This
page includes maps of all the places I have been.......
MEXICO
I have been to Mexico a total of four times. The first time
I went with my High School, and visited, Teotiuachan, Mexico City, Cuernavaca,
Tenochtitlan, and Puerto Vallarta. The second time I went to Cancun.
On my third trip I lived in Guadalajara, and attended a local university.
I also traveled to many locations including: La Ticla, Nexpa, Michoachan,
Mexico City, Guanajuato, Puerto Vallarta, to name a few!
NEW ZEALAND
In
June and July of 1997 I went to New Zealand. I traveled around the
entire North Island, and most enjoyed the Kauri Trees, and glow worm caves!
New Zealanders are awesome people, and are very environmentally conscious.
I spent one month there and hope to return some day soon!
JAMAICA
I
spent one week in Jamaica in the S Spring of 1998. I once knew a wise
bush doctor from Jamaica who was able to sum up Jamaica as a whole... He
said," There is ah heaven, and there is ah earth, and JAMAICA, is heaven
on earth!"
HAWAII
On October 26, 1999, I packed up my backpack, and
headed for Hawaii. I had no idea what I was going to do there. One
thing that I did know is that I had $300 and everything I needed, like a
turtle, on my back! I arrived at my first destination, Kauai.
This island is known as "The Garden Isle". Here I encountered
many interesting individuals, and had the experience of a lifetime. The
neatest thing I had the opportunity to do while on Kauai, was learning the
trade of weaving with palm fronds. I learned that you can make just
about anything using palm trees. One day I had the chance to help
build walls for a home out of palm, and I also learned how to make hats!
I spent two months on this island. With my feet as my only carriage,
I carried all of my belongings with me and hitch-hiked as well.
There was a point when I became interested in some of the other
islands. I decided to get myself back to the "Main Island- Hawaii"
When I arrived in Honolulu, I met up with a friend. We
flew to the main island, not knowing where we would go once we were there!
We decided to head for Pahoa, a town located on the "Puna side" of
the island. Within days of our arrival, we saw an advertisement for
a house that was powered by solar energy! The property was surrounded
by tropical fruits and was about seven miles from the ocean. Hawaii Volcano National Park
was only ten minutes from our house! We rented this home for around
a month before I left Hawaii, heading for my next destination!
I went to Gulf Shores Alabama, and stayed for 9 months. Here
I lived with my Grandparents. I was a bartender and fine dining waitress.
I also was given the opportunity to develop a youth camp at the local
zoo. In the short amount of time I was here I made many lasting friendships,
and miss the ocean! When I left from Alabama, I packed up my car,
and headed West. I drove through Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi,
Arkansas, Texas, and New Mexico, before finding my way to Durango, Colorado.
I had friends here, but my curiosity led me to meeting a group of
individuals in Bayfield, Colorado. I stayed in Bayfield, on the Southern
Ute Indian Reservation for almost two months. Here I was honored to
spend time with wonderful people. This brings us up to October of
2000, nearly one year since I had left for Hawaii! On ce again I packed
my things, and headed West!...........
This
time I drove through Utah, Nevada, California, ending in Eugene Oregon.
I stayed with some friends here, but ended up moving to Portland,
Oregon, one month later. I stayed in Portland for eight months working
as a Nanny and Public Opinion Project Specialist. In May of 2001,
I was ready to move again. This time I joined a friend of mine from
California. She was a vendor for Motorcycle Rallies, and we covered
32 states in 2 months! When this was finished, I jumped on plane, and
headed back to sunny California. Here I linked up with a dear friend,
and we worked together at a Resort along the famous Highway One, in Big Sur,
California. This place was truly beautiful, but I felt a longing for home.
At this point it was September of 2001, two years since I had left
for Hawaii. In total, I had spent four years away from friends and
family. This started to take a toll, so once again, I packed my things
and made my way home. First driving North, to Oregon. I spent
the next month between Portland and Eugene. Next I went to Seattle
Washington to visit more friends. After leaving Washington, I drove
East on Highway 2. This escorted me through, Idaho, Montana, North
Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Northern Michigan. I returned to
Michigan on October 2, 2001. This was a landmark day, as I was returning
to Michigan to stay for the first time in 4 years! My journey lead
me in a full circle back to the place where my roots were still strong!
