hard to go home and am pretty sure I will return next year. I hope you enjoyed this snippet of my visit to Montrose Oktoberfest. I can honestly say that every year it gets better. I cannot wait to see what happens next year!

If you enjoyed this review of Montrose Oktoberfest please comment!

10 Tips for First Time Travelers

So upon browsing other blogs it seems as though "how to" tips are the most requested items for people interested in travel. I decided to do my own. I am no expert. I don't claim to know everything. These are simply tips I have based on what I have learned over the years.

Although I have many friends who travel, there is an even larger number of friends that do not travel because they think its something other worldly and unattainable. Well its not, and I will help you prepare for your very first trip based on my personal experiences. I wish I had known some of these things when I traveled at one time or another. I want you to stop making excuses. I want you to stop saying you "can't, because.." Anyone and everyone can. Maybe not tomorrow, but you can. The only real thing stopping you, is you. I want you to go and see the world I have caught a glimpse of. It's a breathtaking place with much beauty and much inspiration for living. I honestly believe that leaving my homeland has helped me understand other people and cultures better. I empathize with other people and have less intense culture shocks. The world is a large place, but in exploring it, you also explore and learn something about yourself.  On to the tips...

1. Pick the perfect travel mates. This one is key. This is where you need to begin. The reason why this is first on my list is because you need a reliable person, or group to plan your trip with. I have known many people swear they want to go on vacation and that "we should definitely go." However, that promise falls flat and we never go anywhere because "oh I don't think I can get time off from work" or "oh I have school" or "oh, I am broke." The excuses are endless. But if you find a person or group of people who are serious about going somewhere, the rest will sort of take care of itself. Bring it up to a friend or two who sound interested. Bring it up a second time and make a concrete plan to sit and talk about it. If these people agree, then you have found your travel buddies! Congrats.
2. Save up for your trip (if money is the issue). Sure, you can go on a trip tomorrow, but do you have the money? I never recommend charging an entire trip (airfare, hotel and expenses). You will spend a longer time paying it back, than the time you will be on your trip. The memories of your trip will be tainted with this debt looming over you. Plus, saving up for a trip will allow you to feel a special type of gratification and accomplishment when purchasing and then you can travel care free. Figure out where you want to go. Then, see how much the trip can cost depending on the season and then I see which season I am willing to travel in (frigid winter for dead cheap? or expensive for summer). I then plan one year to save for the trip and another year to save up my expenses. This is a bit extreme. You could possibly do this in 6 months. This is just an example. Obviously you don't want to starve to death during this time. Also save up a little more than you budgeted, because at the last minute when you make little changes to the itinerary, you might need it. 
3. Food poisoning. Unfortunately this is a part of traveling that nobody really wants to talk about. I used to get food poisoning in Mexico (although not anymore). I have also gotten food poisoning traveling in Peru. Funny enough it only happened in Latin America. I was lucky enough to have family (and my fiance's family in both countries). I think it has something to do with different bacteria's that I am not used to? No clue, not a scientist. Anyway, a good thing to remember is that you need to stay hydrated. I make sure to always drink either water or sports drinks. In addition I like to take probiotics during my trip (and have not been sick while traveling since). Please consult with your doctor, of course, before taking anything. But I already take some, so I just decided to buy good ones and take them religiously during any trip. Take medicine from home, and google the closest clinics and pharmacies. 
4. Luggage. You might think this is no big deal, but having the right luggage and luggage information will help you save money and headaches. You might not know this but some airlines charge for luggage. I was stuck in Munich, unable to board my plane because we had to wait at the kiosk to purchase our checked bags (and almost missed my flight in the process). Expedia is a fantastic site that will give you all of that information as you are purchasing, but regardless it's good to google it for yourself. You will always want to review the airlines policies on what you can take. Also, in case you didn't know many airlines have size/measurement policies on how big your carry on and checked bags are. Now, not every airline checks, but many do. My friends and I left Paris and my friend was forced to squeeze her carry on in a measuring crate (don't know the proper term) and she had to pay to check it. Also, if you anticipate bringing back souvenirs, you will want to invest in a portable luggage scale. Weight is another big one. if your bags are 1 pound over, you will be charged. A light scale is my best friend. This is the one I use. I think I got it cheaper via the Wish App (not sponsored). Also, if you anticipate bringing back souvenirs (first time travelers usually do), travel light (but do NOT forget comfortable shoes). Those cute boots, or chucks you want to take will not feel cute when your feet are dying. 
5. Layovers. Layovers can seem like a pain, but if you are traveling far, sometimes there is no option. So, if you have to take a layover and you want to minimize the time then make sure your layover is at least an hour. The reason I say this is because once our plane was delayed and when we arrived to the layover city, we had to run across the airport to get on our plane that was about to leave. Second, the first time you set foot in another country, you will have to pass through customs. Meaning that the event will take longer. For example, if you leave Los Angeles and your layover is in New York City, you will not have to pass through customs because you are in the same country. But you will pass through customs when you arrive to the destination (example) London. However, if you travel directly from Los Angeles to Paris (layover) on your route to London, then keep in mind that your Paris layover will take a while because you will have to pass through customs there. This was the case when England was part of the EU, once you got inspected at any EU country, you were "safe" for the destination country. Now, it might be different with Brexit. But this helps give you an idea. Now if you want to take advantage of the layover and see some of the sights, you can opt for those 12 hour+ layovers that look like a nightmare and venture out. Otherwise, don't.
6. Currency Exchange. This might seem like a no-brainer but knowing where to get the best rate for your money is very important. Search around to see where you will get the best bang for your buck. The closer to your destination, the worse the exchange rate. 
7. Passport/Visas. This may seem obvious but make sure your passport is not expired nor expires within a certain time frame (if the country of destination has requirements). Also, check if the country requires a visa (like Brazil for Americans). I have known American's who were stuck at LAX getting a visa, American's who left the country with expired passports, and Americans who missed their trip altogether. CHECK YOUR PASSPORT.
8. Time off. Make sure you request your vacation time from work (in writing) before you book your trip. I have known many people whose vacations were almost cancelled, and because of a signed piece of paper, were allowed to leave. Make sure you don't return hours before you are scheduled to return to work/school. What if you are delayed? You are in big trouble. Give yourself some rest time, preferably. Jet-lag hits people differently. 
9. Arriving. As soon as you arrive to your destination you will be so excited. However, it might be the middle of the night or you might be exhausted. It will be wise to google your nearest convenience store and stock up on water and snacks. I always take a water bottle or two in my carry on in case all of the stores are closed for the evening. You are also able to purchase duty free items as long as the next stop is your destination. Otherwise, you will need to check it. 
10. Internet. Now this might seem like its not necessary, but before I got T-Mobile, I struggled to get a map and find my way around. It was difficult to google things and find wifi areas (which typically sucked). My fiance and I were in Mexico City and our airbnb host cancelled our apartment last minute. Therefore, we had to google a new place. Luckily the park across the way had free wifi, so we could fix our temporary homeless situation. Try to add on an internet plan that will allow you to use it in the country you are traveling to. Otherwise, the roaming charges will be absurd. 

I hope you enjoyed my 10 tips for first time travelers. Please feel free to comment below!

Zirahuen, Michoacan, Mexico. 2017.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery (and the Johnny Ramone Tribute)

A cemetery is not a place you typically associate with having a good time. The word cemetery carries it own weight in meaning. Hollywood Forever Cemetery (HFC) in Hollywood, California is one of the most fascinating cemeteries in the world (according to Thrillist). Aside from being the resting grounds for famous and not-so-famous souls alike, this place also hosts numerous events ranging from movie nights to concerts and even festivals. At the simplest level it is a cemetery. On a more complex level it is a platform for a bit of entertainment and rock-'n'-roll, as was the case for me on Sunday, August 11, 2019.

HFC is situated on Santa Monica Blvd., which is one of the busiest streets surrounding the Hollywood area. Getting to the cemetery is not for the faint of heart if you don't plan accordingly. Your LA traffic skills will be put to the test in trying to get to this place. If you are savvy you will get there early and maybe find street parking. I would also recommend using a ride share service. Many will drive there shortly before they open and encounter the chaotic queue lane that forms to turn into the on-site parking that wont let you enter until its "time." It will make you feel as though you are one step closer to being in the ground. First you need to pass through the gorgeous entrance gate that makes you feel like you’re in the 1950's. The snake-like queue to get in passes fairly quickly.

Then as you enter, you pass through a large number of tombstones. Finally after a 10 to 15 minute walk you get to the back of the cemetery and suddenly you forget where you are. There is a vast area of grass and walls and typically a concert set up. HFC has many events throughout the year. Some of the events I have been to include concerts and the Day of the Dead celebration. The concerts are fun and relaxed. However, I did once lose the sole to a boot and in order to be able to walk again, had to improvise with a roll of tape (RIP boot-- no pun intended). The celebration held here for the Day of the Dead is nice, but overflowing with so many people that it almost feels overwhelming. I do recall being run over by a stroller or two. It can take up to an hour to get a drink from the bar, the restrooms feel far and you’re constantly bumping into people. Normally this is not an issue and I don’t encounter such a chaotic. The events are usually held in the back left corner of the cemetery. I was lucky enough to be granted access to this event that was held on a Sunday (big thank you for the invitation). This special event had its very own VIP section (maybe someday I will make it in there) to one side where you could stare at celebrities and unique people with bad ass outfits. Fred Armisen (Saturday Night Live and Portlandia) was just chilling at a table right in front of me for a good while. 

Fred Armisen seen in flannel a the table.

There were also other big celebrities such as the lovely and warm Linda Ramone (who organizes the event for her beloved Johnny Ramone) and the quiet but super friendly John Frusciante from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I bet it can be a bit mind blowing to see that many celebrities in one place. Like a rock-'n'-roll watering hole. I’m no stranger to seeing celebrities in LA, but that was still pretty bad ass. There were VIP kids running around unmoved by their parents success and status, super stylish couples dressed in authentic 1960's outfits, a woman sporting the biggest hair spikes I have ever seen, and a guy sporting a Ramones hairstyle. 

Many of the celebrities roaming around such as the director and main actor of the movie The Warriors came to say hello to all the fans and take pictures and sign autographs. It was super cool. Everyone seem to be in a good mood on this Sunday evening. There was Johnny Ramone artwork all over that corner of the cemetery. There were posters and statues (including the iconic bronze Johnny Ramone statue that permanently resides in HFC) to help you remember and celebrate Johnny's life. Following a special performance, we were able to watch the movie The Warriors, that was projected onto a wall in the cemetery. Overall it was a super chill Sunday evening with a bit of pizzazz.

The lovely Linda Ramone projected onto a wall with her fabulous rainbow cape

If you have not gone to HFC I would highly recommend it. I would not only recommend that you go to the actual cemetery, but also to a day they are hosting an event. Plus wouldn’t you like to tell your friends that you went to a concert at a cemetery? How many of your friends can say that? The only thing I am not a huge fan of is the more massive events that they have that draw out thousands of people, only because it is chaotic from beginning to end. 

As the sun sets and you make your way away from the venue and pass by the mausoleums again, and those resting souls, you start to get that creepy feeling that surfaced when you first arrived. Somehow it turns back into a cemetery that for a while during the event, that feeling erased and it was as if you were somewhere else completely. It's as if that place didn't exist and you woke up from some sort of oddly beautiful dream.

Interview with a traveler: Sonya Castellanos

“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” – Anthony Bourdain

Traveling isn't always champagne and selfies at the airport. Sometimes it is stressful, sometimes it is hard, and sometimes you get disappointed. That is why it is good to know the good and the bad whenever you are going somewhere. I am very fortunate to have many friends who love to travel. The good thing about sharing your experiences with others is that you get to learn new things and be prepared. If you have never traveled or not traveled much it can be useful and help you prepare. I sat down with my dear friend Sonya, to share some of her many stories, tips and tricks of the many places she has been to. She is one of the people whose traveling makes me green with envy (but in a good way!). Let's dive in...

[a couple of glasses of red wine later]

Rx: Can you share a list of all the different countries you have traveled to, so I can get an idea of how much globe you have covered. 

SC: Surprisingly it hasn't been a lot. I started in my 20's and went back to the same countries: Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Panama, Thailand, United Kingdom, Aruba, St.Maarten, and a lot within the U.S. For me, traveling means going on an adventure. It means going somewhere I haven't been before. It required effort to get there like taking a plane or train. Unlike my past trips, my travels in the next couple of years will be within the U.S. I have hobbies that give me opportunities to travel like: scuba diving, hiking, etc. Right now, I want to go to places like Idaho and Utah. I like to camp also, but with a purpose. I need to be out in the dirt with a purpose, whether it be to go hiking, white water rafting, etc.

Rx: Give me a run down of your first travel experience, and tell me how that went. Tell me what you learned, and what lessons you took away from that.

SC: OK, so I am Mexican-American, and when I turned 15, my mom asked me if I wanted to have a "quinciañera" (Mexican celebration) or a vacation. We didn't have a lot, and so I wanted to travel. We went to Hawaii. That was my first big long trip. Went to 3 islands. I remember vividly because it was one of the biggest trips I had and I went with family. I have a big gap with my brother who is 6 years older. He was daring and loved to snorkel and boogie board. I went with him the first time I snorkeled. Ever since I was 15, I would see the divers, and say "I want to do that." This trip was an adventure I had not experienced before. We stayed in nice hotels and just doing fun stuff. I was exposed to a very different culture. I learned there was so much to see and experience. I was so young and I knew I wanted to continue to travel. 
I guess the travel bug bit me. It helped a lot that my moms best friend was a travel agent. So she began her travels way before that. She started seeing the world. It was difficult at the beginning for my brother and I to travel since she had to get consent from my dad. Otherwise, we probably would have traveled younger. We ended up taking 3 or 4 hawaii trips from the age of 15-17 because she didn't need consent as it was within the U.S. Otherwise, I would have probably gone more.  

Rx: Do you have a favorite place to go to in LA?

SC: I love going to Grand Park because I feel like it is the heart of L.A. I work for city of L.A and it is close to my office and home. They have music events called Sunday Sessions there and we dance barefoot. I love taking off my shoes and being a hippie. The park brought back house music. It is an open environment for all ages, nationalities, orientations, dogs, etc. It's very "picnic style." People don't know this, but if u go to city hall, it's open to public. They have something called the Tom Bradley Tower that gives you a 360 degree view of the city.

Rx: Harry F. wanted to know, "How do you pick your next destination?"

SC: There's usually a specific activity I want to do in that location when I pick. I want to hike in Machu Picchu and I have been training for a 8 months. I want to go to Argentina because I love malbec wine so I want to go to Mendoza for the wine, specifically. I also love my music. I go where  the music goes and have been to lots of music festivals like Playa Del Carmen and Costa Rica for BPM. 

Rx: Now, I think you travel a lot (in a good way!). In terms of financial aspect of traveling, can you share tips on how to afford to travel? This is a big question because I know many people who don't travel because they think they can't afford it. Personally for you, would you say it helps to have a good job, a flexible job, to save up, or is it OK to charge and pay later, or something else? I personally am not a fan of the charge and pay later. I get satisfaction from coming back from my trip debt-free.

SC: I think you need to have of good job. LA is expensive and you need to have your needs met first and foremost. I have been trying to promote up at work. I went to a seminar that asked: "why do you want to promote up?" I will take more and more work and promote up as long as they allow me to explore. I have 17 more years until I retire. However, I am also frugal with my money. I meal prep and  I take lunch to work. I would rather spend it fine dining on vacation. I also request my vacations about a year in advance and have to plan it out. It gives me time to save and make a budget. What's f****d up is, if u charge it, when you come back you have to pay for something that already happened and you can't even plan on the next trip. 

Rx: Traveling is wonderful and you learn a lot along the way, but have you had any negative experiences traveling? Any scary moments?  Has terrorism impacted your traveling?

SC: Yes, there's always a fear of the unknown. I feel excitement and fear together. I don't get excited until I'm on the plane. Right now a lot of people say "don't go to the Dominican Republic." But hey, if something happens to me, it is what is. I am doing what I love. 4 years ago, I went to Thailand and I was at a yoga retreat. A terrorist bomb went off and we thought it was an earthquake. I saw people fleeing and screaming. It's scary. In the next 2 years there were lots of deaths from similar incidents. Also, on a trip to the BPM music festival, there was a mass shooting at a nightclub. There were many lives lost. Nowhere is unsafe. The U.S is unsafe. You can go to the movies and get shot. And what am I going to do, stay home for a fear of getting shot? No, I won't stop traveling for fear. I am always cautious. I live in a bad part of LA. When the London terrorist attack was happening, I still went to London. Of course I will still be cautious and aware of my surroundings, but I won't stop living my life.

Rx: Would you say there are countries that are better to travel when you are single, in a relationship, or with a group of friends? 

SC: Bikrum Yoga Retreats is doing a retreat in Ibiza. I love yoga, but I don't want to go there and do yoga. I think you can do anything anywhere. I have done solo trips and dont think it matters as long as you are open to new experiences, meeting people and socializing. There are a lot of girls that won't even go dinner alone. I think maybe Paris and Florence would be more special with someone. I have some places saved up for that. Aside from that, I think you can go anywhere. 

Rx: Traveling alone, traveling with one person or traveling with a group of friends. How do you feel about that, what do you prefer? What are the pros and cons of each?

SC: It all depends on the activity. I love music festivals. I love going with a large group of people. I love getting and Airbnb and sharing a space with friends you don't normally get to spend time with.  I think I prefer an intimate group when you are exploring a new country and do a lot of sightseeing because it's hard to meet everyone's expectations. Going with one or two people is ideal. Time is money,  and you spend a lot of time planning so I am pretty selfish and picky with who I travel with. 

Rx: What about selecting the people to travel with, how does that matter and how does one know? The reason I ask is because when I first wanted to travel I realized that many people say they want to go somewhere and end up changing their mind or "flaking."

SC: I am very selective, time is precious. You want your friends to carry you on your trip (not literally). Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. What you don't bring to the table, I will complement. You don't want needy people that won't bring anything. For me, it's also people who I have fun with. No drama. There's always going to be people upset. You want a positive attitude to bring out the best of you. You learn this through time. You are spending time and money, but time is more valuable when you travel. 

Rx: Now in terms of extravagant traveling versus general traveling and backpacking what are your thoughts. Have you done it all, do you stick to something in particular? Does it depend where you go?

SC: I have done them both. I have experienced it all. I have done hostels with no hot water. I have traveled with my yoga friend and since she is a hotel connoisseur, we stayed in the finest hotels. In my 30s I am all about splurging. I am at a point where I value the experience. I want to splurge on the activities, and they cost money. Scuba diving is obviously one of them. I love Airbnb because you get value for your money. Although it depends on what the goal is for the trip.  If im sightseeing a lot, I will get a hostel. If I am chilling, I want to stay in a nicer place. I am a diverse traveler. I can camp in 120 degree heat, and to very nice yoga retreats in Thailand. 

Rx: When you are on vacation, do you ever drive in that country, prefer public transportation or use private chauffeurs? 

SC: First of all I don't drive. I Uber or walk. I do public transport. I prefer to gain experience. Be a traveler, not a tourist.

Rx: Can you share the trips you have lined up or plan on taking?

SC: I told myself I wasn't traveling soon, but I am going to South America and am finally going to Peru. I will be hiking Machu Picchu. Then I will be heading to Chile and finally Buenos Aires. I am also going to a music festival in New York City. Later, I am heading out to Costa Rica for BPM.  

Rx: Why do you like to travel? And what would you say to someone who doesn't travel to encourage them to do so? 

SC: I think when you step outside of your comfort zone, there is a sense of growth. I get fearful and anxious. But I try to convert that into excitement. I think it helps you grow as a person. It helps you overcome uncomfortableness of the new and unfamiliar. Then, you feel accomplished and empowered. I guess I would say we are here for a short amount of time. We are so small and there is just so much to see! 

Rx: Are there any final thoughts you would like to say or share regarding traveling in general or anything that we might not have talked about?

SC: I still have so much more to cover that my scuba hobby has taught me. When you go down under, it's like another world down there. I have seen and experienced life on the ground level in these countries, but now I want to explore underwater in places like: the Philippines, Galapagos, Honduras, and Australia. I think that the more I see and experience, I realize there is even more to see and experience.

I would love to thank Sonya for sharing her stories and her tips. Click here for her Instagram account. Hopefully you were able to take something away from this and it inspires you to take a trip. Life is too short and the world is too interesting to spend it at all in one place.

Los Angeles: A Snapshot

Upon researching for topics for my blog, I read an advice column that said "start small and talk about what you know. Talk about your hometown." Well, Los Angeles is one of the biggest and most well-known cities in the globe. It was a bit intimidating to tackle that task. But hey, I was born here so I think I can do it a small justice in my own way.

Home of the Dodgers, ever-growing Latino communities, gangsta rap, Hollywood, city most known for food trucks in the country, and longtime sunny weather. Los Angels is a place millions of people visit every year (yes, I looked it up). I have lived here 99% of my entire life and I can definitely say this place is a monster of a city with many intricate and complex sides to it. There is so much to cover for one post. I guess I have to start somewhere. I don't claim to know everything nor will I talk about everything. For someone who is visiting this lovely city for a short time, I can assure you that the amount of time will most likely not be enough to scratch the surface. My fiance didn't grow up in this country and he knows way more things about Los Angeles than I do. That happens a lot. People who grew up here don't always go to the beach as much as someone who is visiting. I hear: the "what? you never go to the beach? I would be here every day"-speech a lot.

LA (because its not common for people to call it "Los Angeles"), as a child, was a place where I: a) lived b) went to school and c) had fun theme parks my family took me to from time to time. You don't think much of it as a kid. As you get older you realize how much people would give an arm and a leg to come here. As years went by it became the place where most of my favorite bands (in the early 00's) came to perform. Now as an adult, it is a whale of a place with too many cars and oh so many food places to try, venues, events, and other things that I can never seem to catch up with (no matter how many vacation days I take). This city is not quiet. It is impossible to get bored here. It is difficult to save money here because I feel there is always an event or concert I want to go to (damn you concert ticket processing fees). 

Gentrification and the cost of living is skyrocketing, even in areas that people are hesitant to live in. Many people are moving away and it makes me wonder how that will make the flavor of LA change. I have met people who move to this city from out of state and are shocked that it is not entirely what they had pictured in their minds. This is the place showbiz-hungry people and immigrant families come to make it big. There are so many hungry, hungry hippos with the same dreams. Competition is tough. We have about 4 million people living in this city alone. That's a lot of traffic and a lot dreams. Tip for the tourist: don't even think about trying to get to Santa Monica beach with your family from downtown LA at 5:00pm on a weekday. It is no surprise to me when I have heard that people's dreams become deflated as soon as they land in LAX and walk out a couple of miles to the outskirts of Inglewood (via Century Blvd). Let's just say its not Beverly Hills. I grew up in this area (with planes swooshing over my house like a baby mobile) and on my drive to work everyday I would see ladies of the night outside of hotels at 6:00am smoking cigarettes, rubbing elbows with Swedish backpackers who are attempting to read their maps to get to Hollywood. That was always the strangest sight to see. But many people when they travel (if they're on a budget) aim for the least expensive places: near the airport. I know this because I have done it when I travel to places unknown and paid dearly.

LA is beautiful  and grimy at the same time. To me, it is broken down in the following zones. You have the lower income cities where many of the base families live (and the last of the affordable housing exists). Then you have the places where the "middle class" live (e.g. Culver City, Brentwood). You have the rich and famous (Beverly Hills, Bel Air). You have beach towns (Long Beach, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach). Finally you have the trendy and hip areas (Silver Lake, downtown LA, etc). With the way things are going in Los Angeles, only the wealthy will survive. I met a person at work with a family income of $100,000 who said they were barely able to pay their mortgage and survive. Well, damn.

Food. This is a big one where I will tread lightly. I do not consider myself a foodie by any means. I have friends that eat out almost every day (shout out to Louie T.). I wish I could, too. I don't eat out a lot although there are an infinite amount of good and curious places to eat. If you want to eat food from a particular country, I'm pretty sure LA has either a restaurant, hole in the wall, street vendor, or truck for it. Food trucks are a staple of this city. I heard a joke once on a TV show that said that restaurants don't exist here, and we all live off of food trucks for all 3 meals. Aside from that, you can also find a good "street dog" (hot dog, usually wrapped in bacon) anywhere you go after most events. Ahhhh, the smell of the "street dog" at 2:00 am is incomparable. Depending on the level of inebriation at this point, the sharp and instant whiff of the "street dog" cart will either feel like heaven on earth, or make you want to find the nearest restroom and purge all of your sins for that night.

This is a small general glimpse of what LA is from my eyes, but there will probably be many more related posts later. There are just so many areas to cover!
 If you have ideas on what specific things you want me to cover (tips, places to visit, etc, let me know in a comment below!).

Nighttime snapshot of DTLA March 2019

Who Am I?

I feel that it is appropriate to introduce myself in this journey of mine that I have no idea where it will lead me. Your guess is as good as mine, but I appreciate you coming along. I want this post to feel like a conversation (like a young kid listening to an old person tell the stories of their life).

I was born and (mostly) raised in Los Angeles, California, although a small portion of my life I grew up in Uriangato, Mexico (but I will leave that story and review for another time). When I say I grew up in Los Angeles, I mean my postal address actually had "Los Angeles." However, I have recently moved and am now that person who says "I live in Los Angeles," when in reality I live in a neighboring city. That happens often here. I grew up in the south Los Angeles, a place full of sandpaper-type "roughness" where us kids were just struggling to put our differences aside and simply get along-- and we did. LA is the place known for "NWA," Mexican food, wearing sunglasses at night, traffic, food trucks, "el paletero," Smiths-fans, and "Los Doyers."

I work in a non-profit preschool (not a teacher) close to the beach (aka my commute sucks). I work with low-income and at-risk families. I enjoy what I do. I love meeting people and hearing their struggles and stories. However, I always felt there was something more for me out there and hence why I decided to do this. As for my education, I have a degree in English and journalism that I received over a decade ago. I am pretty sure I forgot all of the basics that I paid good money to learn, but regardless the passion never dies. However, thanks to the soul-crushing economy at the time and massive demand for money, I wasn't able to develop that passion professionally as I deeply desired to. I did create two other blogs over the years that didn't really lead anywhere. One was a poetry blog (Rx Mental Crumbs) and the other was a music review blog (Rx Music Fusion). Poetry is a hobby for me and music is a delicate industry to dive into. Mad respect to my fiancé though, who has probably met every single worthwhile living music star in the whole damn universe.

As an adult I discovered my interest to see and experience the world in every aspect. Later in life I met my friends and fiancé that helped me develop that interest for traveling and wandering around the world. Pair that with my zest for enjoying life and this blog was born. I hope you enjoy it as much as I am enjoying creating it and planning it. The goal is not just to simply travel and write reviews to tell you the best places to eat, because (honestly) who do I think I am, Anthony Bourdain? No, most definitely not. Obviously, I am not a professional and simply a person trying to share my personal experiences or first impressions of the world that chose me to live in it. I won't only be talking about international travel, but also places to go to and things to do in my own backyard. I might also talk about other places in California. The world is big. There is a lot to talk about. I want to combine my background and passions to paint a picture for you and help you experience what I experience, through words. If only for a moment or an hour in your day, I want to bring you along with me to see the good, the bad, and the ugly that the world has to offer.

Madrid, Spain - August 2013

Just the Beginning!

Hi internet. This is only the beginning of my big plans. I have had my instagram @rx_the_wanderer for a couple of months now, but I haven't had as much time to post and expand on the blog idea as I wanted to. I have finally created my blog page (you are here), but I obviously have a long way to go.

As for the name, well the "wanderer" part is self-explanatory. As for the "Rx" part, well, my name is Roxanne although most people don't really call me that (with the exceptions of family and very, very old friends). My name has gone through many versions depending on who is talking to me, what language they speak, and how old I am at the time. From kindergarten through about highschool, most of my "old school" teachers who had some notion of popular music from the 70's used to sing me lyrics from "Roxanne" by the Police, instead of calling me by my actual name. You know the song, "Rooooooxanne, you don't have to put on the red light, Roooooxanne." Despite the fact that this isn't a song you should sing to a child because of the meaning, it got tiresome over the years, although now I kind of miss it. In Mexico (I will get to that in another post) it was nearly impossible for anyone to pronounce my name properly, especially my very-oldschool-grandmother. Anyway, many people now call me "Roxy" for short, while others call me "Rox," and "Rx" is just short for that. That's pretty much it. Nothing fancy. I have had people call me "prescription" before, wonder what they're thinking" 😐

Anyway, I was eager to get started with creating this page and more things will be coming soon. I will also have a proper "bio" and all that jazz.

Thanks!

-Rx