The End of 2020 and Everything it Stole from Us

2020 is almost over. That is a statement of relief to most of us, with a glimmer of hope at the end. Some lost great and profound things this year. For others, they survived just by the skin of their teeth. For me, it was luckily only frustrating and scary. However, but the fact that I got married this year (despite having cancelled my big wedding, but lets not go there) made this year have one very great reminder. This was year of reflection and introspection for me and my (and those close to my) generation. 

The year begin with talks of this new virus. Nobody paid much attention to it. After all, isn't there always something popping up in the news? Didn't Ebola happen like a few years ago and we survived just fine? Once March came around and borders started closing and "stay at home orders" started taking shape, the world froze. Most people I knew were frozen scared, nobody traveled, people were hoarding toilet paper (yeah-- remember that?). As months went on and summer approached, we got a glimpse of "hope," people started gathering at parks. Little outdoor kickbacks started popping up, even clubs started to reopen (with food options, and seated of course). But cities found loopholes to allowing people have fun again. I took advantage of it for things like outdoor dining. Heck, we all did. 

Then, things got worse again, and man, countries didn't skip a beat when deciding to close its borders to Americans. I was not surprised. Once businesses closed back up I noticed my friends taking advantage of things like camping, hiking, traveling to Mexico, Las Vegas, Palm Springs. They were trying to find a way to escape the suffocation of restrictions, more than the virus itself. The suffocation felt like a hand gripping tighter and tighter around our necks, so I couldn't blame them. I summoned the courage to schedule a trip to Solvang, CA (as you probably saw on my Instagram page). I cracked. I couldn't take being in isolation any longer. I had not taken a trip since I got engaged in October of 2018. Two years without traveling for someone who loves to do so, is like removing the blood from one's veins. I booked a trip in a place that was low with cases, that had lots of outdoor things to do, and seemed safe. My husband and I had a blast. We drank wine outdoors, we ate out, walked around, went to the park, it was lovely. 

Suddenly, and almost as if I was waiting for it to happen, I started hearing about friends returning from their travels sick with COVID-19. As if by a domino effect, I started hearing about how those "kick backs" caused 3 of my friends to get infected. And suddenly, everything froze again. It felt like everyone around me was getting sick and I regressed to fear and frustration. Its agonizing to follow so many travel pages social media pages and wonder "how are all of these people all over the world still traveling?" I just don't get it, or maybe I do get it, but I'm horrifyingly jealous.

I'm not sure what will come in the following year. But I fear that borders will remain closed to us for a long time. Next year I predict American travelers will resort to staying within the US for a while, or hop on over to Mexico, until the world is ready for us. I have had a pending trip to England and Peru that I have hopes I could embark on as soon as I can get inoculated. As cringy as it sounds, only time will tell. How have you been coping with being confined to your home? Or have you broken free and traveled anyway? 

2020 is over, but the end is not near.

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.

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.