Guest Posts - The Atlas Heart

Travel Misconceptions

Vietnam by Joaquim at The Alternative Ways
Vanuatu by Avichai at X Days in Y
Moscow by Vivian at Miss Happy Feet
India by Tess at A Life Full of Serendipity
Belgium by Alexandria at A Work in Progress
Bogota by Maggie at Dakota Gypsy
St. Petersburg by Nikoleta at The Bonfire Dream
San Juan Del Sur by Virginie at FarmBoy & CityGirl
Mexico City by Megan at Forks and Footprints
Detroit by Anne at TravelTheGlobe4Less
Romania by Eride and Odoardo at Queidue
Gay Travel in Malaysia by Stefan and Sebastien at Nomadic Boys
Doha, Qatar by Laura Céline at Birdgehls
Minsk by Jub at Tiki Touring Kiwi
Abu Dhabi by Julie at Drive on the Left
Montevideo by Molly at Molly on the Road

Interested in being a part of the travel misconceptions series? Make sure to contact me with an idea for your story, I’d love to have you on board!

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The humid air enveloped me as I stood on the rooftop of my new apartment. It was a welcome respite after San Francisco’s cool chill that left me full of love but unprotected from the needlelike cold. There was a storm in the distance, rain falling in a place I hadn’t yet explored. I wondered what they might be doing over there. I imagined dancing in the street as the rain picked up so you could truly feel the omnipotence of nature fall down around you. That’s how I remember Laos, a parallel time and place. When kids danced in the torrential rain happy to be alive and free, while I looked on laughing with them and their sheer joy that infected me too.
Alone and full in my contented space. Already steadfast in my decision to walk away from a past that had no place in my present. The thunder came near my rooftop and I wondered if I would be struck down where I stood. I watched with glittering eyes as it danced around me, testing fate as I always have. When you go, you go. And when you know something isn’t right for you, you know. Is it possible to feel equally lost and at home in a place? Because that’s how I felt long before I left for Mexico. An attempt to create a life of stability on swampy ground. A shallow grave, everything floated to the surface with the first hint of the rain.
Without the feeling of breaking free from a cocoon that has suffocated you for so long, you would never know just how much further you could fly. I think I’ll stay a little while in this tropical place, where life is easy and palm trees sway to twinkling lights with the sound of jazz across the street. The world keeps spinning and grace is staring me right in the face.
I’m a runaway like so many others who have come here before, ready to build something that is completely my own.
Something that feels like dropping my keys in the bowl after a long trip away. Something that is home.
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. **excerpt from my latest post on the blog**

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#ad What is your favorite way of finding affordable flights?
I’ve picked up quite a few hacks over the years for finding affordable flights around the world. 
TIP 1: Figure out what the cheapest city is to fly into and out of in the region you want to travel to.
For example, if you want to go to Asia from North America - look at cities like Taipei, Hong Kong, Bangkok, or Ho Chi Minh City as your gateway destination for cheaper flights.
Once you arrive, you can take a much cheaper regional flight to wherever you want to go. 
TIP 2: If possible, be flexible with your travel dates. If you’re willing to travel mid-week as opposed to the weekend, you can usually find cheaper flights.
In a similar vein, if you’re traveling in the low or shoulder season of your destination, flights are usually much cheaper. 
TIP 3: Research the most affordable airlines that fly to your destination.
I know if I’m flying to Asia from North America, the first airline I’ll look at is @EVAAirUS because I’ve found some of the best international flights with them in the past.
And they regularly fly to Taipei, which, as I mentioned above, is a super affordable gateway city to fly into in Asia. If you’re heading to Asia soon, I’d recommend first figuring out your perfect gateway city and travel dates, then checking out flights on EVA Air to start planning an affordable getaway. You can get started here: https://ooh.li/793d926 
#gatewaytoasia #EVAAirUS #theatlasheart

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#ad Whenever anyone asks me what my favorite country is for solo travel, Taiwan is one of the first countries out of my mouth. 
Not only is it an incredibly safe place, but Taiwanese people are some of the friendliest humans I’ve met in my life. It’s unlike any culture I’ve experienced. Taiwan was never a destination that was at the top of my travel list. But, when I found an affordable flight with @EVAAirUS from North America, it set off a trip through Asia and gave me the opportunity to explore the more off-the-beaten path spots that weren’t on my radar before, including spending over a month in Taiwan. 
My favorite experiences from my trip to Taiwan? Getting lost in the beautiful high altitude forests of Alishan, exploring the historical architecture in Tainan, and eating ALL the food at the many night markets in Taipei. 
If you’re looking for an affordable flight to Taipei from North America, take a look at @EVAAirUS for great fares and a comfortable way to get across the world. Seriously, it was one of the best deals I've found for any international flight I've taken. You can check out their flights here: https://ooh.li/793d926
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👉 Let me know - Have you been to Asia? If so, what’s your favorite country in the region? 
#gatewaytoasia #EVAAirUS #theatlasheart

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👉 Do you enjoy traveling alone? .
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One of the best lessons I’ve learned from years of living and traveling abroad, mostly by myself, is how beautiful it can be to be alone. .
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Interestingly enough, being comfortable and happy with just having myself to rely on has made it easier to build a stronger community around myself and to spot the bullshit of toxic people from a mile away. It has made it easier to say goodbye and to let go of the past so I can gladly say hello to the present and the people who lift me up and keep me striving to be a better person. .
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Traveling alone has taught me a lot of lessons over the years, but I think this is the most powerful lesson I’ve learned by far: How to not allow anyone else to dictate my happiness or mindset. That is 100% up to me. .
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Pic taken at my friend Bre’s beautiful wedding in California this past weekend. Still reveling in how lucky I am to have so many supportive people in my life. 💙

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If I could describe India in one word it would be VIBRANT. ⁠
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I've never come across a more vibrant place that is so full of life. ⁠
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This was taken right outside Jagdish Temple in Udaipur (my favorite city in Rajasthan). ⁠
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It was here where I witnessed my first puja. ⁠
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One person started chanting and then the whole group joined in unison, drowning out any tangent thought that didn't have to do with that present moment. ⁠
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The mood was happy and joyful. Everything seemed filled to the brim with life as soon as the chant started. ⁠
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There was intention and focus and music and friendly faces welcoming a new day. ⁠
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It was beautiful. ⁠
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.⁠ #theatlasheart #incredibleindia #lonelyplanetindia #indiagram #indiatrip #udaipur #india_gram #indiapictures #dametraveler #femmetravel #gltlove #thetravelwomen #thehappynow #girlsmeetglobe #udaipurlove #citypalaceudaipur #udaipur_diaries #indianphotos #travelrealindia #incredibleindia #indiatraveldiaries #passionpassport #sidewalkerdaily #darlingescapes #neverstopexploring #girlslovetravel #sheisnotlost #wearetravelgirls #travelblogger #globelletravels

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Finding gnome houses in Georgia.
The winner of the most random road trip stop in the South would definitely have to go to Rock City Gardens.🍃
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👉What has been a favorite unique stop on a road trip you’ve taken?
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#theatlasheart #rockcitygardens #visitgeorgia #georgia #southerncharm

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