It’s been a tumultuous year. I quit a great job in Greenville, SC, sold everything I owned, and moved abroad. Since January 1st, 2015, I have relocated three times, crossed the US by car, experienced teaching abroad, and started this blog. It’s been a packed year of misadventure, miscommunication, mistakes, and amusement, with more awaiting in 2016. I have so been looking forward to sharing my best experiences in 2015

Asheville, North Carolina

I kicked off the new year listening to a StarWars-themed all brass band “The Empire Strikes Bass” in Asheville, NC with friends, camping in the Blue Mountains. I attempted to order pizza at 3:00am about 25 times. My inebriated self didn’t quite realize that they probably wouldn’t be open for my drunken cravings. I had just quit probably the best job I have ever had and was getting ready to start traveling.

I recommend visiting Asheville, NC at least once. It’s basically an East Coast San Francisco, full of hippies and street performers, small venues and a pizza chain called “The Magic Mushroom”

Las Vegas, Nevada

I needed to save money to move to Japan, so I bought a one way ticket to Las Vegas and worked my butt off in the tourism industry in order to save. And I did. Hand over fist. I partied my socks off in Vegas, working up to 6 days a week and then going out after my shift. I lived with a friend from college, who is hooked on that Vegas lifestyle.

I mean, who wouldn’t be when we wake up to that view?!

I got to be a part of a cirque du soleil show as well!

 Mojave Desert, Nevada

I worked with an international photographer for a photo journalism book challenging public opinion on violence versus nudity, and modeling for his work “Public Bodies”, as well as a few other photographers in the Las Vegas area. I spent numerous days hiking Red Rock, Nevada, exploring the desert and rock-stacking.

 

 

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Soon after raising enough funds to take on Japan, I decided to make a cross country journey from Greenville, South Carolina to Seattle, Washington. I stopped in Arizona along the way and visited the Grand Canyon.

Washington State

I finalized my last month in the states with a survey of Washington State. From a concert at the Gorge Ampitheatre:

To a mini-cation in West Port Beach:

And Finally, I was off to Nagoya, Japan

 

Japanland!

In Nagoya, I experienced monkeys face to face, and ancient castles

I visited rural Japan and hiked through the woods to see beautiful waterfalls

 

 

Tokyo, Japan

The best moment of 2015 was climbing Mt. Fuji, and experiencing the sheer frozen awesomeness at the top!.

I made it to 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan. The Summit of Fuji-san, and visiting the Great Buddha of Kamakura *daibutsu*. The culture here in Japan is so foreign to me still. I love the eccentric cafes, restaurants, and religious spots I have stumbled upon. 6 months here in Tokyo and I am still not ready to leave this sprawling megacity.

Okinawa, Japan

The equivalent of a Japanese-speaking Hawaii, I spent a wonderful vacation on the main island, Naha, exploring and snorkeling for a few days. If I could redo my year in Japan, I would definitely choose to live in Okinawa!

I can’t believe how much I have been able to experience this year…..and I have really only just began to travel.

Here’s to 2016, and sharing everything with all of you! What have you experienced this year?