Yoga with Aly (2026)

09/10/2025

Arad antics and Sighisoara sogginess...

Our first stop in Romania was to Balla Geza Winery in Arad, where we enjoyed a wine tasting, dinner, and overnight at the guesthouse. And where the only pics we took were of us having a photo shoot on the swing and playing on the playground. Of course, we also had another hotel room dance party, as we do.

Next up was Sighisoara, where it rained on us the entire time. Though we didn't let that stop us from going on a walking tour, and climbing to the top of the Clock Tower and the covered Scholars' Stairs in the citadel. We also found me some delicious Romanian donuts smothered in chocolate.

05/10/2025

Reunited and it feels so good (or...Backstreet's Back?)...

After a very long day of travel from Ljubljana due to a severe bus delay (thank goodness for making friends at the bus station who became family for the day as we shared stories and snacks and generally took care of one another over those many hours. Even though we probably won't ever see each other again, I don't know how any of us would have made it through that stressfull day without each other), I finally made it to Budapest, and to Anna, late last night.

Two years ago, Anna and I took a trip together that began with a few days in Budapest. So when I realized I'd be using it as a starting point for Romania and Bulgaria, I asked her if she wanted to meet me here again, and was so excited that she immediately said yes! After being gone from home for so long, it's such a comfort to be back with one of my besties to finish out these last 12 days.
We spent the day going on a free walking tour of the Jewish quarter, going back to the ruin bar, Szimpla Kert, trying a new place for langos for lunch, stumbling upon a delicious ice cream spot on our way to get me a chimney cake (I'll save that for tomorrow now), and having a dance party in the hotel bathroom, because with the soap being named "Rock Your Body", how could you not?

04/10/2025

Finishing up SLOVEnia with visits to Postojna Cave, Lake Bled, and Lake Bohinj.

A mini-train ride (reminiscent of a Disneyland ride) into the caves; a decently long walk exploring the non-claustrophobic caves; a walk around Lake Bled; trying the original Bled cream cake (I didn't love it. Yes, I said it. A dessert I didn't enjoy. Though still ate the entire thing); and some proper hikes around Lake Bohinj and MostnicaGorge. And no time to write a lengthy post.

03/10/2025

Beyond Ljubljana...

Piran - walked along the Slovenian coast on the Adriatic; found a playground to do a few pull-ups; wandered through the maze of alleyways and steps up to St. George's church for some views (sighted people could see Croatia and Italy); had a fab lunch; and climbed up to and around the city walls for more views.

Trieste - crossed the border into Italy for a day; wandered through more alleyways; saw the first amphitheatre of this trip (I love amphitheatres!); explored the town; had some coffee and a chocolate croissant at the flagship Illy (Trieste is the unofficial coffee capital of Italy!); had delicious gelato (obviously); and visited Miramare Castle. I hadn't been to Italy since 2011, when I went with Megan and Mick, and we ate gelato every day. Maybe it's a family trait and not just me?

Vipava Valley - back to Slovenia to visit Rouna Vineyards in the Vipava Valley wine region. The "tastings" were 4 full-on glasses. Which meant a lot of wine was wasted on my part since I can only have 1 (maybe 2!) glass in total. So that was sad. They were, however, all delicious. And were paired with a yummy lunch of jota (the sauerkraut soup with sausage) and apple strudel.

01/10/2025

I originally planned to only spend a day or two in Ljubljana before moving on to other parts of Slovenia. I ended up spending five. And with the meaning of the name coming from the old Slavonic word "ljuba" which means "love" or "beloved", it makes sense.

Within the first 5 minutes of leaving my hotel, the anxiety had diminished and I was hooked. The pedesterianization of the city. The feeling of safety. The winding cobbled streets. The river. The bridges. The cafes. The architecture. The food. The markets. The parks. The people. Halfway through my second day, I no longer had to use my phone's GPS to get around, which always feels like a feat, especially when I can do it so quickly in a new city.

Two food walking tours. Two climbs up to the castle. Walks through Tivoli Park and Metelkova. Views from the rooftop at Neboticnik and a boat trip down the river. Multiple trips through the markets. Numerous walks across the different bridges and up and down the streets on both sides of the river. A free concert at the Philharmonic. A sort of free concert at St. Nicholas Cathderal (the choir was practicing). Making a few new friends. And eating loads of good food, faves included sausages with mustard and horseradish, jota (sauerkraut soup), golaz (goulash), moj struklji (dumplings), and, of course, ice cream. Every day I tried a new ice cream place. And they were all delicious.

26/09/2025

Here I go, again on my own...

4 weeks ago, I flew from HAM to LUX on a Dash-8 aircraft for the first time. It was one of the top 3 worst flights of my life in terms of turbulence. The tears were flowing, the f's were flying (loudly), and the super sweet flight attendant came to sit with me, hold my hand, and talk me through it. I swore I'd never again fly on that plane.

Yesterday, I did. I didn't sleep and had super bad anxiety on the verge of panic attacks leading up to it, but I did it. I said a tearful goodbye to Alex at LUX and got on that Dash-8 to LJU. And it wasn't so bad.

When I first started to travel solo, I had the same fears and often thought never again. The anxiety and panic attacks still come. And I (mostly) choose to fight through them. And it's (mostly) worth it.

After 5 weeks of being with friends, I've arrived in Slovenia for 10 days on my own. As used to being solo as I've become, I'm already feeling a bit lonely and slightly anxious. Though I know these feelings will pass. And it will be great. Plus, I'm very much looking forward to meeting one of my BFFs (Anna) soon in Budapest to start another adventure together before heading home.

While the lead-up and process of being scared and uncomfortable isn't enjoyable, the benefits typically make it all worthwhile. So, I'll keep trying and keep going. It's all any of us can do.

As for the rest of my time with Alex, we took a quick visit to Nancy, continued to eat too much good food, went on lots of village walks, and had more good quality time together!

23/09/2025

If it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium...

Last Tuesday, Alex and I took a road trip to Belgium for a whirlwind 5 days - hitting Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels. My obsession with taking free walking tours in each place helped me hit some of the highlights, learn some quick facts, make a few friends, and eat all the waffles. I managed to have one in each city. And, okay, I'll admit it. I had two at the same time in Antwerp on Friday and in Brussels on Saturday. For research purposes. The Liege is far superior to the Brussels, hands down. It's even good plain (though I had to add chocolate to half of them!). Of course, I also had to get some ice cream with extra Belgian chocolate hot fudge, as well as a hot chocolate. And, while I had to have some, frites still just don't do it for me. Other notable tastings included Flemish stew, mustard, shrimp croquettes, pralines, and cuberdons.

11/09/2025

Spent the weekend in Colmar, Strasbourg, and a little in between...

The best blueberry pie. A torrential downpour in Colmar. Fromage tasting. City walks. Canals. Small streets. An even smaller hotel room. Quick stops in Riquewihr and Ribeauville. Followed by a much better guesthouse stay. Flammkueche (tart flambee). Kougelhopf (brioche cake). Free walking tours. Climbing the stairs of the Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg. And sandwiches from the boulangerie paired with carpool karaoke and dance parties for the road trips.

07/09/2025

Alex lives about 45 minutes (barring traffic) from Luxembourg, which made it an easy day trip this week. She also lived there for ages, making it easy for her to play tour guide as we walked our way through the city. Other highlights included a quick tram ride (because I love public transit and it is all completely free for everyone there!) and going to the Luxembourg Schueberfouer (the biggest annual fun fair in the region).

04/09/2025

Metzing around...

Spending 4 of my 8 weeks staying with Alex at her home in France, giving us plenty of time to reconnect, work, and play.

I met Alex for only a few days in 2021 when we stayed at the same eco-lodge in Costa Rica, and had no idea she would become such a good friend. Though we promised to keep in touch, I wasn't sure we actually would. It's funny how people come into our lives, often at the time we need them most. And whether they stay for only a chapter or for the whole book, they all play a part, whatever that role may be.

Alex started joining my virtual yoga classes (yes, they're still happening - even while I'm here!). Then, in March of 2022, she invited me to join her in Mexico for a month. Going through my divorce that month, I thought it might help. It didn't, and I ended up going home early. While we (mostly) had fun, I was in a bad state, and she witnessed and stood with me through it all.

Since then, we've tried to plan another (happier) reunion, and, as usual, timing has never worked. A few months ago, we threw together a quick plan, and here we are, with her now getting to see me in a much, much better place.

We spent our first few days exploring Metz, eating delicious food (of course), and enjoying time together, while also working and planning our other adventures over the next few weeks. Alex has also been playing dress-up with me. Zero of the outfits worn here are mine. And I'm here for it. She's my French Stephanie.

29/08/2025

Happy Teej from...Hamburg(?)!

Had the best time spending a week with Sristi, and somewhat living the Nepali life again between two Teej parties and way too much delicious Nepali food (and sweets).

Sristi (my friend who is the founder of BlindRocks!) and I had only met in person once, the last time I was in Nepal, which was 11 years ago in 2014. We've stayed friends ever since, though plans throughout the years to see each other never worked out. So this time, with my layover being in Frankfurt (thanks to the nonstop STL to FRA flight that I've become way too obsessed with), I was determined to add on a stop to Hamburg to see her in her new home. A week turned out to be much too short, and I know we won't let another 11 years go by before we see each other again.

I also managed to squeeze in a few Hamburg-related activities in some of my favorite ways - free walking tours, public transit, and German bakeries. And a bonus find - NA beer in Germany!

Also, if you're in Hamburg, take a visit to Dialog Im Dunkeln (Dialogue in the Dark), an immersive experience led by blind/visually impaired guides (and where Sristi works).

One week down, seven to go. We'll see if I can keep up with posting through France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Slovenia, Romania and Bulgaria.

25/06/2025

When I travel solo, my cane is in my hand almost every day, yet I never take pictures with it. Maybe because I feel like a fraud when it's out. Because I don't use it properly. Because I use it for the benefit of sighted people to let them know I'm visually impaired, even if they don't understand the wide spectrum that entails. Because I don't usually need it for its intended use. Because when I'm with others or in a space where I'm comfortable, it doesn't even make an appearance. And because I don't use it, and I move around quickly and easily, people often forget.

Last week, I cut a trip short. While I don't like to use my vision as an excuse or a reason, sometimes it plays a part and is a major contributor to my anxiety. It's often crucial for me to have certain logistics and details planned out, so when many of them for Slovenia started to fall through, I made the difficult decision (that I still partly regret) to come home 10 days early, knowing it would be better for my mental health, as opposed to being over-stressed and unable to fully enjoy myself.

Most of the time, my vision doesn't bother me. I've never longed to have perfect eyesight. It's a part of me and has helped shape who I am and how I uniquely experience the world. Like anything, it can also be incredibly frustrating. I yearn to be more spontaneous. To turn down a random street or pop into a cafe because it looks inviting. To scan around for options. To just go. To people watch. To make eye contact with someone from across the room and share a smile. To notice someone, or notice being noticed. These seemingly small, beautiful pieces of life that so many sighted people take for granted are the aspects I do sometimes long for.

I'm not sharing this for pity. I don't feel sorry for myself. I enjoy my life and my workarounds. I'm sharing this because when we remember that we all face challenges, visible and invisible, as we try our best to navigate life, maybe we can remember to extend a little more kindness, compassion, acceptance, and love, to ourselves and each other.

So, here's a pic with my cane. And a few more from .

Yoga with Aly

09/10/2025

05/10/2025

04/10/2025

03/10/2025

01/10/2025

26/09/2025

23/09/2025

11/09/2025

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29/08/2025

25/06/2025

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