to the blog
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to the blog
Welcome
to the blog
Welcome
Hike Travel Teach
Volunteer Reflections
Fails Travel Prep Zion
Asia Trip
Categories
Hike Travel Teach
Volunteer Reflections
Fails Travel Prep Zion
Asia Trip
Categories
Hike Travel Teach
Volunteer Reflections
Fails Travel Prep Zion
Asia Trip
Spontaneous travel is my specialty!
Heyyy! I'm Aly, an expat living and teaching in Thailand. Check out recent adventures in the teaching, travelling, and hiking realms.
Spontaneous travel is my specialty!
Heyyy! I'm Aly, an expat living and teaching in Thailand. Check out recent adventures in the teaching, travelling, and hiking realms.
Spontaneous travel is my specialty!
Heyyy! I'm Aly, an expat living and teaching in Thailand. Check out recent adventures in the teaching, travelling, and hiking realms.
Forever
in search
of places
that make me feel
Small
20
unesco wORLD hERITAGE sITES
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VISITED
92
bLOG
Posts
132
Students
tAUGHT
6
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stints
In 2013, I graduated from Clemson University with a degreen in Graphic Communications. Soon after, I took a job with a small startup as the sole person in the IT and graphcis departments. Dissatisfied with the 8-5 cubicle life, I confided in a friend who was preparing to teach English in Korea and she suggested that I look into teaching abroad. Just a few short weeks later, I had sold a majority of my things and was hopping on a flight to Thailand, where I would meet my school coordinator. English was always a strong subject for me, I even truly appreciated grammar, but I had never taught before and the thought was both nerve wracking and exciting in equal measures. The moment I stepped in front of my first class, I knew this was what I was meant to do.
While I haven't comepletely severed all of my ties to America, I do my best not to settle and return to the "American Dream" of working in an office until retirement mearly out of convenience. I travel to delight in the little things, to celebrate the mundane, and to truly appreciate the smaller pixels in the picture.
I want to follow a map to its edges and keep on going. I want to forgo the plans, trust my insecurities, and let curiosity be my guide. I want to change hemispheres, sleep under unfamiliar stars and let my journey unfold before me.
Things that make me "me"
Things that make me "me"
01.
Travelling
I love to travel. I long to travel. I live to travel.
There is nothing like the struggle, the hustle and bustle, and the utter confusion that travelling entails.
Things I dont leave home without.
period.
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How much should my backpack weigh?The weight of your backpack will vary depending on your weight. A general rule of thumb is to stick to 20% of your own body weight. My guy and I have drastically different back weights since there is about a 60 lb weight difference between us.
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What is your favorite trip within the United States?Without a doubt, Havasu Falls in Utah. The turqoise water, red cliffs, and green foliage - it's a little desert oasis that I've come to consider home.
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What is your favorite trip outside of the United States?The Drakensberg in South Africa.
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What kinds of clothes are good for hiking?You want moisture wicking clothing - that means no cotton. Everyone has their comfort item that they just need to back on every trip, mine is enough underwear for every single day and a pair of sleeping socks. As a general rule of thumb, pants and shirts can be reworn as long as you can hang them out to dry (hence the moisture wicking benefit) overnight. I generally pack a pair of performance leggings, shorts, a few short sleeve tshirts, one outfit just for sleeping, and a 3/4 zip jacket for the chilly mornings. For winter camping, I always have wool socks, fleece pants, a thick base layer, a fleece jacket, a down puffy jacket, an earband or hat, a balaclava neck warmer, gloves, and down booties. I don't always wear every layer but I've never wanted for more warmth on a trip. As for rain gear, the necessities are: a rain jacket, rain pants, and a pack cover that fits your bag. Make sure that your gear is waterproof and not just water resistent. Waterproof jackets or pants will have a nice breathable liner and seam sealed zips.
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What shoes do I need for a hiking trip?Enter your answer here
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What size backpack do I need for my trip?Enter your answer here
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What are the best socks for multi-day trips?Hiking socks are expensive but I think they are worth it. I prefer high scoks to help add a little bit of protection agains ticks, bugs, mud, and other elements during the hike. Depending on how wet the trail will be, I will opt to wear gaiters on top of my socks. My favorite pair of socks is from REI - they are the Coolmax Ultralight Hiking crew socks. I always have at least 4 pairs with me to hike in. I also use the REI Co-op Merino Wool Heavyweight Crew Socks in the winter to sleep in, once I transfer to my camp shoes.
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What should I have in my first aid kit?Enter your answer here
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What is the best way to get clean water?Enter your answer here
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What about bears?!Bears are a reality in most backcountry situations. Before you head out on your trip, check into the National Park website and see if there have been recent bear sightings. If there have, there are a few extra precautions that you can take. The basics for every trip: I always have materials to make a bear hang (a stuff sack and paracord will do the trick). Simply pack everything that goes on your skin or in your mouth - chapstick, deodorant, food, trash, toothpaste - into a bag of some sort and hang it at least 10 ft up and 10 ft out at least 100 ft away from your campsite. You could also buy a bear can. The rules are the same, everything with a scent goes into the can and it is placed at least 100 ft from your campsite. When you are brushing your teeth, make sure you spray your toothpaste over a wide area so you don't have a condensed toothpaste smell in one small area. You also could purchase a can of bear spray - like pepper spray but on sterroids - to have in handy on your trip. Fair warning though, still works on humans and will easily incapacitate yourself if used incorrectly.
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How do I stay safe in the backcountry?Enter your answer here