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Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

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What a Week – Nepal Blog Post #2

Last Updated: October 20, 2021 · Nepal

August 2, 2015

It’s already been 10 days since moving to Kathmandu, Nepal — can you believe it?

10 out of 730, or more.  My first impressions have already begun to transform; I am seeing Nepal with a different set of eyes than just ten days ago.  For example, the spider in my room quickly learned who was the “bigger spider” and to not cross over onto my side of the wall.  It was once my prey, so to speak, and now we’re just friends.

Who would’ve thought?  Which reminds me.. who would’ve thought that I’d be living in 2072 ??  Yes, the year 2072. It wouldn’t seem like it though. We don’t have jet packs and everything’s not chrome.  It’s more like I am going back in time as Nepal is a developing nation.  There seems to be a festival or a holiday every few days, including Saturday.  So I work Sunday through Friday 10-5. Not bad, right? If you are curious about reading how their calendar differs from our Georgian calendar.. here’s the link.

Going into my first day at work I was told not to expect much.  Ever since the earthquake, ICMS has been struggling to keep up and to stay organized.  However, I am pleasantly surprised.  Work is so relaxed.  I get served breakfast which is usually some sort of omelet and toast; coffee, which I didn’t like before but now I look forward to my 2 cups a day. Then I work doing whatever comes up. For now, it’s mainly social media upkeep or updating/writing for the website.  Near 2 pm the smells from the kitchen start to distract me, it’s Nepalese cuisine time! Since I don’t speak Nepali (yet) 😉 it is hard for me to communicate with the cooking/cleaning ladies.  Just smiles and thank you’s are what I do best.

Nepalese cuisine is so yummy.  I haven’t yet tried anything I don’t like.  Well, except “yarsagumba“.  I imagine you are as unfamiliar with it as I certainly was.  I’m not sure I would have tasted it if I had read the description beforehand, which I have provided conveniently for you here: “…is a fungus that parasites and infects larvae of ghost moths and produces a fruiting body valued as a herbal remedy.” No bueno. Pas bon.

The culture here is so different, and the only way to appreciate it is to do as they do;  Bargain in street markets, wear green bangles to celebrate the month of Shrawan, wear henna, fast (by eating “pure” foods), take shoes off before entering one’s shop, home or room, dress up in sari’s and kurtha’s, and MY FAVORITE thus far – eat Dhal Bhat (with your hands!!!)

I was able to be “culturally immersed”, all thanks to my lovely friend Rozeena and her family for welcoming me into their home.  Anyways back to eating like a child, growing up being told “NO!” every time you try and eat with your hands (of course except American food, i.e burgers, fries, etc..) makes eating saucy rice, smothered potatoes and beans kind of.. uncomfortable?  Once you get the spoon technique with your four fingers though it gets easier.  “When in Rome”, right? Not to mention that hole in the floor most people in Asia call toilets.  It is so much more environmentally friendly though. The Western world wastes so much clean water that just sits in toilets.

Of course there are the other unexpected things you experience.  Like getting pooped on by a pigeon or riding on the back of scooters, which is so dangerous yet so much fun.  Late night trips to the creepy, dark-lit restaurant where you can eat ‘momos’ (dumplings) for 100 NRs. Yep, that’s a $1 dinner.  My wallet appreciated it, my tummy the next day however did not. Eeh.

The first ‘touristy’ place we went to was Boudanath Stupa, a Buddhist temple.  Below is my amateur shot of the place. The top part is under reconstruction, of course due to the catastrophic earthquake.  Nonetheless, walking into the plaza area my jaw dropped and my American “oh my gosh” came out again.  It was colorful, busy, smelly, noisy, hot, but with loads of culture and history popping out at every turn of the head.  I didn’t know where to look!  It was an amazing feeling to be there. “I am living in South Asia“, I thought.  Too cool.

I just wanted to show my family immediately to see what they would say.  That’s why I wanted to write this blog, and why I try to post as many pictures on Faceb.  Buddhism is so fascinating, and the worshipers are even more so.  One day I will dedicate a blog all to the two main religions here which is Hinduism and Buddhism.  They are alike, yet have such opposite traditions and rituals.  If I am going on a journey while in Nepal, I place my bets on a spiritual one.

If you haven’t already checked out my very first post from when I arrived in Nepal, you can read it here! 🙂

By: Bri · In: Nepal · Tagged: Adventure, kathmandu

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Welcome to Kathmandu, Nepal – Nepal Blog Post #1

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I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

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Dear me, thank you 🥰 This is your sign to tak Dear me, thank you 🥰 

This is your sign to take yourself to your dream destination (even—or especially—if you have to go solo!) ✨✨✨

Follow along to see my adventures in Japan! 🇯🇵 

#japantrip #solotraveling #japanawaits #travelingsolo #mindfultravel
Memories from Morjim, Anjuna, & Panjim (Goa, India Memories from Morjim, Anjuna, & Panjim (Goa, India) 🇮🇳 

1. Waiting on India's first digital nomad conference to start! (CYF CON) 

2a. The funkiest hippie/night market in Anjuna

2b. Overlooking the beautiful and historic Panjim (the capital of Goa) 🌴

2c. One of the oldest + most popular Portuguese Baroque-style chapels in Goa (Lady of Immaculate Conception, Panjim)

3. I specifically requested a yellow scooter just so I could take a picture like this lol 🛵

4a. Kitty portrait inside a really cool speakeasy

4b. Feeling cute at the cutest little outdoor gin cocktail bar 

4c. Sunset over Chapora Bay + Arabian Sea

4d. Nightlife / beach shacks on Arpora 

5. Looking out at the sea from atop the ruined Chapora Fort

6. Bollywood dancing with the gals 💃🏼

7. Street shot in Panjim 📸

8. Wandering around the Fontainhas Latin Quarter (Panjim)

9a. Morjim Beach (shot from atop Chapora Fort)

9b. Local Goans + holy cow walking on Mandrem beach at sunset 🌅 

10. Enjoying our stay at the lovely  @anamivagoa 

PS. All of these memories and experiences wouldn’t have been possible without @nurall_co 💛 Nurall's next remote work retreat is in KHAO LAK, THAILAND 🇹🇭this July 2023 (cost: $900 USD only). Comment or DM me for an extra 5% off if you’re interested in signing up!

#goa #indiatraveldiaries #morjim #anjuna #panjim #slowtravel #remoteworklife #nomadiccreators #digitalnomadgirls
Whether its for adventure, community, or leveling Whether its for adventure, community, or leveling up your business, a digital nomad / remote work retreat is one of the best ways to work remotely and travel! 💻✈️

I’ve rounded up some of the best curated trips and retreats out there in my latest blog post (🔗 in bio to check it out!) 

Featured in my guide are:

@nurall_co 
@beunsettled 
@minoma.co 
@workwanderers
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Types of experiences you could discover with these guys range from training for 🥊 Muay Thai in Khao Lak, Thailand (@nurall_co co) to 🥾 hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain (@beunsettled) to ⛺️ camping out in the desert of Morocco (@minoma.co), and more!

WHY JOIN A NOMAD / REMOTE WORK RETREAT? 👇

Retreats offer curated itineraries/experiences designed to bring you epic adventures in bucket list destinations, plug you into the local scene, and collab with like-minded souls — all while leveling up your business/entrepreneurial skills and remote lifestyle and giving you creative space to cowork in beautiful places. 🤗

On a digital nomad retreat, you might...

💡Strike a new business idea
⚡️Spark a sweet romance with a stranger
👀 Get your project noticed by an investor
🥰 Form a life-long friendship (or a few!)
🌿 Build a new brand from scratch
💃 Change directions completely in your personal life
🧘‍♀️ Strengthen your sense of self, confidence, and spirituality

These are just examples of the very many outcomes you could gain from attending a digital nomad retreat.

In short, these programs have the power to evoke positive change in your life and, more often than not, your investment is rewarded handsomely (in more ways than one). ✌️

I’m long-time digital slomad, but after discovering Goa, India with @nurall_co I’m most definitely going to attend more retreats like this in the future! ✨✨

*Not spons, btw! Just sharing ways you can find a community of digital nomads, whether you want to be one or already are one! 👩🏼‍💻💛

My blog guide shares the deets about price, location, etc — go check it out and save this reel! ✨

#digitalnomads #remoteworkandtravel #grouptravel #grouptrip #remoteworklife #laptoplifestyle #digitalnomadgirls
< 1 week until we get to do this again! Adventur < 1 week until we get to do this again! 

Adventures await us in our beasty 1990 Roadtrek 🚐🌲🥾 — she’s been sitting out winter in Washington while we tanned our toes in Mexico 🇲🇽 

I’ve never been able to choose between the mountains ⛰️ and the sea 🌊 … you? 

Tell me what kind of summer you’re manifesting in the comments! 🧡

#vanlife #summeriscoming #granolagirl #roadtrek #pnwadventures #outdoorsy #homeiswhereyouparkit
And... WE’RE LIVE!! 🚀 I’m stoked (read 90 And... WE’RE LIVE!! 🚀 

I’m stoked (read 90% nervous, 10% excited), to share that @slomadstories is officially OUT THERE! 

I actually had the first episode published on April 4th, but was too shy to share about it until now. 

But, as you’ll hear when you tune in... (🥳) this podcast isn’t just about highlighting raw, meaningful stories of adventure by ordinary people who seek an extraordinary life — YES, it’s mostly about that — but the very heart of this podcast is about DOING things despite how much they SCARE you or thrust you into the UNKNOWN.

I’ve always *tried* to live my one very short life by seeking to know, chasing curiosity, and jumping headfirst into the journey. 

— This podcast is simply a new endeavor, a new project that WILL NOT stop whispering at my heart. I’ve been trying to deny this urge, this tug, for so long! The whispers started in 2020 when a person who I thought would become a close friend bailed on the idea to start one together. So I let the idea go, for a while. But then it came back twice as strong in 2022, when I was living as a temporary nomad in Portugal for two months. It was there that I had my podcast cover art designed. That was already 1.5 years ago! 

Life passes us by...

We hear the whispers, we see the project coming to life in our heads, we feel the pull...

But we say no over and over again, and we make very legitimate excuses, until ultimately, the idea, the spark, the magic, fades; it chooses someone else to birth the idea and manifest itself into creation (something I learned reading “Big Magic” by Liz Gilbert, it’s amazing, go read it!). 

I have no idea why I felt the need to start a podcast, it’s not like I am already juggling enough.

But I wanted to, for me.

For you ✨ 

For everyone who ever chased that feeling, that tug. 

Because that?? 

That’s been my life for the last decade. I moved abroad countless times — and stayed — from Nepal to Mexico and beyond, and I would’ve never done ANY of it if I had not listened to the whispers.

This podcast is about continuing in the pursuit of the unknown, seeking more, and taking decisive action.

Welcome to Slomad Stories, & thank you for being here. 🧡

Xx,
Bri
MINI GUIDE TO JIUFEN 🏮🇹🇼👇 🍡 Explor MINI GUIDE TO JIUFEN 🏮🇹🇼👇

🍡 Explore Jiufen Old Street and try local street food (The taro balls came highly recommended! We ate giant pork buns, xiao long bao dumplings, and a vegan pork noodle dish!) 

🍵 Visit the iconic A-Mei Tea House for traditional tea ceremony and sweets (a bit touristy, but worth it for the views imo)

🐉 Pick up some of the magic of “Spirited Away” in the shops (there are so many souvenirs and Studio Ghibli themed goods)

⛰️ Hike to the top of Keelung Mountain for a fun and sweaty adventure (go before sunset and go prepared for thousands of steps, lol)

🏮Wander through the narrow alleyways — explore away from Old Street!! 

⛏️ Learn about the town’s history at the Jiufen Gold Mine Museum — you can take night tours for a small fee or organize them through your hotel

🎭 Visit the two-story historic Shengping Theater, an abandoned cinema that provides a glimpse into Jiufen’s past

💦 Explore the nearby Golden Waterfall (10 minute drive)

Most people only come to Jiufen for a couple of hours to stroll through Old Street and take a photo of the teahouse since it evokes the bathhouse in Spirited Away🏮🐉 with its architecture and lanterns. But DON’T make the mistake of coming only for a day!! 

There is so much to do in Jiufen, even though we stayed 2 nights in the town (highly recommend), we wished we had stayed longer. 🥹

Oh yeah, and BRING AN UMBRELLA!! ☔️ Or don’t, the locals will give you one out of the goodness of their hearts (our hosts were the sweetest!!) ❤️

Save this to your Taiwan bucket list, pass this reel along to a friend, anddd check out my blog @bucketlistbri .com for more adventures abroad! 💃

#discovertaiwan #jiufen #spiritedaway #northtaiwan #asiatravel #travelbucketlist #jiufenoldstreet
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