To feel guilty about every action or purchase… to feel like there’s nothing we can do to actually solve the massive problems that have befallen us. 

It is easy to feel all that. I know. The harder choice is to take action. To start from our own daily lives, with steps that may seem small, but can snowball into a massive consumer culture shift. 

Travel is one of those things that many of us feel like it is an undeniable part of a fulfilled life. Exploring new cultures, places, meeting new people. But how do we keep traveling without contributing excessively to carbon emissions and pollution? 

Well, first of all, we can start by choosing trips and destinations that we know are not suffering from over-tourism. 

You know, the places where you literally can’t escape travelers, where the local people are suffering from massive price increases, loss of land, property, etc. 

Spend some time investigating and learning a little more about the destination. 

• Is tourism supporting the economy sustainably? 
• Are the local people treated fairly in their own home? 
• Is nature protected and preserved? 

Once you’ve chosen your destination, the next thing you can do is to offset your carbon footprint (flights, rent-a-car, etc.). 

You can easily calculate it on sites like this: https://climatecare.org/calculator/

You can also choose to support some of the vital organizations that fight climate change (one-time or regular donations). Some of them:

• Avaaz.org 
• b1g1.com 
• rainforesttrust.org
• amazonwatch.org 
• ran.org

You can also educate yourself more about the processes that are happening and what can be done to fight them. Some useful resources:

https://www.conservation.org/priorities/climate-change

https://www.who.int/health-topics/climate-change#tab=tab_1

https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/effects-of/climate-change

And of course, you can make a change with how you spend your money and what products do you buy. 

Once you’re done with your old travel products – switch to the sustainable ones. 

The items you can choose as an environmentally friendly option:

• Razor – switch to a safety razor, the only thing you need to change is the blade, and you can use it for many years.
• Sunscreen – make sure your sunscreen is natural and does not damage coral reefs.
• Shampoo – we buy new shampoo relatively often. In doing so, we not only add to the plastic packaging problem but – if it’s not natural – polluting our waters. Choose a solid natural shampoo or bring your own bottle to fill in the zero waste shops in your area.
• Scrunchies – so lucky they’re back! Not only better for our hair, but they also last longer and do not snap (or get lost!) as often as the elastic bands. 
• Reusable shopping bag – we tend to forget about it, but we often shop at the local markets and end up with many plastic bags since we simply forgot to bring a reusable one from home!
• Diva cup – yes, it’s not for everyone, but if it works for you – it’s a fantastic way to substitute to very polluting feminine products. 

Looking for ways to travel more sustainably and responsibly? Here are some of our suggestions!

The post How to travel AND still care for the planet? appeared first on Summersalt Yoga Retreats.

By Nika Bosnic for Summersalt Yoga

I did my first solo travel one year ago. One week in Bali was long enough to get the first taste of how it feels to travel solo but definitely too short to consider me a well-experienced solo traveller. Yet, I gained some valuable experience I’d like to share with you – not to teach but hopefully to inspire you to do the same.

First things first: I think it was Rachel Wolchin who once said that “if we were meant to stay in one place, we would have roots”.

I’ve always loved travelling, especially the absolute freedom it gives you to do what you want and when you want. I believe that the happiest moments of my life are all somehow related to my travels and one of my earliest childhood memories is our family journey to Greece. So travelling has become an intrinsic part of my lifestyle or even existence if that is what you wish to call it, and it is no surprise that at some point solo travelling crossed my mind. Don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with travelling with your best friends, your better half, siblings or family. I’ve tried all variations so far and cannot say (and will not say) which one is the best. Despite my urge to discover the world, it was only in my late twenties that I felt “ready” to go for the “solo” option. I remember when I first shared this idea with my family and friends and their reactions were, well…let’s just say I wasn’t mad about them

“Young and a blond woman travelling alone – are you crazy!”

“You sure you wanna do this?”

“Why, won’t you get bored?”

Sure, I was scared as I was travelling outside the EU for the first time totally alone. I would lie to say I didn’t have any doubts as to how will I manage to do everything on my own as disoriented as I am. Questions like “how will I know where to go”, “what if I get ill all of a sudden”  and “where am I going to meet new people” crossed my mind at least a hundred times a day before my solo journey actually started.

On the other hand, I knew myself a bit too well to give up when I hit the first obstacle. It’s probably got to do with my stubborn nature which finally came in handy.

And so I did it. And survived. Here’s what I learned about solo travelling.

It helps you grow mentally

This one is obvious. You cannot avoid it. I remember my close friend once said to me that I will never be the same after my solo travel. As cliche as it might sound, she was right. Solo travel changes you, it defines you. You learn how to negotiate, organize your day, master more or less pleasant tasks on the way, stand up for yourself and yes, manage your thoughts which can be challenging sometimes. It takes some time to start enjoying it, but once you do you’ll never look back.

Solo travel for creativity

If I expected no. 1 to happen sooner or later, I surely did not expect that my solo journey would boost my creativity so much. I guess solo travelling gives you the opportunity to step away from the daily routine and habits and forces you to try new things that you normally wouldn’t dare to do or try. The new events, cultures, and people you meet along the way encourage you to get creative. I did karaoke (and believe me, I’m tone-deaf but it’s much easier far from home), started writing a  diary and got the whole bunch of new ideas.

Out of your comfort zone

This one doesn’t need much explanation. Facing difficulties in an unfamiliar environment, among new people, forces you to learn and adapt to a life that’s out of your comfort zone. As a result, you become more flexible, patient and emotionally strong.

Meeting new friends

You don’t need to be a talkative extrovert to meet new friends during your solo travel. In my experience, you meet even more people when you travel solo as you don’t have a constant travel buddy to stick with. When in doubt, try hostels which are the best resource for meeting people.   Remember, you are all in the same boat, struggling with similar difficulties on the way and sharing advice is more than welcome. Also, if you prefer to take it slow you can start with retreats (like yoga retreats or surf camps) which are a great combination of solo travelling, maintaining an active lifestyle and meeting new people.

Go with the flow

Last but not least, apart from the obvious fact that you don’t have to go to work (and can legit eat chocolate for breakfast), travelling learns you the beauty of spontaneity. This lesson was the hardest one for me as I am so used to plan everything, from my career to everyday activities. When (solo) travelling, I learned that you cannot predict everything (like a boat to one of Bali Islands to break down which made me change my plans immediately, at midnight!). What’s my advice in situations like that? Take a deep breath and simply go with the flow. Just like I was surprised to learn that there is suddenly one more boat going to another island (where I’ve had the craziest days so far) so you might be surprised to find out what is waiting for you if you just surrender to follow the flow of life.

The post Why solo travel is a must appeared first on Summersalt Yoga Retreats.

I’ve never been to the U.S. before, but it felt like I was going to a place I know very well. It’s because so many movies are filmed in the States. Though it also felt like I wasn’t sure what should I expect.

We’ve started our trip to New York – the city that never sleeps. Though we found out that it actually sleeps if you’re not in Manhattan, and it’s actually quite quiet during the night! Though during the days it’s hectic and full of sounds. People rushing through you, there’s not enough space to move, you can’t keep a normal conversation due to all people chattering, the beeping, and the sirens. But all this is somehow mesmerizing and it makes you feel like you’re a part of a big organism that makes this city what it is.

I didn’t understand how big the NYC before we got here. It seemed like we should have reached the end of the city, but we would look at the map and see that it’s even hard to tell if we actually moved. After almost a month in NYC, we both fell in love with the city and agreed that we’re definitely coming back.

After leaving the NYC we toured a bit around the East Coast and made our way to the West Coast. Where people say the most beautiful nature is. One of the most highlights on the East Coast was…tailgating! We’ve heard so many songs about it and got an opportunity to try it ourselves. What a liberating and fun feeling it is to sit in the tailgate and just feel the breeze!

Before going to Utah (that’ where we’ve spent most of our time), we’ve spent a few days in Oakland and visited San Francisco from there. Both cities are beautiful and you can spend hours just walking around and enjoying the San Francisco hills!

After a bit more than a month, we’ve finally rented out a car and started our road trip around the land of the beautiful nature.

We visited Lake Tahoe, the place with a name difficult to pronounce for a foreigner, and a place of total relaxation. It’s the place to be if you want to immerse with nature and just enjoy the big trees, big lake, and cute cabins.

Afterward, we spent 10 days in Salt Lake City – a city that surprisingly has a lot of beer breweries! If you don’t know, Utah’s alcohol laws are pretty strict, but that doesn’t stop people from producing very good quality beer.

Our first get to know with Utah’s nature was Arches National park. We’ve been to a lot of beautiful places before, bet oh what a beautiful place this is. When we were entering the park, we got surrounded by breathtaking canyons that you wouldn’t dream such a place could exist.

Our first hike in the U.S. was to the Delicate Arch. Since I haven’t been working out much lately, uhm, I had a hard time getting there and needed to stop quite a few times just to catch my breath. Yes, I know, that’s when I understood I’m not in my best shape since the trek wasn’t that difficult and I have to do something about it. But the view we got to finally see when we reached our point was absolutely worth it! It’s just amazing how nature can sculpt such beautiful things.

Our next stop was Canyonlands park. After visiting Arches National park, it seemed like we already saw the most beautiful one and we will not get impressed so much anymore. But oh how wrong we were.

We didn’t do much hiking in Canyonlands since we didn’t have much time (as we also had to work at the same time, we’re freelancers), but the overlooks there are breathtaking. The canyons are so grand, my brain had difficulty processing what I see and understanding that’s not a picture, but the real deal I’m seeing! We also visited the Grand Canyon later, though I’m not sure which place impressed me more.

After being blown away by the views, we continued our trip to Brice Canyon and on our way there we drove through the Capitol Reef Park. It was my favorite drive so far. The sun was at the point where everything was so enlightened it felt we were in a fairytale.

The hike at the Brice Canyon was a bit longer and steeper than I expected. After realizing that I’m weaker than I wanted to be, I did actually start doing a workout routine, but I wasn’t strong enough yet. But after we finished our hike it felt so good to realize I made it. And I got to see so many beautiful things otherwise I wasn’t able to.

Though this was not the hardest hike during our road trip. The one that struck me unprepared was when we went to see the Wave. We thought it was going to be a 5km hike that I know I can manage. So we didn’t take any snacks and took only one small bottle of water for both of us (oh boy, what a mistake). It ended up being a 15km hike with very steep hills. Very steep. But the views here in Utah, they never disappoint. The waves were so picturesque and relaxing to look at, I felt more energized and was ready for our way back.

Our last stop was Zion National Park. It’s among the most popular ones on West Coast due to its proximity to Las Vegas. We didn’t think we will see something much different from what we’ve already seen but we were again so wrong. It’s incredible to see how nature can be so different even just a few kilometers away. Zion National Park also made me feel like I’m in a beautiful painting with lots of Bambis just a few meters away from you. I was very satisfied with the amount of deer I saw during this trip.

Our trip back to the civilization was a bit stressful since we mixed up our dates and when we came back to our host’s place, we were told they had to move our things from the room since other guests were about to arrive. It was already a late evening, so that meant we very late to check out. We double-checked our calendar and realized we really had to move out that day. So we quickly packed everything up, apologized a few times, and left Utah.

We’re now in Los Angeles, the city of wonderful weather and movies. We haven’t seen much yet, but I already love the vibe here. And +20 Celsius is always a good thing.

Our trip is going to an end and I already have that strange feeling when I understand I will be home soon. It’s a mix of excitement and unknown, as another chapter in our lives will start (we don’t have a permanent place to live since we travel a lot). But it’s exciting.

It’s also amazing how many things we’ve seen and got to experience. It’s already changed my perspective of the world again and how I see myself and everything that surrounds me. I’m also happy that I managed to find the strength in me to start my trip to my stronger-self version.

It’s been wonderful 3 months, every day was inspiring and made me feel grateful for the life I have. I’m already starting to think about our next trip…

The post USA: The Land of Canyons, Arches & Tailgating appeared first on Summersalt Yoga Retreats.

What’s there to do on a dark and gloomy winter day? Look for a place to escape the approaching cold winter.

Since I’ve already eaten my way through Southeast Asia twice and Latin America was still a little out of my budget, Sri Lanka ended up on the top of my list.

I’ve always seen Sri Lanka as some kind of utopia as so many religions and cultures – Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus – are coexisting relatively peacefully in such a small space (recently there was some conflict).

Life here and now

I realize that you do not need any meditations or consciousness training if you have access to tuk-tuk rides. It takes only 5 minutes in this bad boy driving through the chaotic streets of Colombo to be fully living IN THE MOMENT and to cherish that moment with all my heart.

Colombo is not a place you’d want to spend too much time. It’s not bad, but it’s also not really good. It’s enough to spend a day sightseeing a few temples, never-ending construction sites and trying your first curry (mine was a little watery). After that – go to the train station and grab your ticket further along.

A tip for technology and convenience lovers – install PickMe app to your phone, it’s like Uber for tuk-tuks and is great for those who do not want to negotiate with a driver too much (you will get the cost estimate on the app).  I strongly recommend getting a local SIM card at the airport as it will come in handy for the app, the maps and check your email.

Kandy in the middle

Even though the backpack is rubbing my shoulders and my head under the hat is completely sweaty, I can’t wait to hop on the train and travel to Kandy – a city in the middle of the country. It is supposed to be the “real Sri Lanka” and after about 3-hour train ride from Colombo we are there! Once again – we take a stressful tuk-tuk ride and are finally at our rental place. It has a wonderful view of the mountain and a 27-meter-tall Buddha statue. So far, so good.

Kandy is a blend of curry, dumpster, durian smells as well as touristy spots that offer cappuccinos, fries and avocado toasts. The tired locals share the streets with gap-year blonde travelers in elephant pants and large backpacks.

It is enough to spend here 2-3 days, including the visit to the famous Sigiriya rock where one needs to climb 1200 scary/hard steps and sometimes share those steps with local monkeys (uhh..). It’s fascinating how I and other tourists can’t seem to catch a breath, but local guides walk the path multiple times a day!

It is easiest to reach this destination by hiring a car, this will cost you about 60 dollars, but you will have an AC, will be able to dictate the schedule and have pit stops whenever you want.

A beautiful place to visit when in Kandy is the Royal Botanical gardens. The bright colors, orchids, and gorgeous paths are worth the smog-filled tuk-tuk ride here.

Train to Nuwara Eliya 

I was very much looking forward to the train ride to Nuwara Eliya – the tea fields and greenery was supposed to be one of the highlights of the trip. However, since we were not allowed to purchase the tickets in advance we did not see that much as we had to spend the ride on our feet and not unlike sardines in a can. The train was PACKED! I am kind of proud that I managed to survive those 4 hot sweaty hours. The yoga experience helped a little – it is what it is, just accept it.

Maybe I look a little too distressed or tired, but a 80-year-old grandma signals me to sit on her lap! It’s very tempting, but she’s about 3 times smaller than I am so I politely refuse.

PYYYNATS, DELISUS PYYYNATS. The train salesmen offer everything from peanuts, chips, drinks and more. They do not seem to care about squeezing through the fully packed train every 15-20 minutes and the local couple near us buys basically everything and once offer me some crisps too. Do I really look so exhausted? Well, it is what it is, right?

Tea plantations

Once in Nuwara Eliya it feels so much calmer. Even the tuk-tuk ride to our stay was quite alright. It is also much cooler than everywhere else and it is so welcome. Our tuk-tuk driver Nagesh tells us he does tea plantation tours and since we like him we schedule a tour the next day.  We obviously (duhh) communicate via Whatsapp later to set the time etc.

About 50% inhabitants in Nuwara Eliya are Tamils with the origin in India. They work in tea plantations, speak their own dialect, however they make up only about 4% of entire Sri Lanka’s population. Do not confuse them with the northern and eastern Sri Lanka Tamils who make up about 11% of the country’s population.

Even if it sounds a little corny or stereotyped I feel like this place is the real Sri Lanka. I love the amazing green colors of the tea plantations and the colorful saris of the local women. I love visiting the plantations and drinking the tea (black tea is my all-time favorite).  The highest quality tea from Sri Lanka comes from Nuwara Eliya. The set up of the plantations and the entire experience reminds me a little of visiting vineyards and wineries.   Nagesh is a great guide, he tells us about the history and the area, but is not prying and is giving us the space we need.

I love it here also because the place brings back the emotions of my early youth when I’d go through the National Geographic magazines and see the far-away exotic lands, dreaming of visiting them one day. I believe that day has come and it’s magical.

Going to the ocean

Again in a packed train, this time – traveling to Galle in the South which is famous for its Portuguese fort, Dutch, British and Portuguese streets and architecture. From there we’re going to reach a couple of seaside towns as well.

One of them is Unawatuna – a lovely, small place with semi-empty beaches which come as so needed paradise after days in a train and tuk-tuk chaos.

Sri Lanka has 1300 kilometers of coast, there are many gorgeous beaches, we also visit the famous Mirisa and it’s gangs of dogs and iguanas, we surf in Weligama and come back to explore the beautiful Galle. It’s touristy and crazy hot, but we take comfort in familiar cafes and stylish boutiques.

We spend the rest of our time living the slow life, eating pineapples, mangoes, coconuts and drinking local “Lion” beer. How is this not a perfect life? It definitely is.

The post Tuk-Tuk meditations in Sri Lanka appeared first on Summersalt Yoga Retreats.

Although quite small, South Korea packs a powerful punch. Its rich history, diverse culture and delicious cuisine create a wonderful experience for anyone willing to step inside. It’s the perfect gateway to Asia – modern and convenient, yet charmingly chaotic.

The land of convenience

My plane lands at Incheon International Airport early in the morning. I’m jet lagged and sleep deprived, but the beautiful weather keeps my spirits high – as it turns out, it’s the first warm and sunny day of spring in Seoul. It’s only when I’m finally in the airport train, heading to central Seoul that I realize I still haven’t experienced any of the cultural shock Westerners so often mention when they step out of their comfortable and predictable bubbles. And after a few days another realization strikes – maybe it’s impossible to feel lost or shaken in a land that is so convenient and efficient? The streets are clean and well maintained, the Seoul metro – fast, reliable and extensive, train and bus schedules so well-matched it made my inner control freak squeal with delight. But I guess these things are necessary in a country of 50 million people. Everything has to be fast and efficient, otherwise it would all just collapse. Besides, the Koreans are quick by nature. They live by “bbali, bbali” (faster, faster). They walk fast, they consume fast and they even eat fast – there’s no idling in restaurants. The only places where it’s acceptable to sit and chat are numerous coffee shops. And when I say numerous, I mean death-by-caffeine-numerous. Meanwhile convenience stores in South Korea are the epitome of the word “convenience” – they’re everywhere, they’re always open and ready to satisfy your midnight cravings. And don’t get me started on street vendors! They always have their carts right where you want them to. Going to a picnic in the Han River Park? You can skip grocery stores, because there will be plenty of street food along the way. Not really in the mood for street food? That’s okay, you can order restaurant food delivered to practically anywhere – that’s how convenient South Korea is!

The magical sense of freedom

And still, despite all the efficiency, South Korea is surprisingly chill. Underneath all the bustle and hustle there’s this wonderful magical freedom. For Koreans, rules are there just to make life easier (e. g. lining up to board trains and busses, extensively recycling), but if something isn’t explicitly forbidden, it is considered allowed. But don’t misunderstand – the Koreans, though charmingly chaotic and somewhat dramatic, are in no way careless or lazy. They work hard and they play hard, they don’t do anything halfheartedly and this is perhaps the main reason why South Korea’s economy exploded in the past 30 years or so. Everything’s full throttle there – from business to crazy karaoke parties. The people are full of life and it is highly infectious. After living for 50+ years next to a volatile neighbor, they probably learned to just enjoy the moment. A short visit to Jeonju, the so-called food capital of South Korea, proves this point. I happen to go there right when the Western media escalates the tension between North and South Koreas (April 2017). I don’t read papers and don’t watch news, so panic-filled texts and calls from friends and family members back home catch me by surprise. “Is everything well?”, they ask. “Has the war already started?”. I look around, taking in all the happy people sightseeing, taking selfies and riding bikes in Jeonju’s famous historical center, and have no idea what they’re talking about. All I see are people enjoying themselves and living their life to the fullest. This total sense of chill, of knowing not to fret over something you can’t really control, is everywhere you go in South Korea, probably fueled by the country’s Buddhist background.

Temples and palaces

South Korea hasn’t forgotten its royal past and locals are proud of their country’s history and culture, never missing a chance to don traditional hanboks and pretend to be nobles or scholars from the Joseon era. And nowhere else is that pride more evident than in the colorful temples, shrines, palaces and imposing gates, dotting various cities in South Korea. Indeed, traditional Korean architecture is wonderfully colorful, with greens, reds and blues creating intricate mesmerizing patterns. Even the Buddhist temples look vivid and cheerful, especially around Buddha’s birthday when they’re adorned with brightly colored lanterns. The Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in Busan, perched on a rocky outcrop, provided a spectacular view and was perhaps the most impressive temple I’d seen in South Korea. The only solemn historical buildings are the Confucian Shrines. The 14^th century Jongmyo Royal Shrine in Seoul is sleek, monochromatic and somehow very majestic.

Seoul has several royal palaces, the biggest and most lavish being the Gyeongbokgung. Next to it lies Bukchon Hanok Village – a cluster of traditional Korean villas. In the past they used to house the most prominent and affluent families. Now some of them operate as cafes or guest houses, while others are still inhabited by rich and poor alike. The neighborhood is quaint and charming, transporting you 600 years into the past, when Korea (then Joseon) was a powerful kingdom. Among Seoul’s palaces, the Changdeokgung is the most well preserved. And although it is beautiful and elegant, what captures my heart there is Huwon – the Secret Garden. It is a lush garden full of breath-catching vistas and picture-perfect pavilions. During the Japanese occupation, the garden was turned into a zoo, but later reclaimed for its original purpose.

Away from the city

When city life proves to be too much, South Korea offers some amazing getaway locations – from picturesque mountains to small cozy seaside villages. When I first see rolling green hills, I’m on a bus heading to Jeonju and I’m instantly mesmerized. The hills seem soft and mysterious, as if they’ve just appeared out of nowhere. And they’re not just pretty to look at – South Korean hills and mountains are full of well maintained hiking paths, some of them just outside of Seoul. Hiking seems to be a national past time, especially among seniors. Since Koreans don’t do anything halfheartedly, all the hikers I meet wear special boots, clothes and equipment, looking very much like pro mountaineers. But it’s not only mountains that the locals take seriously – similar approach applies to the seaside. They walk, explore, eat seafood to their heart’s content and when the night falls, they light up some fireworks. It instantly feels like vacation – sitting on the sand, listening to the whoosh of the waves… and watching sparkles and fireworks light up the night sky. I feel the freedom, the joy to be alive and silently thank Korean convenience stores for stocking up on fireworks and lighters.

Kimchi with everything

Food – cooking and eating it – is an important part of Korean culture. Korean cuisine is spicy, flavorful and ancient. Some dishes go centuries back! Kimchi, pickled Nappa cabbage, is probably the most iconic Korean food. And it really does go with everything. During my trip I tried kimchi in dozens of places – from supermarkets to street markets, from simple joints to fancy restaurants. Each time kimchi was different – sometimes very sour, sometimes very peppery – and each time I wanted more. Other dishes I couldn’t get enough of included various dumplings (mandu in Korean), bibimbap (rice mixed with vegetables and spicy sauce) and rice porridge called juk. Taste wise, Korean dishes are very complex. They’re never just salty or just sweet, there’s always a bit of everything, which is why I loved them so much.

I liked the eating culture, too. The Koreans eat a lot and enjoy doing it. There’s no nibbling – they eat with gusto and I was quick to learn by observation. Soon I was stuffing my face with delicious stews and banchans (various side dishes), smacking my lips, slurping and openly expressing how much I love the food! Yes, the locals are loud and expressive when eating – not quite the table manners that we’ve been taught!

Street food should also be mentioned – comforting and indulgent, it’s every foodie’s dream. Thanks to the diligent (and business-savvy) vendors, food stalls are located at the most convenient locations, inviting to at least grab a small bite before heading home. The food is fresh and often made before your own eyes, so the temptation to eat something is even bigger.

My month in South Korea ends before I know it. The last evening there I eat some kimchi stew, get (once again) complimented on my tolerance for spicy food – the lady working at the restaurant beams at me – and I get the distinct feeling that I have found home away from home. South Korea welcomed me with open arms, fed my body and soul and even taught a couple of things about living in the moment. And once the plane takes off, I feel compelled to come back – to eat, discover and shoot some more fireworks at the beach.

The post Falling in love with South Korea appeared first on Summersalt Yoga Retreats.

By Igne Aleliunas for Summersalt Yoga

Kyoto welcomes us with blistering heat. After a full day of walking, our feet are covered with dust and the sun ruthlessly shines in the vast blue sky. Later, when asked, if such weather is the norm in May, a local just laughs at our bewilderment, “Why, yes, it gets even hotter!”. Two days in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, leave us in awe not only because of the heat. It’s a bustling city full of energy, a place where freedom and old traditions go hand in hand.

The ancient capital

Kyoto lies in the central part of Honshu island, in a valley surrounded by low mountains. Compared to Tokyo, it’s a small city with barely 1.5 million inhabitants, but together with Osaka and Kobe it forms a seemingly unending urban landscape. This flat city is full of historically and culturally important places for more than a thousand years it was the capital of the empire of Japan. This ancient splendor is still alive in palaces, shrines, and temples, the latter two numbering in thousands. They’re everywhere in the city – dotting remote green hills and occupying space in central markets, right there between food stalls. The people of Kyoto, too, have not forgotten their heritage. The streets are full of people wearing kimonos and geta – traditional wooden sandals. There are martial arts centers and even a geisha school in the city. Kyoto, contrary than, say, Tokyo or Osaka, often feels like a small town, with quaint and quiet alleyways intersecting busier streets. However, the rich history and cultural heritage that attract so many tourists don’t make the city and its people dull or, heaven forbid, boring. On the contrary – Kyoto is full of joie de vivre, it is a mecca for pleasure-seeking hedonists.

Pleasure town

Once the sun sets, people flock to the old center of Kyoto – the Gion district and Pontocho street. It’s a place that barely sleeps, a place for tourists and locals to wash away the dust and languor, to stuff their bellies and feast their eyes. Ordinary people find their way too cramped izakayas, full of cigarette smoke, laughter, and short-lived friendships fueled by snacks and sake, or, as they call it in Japan, nihonshu. The rich and powerful choose kaiseki restaurants and high-end tea houses called ochaya, where they’re entertained by geishas – professional entertainers, trained in conversation, music, and dance. Before the sun sets, geishas and maiko – apprentice geishas – can be spotted in the Gion district on their way to such banquets. The modern equivalent of a geisha is called hostess. There are dozens of establishments in Kyoto where one can spend some time in a paid pleasant company. Women and men alike offer their services, so anyone can buy a couple of hours of personal attention. We, on the other hand, did not lack attention from the locals. The people of Kyoto are very friendly and sincere, hurrying to chat up a foreigner whenever they see one. Not everyone responds kindly to such attention – one especially chatty man even drives away a Korean traveler from an okonomiyaki restaurant, after suggesting she joined their mixed party of three for dinner…

The sake district

Water is definitely one of the most charming aspects of Kyoto. A network of rivers and channels crisscrossing the city provides a much-needed reprieve from the heat and instantly attracts people. In ancient times it was an important transportation grid that connected all corners of the old capital. Nowadays it is an attraction for dogs and kids, tourists, and locals. And after dark the channels create a stunning backdrop to buskers, crooning away their melancholic songs. The southern part of Kyoto, where the Horikawa river flows, is called the Fushimi Sake District. Since ancient times, it has been known for soft and clean water, perfect for brewing sake. It is home to several dozens sake breweries. Some of them welcome visitors wishing to know more about the sake brewing process and taste some limited edition brews. Visiting the Fushimi Sake District can easily take a whole day – from sake tasting and sightseeing to taking a boat ride along the channels. Besides the largest and most popular brewery “Gekkeikan”, which houses a small sake museum, it is also worth visiting “Kizakura Kappa Country” – his brewery features a restaurant offering dishes made with sake.

The city of palaces, temples, and shrines

For architecture and history buffs, Kyoto is a real treasure trove. Anywhere you turn, you end up at a temple, shrine, palace, or other historical building that has survived the tumultuous 20^th century. The city emerged from World War 2 unscathed, mainly, it seems, because of the rich historical and cultural heritage – the Allies could not make themselves to bomb such beauty. So now travelers can visit the impressive imperial palace of Kyoto (free of charge). Its minimalist design and an elegant garden, once created for the emperor, completely mesmerizes and leaves us in awe. A few blocks from the imperial palace stands Nijo Castle, built in the 17^th century under shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu’s orders. The ensemble, now part of UNESCO’s World Heritage list, is amazingly decorative and luxurious, boasting intricate gold plated ornament. Inside wooden floors squeak and chirp whenever a foot touches them – it’s the so-called nightingale floor, built to alert about unwanted intruders.

And the Buddhist temples in Kyoto are equally spectacular, especially Kinkakuji – a pavilion located in the northern part of the city. Its walls are covered in gold leaf. It used to be a palace but the son of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu turned it into a Zen Buddhism temple according to his father’s will. The pavilion has been neglected and at one time completely burned down, but it has since been restored to its full glory. Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, there’s Ginkakkuji. It was supposed to be a silver twin to Kinkakuji, but, according to locals, the person who ordered it built ran out of money, so the walls were covered in lacquer finish.

And no trip to Kyoto would be complete without visiting the iconic Shintoist shrine Fushimi Inari-taisha. Every day hundreds of tourists flock there to admire thousands of bright red gates, called tori. They stretch along a winding path for 4 km, although not everyone is inclined to finish the whole route. A lot of them give up after the first section, so if you want to experience the peace and quiet, all you have to do is walk an additional couple of hundred of meters… and you’re left alone with numerous gates, dedicated to small and big dreams.

Delicious Kyoto

After feeding the soul, it’s time to feed the body. Luckily, Kyoto is ready to feed all the hungry travelers. From fresh sushi and sashimi to Kobe beef and simple, yet filling street food – foodies will definitely find something to satisfy their cravings. Perhaps the biggest variety of dishes awaits in the Nishikawa Street Market. This roofed passage is full of sellers offering various delicacies. Rice cakes, fermented and marinated vegetables, called tsukemono, deep-fried snacks, and fresh seafood that can be eaten right there, on the street – the variety is dizzying and mouth-watering. There’s also something for the adventurous eaters, for example, fried sparrows. After stuffing our bellies full of local fare, we go in search of something to drink. It turned out that on a hot and humid May’s afternoon the best choice was cold and refreshing shougayu – a traditional ginger drink.

In the evening, after the heat has subsided, we sit on a riverbank and listen to songs. City lights dance in the water, somewhere behind us people rush about, looking for fun on a Monday night. It occurs to me that Kyoto is a city that never rests since it constantly bustles and hustles. But once you step away from the busy streets, you see a quieter, cozier, and simpler life unravels on the banks of shallow channels. Preparing to depart, we say a silent ookini to Kyoto – thanks for the warm welcome and for the generosity!

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By Milda Urban, Summersalt Yoga founder

“You should bring Croatian tourists to Myanmar and to Bagan”, says the guy next to us, on top of a hundred years old temple at around 5 AM after he finds out that we run a travel agency back home. We met him on our way to watch the sunrise, speeding off the dusty “roads” in Bagan, still dark, quite chilly, anticipation high, and eyes full of sand.

The young man saw our uncertain looks pointed at Google maps a few minutes ago when we were trying to find the Shwesandaw pagoda. He stopped his motor to ask what we’re looking for. Shwesandaw, we say. “Follow me, I know a better place, no people” he signals to us. Umm, okay, I guess. Following a stranger in the dark with no other soul in sight is not what my mamma taught me, but fine.

We arrive at a small pagoda, which, according to our new friend, is a much better spot to watch the sunrise and there are no crowds. As proof, he even shows us some photos on his phone. We stop and he then waves us to remove our shoes and follow through a stab-in-the-eye dark passage to climb up. I am still hesitant and I’m sure my face shows it because the guy says “don’t be afraid, madam”. I finally let go of my suspiciousness and we go up. I obviously bump my head, because these passages are not meant for 5’10 madams. I hesitate for a moment – we’re stomping this ancient pagoda to catch the sun – is this okay? But hey, I guess some monks back in the day did the same, we’re here already, and when in Bagan…

We reach the top, sit down and our new friend sits with us. We’re staring at the vast space, the mushroom-like pagodas, and are waiting for the sun. I’m shivering a little because the temperature differences between the night and day are huge here. Our friend asks us a few questions and we ask him a few too. He says he’s an artist, but still a student. We say we love Myanmar and travel. The light starts coming up and so do the air-balloons where the fancier tourists sip champagne and watch this world-miracle from birds’ eyes.

It’s stunning. Only a couple more people find our pagoda, so we’re not bothered by the usual commotion or anything like it. I still can’t believe that this place is real. We’re silent and take only a few photos. After some time, we step down, take a few more photos and pose with our friend. He then asks us to follow him and shows some paintings of his. They feature, well, pagodas, Buddhist monks, and Bagan landscapes. After more than 10 minutes of clumsy bargaining, we end up buying one.

You might say that that’s why he caught us and showed this place. I get it. It’s how our Western mind works. No lunch is free, right? Well, not in Myanmar. We’ve offered our friend some tip money for his services as a guide, but he refused, saying he doesn’t take “lucky money” because it’s not in Buddhist faith. He says he sells paintings to support his family, but “because we’re friends now”, he understands if we don’t buy anything.

I believe him. He didn’t have to show us this place. Carefully guide us up top. Chit-chat with us. He could have stood at the bottom of one of the thousands of pagodas and sell his works there as many others do. He didn’t. He saw two clueless tourists and he wanted to help. We were warned and that’s what Myanmar is to me. Kindness.

A friendly spirit

We flew into Bagan from Yangon (Myanmar’s biggest city, previously named Rangoon) the day before and the landing was charged with gasping disbelief – watching all these magnificent pagodas felt like landing on Mars almost – that’s how surreal it is.

The movie-like feel continued. An old rusty and raggedy bus came to take us from the plane to the terminal, which took all of about 73 seconds. The very-helpful airport staff was swift with the luggage and we got ours in no time. Just like at the beginning of an Indiana Jones adventure.

We come to Nyaung-U around 8 AM and just in front of our stay witness baby-monks (ok, maybe they were 7-8 years old) collecting their rice donations. It’s a little cheesy, but the sight is so innocent and cute that we can’t recover for the rest of the day.

In the afternoon we make a mistake. We decide we don’t need the electric bikes (the main mean of tourist transportation there) straight away. We instead grab a cab from Nyaung-U to the Old Bagan (about 5 km away), walk a little and think of grabbing another taxi back home. Bad idea.

We can’t find a cab for a while and are laughed at by the horse-carriage drivers (another mean of transport in Bagan) for the price we offered. At one point we walk down to the main road with hopes to find a ride there.

Standing in the sun something curious happens. To this day I am not sure whether it was a hallucination, reality or an appearance of a kind spirit (not Casper). A boy, about 13 years old, emerges from what seems like thin air. He has the biggest smile I have ever seen. He asks us “where you go?”. We clumsily tell the name of our village. With the same smile he tells us “Car!” and starts hitchhiking on our behalf. He’s all dusty, except the two rows of pearly white teeth.

The passers-by seem to know the boy, but nobody stops. He’s not bothered and stands there beamingly. We try to strike up a conversation, but not very successfully.

Finally, he gets a motor to pull over, exchanges something in Burmese and signs us to hop on.  Unfortunately, I am a wuss and refuse (politely!) to sit on the devil’s horse.

After this, we decided we needed to go back to the “town center” where we had a bigger chance of catching a taxi. The boy (or the kind spirit) nods and takes off – just like earlier – to nowhere.

Movie set adventure

Bagan is 12 centuries old with 2200 pagodas remaining from the original 10 000. More than 400 earthquakes hit Myanmar through the 20^th century and to this day, the last major one damaged 33 temples in August 2016. The site seems like a perfect UNESCO heritage candidate to many (and equal to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat), however, it was not granted a status because of what many believe the many restorations happening at all times.

It is a fascinating place, to say the least, and speeding (well, speeding for my standards) on your electric bike gives this feeling as if you’re on some kind of safari. Only you’re not watching animals, but the ancient pagodas, which appear out of every “corner”.

Sure, there are a few busier spots (and you must see them!) where we have to endure a little bit of “very cheap, I give you discount” kind of tourism, but that’s nothing compared to other places in the region.

We buy a postcard for 10 Croatian kunas (about 1,5 EUR) because the boy selling them collects foreign currency. His friend tries to jump on the bandwagon, but we don’t have anything else to which we’re told: “no money, no honey”. Fair enough. Fair enough.

Besides these few stops, the majority of the pagodas are mostly empty and at best you’re offered a cold coconut, a Coke, and George Orwell’s book “Burmese Days”.

The size of the area, the details of the pagodas, the exotic landscape, and being stuck in the sand sometimes (not all the “roads” are very well suited to drive on) makes me feel like I’m in some kind of “Diamond of the Nile” spin-off and that Michael Douglas will come out running at any moment.

At one point a heard of giant buffaloes blocks our way and the locals take their time to pass by. Time is something they’ve got in abundance here.

We decide to go and watch the sunset because that’s what you do and we choose the Bulethi pagoda.

We’ve climbed this one during the day already and I’ve experienced a mini panic attack of falling down, because, well, that’s highly likely while getting up the steep and not very comfortable stairs made of fired bricks.

The pagoda is crowded now. I think all of the tourists in Bagan are here. This is not a lot, but even this bunch feels a little too much and I spend most of the time complaining how nobody watches the actual sunset and instead tries to take as many photos as possible. Snobbish? Yes. True? Yes.

Chew, spit, repeat

In order to save a buck, we decide to take a bus back to Yangon. It’s a long 10-hour drive and we’re the only non-Burmese passengers on the bus, which brings curious smiles our way and even curiouser close-shot looks at the rest stops.

Burmese people are like children in this aspect – they are so intrigued by a foreigner they will literally stand 2 meters away and smile (or laugh) at the way you mix your coffee (I don’t know why) or point and giggle when your tying on the longyi and doesn’t work very well (true story).

Speaking of traditions. During your first days in Myanmar we notice a strange custom. We don’t connect the dots between red-vampire smiles, “blood” stains on the pavement, and more-than-usually beloved spitting at first, but once we do, we’re in weird awe of it.

Burmese LOVE chewing betel (a mild natural stimulant) and spitting it out afterward. Stalls and stalls selling it wrapped with various spices in Yangon are booming and everybody carries it with them everywhere. I mean EVERYWHERE. They even give out plastic bags on the bus for spitting. The guys next to us went to town with this lovely habit. After 8 hours of witnessing the chew-and-spit process, I felt like I could skip dinner that evening.

Melting pot

Driving through Yangon feels like a James Bond movie. Again. The ex-capital exudes energy and the sense of something you’ve never seen or felt before, even if you’ve traveled through other Southeast Asian countries. A feeling of being on an old-school adventure. Again.

Strolling through the streets of Yangon grow that feeling stronger – it’s one of those places where the current western culture hasn’t penetrated much, so everything you see is authentic and unique.

From the food you smell on the streets, the number one male fashion item – longyi, the special make-up Thanaka, made of ground bark, that women and kids wear to the betel vampire smiles and the eclectic mix of colorful colonial architecture. I still can’t decide whether the city would look better if the colors were renewed or not. There something to the scruffy faded tones that add charm and emotion.

Except for a few larger shops (which don’t take credit cards by the way) you won’t find familiar brands of foods. You don’t need them, trust me.

The flavors and aromas are a unique blend of Indian, Chinese, and Burmese cultures and make our heads spin. The green markets during the day, the different street food corners and side-streets at night – it’s all a feast for all senses.

Try the breakfast favorite mohinga – a bowl of rice noodles with fish soup, sprinkled with deep-fried fritters, Burmese bryiani, various local curries, green tea salad, many Indian influenced dishes (naan, dosas, etc.), pork skewers, Burmese style Falooda.

The best way to experience the chaotic yet somehow natural flow of life in Yangon is to sit in a street café and observe passers-by. Don’t worry if the places seem taken – they’ll make one for you by taking a couple of plastic chairs and placing them in an empty spot. Myanmar is a poor country (it is ranked 150 out of 187 countries on the Human Development Index), but many locals in the city fully enjoy the street “restaurants” and socializing over a cup of coffee or other drink on a daily basis.

The attention we receive while roaming these streets gets a little overwhelming at first and we handle it the best way we know – with smiles. We get the same treatment back.

Yangon is big, so don’t get stuck in the city center though. Grab a cab – it is the easiest way to get around, it looks like every other car is a taxi – they will bring you wherever you want, just negotiate the price first!

One of the must-see spots – The Shwedagon pagoda is huge (99 meters tall) and impressive (it’s not gold plated and diamond-studded for nothing). It’s mesmerizing to disappear among the golden pylons, incense, and mumbled prayer.

If you feel like it – visit the National Museum of Myanmar to learn about the country’s complicated history from Mongol conquerors, British rule, Japanese occupation to socials days, and life today.  The locals are immensely proud of all of it just as they’re proud of their entire country. “I have been to Bagan once”, – says the bell boy shyly (and giggly) at our hotel. English is not commonly spoken outside the tourism service, but not one time it has gotten in our way because the universal sign and smile language never fails.

One other place to go is the Gem Museum – Myanmar is world-famous for its precious gemstones, in particular rubies (90% of the world’s rubies come from Myanmar!), sapphires, pearls, jade. You can both look at and purchase the stones and jewelry here or go for a cheaper option to city’s markets where a jade bracelet goes for as low as 1 euro (don’t ask me about the quality though!).

See you again, Myanmar

I am sitting at the airport and eating my “blueberry” croissant. My next destination is Vietnam, so the usual sadness and confusion of leaving a place are a little muffled by the joy of a new adventure. I’m going through the photos and videos I took on my phone and still can’t believe these places exist and that I actually saw them. I ask the waiter at the café to exchange my remaining kyat notes to have a wider selection for souvenirs. While I pack them up safely I think I should definitely keep some just for myself. Why? Because I’ve got a feeling I will be needing them soon again. I promise, Myanmar.

This article has appeared in the newspaper “Verslo Zinios” first (in Lithuanian language)

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Interview by Milda Urban, Summersalt Yoga founder

One of our favourite (if not THE favourite) parts of yoga retreats is meeting and connecting with wonderful souls from all over the world. Each of them has their story to tell, their journey to share. This June we’ve hosted an amazing young photographer Izzy Dempsey from Nova Scotia who has not only given us the gift of her amazing art, but also her insights into life, the world, and travel.

I’m so happy to share this interview and incredible photography with you, don’t forget – earth without art is just EH!

Tell a little bit about yourself and of course – how did you get into photography?

As I’ve been meeting people along the road during my travels, people often look a little perplexed when I say I’m from Nova Scotia, Canada. The typical response is “so, is that around Vancouver or Toronto?” – nope. It’s a little province right on the East Coast, on a peninsula! With nature and the ocean at my fingertips, I’m thankful for the roots it has given me. I find now whenever I travel for long periods, by the end of it, if I’ve been without the ocean for a while – I start to crave it. It feels almost necessary for my survival now.

My interest in photography sparked at the early age of 11, when I chanced upon an old film camera next to a garbage bin. From then on, I was fascinated by capturing moments and stories and using it to communicate with the world around me. I started pursuing it professionally after I shot my first wedding at 15, and although there has been the ups and downs with creating a business that feels representative of who I am and the art I want to produce, I’ve never questioned it as my life long career.

What is the most important thing for you in your craft? 

The most important thing for me in my craft would be capturing stories and emotions, that in return can be interpreted to the viewer to speak to them in a way that makes them feel connected. The moment and emotion it draws out is what inspires me to lift the camera to my eye, and then the composition and details come afterward.

For example, while on the island of Vis at the retreat – the scenery we were surrounded with on a daily basis was in fact breathtaking, but my eye was caught more by the smiles and relationships building within the guests or the moments of peace and serenity that some would be experiencing within themselves.

What inspires you to do your work? 

At the moment, I would say experiencing life, exploring new corners and nooks and crannies of the world, and above all – people. While I travel, one of my favourite things to do is to just walk the streets, plug in my headphones to cut out distractions of noise, and just enjoy how the light hits their faces, how people use their body language and expression to communicate with one another, or how they express themselves through their appearance.

On the flip side, in order to be inspired by this, I find it’s crucial for me to have moments of solitude and stillness to recharge. The early mornings when I wake up and everyone is still asleep, I listen to the bird chirps and the voice inside my head. These moments to myself allow for the inspiration of people and activity to be reflected and appreciated.

How would you describe your style?  

Visually speaking, I would say my style is “raw”. Although not intentional, very rarely are my images super bright and “clean” so to speak. I don’t do a whole lot of retouching, I like to keep things less how they are, as I don’t like to alter what is being seen with the eye. I think that is the beauty of photography, to capture something real that you can look back on. In a world that is so instant, edited, and altered, I feel passionate about keeping it as is. I just aim to capture transparency, whether that is through someones story, or a place I visit. I try and see beyond what meets the eye, and convey it using light to draw out a feeling you get from it.

You obviously love to travel – what places did you like most and why, how do you capture them in your work and what’s next on your list?

As cliche as it sounds, but places off the beaten path. Perhaps it has to do with growing up in NS and the rural landscape I’m used to, as well as the lack of people, but I try my best to avoid the tourist spots. Despite how beautiful popular places can be, I find it can be difficult to see the realness to it when it’s full of visitors just sifting through. Sometimes I like this as a challenge though, to get past the surface and find the culture and story of these places. Also, I look for this out of respect. If I’m in a place that some call home, I want to try and learn about what makes it home to them.

For instance, when I was in Dubrovnik, I almost instantly gave up and left it, quick to dismiss it through its crowded streets of tourists of overshot locations, I then took some back alleys and wandered for a bit. I ended up meeting this man, while in search of space and true character to be revealed. I was glancing back down behind me, and I stopped to take a photo at the top of the stairs.

“Best street in the city, yeah?” said an older man with a salty beard and kind eyes, reminding me of my father.

I’m sure he’s seen it being captured millions of times by now.

We began to chat or tried to in the midst of the language barrier. He insisted I sit on his bench. He was selling cold drinks and an assortment of small souvenirs. He asked me what I wanted, and offered me it for free. I continued then to sit by him, drinking an ice tea, learning more about him as tourists passed by – eying his mini-fridge while the hot sun beamed down.

He is only one of the 700 who lived in the old town of Dubrovnik today. The rest is now filled with rental apartments, hotels, etc. He has been selling his items and drinks to tourists for 7 years during the summertime but been living there for over 50 years.

I took plenty of photos that compositionally and visually may be appealing in this city, but this encounter was just another reminder of how much human connection and photographs of people mean to me. He completely changed my impression of the city, showing me there is still something true beneath the exploitation of the city caused by the mass amount of cruise ships.

Next up? Good question! Being back in Europe has reminded me of just how accessible everything is. I think currently what’s in the works is a move for me. I’m so thankful for my community and home in NS, but I think I need a change of pace and environment in the near future. I’m mesmerized by the German language, so I hope to take language classes in Berlin and be rooted there for while doing freelancing, but then take travels during this time to other countries within Europe. As a photographer and artist, I think this is really important to feel this freedom and inspiration for new places.

What is your proudest achievement so far?

I think my proudest achievement so far is redefining what success means to me. After my dad past way almost two years ago, a lot of my perspectives on life and the values I wanted to take forward with me stood out, so since then, it’s been a bit of a journey with my art as I shift it to have it correlate with who I am, and how I can contribute and communicate with the world through photography that feels honest to me.

It’s hard when photography is such a saturated market, and from starting so young, I find people often evaluate your profession and success by how much money you’re earning or shoots your booking, or perhaps this was an evaluation of myself feeling like I need to prove myself and my work. This resulted in taking on any shoot that came my way, for that would mean I’m actively engaged in my business, and “doing it”. When I would shoot 15 weddings in summer at the age of 18, I felt like I had the approval of others to be taken seriously, but I lost the passion and connection with my art. Success to me is no longer about how much, instead it’s learning to say no when needed and staying true to my values and how this can connect to the work I produce. It’s about providing the client with something that goes beyond just a photo and is also about the experience.

For anyone looking to embark on their own journey as an artist or just as anything else – what would you say to encourage and inspire?

Prioritize it, and yourself! I know from my experience, it’s so easy to just say “I would like to go there, do this, see that…  maybe someday.” – always questioning the effort and money involved. Honestly though, if it’s something you desire, and have a spark in you to do – just commit to it, and the rest will fall into place one way or another. After committing to staying put in Halifax this past year, I am also a strong believer that roots and stillness are important for growth, but if you’re open to the world, I think traveling can teach you some of the most fundamental and life-changing things.

My dad would always say on the way to the airport as we would go through the list to see if we had everything – “Do you have your passport? A bit of money?” – and with the response being yes, then he would say, “that’s all you need then.”

Second, follow your gut and your own needs. Solo traveling can be hard, but it is also freeing. You are in charge of yourself. This can be a blessing and a curse, depending on if you listen to yourself or not. There have been times that I’ve caught myself following the crowd when really it wasn’t what I needed or actually desired at that moment. For instance, accommodation – everyone says travel in hostels when you’re on your own, you’ll meet lots of people, etc etc. I did that and did love it at times, but I also knew that I get cranky and need time to myself as well, so I did a mixture and booked myself my own Airbnb room here and there as well. Or when you are traveling, people will often throw out a thousand different thoughts and ideas on what you “have” to see or do. Obviously, at no fault of them, some of the best places I’ve been are from recommendations, and I’ve passed on my own, but it’s important to take these comments with a grain of salt. What’s good for them, might not be what’s good for you. Create a trip to suit your own needs, learn from what you do but didn’t like, and don’t get too hooked on social media and the thousand blog posts saying “top ten MUST do’s”. Read it as you CAN do.

What’s next for you? What are you looking for to achieve?

As I mentioned, I think a move is on the horizon. I’ve been scared to fully leave the security and comfort of home, and what I feel like I’ve worked so hard (especially in the past year) to get, that being: a photography business representative of who I am and community. During this trip though, I have learned that it wasn’t something to achieve, but to add to the shaping of who I am. Now I can apply this experience elsewhere.

Something I am looking to “achieve” is balanced, and a life that is more about living, and less about having to do this or that in order to feel accomplished and fulfilled. I’m not someone that will say just live in the moment purely, I think goals are important and help to encourage us to continue the cycle forward and cultivate growth, but it’s also easy to become a slave to this, particularly when you run your own business.

That was one of the main reasons I did this trip, to just be, to recharge, get inspired, and drop judgment on myself. When I’ve gotten a rush of inspiration, I’ve put my head into my art and business, and plugged away happily, but when I’ve been uninterested and uninspired, I’ve taken time to just read or write, or sit with my flatmates in Berlin with no aim in mind to do anything. Sadly enough, this is rare for me back home. I can’t remember the last time I would just read a book for the sake of wanting to, or not feel the need to have an activity or purpose to be with others when I knew there was always work I could be doing.

I’m in this bizarre transitional period, as I realize it’s not just a temporary move I will be making – but my time in Halifax has come to an end with no reason to come back in sight. I’m not going away for any purpose besides following my gut in what I need to feel fulfilled. Halifax will always be a wonderful place to come back to visit, but as for now, I’m starting a new chapter. As my dad and I would always say every morning before he left for work, “to infinity and beyond”.

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By Vanessa Fleming, Summersalt Yoga teacher

Every time I’ve been to Portugal, there’s this unspoken, intangible but very palpable feeling. It’s like magic…I feel as though I’ve been whisked away to another world. A forgotten world. A place where all the worries and stresses of my current life no longer exist, because they never existed in the first place. It’s a feeling of longing, a feeling of desire, a feeling of days’ past.

I’m not the only one that feels this. The feeling is so strong in presence that it has an actual term…

Saudade. 

Looking off the cliffs in the Algarve, or climbing the hills in the streets of Lisbon…taking the train to Cascais…there’s an energy that exists in this underrated and serene coastal country. It’s no wonder I’m drawn to Portugal and find myself struggling to leave.

The Portuguese people have quiet melancholy to them. You’re no doubt to be met with endearing and genuine smiles, along with a deep and curious soul exuding from their eyes. They are the beautiful inhabitants of this often underestimated land with gorgeous old European structures and design. In the background, you’ll hear the sounds of Fado, the instrumental music full of expression played by Portuguese people of all ages. 

Last year, I was with a friend in Lisbon, grabbing some dinner before we headed out to the city to explore. A couple of older gentlemen sat down with their guitars in the restaurant. They were surrounded by family members, all out for a night of singing, eating and drinking in the local establishment. My friend and I said we would stay for just a couple of songs, but there was a city to explore out there….

As the night wore on, each one of the family members sang. From the teenager to the grandmother, all of them belted out songs in Portuguese in this Fado style. I am still impressed by all of them having such range of vocals. 

4 hours later, she and I floated back to our B&B for the weekend, completely awestruck with the power of Fado and it’s insinuating Saudade. 

This is what happens in Portugal. Time stands still and slips away simultaneously. It’s almost as if the Portuguese people know something that the rest of us don’t, and they use that as their power to just live in the moment. 

Combine that with incredible waves where dolphins happily dance and surf with you, and an overall just chill vibe, it is a country that I’m sure that I want to live out the rest of my days in.

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By Milda Urban, Summersalt Yoga founder

Visiting the land down under (yes, I said it) was one of the things I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do. It took a while for this particular dream to come true, but time has finally come and I was on my way.

How was it, everybody asks? Well, it was everything and at the same time nothing I thought it would be. Both from travellers and personal experience.

The journey has taught me a lot about how to clear my mind from preconceived expectations and to embrace whatever happens. It once again proved me that being open and going with the flow is so much better than feeling anxious with some hidden hope that this anxiety will bring some results. That letting go of the grip doesn’t mean letting go of your values, goals or beliefs

The biggest revelation, however, was something more specific. A chunk of my journey I have travelled on my own. Solo. For the first time EVER. And only after I left the sunburnt country I understood that those 2 weeks were the biggest meditation and mindfulness school I’ve ever had. Unexpected, yes. But completely true.

Some people go on Vipassana retreats to spend time in silence and by themselves. Travelling by yourself is an incredibly underrated alternative to that.

Baby, let’s cruise…

Unless you immediately find a travel buddy or spend a lot of time at the hostel common areas, pubs and the likes of it, there is a big chance that a large amount of your journey will be spent by yourself, not talking to anyone, silence is broken only by the basic “thank you” and “what’s the Wi-Fi password”.

And (Quelle surprise!), THE not talking turns you to THE thinking and THE reflecting. To turning inwards. To seeing the dustiest corners of your mind and soul. To lifting barriers and creating new pathways. All of that – in overdrive first, but then – into a pleasant cruising and flat out enjoying mode.

Emotional cocktail

With so much time without letting your thoughts being pushed back or silenced by THE talking, at first the stream and intensity of it all may be confusing. Just like a captive set free, the mind goes – freedom!! Now what?!

Crazy(ish) dreams, unexpected, heightened emotions most likely will be your new squad for at least a few days. Some of them be okay to hang out with, some will simply be douchebags you can’t seem to shake.

If this emotion mojito is still not kicking in – blend in the new experiences, surroundings and being outside your comfort zone every day to the mix (all of these will follow while travelling!). In the end, you are left with a Zombie or a strong Long Island Ice tea if lucky.

However, once you pass the initial stage – everything will get better. You will love it!

A gift that keeps on giving

I am not saying that you won’t have a single negative or confusing thought in your head. No. But trust me, so many answers to long contemplated questions will seem clear as day. Some long-held struggles or dilemmas will be offered new solutions. The crippling anxieties or chronic stress s will easy up.

You will notice that just like that you become much more open to the new ideas, experiences, solutions and paths and will be able to look at various questions with a fresh mind.

You know, I feel like I’m either giving away some special long-kept secret here or maybe just boasting the obvious. Either way, going on the road on your own is one of a kind experience and the incredible gifts have gotten on the way will keep on giving long after you’re back home.

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