How to travel on a budget, and how Jon and I traveled (pretty freakin glamorously) to six cities in three countries for under $2000 each. Alrighty folks. Here's the roundup! 1. Dream Big: Plan your trip with the mindset that while you want to save money, you don't want to compromise. (Read more here.) 2. Travel Off Season: Traveling off season can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars, and lots of time standing in lines! And you won't have to sacrifice weather either. (Read more here.) 3. Bundle Your Trip: Plan your trip through a travel site like this one for maximum flexibility at minimum costs. Play around on this site, and you'll find that changing your departure/return dates by a single day, or flipping the order of your trip can save you thousands. (Read more here.) 4. Hotel Alternatives: Airbnb is an awesome alternative to staying at a regular hotel. Book a room or apartment at a fraction of the cost, and get other perks like a kitchen, laundry facilities, and an eye into the life of the locals. (Read more here.) 5. Budget Airlines: In Europe, RyanAir and EasyJet are great options for cheap travel between cities. Secret tip number 6: Although eating McDonalds in Paris might save you a buck, it is definitely definitely not worth it ;)
(But you sure are cute, Grandpa!) (And McDonalds should probably get on using this for an ad...) (Though, note: I do not support McDonalds in any way, shape, or form.)
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People always ask why I'd ever want to be a nanny. "Aren't kids so annoying?" and such. "Well aren't adults just as annoying plus a lot less cute?" I counter. This is what Harry's been saying lately, and this is why I absolutely love my job.
Harry to Siri on my iPhone: FIND HUMPBACK WHALE VIDEOS!!!! Siri: Ok, finding adult videos. EEK! "Elle, I pretty much love you. Though not as much as my mom and dad, because I love them as much as the whole outer space. Though I do really love you. Just half as much as I love them. Though I love you as much as a building! A big building." Me: Harry, what should we have for lunch? Harry: You have a bowl of rice, and I'll have some of those things that are fillllllled with carbs :) "I really want to meet Taylor Swift. I really love the look of her!" Annnnnnd, because this blog post could really use some visuals (and although I have the most adorable photos of little Harry, I'm assuming that posting them is some sort of privacy breach), I present you with a bunch of random photos. Let's start this one off with a sigh.
Oh, Seattle... What went wrong? They said we'd be a perfect match. It was supposed to be easy, I thought. Come naturally or whatever. The thing is, it didn't. Or it's not. I'd like to tell you that it's not you; it's me. And I'd like to believe that it's not me; it's you. But to tell the truth, Im not so sure. There's this gap. It's that awkward little limbo phase, pre-decision-making, yet post-first-decision-making. Where you've made one decision, which has unexpectedly elicited another decision (which you would rather leave unmade), because frankly you don't have the time or energy or will to make it. You dread it, because pretty much everything's riding on your choice. See, if I stick it out, I'll either find myself in a stimulating, exciting relationship or a toxic one. And if I call it quits, I'll have either given up too soon and missed out on said stimulating, exciting relationship or have dodged a bullet. As they say. Nestled in that itty bitty gap, smothered by two walls too close, is me. The thing is, Seattle, I've been in the gap before. In fact, I think I've developed some sort of weird comfort in the discomfort I feel in that gap. Does that even make sense? The point is, I guess I'm a little worried about making the wrong choice, but mostly, when it comes down to it, I'm worried about being outside the gap. Now I'm not the type of person to regret things, but I am they type of person to give things a reeeealll mull over, and quite frankly, I just don't want to spend too much time mulling over you. I've given you so many deep breaths. So here's my last. At least as far as this subject is concerned. And with that, I'm committing publicly (!) to stick this one out. (Plus I also signed a one year lease so... I don't really have much of a choice anyway.) Please, please be good to me Seattle. I'm trusting you. Here's to looking' at ya from outside the gap. *For the record: though, you're probably expecting a shift toward a more positive attitude or some kind of relief, I want to be clear that life outside the gap does not feel that great ;) Grandma,
I'm missing you so much today. I'm missing your wonderful hugs, and your welcoming arms. I'm missing your kindness and love. I'm missing the stories you'd tell me. And sitting with you on the porch of your old house, enjoying french toast sticks which you bought specially for me, because you knew they were my favorite. I'm missing lounging at the cabin with you, and buying taffy and fudge. I'm remembering your kindness and love. I'm remembering your completely nonjudgmental lens through which you saw life, and the acceptance you showed me. I'm remembering your intellect and how incredibly gifted you were. Like the time you secretly took grandpa's test for him, and "his" scores were off the charts. I'm remembering how you always made everyone feel so welcomed; it's no wonder my friends all adore you. I'm remembering your soul, and how I truly feel honored to have lived in your presence. You have the kindest soul grandma. You're a special one. Here's to your beautiful life, and all the lives that are more beautiful because of you. I love you so so much, Grandma. |
ELLEfeminist. linguist. traveller. foodie. crafter. ARCHIVES
January 2018
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All photos are the property of Elizabeth Cheney and may not be used without permission.
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