Two years ago, I had such an amazing, unbelievable travel year that I finally resolved to start a blog and share my travels, tips and photos.  Last year, I shared the ups and downs of that first year in A Year of Chocolate, Cities and Challenges.  This year for my 2nd blog anniversary, I’ve deemed 2014 – the year of Reflection, Repeats and a Really Hungry Niece. If you’ve followed along this year, thank you!  Two years in and I’m still having fun sharing and meeting folks (on Twitter, Instagram, for drinks) along the way.

In 2014, I traveled to New York City, Chicago, New Orleans, NYC, London, Paris, London, Portland, Seattle, Galveston, Iceland, London, NYC. I redeemed many BA Avios, Starwood and Hyatt miles/points/awards. I saw a very green river, snowmobiled on a glacier and ate too many macarons (if there is such a thing).  On paper, a good travel year adding one new country toward my 50 by 50 goal.

Reflection

Hit with a case of the travel blahs this year, it was a challenge to find a new destination that I was excited to visit which is how at the end of October, I planned a quick November trip to Iceland and London to use my remaining vacation days (and points). Yes, it was on my New Year’s travel list from last year (and prior years) but I wasn’t super psyched for the trip.  With such low expectations, Iceland really surprised me and I’m glad I went despite the rain and cold.  I did get to experience the Northern Lights, find a bit of adventure and marvel at nature, all of which I needed to remind me why I travel – to be surprised at the newness (good and bad) of it all. Who needs therapy?  I need to travel to rediscover myself and what I want out of life!

With respect to the blogging, I realized that despite all of the conferences and following the rules, there is still so much to learn, I’m not going to be the next Johnny Jet and I’m ok with that (he did feature me in his Travel Style interview series – that was pretty cool).  Trying to build a blog, a brand, etc. while working full time has it’s challenges (specifically marketing, editing and Pinterest skills).  I also had interviews on Million Miles Secrets and 5 Minutes with McCool Travel – both were generous to provide me the opportunity this year.  I said no to TBEX and yes to two new conferences – the inaugrual Women in Travel Summit (WITS) held in Chicago and the Blog Elevated conference in Galveston.  Each had down to earth folks sharing their blog tips for success and admitting their failures hoping to help attendees avoid the pitfalls they experienced.

Traveling solo, even in the short spurts that I do, is exciting for me.  It is freeing of all the constraints of the daily drama of life, I realized that I need to make some changes at home so that travel is not the only escape I have to be happy, I shouldn’t need to run away to be me. Traveling really propels me forward but this year, I feel like I was stagnant (still grateful and fortunate) – much of my blahs had to do with the travel repeats as it was harder to be surprised.

Travel Repeats

With the exception of London, which I repeat yearly for work (I was there three times this year, twice in June), the year had a bit of “press repeat” to it.  Much like daily life of work, gym, eat, sleep, rinse, repeat – 2014 felt like I was on destination auto pilot – NYC, London, Portland, Chicago, Paris.

I was back in Portland this summer for the World Domination Summit and then on the Cascades train to Seattle as I had done in 2013.  Portland is off of my travel list for a while, as the first time excited feeling is gone  (plus it’s pretty damn expensive to go for WDS weekend). It didn’t help that on my quest to visit the Willamette Wine valley, the recommended tour operator said he doesn’t take “solo bookings”. The owner called me to discuss his reasons but it still made me sad to not be valued as a solo traveler. It was a harsh reminder that much of the travel industry, especially in the U.S., doesn’t embrace the solo traveler.

One repeat that was fantastic was Paris as it was June and sunny every single day!  A Paris I’ve not experienced before – sunny, bright, summer. Revisiting the icons of Paris, for the first time in twenty years, I was able to see the city anew through my eleven year old niece. Funny how a new perspective changes everything!

A Really Hungry Niece

Traveling with my niece was a huge leap for me – I’ve been a solo traveler for a long time now (if you want to laugh read Abandoned in Paris on Valentine’s Day, a Solo Traveler is born) that I wasn’t sure I would survive ten days with her.  I was responsible for someone other than me according to the affadavit I had from her parents (scary stuff given how my plants have fared under my supervision!).  My sister (her mom) told me it was key that I kept her fed at all times and let her sleep.  I had no idea that keeping her fed meant she ate at least five times a day (kids are expensive especially with unfavorable fx rates) and sleeping meant breakfast at noon in London.  The trip introduced me to this crazy notion “compromise”, not sure if you’re familiar but it’s not always good (pizza in Paris?).

Despite her insatiable foodie appetite, she was hungry to experience everything new (I was jealous).  Seeing her experience the Eiffel Tower for the first time was fantastic!  Watching her navigate the Paris metro and London tube, plan out our scavenger hunt at the Louvre and enjoy all the European differences made me proud to contribute to a new global citizen.  I had to laugh when she said “it’s too early for dinner, we should go at 8 p.m.” as she dug into the box of macarons.

Looking Ahead to 2015

For 2015, I’m looking to plan a whole bunch of new countries and experiences that keep me engaged with the world in search of everything new for the first time.  This New Year’s Eve, my  travel list will include international destinations – the Galapogos islands, Morocco, the Maldives, Vietnam and Thailand and domestic destinations of Hawaii, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska.  Hopefully, one of these shows up in next year’s blog anniversary year end review.

How was your 2014 year of travel?  What are you looking forward to in 2015?