Category: Travel - PRISCILLA CL RAJ

You GO Travel Chicas

1/20/2016

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When it comes to travel, I'm not the only one with an adventurous craving for wanderlust. Along for the ride are some amazing solo female travelers who are taking the world by storm. Whether it is having a fantastic blog, a incredible blog, a Youtube channel, a business, a brand- all followed by pure passion. These women are smart entrepreneurs as they turn their travel lifestyle into a 9-5 workday. It's inspiring to see woman with such ambition and getting recognized/sponsored for trips by top magazines and brands. These women prove that travel has endless possibilities sharing their adventure videos, how to posts, galleries of photos, and letting each person know-It's a real world and it's possible-Make it happen. Everyday is a learning experience and a person can learn solo travel by facing their fears and heading out on that open road with a one way ticket and a backpack.

World Hold On Because These Women Rock!

A New York Native Slowly and Surely Exploring the World
www.alexinwanderland.com

A ballet dancer and aerial acrobatic explores 70 countries through the world
www.annaeverywhere.com

An older woman discovering India trip by trip
http://breathedreamgo.com/

A Nashville native journalist and writer sharing her VIP travel life and writing accomplishments.
http://www.camelsandchocolate.com/

A blonde from California showing blondes how to have fun through travel, fashion, and fun informational videos.
www.theblondeabroad.com

Groups of bloggers of all ages and countries providing travel stories and tips.
http://wanderlustandlipstick.com/

A Hippy lover of India's travels glamour and secrets of travel
http://hippie-inheels.com/

A Korean photographer, engineer, and astronomy lovers
journeys looking for a special place to call home
http://runawayjuno.com/

A vegan, Portuguese girl traveling for 16 years around the world
http://www.heartofavagabond.com/

" A small town Ohio girl out to see the world."
http://www.dangerous-business.com/

The list above is my Top 10 favorite, but the good news is that you can find more great blogs on "Top Solo Female Travel Bloggers to Follow in 2015"

The Visual Era

11/11/2015

Hi Friends!
My sincere apologies for my long absence. I am preparing for my next trip and life move across the world! I have been definitely cheating you and my mind because I am writing to you everyday in my head, but we know that sadly doesn't count!

As I prepare for my next adventures, I think about the best way to communicate with everyone,as I am currently failing with social media. I hope to improve with lots of reading, asking questions, trial/error to reach a B+. It has come to my attention by many people that I must get reconnected if I want to build an audience and begin to "brand" myself. While I could write and write for days that doesn't mean that anyone has the desire to read all of it, but most importantly that doesn't mean people have the TIME. Everything is about utilizing those seconds and minutes we have and I would like to keep writing, of course, but also respect people's time and follow trend for people's interests. It's a goal to start accommodating my readers, friends, travelers, family members, acquaintances and hopefully making it more user friendly for them.

As my friend said, "we are in a visual era" and at this stage in my life I'm also in a visual era. I have realized that a majority of people cannot understand what I do because they can't see it! Words just aren't enough to cover it as visual covers it all with one video.

I hope you can stay tuned for what is ahead as it will be very entertaining and fun to watch and comment on my videos, which will include adventures, live interviews with locals, religious figures, anyone and everyone I believe deserves acknowledgement.

I always say that what happens when I'm abroad is "indescribable." Nothing will ever be 100 percent translated, especially with the spiritual component that just beautifully unveils at moments of wonder.

Although, It's time to try a new approach to things and I hope this can help people have a voice, build awareness, comparison between cultures, breaking barriers/stereotypes, addressing fear, sparking curiosity, and just smiling and laughing with my moments of entertainment.

Stay tuned!

Saugatuck Michigan

9/7/2015

Here are a few photos from my trip to Michigan on Labor day Weekend with my Mom. Saugatuck is a elegantly charming, artistic coastal city of Michigan. It was rated one of the best coastal cities in the US by USA today for it's great sunsets, beach, hikes, art collections, seafood, and locals. It's definitely a nice place to visit-a little home away from home.

All the Single Ladies

9/4/2015

Huffington Post:
12 Quotes to Remind you that Being Single is a Wonderful Thing

Priscilla's Quote:
"I am single because I can count on my own five fingers, love myself with one heart, and walk through life connecting with people rather than being lifetime distracted by soley one human being."

"My alone feels so good, I will only have you if you are sweeter than my solitude."

"My fairytale has absolutely changed. I don't need a prince charming to have my own happy ending"

"To be left alone is one of the most precious things one can ask of the modern world."

"I don't like being labeled as lonely just because I'm alone."

"Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self."

New York Proves Me Wrong

8/8/2015

My best friend who grew up in New York says that "New Yorkers are the nicest people in the country." Living there for two years I find this very hard to believe reminiscing on the MTA lady who spit on the window or the people that ran to work with no acknowledgement of human beings. But who am I to know? I am just a Behaviorist who observes, analyzes, studies people and writes about them all the time.
I am the outsider and my friend is the native who is engaging in the typical "New York pride"(a whole other post).

When it comes to New York, it has a near and dear place in my heart, but when I lived there most of the people, unless they were friends, frequent acquaintances or co-workers, they would not be labeled as "friendly" by my analysis. They also do not hold that reputation, but Chicago definitely holds up to that character as it's part of the culture. It's not realistically part of New York culture to go out of your way for people or be kind when you are extremely busy and barely have time to eat a bagel. You care about yourself, your family, your work, and your routine. That is common for most everyone of course, but New York is in a league of it's own.
There is no competition or vengeful intention, but it's just an honest experience and what is commonly heard.

Does this mean that everyone in New York is unhelpful with an attitude? NO
I do love New Yorkers and there are beautiful, funny, driven, talented, endlessly working people. It still is lacking in the words empathy, manners, and helpful.
Many people behave that way because they are conditioned by their environment or current feeling state i.e. there are a lot of miserable people.

Now on the contrary, this August visit to NYC impressed me beyond belief.
Bus driver kind as could be, Chelsea art gallery with open door and smile ready to talk, the man on the halal cart, the hotel staff, the woman selling t-shirt, the music composer, the waiter- this was the New York I dreamed about seeing. I also said what if New York had the kindness and sincerity of Chicago? It did!
Being an analyst, I could observe and CELEBRATE all the small moments of goodness and how people went out of their way. The man spending ten minutes or more in his morning rush to help me with the bike and call customer service. The lady who offered to carry my things through the store? The "extras" that sound materialistic, but they are all about BEHAVIOR.

New York made me like a proud parent and the streets were even cleaner and I didn't smell pollution. Something is going on for the good in that city and I am so happy for them. Even if it was just temporary for God to prove me wrong,
Keep up the great work New York-You left me in "Awww" for many moments and your behavior made my trip sooooooooo much better!

A Few Moments

8/7/2015

This trip was definitely focused around Moments. Revisiting New York after 4 years and taking in all the memories, my favorites, the people, the food, the gorgeous weather, the cloud patterns in the sky, the daily buzz, the business owners, magazine stands, zumba and dance classes, subway cars. A few photos at the conference, a couple photos with friends here and there, and time with family in New Jersey..

There were very few photos taken on this trip and I am proud because a whole album of photos was not the mission or purpose. Being physically present with my family was the most important factor with a feeling of love, support, caring, and laughter. It's much better than any photo and perhaps that is why family love is so contagious:)

A photo is nice to have as a souvenir, but memories find their space within the heart. PCR

Like it Was Just Yesterday

8/3/2015

After my writing conference, I hopped on the New Jersey transit and headed to New Jersey to see my Mom's side of the family. Not so long ago, I saw my Aunt and two cousins, but the rest of my family I had not seen for about four years. Some people might read this with their mouths wide open. Yes, four years. That is way too long to not see your Grandma and Grandpa and rest of the family, but Grandma and Grandpa especially, as they are getting a tiny bit older. It should have happened sooner, but the better focus is that it did happen today.
Stop by stop and staring out the window on the train, the anticipation was building and I was not sure how I would initially react. I knew there would be tears, but I was not sure if there would be waterworks. My Aunt picked me up an I walked to the back deck, the place of many family gatherings and the "family" photo, and there they all stood. My two Aunts, two Uncles, cousins, my Grandma and Grandpa, and fellow guests.
Tears came down and a true blessing to be reunited with my family, to feel supported, to feel loved, and to feel cared about-that is why people live for their family I get it, but I just don't always feel it.

With some bbq, music, and catching up-everything went beautifully and this time I was present for the family photo....(Above)

The exciting news for our family is that both my younger cousins(I am the oldest) are engaged and I am hoping the little one keeps her solo days just a while longer. They are both very happy and that makes me happy. Adore them both and want the best for them!

Just because you go away.....

It doesn't mean you're forgotten
PCR

With my Grandma

Writers Digest Conference 2015

8/1/2015

Writers Digest Conference is a conference that takes place in New York City every year and this year it was at The Roosevelt Hotel. It consists of three days of workshops that run from 9am to 7pm with some breaks in between as well as a selection of workshops to choose from hourly. Writers, editors, publishers, authors(New York times best selling and very accomplished), and the aspiring writer.

Who knows what to expect when you come to New York-the capital for writing and publishing. I had concerns that I would be spending three days with pretentious writers way more accomplished than me feeling like I'm out of my league. And then a question, "Why did I sign up for this again?"......
We also have the option to sign up for a "Pitch Slam" where it's 90 seconds to pitch your book to an agent. Again, this could be miserable if the agents are harsh and just getting down to business with zero empathy.

Well, good news AGAIN for New YORK because none of that was the case. The speakers, authors, editors, and agents were completely down to earth and nice. When it came to agents, they were helpful with steering your pitch in the right direction rather than saying, "No, next." My book that I am pitching is "Memoir" and that is one of the hardest to sell because everyone has a story, but I have not just "any" story. With my analysis, I kept them very interested with plenty of questions at the end and business cards in my hand. Score for me and Score for New York!
Those who are editors or agents have thousands of submissions and people always trying to pitch them, but they were super approachable. They had their "agent" vibes of course, but they were way more mellow than how most in the industry can be. Same with the authors who answered my millions of questions about publishing and editing! Thanks girls!!!

Being in the conference for three days, I met a wide variety of writers from all over the country with a diverse background. One man published three poetry books, another writing since the age of seven and has 15 unpublished manuscripts(she is 22 years old), one lady writing about martians and outerspace, another about teen romance, one a travel cookbook- a whole lot of FICTION. It's fascinating how creative the mind is and how people go different places.

Three Indian Writers:)

Sweetest author and speaker!

Friends who Match!

The Roosevelt-Old with Charm Left Over

Lunch Break for Patsy's Pizza!

With over 500 people, it was common to still run into the same people over and over. We shared our story, read out pitch to one another, went for lunch, etc. We bonded and it was fantastic. By the end of it, our minds were overloaded with Query letters, proposals, synopsis, sample chapters, the first three pages, the content editing, marketing platform, scene creation, and so on.

People do not understand HOW MUCH GOES INTO WRITING, EDITING, AND PUBLISHING A BOOK. It is an extremely challenging process and even I was naïve to the fifty drafts and ten rounds of editing and selling yourself before the book-there are reasons for these big writing conferences-us writers definitely need all the help we can get-especially those who are just starting.

Pris and The Homeless

7/10/2015

During my travels, it is common for me to conduct my own “mini-research” with the homeless population. They are a population that I always look out for and care for because I understand the various reasoning behind their situation and I can meet them where they are as a human when speaking with them. It’s important for me to ask about their well-being, what brought them to the streets, discuss their/our faith, short term goals, find their sources of support, and listen…just listen their concerns, but redirect them to what is positive and what is possible.

This research was important to be conducted in the city of San Francisco, which has one of the highest percentages of homeless people in the nation. It was great to hear feedback from locals whether those in art galleries, working in retails stores, on the bus, or in the hotels. A woman from Argentina, a retired police officer, a taxi driver, a doctor in a hospital-these people not only had awareness into this population, but they had true insight and concern.

San Francisco is the city that welcomes the homeless with “open arms.” It was reported by a retired police officer that they come from all over the state and even the country. There was a variety of answers about this epidemic, but what I mostly heard was that the government does not properly address the problem. They provide approximately $400 contributing to their substance abuse. The police have grown accustomed to this problem that is not being addressed-admit him to the hospital, get released, and back outside doing the same thing. The city does not have enough space for them even if they did want to house them all.

When I asked about their level of violence, they didn’t find them to be violent, but they can act inappropriately in public touching or grabbing at others and not wearing clothing. The locals also reported ignoring this behavior and not providing money to condone this kind of behavior. While there is a liberal approach to treatment with many centers and organizations to help the homeless-there is a missing link between system, person, and organization. This missing link I found to be problematic in my own treatment of this population and/or severely and persistently Mentally ill. A woman demonstrated great concern with this system and how this is impacting the public and local residents of San Francisco. While many people are used to their presence on street corners or passing by talking to themselves-it is still a problem that needs to be addressed rather than just accepted at face value.

What was my role in speaking with the homeless?

New York, Chicago, LA, India, Honduras, etc. I will spend time speaking with the homeless population. I only spoke with a couple homeless people as I actually did have some fear with the San Francisco population. I saw a couple of them aggressively touch tourists on two occasions, which is uncommon for me to witness. They were unlike most homeless I encounter as many appeared to be living in their own world with no idea of where they were or who they are. Some carry carts with all of their belongings, old radio sets, little clothing, and also little begging. I did not witness a consistent amount of begging. It just seemed like they did their own thing and had their friends and sat on the sidelines smoking marijuana or cigarettes.

There was really something different about this population…..It would be very interesting to do a formal research study as there is many factors keeping them on the streets and along with those who recycle themselves through the system leading them to a street life of addiction.

Non-vegetarian Crab Eater

7/8/2015

San Fran is also famous for it's Boudon's sourdough bread nicely shaped like a crab

San Francisco provided me with a pretty busy schedule, but not busy enough to stop me from visiting The Fishermans’ wharf with crab, crab, and…..

It was not a surprise to see how touristy the Fisherman’s wharf had become. Any restaurant and store was available at the drop of a US dollar-way more than one for San Francisco. To eat, crab you have a choice between the overpriced restaurants or the family owned small carts on the street (Priscilla’s station). Yapping with all the guys and taking ten minutes to choose between Crab, Crab, and more Crab. Clam chowder, Fresh crab legs, crab cakes, crab salad-crab everything. I enjoyed a huge portion of crab meat and half a cup of Clam Chowder (big sample for a special customer). I don’t even eat Clam Chowder soup because it’s 1000 calories, but “Wow.”

Being crab obsessed, I needed more….for tomorrow…on the plane.

“My friend, “Let me give you some more business and let me get a whole crab and put it in the fridge overnight.” Pris

“What type of fridge?”

“Well, a standard fridge.”Pris

“We need to know the name, make, and model of the fridge?”

“Of the fridge? She doesn’t even know that- who does?” Pris

“Hmmm we are concerned if you take the crab it will spoil.”

“I could not live with myself if a whole crab went to waste…What about dry ice?” Pris

“That is not going to help.”

Sadly, I had no To go Crab, but I still had my long lost love…. “In and Out Burger.”

For those of you who don’t know, “In and Out” is the best burger, shake, and fries place in the West Coast-some would argue in the whole country. It had been on my mind all day, “Could I go to In and Out and not eat a Cheeseburger? Grilled cheese at In and Out.” There is something very wrong with those two words.

There I stood inside, the smell overpowering and memories of my father getting a Strawberry shake, hamburger, and fries. The days living in Southern California having “In and Out” right at my fingertips anytime any day-never having a bad burger day at In and Out.

I arrived at the register and she smiled with her white paper hat and red/white outfit with the name tag “Wendy.”

“Um, um, how is the grill cheese.” PRIS

“It’s very good for vegetarians.”

“True. I will have a cheeseburger.. No make that grilled cheese.” PRIS

“Okay sorry cheeseburger, I won’t make you change it again.” PRIS

“Are you sure?”

“Not really, but go ahead.” PRIS

And it happened I sat down in the corner in secrecy as if I was committing a crime eating this burger. With my vegan Best friend I was totally committing a crime. But I had only been pescatarian(fish, eggs, dairy, vegetarian) for three years….one burger…. This is not a crime..

Oh and it definitely was not a crime when I bit in and enjoyed the freshness. I decided that I was going to enjoy these moments and not look down. I also said, “It’s just like seitan…like Seitan-no big deal.” Midway I looked down and knew it wasn’t seitan. “Priscilla this is not any kind of meat “It is In and Out.” I decided to push through and eat the whole thing-I cheated on the crab and any fish I love, but fish is not so different and it was a strange experience, but I loved it.

Would I cheat again? I have all intentions in a positive direction, but never know what kind of nice looking meat could come my wayJ