Hey all,

So I didn't get to write like I wanted to on my trip. I could rattle off some excuses but I won't. Instead I'll just give you the quick version.

So I flew into London and had a few days to myself. Unfortunately Big Ben was under construction and the London Eye wasn't running so instead I did some other less exciting tourist stuff. London was damn cold so I mostly enjoyed my Jacuzzi bathtub. I eventually met up with my tour group which turned out to be a super amazing experience. Although most of the people were younger than me, I made some really sweet friends and had a good time.

With them I crossed the English Channel, went up the Eiffel Tower, saw the Moulin Rouge show, went dancing, saw Notre Dame, drank so much sangria, walked a million miles to countless museums/art galleries/monuments, saw a Flamenco show in Barcelona, ate snails, crossed the love lock bridge, ate my weight in pastries and fruit, spent many hours in a bus, bought some french perfume, won money at the Monte Carlo Casino, had the best pesto pasta, went on a booze cruise to the island of Capri, stayed in one horrific hostel, saw the leaning tower of Piza, made my own pasta, and overall had a great time. The people in this group made everything special and exciting. So many different kinds of people with different backgrounds, different quirks, different strengths and weaknesses. They welcomed me in and accepted me for who I am and for that I'm incredibly grateful.

The group tour ended in Rome and from there I flew to an island in Greece. Turns out that island is DEAD outside of tourist season so I walked around the ghost town petting stray cats, watched lighting storms and recovered from going hard for 20 days straight. In Athens I literally ran away from a creepy Italian man in a dark park but I made it out just fine.

Singapore was STUNNING. The whole city looks like it was just built yesterday, it's all shiny and new and futuristic. The Gardens by the Bay was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. The two glass domes house millions of plants and have the best views of the city.

Krabi Thailand was so hot but nice to dethaw from Europe. I took a boat tour of all the islands, went snorkeling, and got crazy sunburnt. I got a tattoo on the back of my arm of a Ginkgo leaf, a sak yant, and a circle. I met up with my uncle and ran around Bangkok for the day with him. I went into a cat cafe and was very disappointing because all the cats had squished faces like a pug. I saw a Thai theater show about the country and it's history. I managed to get very lost twice, once in an absolute maze of a street market, once in an enormous shopping mall. These people take shopping very seriously, I've never seen so many shopping centers in my life.

Then I flew into Hiroshima Japan! In Japan I started staying in hotels rather than hostels/capsules like I was doing in Thailand so it was VERY difficult to get out of the comfortable beds. But what motivated me was 7-11. Japanese 7-11 is the best thing that exists. I would get ramen, rice balls, mochi doughnuts, smoothies, hot coffee in a can, anything I could ever crave was there waiting. I also saw a Kabuki show in Japan. I participated in a traditional tea ceremony dressed in full Kimono. I hung out in the red light district of Shibuya. Ate honey toast which is maybe my new favorite dessert, if you don't know what it is look it up and thank me later. And finally took the 30 hour trip back to Washington *whew*

I know it isn't exactly what I promised but hopefully you enjoyed hearing about my adventure. Next up... moving across the country!

What's in my luggage?

After days and days of fiddling, adding things in, cutting things out and feeling bad about how much I was bringing because of watching so many traveler packing videos on youtube. I think I have my luggage all sorted for my trip. I'm determined to not have any checked luggage so everything is pretty minimal. That way, I'll have room for all the junk I'm going to bring back!

In my "personal bag" I have: neck pillow, wireless over ear headphones, wired in ear headphones, travel journal, colored pencils, multi port charging cord, battery bank, fan, lip balm, wall charger, selfie stick (que the symphony of groaning), tablet, phone, filtration water bottle, and my wallet. Over ear headphones are great for public spaces when you don't want to be bothered.

In my actual carry on luggage I have-

Electronics: wall charger converter, power strip, spare camera battery and charger, two spare SD cards, lens cleaner, Nikon wireless remote, mini flashlight, dog tags with allergies, and all my emergency information on this micro usb. I decided to cut out the headlamp in the end because it needed it's own special charger and hopefully my mini light will be enough. Not pictured are my two code locks and a handful of carabiners which I use to attach my stuff to chairs to keep it from getting stolen easily or to hang things off my backpack. 

Tops: Well loved over-sized tee, black fitted tee, and long sleeve shirt. Not pictured is one tank top. 

Bottoms: Dark-wash jeans, light-wash high waist distressed jeans, and sweat pants.

Dresses: One skirt, fitted dress, and a fluttery polka dot dress.

Bathing suits: one piece which can double as a top, and a two piece.

Shoes: shower shoes, heels, and leather boots.

Misc: Day bag, beenie, glove, and microfiber towel. Not included here are my two jackets, one pack-able down, one raincoat shell.

And finally toiletries: Mini straightener, stick makeup set, couple brushes, mascara and brow gel, makeup sponge and cleanser, lash curler, motion sickness bracelets, deodorant, q-tips, lotion, foundation, earplugs, eye drops, red lipstick, moisturizer, and a face treatment for the flight.

...and that's about it!