15 August 2013

{Six Things}

Although I normally shy away from these types of posts, when ChelseaNicole and Casey tagged me to participate, I couldn't resist the temptation to join in the fun!  Plus, with a few new faces around here lately, I thought some of you might be curious to know a bit more about the girl behind the blog.  

So here we go... six things that you should know about me


1. What is your favorite thing about where you live.

I love the walking contradiction that is Jo'burg.  I love that one moment you can be in the poshest restaurant in Sandton and then in quirky, artsy Melville the next.  I love its artsiness, its edginess and its all around something-for-everyone'ness.  If you live here, you're really in the middle of it all.  Jo'burg is quite possibly one of the greatest examples of a multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-racial society in the world, and I love that we're all so different, yet find a way to get along.  Jo'burg gets a bad rap, but I truly think it's one of the best cities for an expat and have learned so much while living here.

2. If you could hop on a plane right now, where would you go and why?

Definitely to Nepal.  Trekking through the country has been at the top of my list for several years now and I've been known to spend hours at a time on the internet researching trekking routes, costs and dates.  Jurgen is so tired of the idea being crammed down his throat, that every time he even hears the word Nepal or Base Camp, he gets this panicked 'deer in the headlights' look on his face.  Ha!  I've even forced him to watch all three seasons of Everest: Beyond the Limit {so good!}.  We're hoping to make this trip sooner rather than later... 
{I've been stockpiling my frequent flyer miles for years!}

3. If you could pack up all of your belongings and move to a new city or country, where would you move?

This one's tricky, but probably somewhere in the Middle East {aside from Dubai or the UAE}.  I specialised in middle eastern diplomacy during my first degree and have fantasised about the idea of living there for a few years ever since.  After visiting Egypt and Turkey in 2006, this idea was just further engrained.  Sipping apple tea, learning arabic or farsi, enjoying a shisha, playing a round of backgammon, throwing a shawl over my head and ducking into a mosque...  It would be intriguing.  And there is a very small chance that my wish may come true in the next couple of years.  Oman anyone?  Fingers crossed!

4. Show us your favorite picture, and explain why you love it.


Weird, but true.  This photo was taken in Alexandria, Egypt in 2006.  I had just completed my first dive {uncertified, of course} and we had not only seen what is rumoured to be the ruins of Cleopatra's Palace, but also an old WWII plane complete with the pilot's oxygen mask and regulator.  While we were diving, one of the instructors somehow caught these fish with their bare hands and put them in his dive vest for safe keeping.  After the dive, the crew decided to spontaneously host us for a bbq fish dinner.  Spending the afternoon chatting and laughing with these guys continues to be one of the ultimate highlights of my travels.  It's hard to explain in words, but I had never been so content in my life.

5. Why did you start blogging? Do you still do it for the same reasons?

When I initially started blogging, it was simply as a means to keep in touch with family and friends in the United States as I transitioned into my semi-permanent life in South Africa.  At the time, I had absolutely no idea that it would eventually turn into so much more.  The relationships that I've developed with both bloggers and readers over the years have been so fulfilling and rewarding.  Now, I legitimately feel as though I could hop on a plane to anywhere in the world and almost always know someone who I would be able to travel with or meet for coffee.  The support structures embedded in the blogging community are incredible. 

6. Pick three bloggers: biggest crush, best wardrobe, and best travel partner. 


Now it's your turn!  
I'm tagging:

Jay // Nicole // Alex // Jess // Caley // Claudine // Johlet

Choose six questions to answer for yourself:

1) Name the top three places on your travel bucket list.  Why do they make the list?
2) If you could share one piece of advice with the world, what would it be?
3) What is the weirdest thing you've ever eaten? Did you like it?
4) If you had to choose to be blind or deaf, which one would it be and why?
5) What does your idea of a perfect weekend look like?
6) Pick one: Cruise through Antarctica or Cruise through the Caribbean?
7)  Which blogs are you loving right now?
8) Tell us something that no one {on the internet} knows about you.
9) If someone is thinking about starting a blog, what advice would you give them?

Not tagged?  
I would still love it if you linked up or answered your favorite question in the comments section below.
Be sure to send me the link to your post if you decide to do a post of your own!

22 comments:

  1. These posts are so fun! You're making me want to visit Jo'burg so freaking bad. It sounds like such an interesting city. Let's meet for a trek in Nepal and discuss my visit, deal? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oooh let me get cracking! :)
    http://johced-ourjourneytoeverywhere.blogspot.com/
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love how you describe Joburg! It has grown on me since I moved here three years ago.
    Fun photo!
    Thanks for the tag :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. whaaat?! one of our pipe dreams is the climb to the everest base camp! we really want to go after we move out of korea in a few years! great minds think alike ; ) oh and thanks for the mention!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have to admit that I'd rathr kiss the furrybaby then the fish, but you never fail to amaze with your adventures!

    one of my best friends taught English in Nepal and then hiked around for a few months - I can connect you two if you want :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love that first photo of you! So cute!!!

    We want to trek in Nepal too. Let's all go! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. so happy that you included that fish picture. It basically made my day. and that trip to Nepal would be amazing! just keep racking up those miles!

    ReplyDelete
  8. great post! so fun to learn more about you. and that photo is AWESOME! so great to be able to capture such a HAPPY time! xo

    ReplyDelete
  9. LOVED your answers! Fingers crossed about Oman!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've been lurking on your blog for a while, and just wanted to say that I loved this post! For my sake, I hope you end up being able to take all these adventures so that I can live vicariously through you.
    -t

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh Jenna - your comments on Joburg and your story about Egypt. Such a great post. I have never done one of these before but for you, I'll just have to! Fingers crossed about Oman (with a transiting trip through London...)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you for the tag!! I love this. And I love that you focused on middle eastern diplomacy, must have been SO interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love the favorite picture you chose! That totally captured a moment and a memory!

    That first picture is what pulled me in, though. He's so scary and cute at the same time. I want to hold him!

    How difficult would you say Arabic is to learn? I gave up trying to learn Cantonese (generally considered one of the hardest to learn) while we lived in southeast Asia and just depended on a smattering of Mandarin to get me through. Arabic would be a fascinating language to learn.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love this post - I want to steal it! I've never been to Jo'burg and have always wanted to go but was always not sure what it'd be like and judging by your description I'd love it so that's going right on the list.

    Also love that you went diving in Alexandria - everyone always goes to the red sea and I wouldn't even think to go in Alexandria.

    Just loving it all really. Glad I discovered your blog x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow Jenna, First I want to hold a tiger cub. Second, you have traveled so much! Third, I love your favorite photo and want to get scuba certified this year! xo

    ReplyDelete
  16. Such interesting answers Jen - I just love that pic... And Oman and Nepal - oh girl, the places you will go and see! I am holding out on you and pray you get to make these dreams come true. Answering your questions now, thanks my friend x

    ReplyDelete
  17. The story behind your favorite photo is truly amazing! What a cool memory to have :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is such a great post, I love these photos as well.

    Mel
    Mel's Corner

    ReplyDelete
  19. That Lion cub is the cutest (The fish - I am sure he was just as handsome in real life!) :-)

    Claudz tagged me and I do so love these quizzes, feel free to pop on by and read my answers.

    http://cocktailsandorgies.blogspot.com/2013/08/6-things-about-me.html

    ReplyDelete
  20. When you will be next Dive the Red Sea again :(

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for the love!