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Traveling, the Ultimate Relationship Test

Posted on June 10, 2016June 20, 2016 by Chantel @ Voyaging Vagabond

Extended travel can either make or break a relationship, mine included.

Posted in EuropeTagged adventure, backpacking, backpacking europe, blog, blogger, Europe, explore, fun, funny, gay, happy, knowledge, laugh, lesbian, lgbt, life, lifestyle, live, lol, love, photos, relationships, travel, traveler, vacation, writingLeave a comment

How I Save Money to Travel

Posted on May 13, 2016May 13, 2016 by Chantel @ Voyaging Vagabond

Want to save a good chunk of money relatively quick? This is how.

Posted in Travel TipsTagged blogger, blogging, education, finance, finance news, humor, inspiration, life, lifestyle, lol, money, save money, saving, travel, Travel Tips, writing6 Comments

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Lately, on any given day I'm juggling 4 different languages. . . . . Which means yes, I'm back in Peniche! Thanks to @workawayinfo our hostel in Portugal has volunteers from Argentina, Italy and Brazil right now. Even though the hostel is closed there's a little OG crew of us keeping up the house. With so much newfound time because Portugal is quarantining conversations are a welcomed distraction from the situation. Our conversations are often a beautiful blend of English, Spanish and Portuguese with a hint of Italian. . . . . I still wouldn't consider myself fluent but I'm at least stepping up in some of these languages to conversational. Living in a time where @google translate is a thing is a blessing. Having the ability to communicate at my fingertips is amazing. . . . . Not only is it helping my language skills which I consider to be a valuable asset, it helps me form relationships with people all over the world, no matter which language is our native. . . . . I never want to feel held back from making a new friend, to limit my personality because I can't find the right words in the proper language. Not an ad or anything, just sharing that moments like this, make me feel really lucky I have technology to help make that easier. . . . . Are you guys working on learning a new language during this time? Or maybe you're bilingual, trilingual, even quadrilingual (my dream.) Let me know in the comments! . . . . #google #googletranslate #googleandroid #googler #fatgirlstraveling #travelinclusivity #plussizetravelblogger #plussize #plussizetravel #plussizeblogger #huji #hujicam #hujifilter #hujifilm #peniche #portugal #solofemaletravel #visitportugal #portugal_em_fotos #portugaligers #wanderlust #travelbug #whyitravel #passionpassport #dametraveler #darlingescapes #femmetravel #sheisnotlost #globelletravel

"Hug the life next to you" . . . . While we can't exactly hug each other right now, there are ways to embrace those you love and those in your community. Support small businesses that are shifting to online storefronts. Order your groceries from local farms that are now offering delievery. Book future services from people who may be hurting. People like my mom who runs her own 1 woman cleaning company that may be feeling the financial weight of people canceling bookings. Even if you can't help with your coins, use your platform for good. Share their announcements, comment on their posts, tag people who may be able to benefit from what they're offering. Check in on people, ask how they are, find things to talk about that aren't Corona or being stuck inside. Thank the people that you know in the healthcare industry for their tireless efforts during this. I can assure you that their days are harder than your days of netflix and chill. . . . . In times of difficulties I like to think that while we often see the ugly side of human nature, this is still a time to be inspired by the goodness displayed by other people. So be the latter part of that statement. Spread more goodness into the world. I know we could all use it right about now. . . . . #corona #coronavirus #covid19 #quarantine #selfquarantine #socialdistancing #streetart #mural #portugal #visitportugal #portugal_em_fotos #portugalpictures #portugalfotos #portugaligers #portugal_places #portugal_a_gramas #portugaltravel #caldasdaraihna #travelstoke #travelwithme #tlpicks #wanderlust #travelbug #travelinspiration #discoverportugal #art #doodles

In the times of self quarantine. . . . Many of you have decided to do your part to avoid the spread of this unpredictable virus so you're cooped up somewhere. Here are some things you can do to keep yourself busy and avoid going stir crazy: . . . 1. Have a no pants dance party! Did I spend this morning jamming out to Whitney and Janet? You best believe I did. Swipe right to see me channel my inner "Ms. Jackson if you're nasty." 2. Read that book you've been putting off. If you're in the US and you have a library card then you can request thousands of titles from Overdrive. Download the app, simply search a title and download it directly to your phone, tablet or e-reader for free! 3. Play mario kart. A childhood staple for me and when I saw there was an app I lost my mind. Now nobody can tell me I'm running late for dinner plans when I spend an hour trying to beat my high score. There's also multiplayer! Have your friends download it and have a mario kart party even if you're not together. 4. Watch really bad TV. Avoid the news at all cost for a little. The media isn't doing it's part to keep people less anxious so say bye. Instead watch mindless bad TV. I'm talking storage wars, 90 day fiance and say yes to the dress. 5. Learn a new skill. YouTube is a goldmine when it comes to learning something new. Right now I'm learning to better my video editing skills so I can bring some sweet vidz your way! 6. Try a new language. Duolingo is where it's at when it comes to learning a new language. Totally free and with countless languages to choose from now's your chance to spend the next few days brushing up on some basics. 7. Masturbate. Nothing makes you feel less stressed than an orgasm. So give yourself a little bit of self love to get you through these trying times. . . . . I know it's easy to feel worried right now but I hope I can help make things a little light-hearted. Take these unintended few days/weeks off to enjoy time with the person you should love spending time with most, yourself. . . . . . #travelinclusivity #plussizetravelblogger #plussizeblogger #plussizetravel #covid19 #coronavirus #corona #dance #danceparty #lisbon #portugal #psootd

How about some good news for a change? 🎉 . . . I've officially been in Portugal for 3 months & honey she is thrivinggg. 🇵🇹 Inspiration finds me often, my thoughts speak clearly in sentences & chapters. Moments have been frequent and man are they memorable. This is the longest I've ever stayed somewhere while traveling & I haven't even considered buying a return flight. . . . . Here's what I've learned during my time: 1. Don't expect to find a place with to-go coffee before 9AM. First, off don't even expect to find to-go coffee and then Portugal rises a bit later which I'm into. Not impossible but certainly not easy. 2. Portuguese (old) people are judgy AF. That up down look is part of our culture. BUT I can assure you that despite the grumpy face, the minute you say Good Morning (Bom Dia), Good Afternoon (Boa Tarde) or Good Night (Boa Noite) to them their entire demeanor will change. In return you'll see a warm smile and receive a cheerful greet back. 🥰 3. Kindness is a way of life out here. When people approach me, I'll be real, I've got those city blinders, most times I just keep walking. Not here, here the community does their part to help those less fortunate. I've seen offers to buy lunch, items from the market, bringing clothes for their families or homemade meals just to name a few. The other day I saw a woman driving around the block dropping food for stray cats. People look out for one another here. Their humanity has taught me a lot about how I treat those who may be down and out. 4. I don't think I can live in America anymore, at least not for awhile. I didn't realize what an unhealthy place I was in until I removed myself. Physically and mentally. I don't have health insurance in the states, with my Portuguese citizenship I get it naturally. I'm not stretching $50 for multiple days, feeling like everything comes with a price tag, stressing over my inability to save because I'm spending too much to live. Going days on end without the inspiration to create. That doesn't negate my love for Lil' Rhody but right now, it's just not for me. I feel better out here, lighter, like I'm supposed to be here, it feels right and that feels good.

I wasn't planning on talking about COVID-19 . . . TBH I felt like I was living in my Peniche bubble. But it was hard to escape once I came to Lisbon & especially when my American friends came to visit. They told me about people fighting in grocery stores over hand sanitizer. Concerns from their colleagues about them coming to Portugal. I thought, "okay, be aware of symptoms, brush up on prevention and just carry on with my day." I knew the media played a part in this hysteria & I didn't want to get wrapped in it. . . . Then I noticed conversations shifting. I was supposed to be on a flight to Poland this morning. Even had my boarding pass. Yet hearing that travel restrictions could be more widespread I didn't want to run the risk of not being able to fly back to Portugal. So last night I decided to cancel everything until this dies down a little. . . . It's weird to hear my friends tell me they can't return to their countries. It's weird to hear my mom say I'm better off in Portugal because Americans are going crazy. It's weird to consider if my little family owned hostel in Peniche will be able to stay open if nobody is traveling these next few months. It's weird to reconsider travel plans I've had for months. It's weird knowing the travel industry is coming to a standstill. It's weird to consider the effects this will have economically. . . . . All of this is just weird and unprecedented. Right now I'm just going to take things slow, make my way back Peniche and see how all this plays out in a place that feels like home. . . . . But I will say this, fear should never come before humanity. It's okay to be nervous and anxious but that doesn't negate the need to still carry yourself with kindness. Next time you're considering buying 50 packages of toilet paper think about that person in their bathroom who just realized they used their last roll. Next time you consider buying out medical supplies remember those who need these supplies to survive through these upcoming days. Then for the love of god the next time you decide to cough without covering your mouth consider that person whose immune system isn't as strong as yours.

For the first time since being in Portugal I'm alone. . . . . Which means these next 4 months will be full of my solo adventures which is really exciting! I already have a ton of fun adventures up my sleeve. But for today I'm sleeping until noon, laying in bed watching the Rupaul Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular in March and eating a bunch of sweets and calling it a balanced meal. Because self care is the best care right? . . . . #fatspo #travelinclusivity #plussizetravelblogger #plussizeblogger #plussizeandproud #plussizetravel #femmetravel #thetravelwomen #womenwhotravel #lisbon #visitlisbon #lisboa #lxfactory #Portugal #visitportugal #portugal_em_fotos #portugalfotos #fatbabe #honormycurves #effyourbeautystandards #psootd #asos

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