old-account-shesalwaysabroa-blog - Tumblr blog

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Dresden Frauenkirche 

AKA one of the largest domes in Europe 

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Street art in a hidden alley - Glasgow, Scotland                              June 19, 2017

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The Flying Duck

Glasgow, Scotland                                                                           June 20, 2017

Its only appropriate for an Oregon duck to gravitate to any restaurant representing the mascot of my education, but I stumbled upon this hidden bar via the ever helpful Google. Turns out, it’s literally the bar/restaurant of my dreams! 

At first glance I almost didn’t walk through the unmarked door, down the stairs to the basement that is The Flying Duck. But I said, eff it and was pleasantly surprised! All of the food is 100% vegan and they serve enough of a variety to allow you to eat something new 3 days in a row (which I totally did). From burgers, to ramen to mac and cheese (it uses a coconut based vegan cheese - I asked), the food is great and the atmosphere is just what I look for at the end of a long day at a scientific conference. They play an array of music from heavy metal to indie alternative, but still have live acoustic jazz music on Sundays so you get that balance for everyones music taste. I was also pleasantly surprised to see Lagunitas IPA on tap! I have never seen it outside the states so I had a pint and toasted myself to the strong ass IPAs that the US produces. 

I will definitely be back for more ramen and vegan mac and cheese next time I’m in Glasgow. Glad to have found a new favorite bar abroad.                     xoxo

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Let’s start NOW.

I have put off getting started with this blog for quite some time. I wasn’t sure where to start since I already have a year of undocumented travel under my belt. Should I go back to the beginning, or just try to put everything up at once? I realize that the more I wonder and contemplate when to start, the longer I take to actually post anything... So I give you the experience that propelled me to stop thinking so much, and start sharing!

Conic Hill, Balmaha, Scotland                                                         June 18, 2017

In a spontaneous decision the night before, I furiously googled where I could go to see the true beauty of Scotland that I had always heard about and dreamt to experience myself. Something that would make me feel like I’m living in a GOT or LOTR book (I am reading GOT currently, hence the inspiration). I came across Conic Hill and decided to take the plunge and see where this spontaneous decision took me!

Flash forward one hour on a train from Glasgow to Balloch and another 20 minute bus from Balloch to Balmaha, I arrived at the trailhead... And went the wrong way, of course. No problem, I could use the exercise! After asking for directions from some friendly Scots I got back on track and hiked up to the peak of Conic Hill to see the breathtaking view of Loch Lomond!

On the way up, I said hello to many friendly Scots as they smiled at my flushed face, took more “water breaks” than I’d care to admit, muddied my new Adidas Ultra Boost shoes (I wasn’t expecting to hike when I initially packed...ugh...) and I had one of the best experiences of my life. I swear I sat around in such awe with my mouth hanging open and kept looking at strangers with an expression of “IS THIS REAL?” only to have my view block by people taking selfies and FaceTiming their mom... (Okay, I can’t judge. I FaceTimed briefly also, but only because I was hiking alone!)

I saw Scottish sheep and cows with bangs, and even went off the trail to find a secluded spot with a great view to eat lunch with. I took about 40 panoramic pictures of the same thing and still feel like I wasn’t able to capture the experience the way it felt in the moment. All I can say is that this is a beautiful country, with friendly people and so much to explore (if you don’t mind the clouds and rain).

Today, I am inspired. Inspired to venture out of the cities, stop “staying safe” so much, and check out the natural beauty of the countries I visit. Don’t get me wrong, I love the cobblestone roads and the castles around every corner, but I’m ready to experience the Earth, untouched.

More to come, I promise.                                                                                xoxo

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Where to start?

Some background to who I am and why I’m here on Tumblr:

My name is Katia and I travel for a living. I also work, I swear! As a medical device sales rep for a small brain imaging company, I help with sales across all of Europe, Australia and more. I spend more time abroad than at home in Oregon, it seems, and the many places I’ve found myself are beginning to blur. I want to remember these experiences, and I hope you enjoy experiencing them with me.