#you ever been to a residential neighborhood with an airport in it???? wild

[roylustang]

Got my lawn chair back 🙌🏻

[in78weeks-blog]

Solo Trip to Bogota

Nervous about my first international solo trip, I landed at the El Dorado International Airport and worked up the courage to use my very limited and very broken Spanish to acquire a SIM card, exchange some cash, and grab a taxi to head to my hostel. I gave the driver the address to the hostel, which he did not recognize, and after telling him it was in the La Candelaria neighborhood and setting my google maps GPS to direct us to the hostel, I let out a sigh of relief. While he was driving me to my hostel and occasionally getting lost, I directed him by telling him “derecha aqui”, “izquierda a la calle once”, etc. With 15 minutes remaining on our drive to the hostel, I looked down at my phone to the terrifying realization that my phone only had 9% battery remaining. I thought to myself, “if my phone battery dies now, I have no way of knowing where to go, and neither does my driver”. Luckily, I made it to my hostel with 3% battery remaining, and again, I let out an even deeper sign of relief.

I put my belongings down in my aesthetic and quaint hostel, plugged in my phone, and let my mind rest. As I was hanging out on the hammock in the shared space, figuring out my plan for the rest of the evening, two guys arrived at the hostel named Colin and Luke. Talking to Colin for a bit, I learned that he was a coffee roaster for a small company based out of Chicago.

I started to wander toward the Botero Museum, but got distracted by the large crowds down the street. I wandered past artists selling their handmade jewelry and handwoven bags and into a wide open square covered in pigeons. Looking at google maps, I realized I had wandered into Simon Bolivar Square - a popular tourist destination. I sat in the middle of the square and watched as vendors went around trying to sell jewelry, selfie sticks, fruit, and corn kernels - used to feed the pigeons in the square. I scanned the square and laughed as tourists tried to stay still and pose for a picture as pigeons flocked to their corn kernel-filled hands.

After being approached many times by vendors and being satisfied with the photos I captured in the square, I made my way back up the street to the Botero Museum. Fernando Botero is a famous Colombian artist, made known for his unique painting style of chubby subjects. In addition to artwork from Botero, the museum was also scattered with paintings of Picasso, Monet, and Degas.

The Museum was closing soon so I decided to head back toward the hostel to find a place to eat. I stumbled in on a restaurant called “De Una Travel Bar” and used my best Spanish to order myself a meal and two local Colombian beers. Satisfied with my first meal in Colombia, I made my way back to the hostel, hoping to meet and spend time with some of my hostel mates.

Oscar, who was originally from Sydney, Australia was already hanging out on a hammock in the common room and he was quick to start up a conversation with me. Soon after, Shaun and Emily, a couple from Perth, Australia joined us in the shared space. Emily was originally from the states but recently moved to Perth to be with Shaun. Later, Marcel joined us.

We went around the table and answered the following questions: How long have you been traveling, how long are you in Colombia, where have you been and where are you going? Most of the people around the table had some wild travel stories, and had been on the road for quite some time. I was the odd one out, admitting that I was only in town for the weekend.

We quickly exhausted the conversation about the logistics of each of our travel plans, and began talking about the different places we call home. I was most curious about Emily and Shaun’s story, of how Emily who grew up in the United States learned to live in Australia, whose seasons are opposite to what she was used to. Curious about what mysteries lie on the opposite side of the planet, I eagerly listened to the stories that Emily, Shaun and Oscar had to share about Australia.

Soon it was getting dark so we made plans to go to a nice coffee shop in the morning and went to bed.

I’m not sure if it was the sun or the sound of cars driving by on the cobblestone roads just outside of the window that woke me up in the morning. Coffee is one of my big passions so I sprang out of bed, excited to get going to this nice coffee shop other hostel mates were buzzing about. We gathered our crew and walked to the highly aesthetic coffee shop down the street.

Luckily, this cafe had a cupping (coffee tasting) option where they brought out three different coffees in little taster cups. In addition to the coffee, we also each ordered avocado toast. As the food came to our table, we were blown away at how beautiful and delicious the breakfast looked and joked about how much this delicious breakfast would have cost in our respective countries.

Marcel, David and I planned to do the “Bogota Graffiti Tour”, a local walking tour that took us around the streets of Bogota so we could learn about the graffiti of the region, the history of the artist, and the political and social message behind the artwork. As a solo female traveler, I was nervous about venturing too far from the comforts and safety of the tourist areas, but this tour was a great way for me to comfortably explore more of the city of Bogota without risking my safety.

Our tour guide was very informed about the graffiti in the city, as he was a graffiti artist himself. He explained that many of the pieces in the city were politically motivated and made me appreciate the power of art in cultural and social movements. In addition to having the opportunity to learn about the public artwork, I was also glad to have the opportunity to witness the daily lives of the local people.

Unlike any North American city I have ever been in, I felt as though each of the neighborhoods in Bogota were wearing the emotions of the people that resided in them. In the urban, residential, and economically unstable areas where the effect of the government is palpable, the political and social frustrations of the people manifested in powerful murals that could be found along every main street. In the La Candelaria neighborhood, home to tourism and the international youths, the walls were vibrant, fun and whimsical. The political messages did not adorn the walls of this neighborhood as to not upset or confuse the guests. In the business district of the city, the walls resembled that of a North American metropolitan center - plain, simple as if trying to keep up with other technologically advanced cities.

After two hours of walking around the city of Bogota in the heat of the day, we returned to the La Candelaria neighborhood and found a restaurant with local food. We all ordered the meal of the day, which was a humble coriander soup, rice, salad and a single fried plantain. It was exactly what I needed before returning to the hostel to recharge for the remainder of the day.

I took an hour to recharge - both myself and my phone, and soon after ventured out on the streets of La Candelaria on my own, exploring the architectural details of this colorful town. The lights and shadows of the day played well on the brightly painted walls and the warm sun and Latin American humidity was a treat for my dry and weathered skin.

The sun was beginning to set so I took toward Cerro Monserrate - the mountain that towers over the city of Bogota. I was told that the view from this mountain top would put into perspective the size of the Latin American metropolis. There are three ways to reach the summit - a 2,000 ft vertical hike up the side of the mountain, a cable car (which was currently undergoing repairs), and a funicular - a train like vehicle that slowly trails up the side of the mountain. I didn’t have the proper attire for a hike so I opted out of the active option, which left me with a ride up the funicular. As we climbed to the top of the mountain, I started to grasp the size of the city of Bogota.

Latin America is heavily influenced by the Catholic Church and the city of Bogota is no different. At the top of Monserrate Mountain was a giant Catholic Church that was built to honor God in the highest and most visible place in the city. Looking across to the neighboring mountain, there was a gigantic status of Jesus Christ much like the famous “Christ the Redeemer” statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil though this one was not available to the public.

I was expecting to meet up with David, Marcel, and Bella at sunset so I killed some time by venturing around the tourist market while I waited. Time after time I turned down the vendors trying to convince me to buy their souvenir trinkets.

About half an hour before sunset, David arrived and together we looked out on the city in silence. Having just met and both of us being relatively introverted, we didn’t have much to talk about. It brought me joy to look around and see all kinds of people and groups enjoying the sunset on this particular evening. Next to us was a very intimate and well-dressed couple, and if I had to guess, this was one of many romantic stops for the evening. Families with crying babies huddled together s the temperature began to drop. International groups of high schoolers couldn’t contain their excitement to be in a foreign country with their 25 “closest” classmates. And then there was David and me, silently appreciating each other’s company without necessarily needing to fill it with words.

A couple minutes before the sun tipped below the mountains in the distance, Bella showed up with her signature bubbly personality and Marcel quietly tagged along behind her. We enjoyed the final moments of the daylight and as the temperature quickly dropped, we started back toward the funicular and down the mountainside.

We went to a restaurant near the hostel called Gato Gris, another recommendation from a fellow traveler. It was a nicer, more expensive restaurant, but it was my last night in Bogota so I decided to let myself splurge. We were seated in a tiny room in the upstairs corner of the restaurant and I admired the decor in this space. The first thing I realized was that an old door had been fashioned into a dining table, and the space was dimly lit with a uniquely boho light fixture.

As we sat around the table waiting to order, I was surprised at how much our time together was dominated by silence. As a group of travelers with a royal collection of unique experiences, I was expecting our time together to be filled with conversation, jumping in and out of stories and never finding enough time to tell the best stories from each of our travels. Instead, our group tended toward silence, over dinner, while waiting in line to buy tickets for the next tourist attraction, and this uncanny silence took me by surprise.

I woke up bright and early in anticipation for my last day in Colombia. Looking around at the other bunks in my room, it was only me and one other person in the sleeping quarters, and everyone else had continued on with their travels. I was on my own for my last half day in Bogota so I decided to go and explore as many coffee shops as I could. Unfortunately, it was Sunday which meant that most of the cafes were closed, but I had a plan to visit two different ones.

I returned to the cafe we went to the day before - Azahar cafe and in my best Spanish, I ordered another cupping plate, but asked for different coffees from the ones I had the day before. The barista seemed to understand my request and brought me different flavors from the ones I had the previous day. I enjoyed the avocado toast from the day before so I decided to order that as well. After filling up on breakfast, I bought a bag of coffee beans to bring home and went on my way.

I stopped in at the Simon Bolivar square again to see it in a different scenery. Since it was Sunday, there was an ongoing Catholic mass that I got to sit in on for a couple minutes. Though many elements of my faith align with that of the Catholic church, the liturgy and catholic priests performing ceremonial acts made me feel very far from God.

I only had a couple hours remaining so I began to wander over to the next coffee shop. I located the coffee shop on google maps but was unable to find the storefront anywhere. Again in my best Spanish, I asked the security guard of the library if they had any idea where this coffee shop was. In very fast Spanish and some vague hand motions, they directed me into the library, through the hallway and around several corners. After asking several other guards inside the building, I eventually found my way to the very kind cash register who made me a fresh cup of coffee and helped me pick out two more bags of beans to bring home.

I sat on the couch in the silent library hallway, sipping on my coffee when a stranger joined me and began to talk in very fast Spanish while pointing at my camera. I regretfully told him that I didn’t speak Spanish “lo siento, no hablo Espanol” and he lit up and responded in very good English “Oh, do you speak English”?

He told me that he was planning on buying a camera but wasn’t sure what kind he wanted. I walked him through different types of cameras, the different models available, but after a short while, I realized that this all seemed to be going over his head, and I wasn’t sure if that was because of the language barrier or the content of our conversation.

It was time to head back home, and a part of me was glad. I felt like my mind was being pulled in so many directions and I had so much to think about.

On the flight home I had a lot to think about. As my first international solo trip, I carried with me excitement, and fear, and had a mind full of doubts. Being able to explore Bogota with the company of other foreign travelers, I felt much more at ease about my own safety, but felt like sticking to my comfortable, English-speaking bubble limited me from truly experiencing all that Bogota had to offer. Spending time with these carefree, fearless travelers unexpectedly stirred up emotions about a topic I feel so passionately about - the purpose and intention of travel. I once envied the boldness and bravery of people who choose to put their lives on hold to travel the world for several months, but after spending time with these people, I was confronted with the reality of this glamorized life choice.

I still have much to process about my reasons for traveling, and hope to one day be able to develop cohesive thoughts about the value of modern day travel.

[bluegrasshawaii]

Because everyone is all like "start your blog already!"

OK. OK. Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine. Sheesh.

As many of the, yknow, three people reading this are aware, this has been a week in which MANY exciting things have happened.

Walton to Indianapolis to Atlanta to Los Angeles to Kona to Hilo.

On Monday, and in the course of literally 24 hours (not counting the preceding weeks of packing and farewell-ing I've milked) I have moved to an island in the Pacific.

My car, Dorothy Zbornak, prepares for her own trip to Hawaii.

--

I wasn't sure I'd ever land, but after starting out at the Indianapolis airport at 4 am Monday, the plane FINALLY landed at 8 pm Hawaii time. My body, however, was stubbornly insisting it was 2 am. That was really delightful after an hour sleep the night before and a few mid-flight naps.

Atlanta.

-

I walked off the plane and it was warm, tropical and delightful. I got my luggage, which was great because that's all I have with me in this new land, got a rental car and made my way to my airbnb where I eventually fell asleep. The next morning, I made my way to Hilo, then a few miles north to Papaikou, where I'm staying for the time.

The place I'm staying is quirky and funky but definitely a nice place to land while I get my feet on the ground. Everyone has been super nice, and I'm grateful for that.

Fellow housemate, Lucy, who is a dude cat.

-

Pele's welcome

I've spent the last week kicking around before I start work. I've driven up the coast and am pretty sure that I should have moved to a tropical island a long time ago.

Not long after I arrived, Kilauea began erupting in residential neighborhoods about 20 miles south. Have you ever woken up to a bazillion texts and messages asking if you're OK or over taken by lava? I have.

On Friday, I felt three earthquakes, which is also a pretty weird experience.

The lava has now destroyed dozens of homes, and that's awful. I'm sorry for those who have lost their homes and who have been displaced.

But, as some one from land that's pretty well settled, there's a part of me where the idea and power of a living, growing, dynamic earth blows my mind.

We went to the Volcanoes National Park on Thursday, before the park was closed, and saw the glow of the lava from the caldera (I think that's the term, but I'm new, so cut me some slack, already!) It was pretty wild to witness.

Burn, baby, burn

-

Surprisingly, my anxiety has remained on the mainland, not that I'm complaining. I'm pretty sure I have never been this relaxed. EVER. And that's saying a lot because if you've met me for five seconds, you know how tightly wound I am. And normally, the lack of anxiety would be disconcerting in itself, but I am chilled the heck out.

Even with the lava and earthquakes, my anxiety is just like, nah, go to the beach.

Like I said, I should have moved to an island a long time ago.

I'm pretty sure this is what my heaven would look like.

-

Today, I start my new job. I'm nervous, a little antsy to get going. My car is on a ship in the ocean, making its way here to join me on this adventure.

That's all I can manage right now. I'll try to keep updating with more, but there's a whole lot of changes happening and it sometimes takes a minute for me to digest.

Aloha!

[judithwilde]

A Rough Guide to Rivalry

"You can call us Sylvia and Eric or Mom and Dad or Mr and Mrs Wilde. Whatever you're comfortable with," 16-year-old Judy Hopps has been in the foster care system for as long as she could remember, so when a Fox couple decides to adopt her, she cant believe her luck. That feeling is short lived, though, because of a certain Fox she now has to live with.

Judy never really thought of herself as a hero. All she did was help her foster brother from falling out of a tree. The young Cheetah had been so afraid and Judy hadn’t noticed someone was filming. The news framed it as some heartwarming story of predator and prey tensions falling in the younger generations. The articles sounded something like Watch as the cute little Bunny saves a small Cheetah. The younger generation has put aside their differences and we now have hope for the future. She didn’t care so much for being described as cute but she loved being called a hero. She’d spent hours looking at every article and comment, grinning the whole time. Maybe she really could make a difference in the world like all these mammals had been saying. A week later, a family showed up wanting to adopt her.

Adoption. It was a concept Judy had let go of a long time ago. Once someone was past thirteen, there was close to no chance of them getting adopted. Judy was sixteen and only had a year and a half before she aged out. So when a family from over 200 miles away came to adopt her after seeing the news report, Judy was dumbfounded. “You can call us Sylvia and Eric or Mom and Dad or Mr and Mrs Wilde. Whatever you’re comfortable with,” they’d said. They told her that they had a son and other things about themselves. Judy had nodded  in response, while telling little about herself in return. She’d been shocked to see that they were Foxes, not only a different species, but predators. It was pretty strange in her mind but, all in all, she was happy to be adopted by anyone.

Judy had tolerated her life. Her foster home gave her food, shelter, and a bed, though she had to share hers with another girl. As long as she did her chores and kept herself out of sight, no one bothered her. She was sad to leave some of the kids she’d spent the past year and a half with but, since she switched homes multiple times, she’d never gotten close enough for any future separation to hurt. She still had some scars from being taken from past foster homes and she never wanted to experience that again. After the papers were signed, the couple simply looked at her with polite smiles and told her about the famous city she’d heard about her entire life. Zootopia was always described as this booming metropolis where everyone was happy and, from Sylvia and Eric’s stories, the ideas seemed true. She instantly liked the middle aged couple who wanted to be her parents. It was scary to believe that she would have a family for the rest of her life, but Judy was a sucker for hope and she always fell into it.

The plane ride had been short and Judy didn’t say much. It almost seemed like a sudden word or movement would make her wake up from the dream she had to be having. She played with her carrot necklace to keep from over thinking. Later, Eric switched seats with her so that Judy could look out the window as they landed. The city looked huge and vibrant. Suddenly, the reality of the situation hit her and Judy felt her eyes grow misty.

“Are you ready, honey?” Sylvia asked her. Judy snapped out of her moment when she heard the term of endearment. Growing up, mammals had always called  her pet names to belittle her. Everyone thought Judy was weak when they met her. It was pretty annoying. “Please don’t call me that.” Judy kept her tone casual as the stood to leave the plane.

“What?” Sylvia’s brows drew together in concern.

Judy didn’t want to beat around the bush. “I don’t like nicknames. Just call me Judy.”

Her new parents’ eyes widened. Most were taken aback at how direct and to-the-point Judy could be. She loved the looks of surprise she received when others realized she wasn’t just a timid little Bunny.

“Of course. We understand, Judy,” Eric said, pulling Judy’s small suitcase down.

She couldn’t hold back her smile. “Thanks.” She almost pinched herself. It all seemed to surreal and once they were out of the airport, she actually did. The city didn’t fade away and she didn’t wake up in her bed at her foster home. This was real.

After a long drive full of beautiful sights, they finally reached their neighborhood. Eric and Sylvia showed Judy her room and then gave her a tour of the condo. It was carpeted and had two levels. It wasn’t as nice as the houses the mammals in TV shows tended to live in, but it was nicer than any place Judy had ever stayed at. The fact that she got her own room made her tear up again. Once Judy had seen every part of the condo, she asked to be alone for a while. She liked Sylvia and Eric’s company, but she was used to being alone, and their constant presence was too unfamiliar. They told her that their son would be getting home from school soon and that he was excited to meet her. “We’ll be downstairs if you get hungry,” Eric said before closing the door.

Judy looked around at her her new room. It was mostly bare with a few accents of color. She supposed she’d personalize the room in her own time. The walls were white and the few decorations were too girly for her taste, but they were hers, so she liked them just the same. She had a lamp and a white dresser and desk. The dresser had clothes in it that also didn’t match her preferences. She pulled out a bright yellow sundress that had ruffles at the bottom and realized that the it was made with a younger girl in mind. After searching a bit, Judy found some grey leggings and a T-shirt that made her comfortable when she put it all on. Her bed was in the corner beside a medium sized window that looked out to the grassy area behind the condos. In the distance, past some trees, Judy could see a mailman delivering stacks of papers and kids playing at a small park on the edge of the neighborhood. It wasn’t long before her stomach grumbled. It was past noon and all she’d eaten that day had been a small breakfast and refreshments on the plane.

“Ready to eat?” Sylvia asked once Judy stepped down the stairs. Sylvia had made her a large salad with plenty of carrots and other veggies mixed in. It was too much for Judy to finish and she got through half of it before feeling too full to continue. Sylvia sat across from her, eating a soup with bugs as the protein. Judy hid her disgust. She never understood how predators could stand to eat like that, but she knew it was a biological necessity, so she kept quiet about it.

“What do you think of your room?” Sylvia asked.

“It’s great,” Judy quipped.

“We weren’t sure how to decorate it so we can go to the store later and pick out some things. What do you think of that?” Judy wasn’t used to mammals providing her with more than the basic necessities of living. Judy nodded in response. “We just want you to feel more at home.”

Judy nodded again and a silence fell between them. Sylvia was focused on her soup and wasn’t pressuring her to talk, so it wasn’t awkward. Judy noticed the green grass and blue sky out of the kitchen window and spoke. “I was wondering if I could walk around the neighborhood. It looks really nice out.” Judy was curious about the city and wanted to explore the residential area at least.

“Alone?” Sylvia’s smile tightened slightly, telling Judy that she didn’t like the idea of it. Judy preferred to go alone but wouldn’t mind if someone joined her. Sylvia’s reaction was unexpected though. “I’m sorry. When we were with the social worker, he said that teens adoptions often result in runaways. Especially if the adoption is new. Also, I’d feel better if you weren’t by yourself outside. The city isn’t crime-free, you know.”

“Yeah,” Judy answered. Sylvia stating something so obvious, as if Judy didn’t know crime existed, didn’t sit well with her. She was used to mammals assuming she was a dumb Bunny so it didn’t  disappoint her too much. She’d just have to prove Sylvia wrong sometime soon.

“Well maybe Nick will take you. He should be on the way back from soccer practice.”

“Soccer?” While she wasn’t the best, Judy had enjoyed playing the game in her high school’s soccer club. Where she lacked in skill, she made up for in power and speed.

“Do you play?”

“Sometimes.”

“Oh great! Maybe you two can bond over that. The social worker said it’s really important for new siblings to find a common interest. Oh gosh, its like it was meant to be.” Sylvia grinned at Judy as if she were the key to happiness. It made her want to squirm a bit. Just then, the front door opened and closed. Judy couldn’t see any of it, but she heard Eric’s voice in the other room speaking too quietly for Judy to hear.

Sylvia stood up, her eyes bright with excitement. “Come on so you can meet him.” Judy tried to appear calm but she was starting to get nervous. Everytime she had to change foster homes, she’d also change schools, leaving behind the friends she’d made. Soon she learned not to get too close in case she’d have to leave them. Now that she was adopted, she wanted friends that she could keep forever. The possibility of meeting a new one made her ears stiff.

Once she stepped past the archway into the living room, the saw him. He looked around her age, a little older, and covered in dirt and grass stains. He was dressed sporty in sneakers and shorts that came to his knees topped off with red, disheveled fur. In his left arm he held a soccer ball and in his right, a school bag.

Judy looked back at Sylvia who gave an encouraging nod. Judy took a breath and faced Nick. “Hi. I’m Judy.” She gave a small wave and shifted her weight towards Sylvia. For some reason the action made her feel more secure.

Nick’s eyes looked down at the tips of her ears, then to her nervous expression, her teeth biting her lip, then falling to her carrot necklace, her shirt, her leggings, and finally to her foot tapping lightly at the ground. Then he turned to Eric, his father. “You said she’d be here on Tuesday.” Judy’s mouth fell open just a bit at his rebuff.

Eric sighed and shot Judy an apologetic look. “No, we said Monday. Go wash up upstairs and then we’ll have dinner later, alright?” Eric’s words were more of an order than a question. Judy felt some envy in the way Eric held such an authoritative tone in his voice. If Judy could talk like that then no one would underestimate her. Judy still stared open-mouthed as Nick brushed past her and up the stairs. She didn’t understand what she’d done wrong and she replayed the scene in her head a few times to figure it out.

She felt a paw touch her shoulder and saw that it was Sylvia. “Give him time. He might have had a bad day.”

Eric spoke up. “That’s no excuse for him to behave that way. I should go up there and make him-”

“Eric,” Sylvia warned. “He and Judy are going on a walk in the neighborhood. He can introduce himself then. You know he gets shy sometimes.”

Judy almost laughed. If that was shy, she didn’t want to know what actually getting to know him would be  like.

[moverslasvegascom]

Moving to St. George Utah

Making a move to a new city can be very anxiety ridden and complicated. There are so many unknowns when it comes to long-term moves. How can you be sure that your new home will be affordable, safe, and fun enough for you to uproot yourself and a family to settle down there?

One way to find out is to visit the city itself for an extended period, which few people have the time in their schedule to do properly. When this is the case, the next best step to take is to do some heavy researching.

If you’re considering moving to St. George, you may be happy to know that it is a city that probably does not get as much shine as it truly deserves. There are many neighborhoods to choose from, and almost endless activities to participate in in the surrounding area. So, if you’re short on funds to go tour the city for a few days, here is a guide to help you determine if St. George is right for you.

Neighborhoods

The neighborhood you choose to move into can make or break the way a new city feels for yourself and your family. Depending on your budget, you may find yourself at any corner of the St. George surrounding area, as there many safe and lively towns to choose from, dotted all over.

For a larger budget, Stonecliffe and Entrada boast spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, while including high priced amenities such as gated communities and upscale community centers. Both the towns have very high-quality school that boost the market value of your new property if you happen to need or want to sell your home in the future.

For a more mid-level budget, Tonaquint Terrace and Snow Canyon are full of recently developed properties and upscale landscapes. Both of these show promise in their schooling systems as well, and it seems have been on an uptick in full sale of homes in the area. Regardless of where you end up, you’re sure to see the gorgeous sunny skies and picturesque mountains near town.

Culture

Because it is indeed a canyon town, St. George is a destination for anyone looking to have an active and incredibly fun thing to do seemingly every day, in every season. Thrill seekers and avid outdoorsy types have made sure to establish their business dreams firmly years before you’ll arrive! Everything from climbing, canoeing, hiking, zip-lining, and skydiving are at your disposal.

Hiking is always a favorite option for locals since it is relatively cheap compared to other activities. There are plenty of scenic and challenging trails to discover for all experience levels. Hike the Emerald Pools trail to find yourself atop a gorgeous waterfall view in Zion National Park. Taylor Creek trail will take you along the foothills of the canyons and pop you in a beautiful valley.

St. George is an extremely active town. However, those who are the most active during the day can often be the best relaxers when the day finally winds down. After all, you cannot be up and at ‘em every single hour of every day! The town is well known for its destination spas, particularly at the Red Mountain Resort and Amira Resort & Spa. Check in for a day of total rejuvenation after a long day of putting your body to the test!

The historic downtown district also provides the perfect setting for you to shop the day or night away. Shops line the streets downtown, and you can relax while you stroll through the city and window shop, or peruse through the stores at a slower pace. No matter what you’re looking for, the downtown district can satisfy you needs for jewelry, clothes, athletic gear and more!

Transportation

Let’s face it, there are not very many cities in the United States, outside of the big one like New York City and Los Angeles, that offer quality and affordable public transportation for its citizens to enjoy. Luckily, St. George offers two different options to zip around the area without owning or renting a car: a shuttle and bus transit system.

The shuttle is actually very convenient for when you fly into Las Vegas to make your trip over to St. George. For about twenty-five dollars you can travel from the airport, straight to the city. There are also other shuttle services, such as St. George Express, that can arrange to take you even further to Zion National park.

The bus transit system is the best option to travel around the city itself once you arrive there. Called Suntran, the buses run three scheduled routes, and have buses that cover the entire area. Not only is it a great way to get around, it’s a fantastic way to meet some of the locals whom you will soon call you neighbors. For schedule and route information, you can call Suntran directly, or just stop into the St. George Chamber of Commerce when you arrive.

Of course, there’s no better way to set around town than within the comfort of your own car. The average commute time in in St. George is 15 minutes, and most household have 1 to 2 cars. And Interstate 15 runs straight through town, acting as a major business road and an excellent path to get where you’re going.

Landmarks

A guide to St. George cannot be written without acknowledging the Zion National Park and Snow Canyon State Park. These are indeed the reason St. George boasts some of the most gorgeous residential views in the country. each park is roughly forty-five minutes from Zion, making a day in the wild a perfect way to spend the weekend.

If you do pop into St. George to scope out the town, do not forget to spend some time with the family driving up to one of these parks. Gazing upon its truly stunning natural beauty can convince anyone to set up home near the mountains. And Snow Canyon adds to the fun with easy trails for children and adults, as well as an expanse of large sand dunes for everyone to play on.

Moving anywhere can be tough. But it seems that St. George makes the transition simple and easy just by being a well-groomed and well-mannered city with an endless array of entertainment and activities for you to enjoy. It surely helps one’s confidence to know that they are moving to, essentially, a resort town nestled deep in the canyons of Utah.

St George is truly a hidden gem. Its lack of popularity makes it the perfect place to get away from the big city and find your center in a smaller town. You can become a special part of the community and begin a journey that most will not ever get experience. The city is perfect for any style of living, familial, single, or temporary, and offers upscale neighborhoods and high-end apartments. When you’re ready to make a change for the better, be sure to pack your adventure, and be sure that you arrive with the same attitude and spirit that will great you when you do.

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[touristguidebuzz]

7 Things to Do Before Your First Trip to South Africa

South Africa is home to three capitals, six distinct ecosystems and 11 national languages. It boasts the world’s richest gold field and a history that thrusts race relations and colonialism into worldwide headlines. Yet not far from its diverse cities, the bush is host to free-roaming lions and leopards, giraffes, zebras, and much more. But before you strap on your pith helmet, here are seven things you’ll want to do before your first visit.

1. Watch Airfares Carefully

South Africa is even more magical than I had ever imagined it would be. It’s also really far away. A nonstop flight from New York (JFK) to Johannesburg (JNB) is about 15 hours long, so of course I wanted to travel in business class instead of economy. The trick is to look carefully when you’re ready to buy tickets. I opted for two back-to-back overnight flights, which meant a full-day layover at Heathrow (LHR). While Virgin Atlantic’s business-class cabin pales in comparison to many others (think Motel 6 instead of a Marriott), it gets the job done with plenty of food and seats that convert to flat beds — there’s also an open bar, if that’s your thing. And the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse is outstanding.

2. Aim to Visit in July and August

The weather in South Africa is great in July and August, with mild days and cool nights that create an almost insect-free experience in most of the country. I had brought copious amounts of military-strength bug spray for my safari, but I didn’t see a single mosquito. Depending on your itinerary, you’ll probably want to bring along at least a light jacket and perhaps a coat. Temperatures can drop to near freezing at night in Johannesburg, even as daytime temperatures in the 70s are common throughout the country.

Stellenbosch, outside Cape Town, is stellar. Image courtesy of the author.

3. Learn a Little Zulu

While South Africans officially speak 11 different languages, and while you can speak English to almost everyone, Zulu is the lingua franca among most of the majority of the population so learning a little before you go is a good idea. Here are a few phrases to help get you started:

Ngiyajabula ukukwazi: Pleased to meet you.

Sawubona (singular), sanibonani (plural): Hello.

Impilontle! Cheers!

Yebo: Yes.

Cha: No.

Mhlawumbe: Maybe.

Angazi: I don’t know.

Ukhuluma isiNgisi na? Do you speak English?

4. Do Your Homework and Learn About Where You’ll Be Staying

South Africa is incredibly diverse, and travel by air within the country is both easy and inexpensive. Johannesburg — or Jo’burg, as the locals call it — was born amid a gold rush as an organic if disorganized response to basic human need, so factories sit next to apartment buildings and offices next to stadiums in a sprawling and diverse jumble. In the residential suburban neighborhood where I stayed, security considerations kept the local population ensconced behind high walls and protective fences that were often electrified. People venture out only in vehicles, never by foot. If you can arrange home hospitality, even for a day or two, do it. There’s no better way to get a sense of what it’s like to live there.

Walls define a Jo’burg suburb. Image courtesy of the author.

Then there’s the downtown area called Hillbrow, once a luxury destination and now known primarily for its violence, and that in a whole country still struggling with crime. Yet in almost mocking contrast to the suburbs, Hillbrow is awash with energy and street life. If you decide to see it for yourself, go with someone you trust.

Hillbrow is vibrant and bustling. Image courtesy of the author.

Soweto, the South Western Township, lies just outside Jo’burg. Formed as the country’s largest black township, it gave birth to South Africa’s struggle for freedom and served as home to Nelson Mandela — the Noble Prize laureate’s house has been converted into one of two major museums there. If Jo’burg is all business, Cape Town is a beautiful and often serene country residence, with heights towering over the wine country and the sea. Random violence is less common here than in Jo’burg, and the city seems to function better as well.

Cape Town is a serene escape from the madness of Jo’Burg. Image courtesy of the author.

Durban, South Africa’s second-largest city, features a glorious shoreline that’s full of fun coastal attractions. It’s also home to more expat Indians than any other place in the world. Durban is also where you’ll want to buy gifts — stop by the KwaZulu Natal Society of Arts gift shop for some great souvenirs.

The Durban beachfront makes for a memorable photo. Image courtesy of the author.

5. Plan to Go on Safari

No journey to South Africa is complete without a trip into the bush, and two obvious choices present themselves: Kruger National Park in the northeast, a five-hour drive from Jo’burg, and the Pilanesberg Game Reserve is about a 2.5-hour drive — I chose the latter, both for its proximity and for its malaria-free status. Though only 150,000 acres in size (Kruger is almost five million), it still seems incredibly vast and impossibly beautiful. Even without the animals, the Pilanesberg would be exquisite thanks to its unique location inside the crater of an extinct volcano.

Animals gather at a watering hole at the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Image courtesy of the author.

During our safari, I saw a lion only a few yards away, rhinos that passed our vehicle even closer than that, zebras, elephants, giraffes, gnus, warthogs, antelopes of various varieties, eagles, owls, crocodiles and a ton of other African wildlife. Definitely don’t leave your camera at home on this trip!

Zebra in the wild. Image courtesy of the author.

6. Talk to Your Doctor

Once you’ve planned your itinerary, speak to your doctor about which shots and medications you’re going to need. Some parts of South Africa are prone to malaria — I didn’t need a malaria shot, but I did end up with a vaccination against hepatitis A and a flu shot, because summertime in America is South Africa’s wintertime flu season. Other precautions may be appropriate as well, so consult your doctor for more information and to see what’s right for your trip.

A lioness prowls in the Pilanesberg. Image courtesy of the author.

7. Know What to Pack and When to Splurge on Camera Equipment

You’ll want to bring along an unlocked phone that’ll accept a local SIM card — I usually bring this along to any country I visit, but especially South Africa, where much of the Wi-Fi seems to be powered by carrier pigeon and you’ll certainly want a generous data plan to play with. Getting a SIM card at the airport was easy and inexpensive. Bring a flashlight, too, because rolling blackouts are common. (In doublespeak, these sometimes daily power outages are dubbed “load shedding.” It’s not that there’s insufficient electricity, you see. There’s just too much load.)

South Africa’s safaris offer the ultimate chance to see incredible wildlife in the wild. As an avid photographer, I opted for the Canon 7D Mark II with a second-generation 100-400mm zoom lens (combined cost now about $3,500). I also brought a Fuji X-T1 with an 18-135mm lens for landscapes. If you’re into photography, consider renting equipment. Otherwise, a super-zoom camera like the Nikon Coolpix P900 (about $600) or Canon PowerShot SX60 HS (around $450) makes a good option for getting up close and personal with the animals. Don’t rely on your cell phone alone for capturing these epic photos.

Baby elephants visit a watering hole. Image courtesy of the author.

What are your favorite things to do in South Africa? Let us know in the comments, below.

All images courtesy of the author.