Rock of Cashells

The Rock of Cashel is a historic sight that goes back to the 4th century. Here's an abridged snippet of the history I learned at the spot.

Latin high crosses are first found here. The word Cashel comes from "castle" in Latin. The fort itself was built from the ecclesiastical side in the 4th century and then taken over by royalty. They were Clannacht, and they were an Irish clan of high kings. O'neals then came in after them and took over. Bryan Brew took kingship 1002. The chapel was consecrated in 1134. King Cormack McCarty built the chapel. there's also winding staircases. The holes in building were used for scaffolding. The church inside built in 13th century, and stoop until Cromwell arrived in 1650 and butchered everyone in the church as the massacre of Cashel.

From the outside.

The dilapidated cathedral.

This also was the area of one of the first credit cards, where the people serving the archbishop had their food paid for in the village below. Guards on duty in the round tower easily could see over the dense forest that surrounded the St. Patrick's Rock. and of course, in the choir loft, there were leper's squints, so that diseased individuals could still inadvertently participate in the church services.

So after having sung and performed in both a medieval castle, three old churches of over 800 years old, and singing in a thousand year old stronghold, i felt very satisfied. But yet, nothing was quite as fantastic as having the opportunity to try sheep's milk and goat cheese for the first time. Though I still prefer cow's milk and cheese to the aforementioned, and I prefer the vegan alternative to both of them, it had a very unique and creamy consistency. It is definitely worth the try, whether it be ice cream like my mates did or a latte like I had. Only at the Rock of Cashel. Come by and visit today!

The So Called First Capital

As much as I have posted online about my travels and Adventures, I've not actually taken the time to sit down and write a post about my home city. Although it is small, it is mighty. And although I might give it a bad rap, there is actually some good to be said about York County and York City.

York City likes to style itself as the first capital of the United States, although it was actually the 4th. It is the fourth Capital after Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Lancaster claimed their spots. The first national capital happened to be 8 years later in New York City in 1889. Nonetheless, however, there is still a rich amount of history. There is a Heritage Center that has documents that were signs 200 years ago, as well as information pertaining to the genealogy of most individuals who ever lived and died in York County.

By and by, the county was settled by a mixture of Irish and German settlers. now, when it's not busy being riddled with problems, is actually quite nice. York has gotten the rep of being a mobile food court now though, however, as restaurants and small business change. Rent is fairly cheap here. there are few things that make York hit the radar, but here is a couple of the things that do put it on the map.

The first thing is our fair. York County had the first fair in the history of the United States shortly after the country was settled. It is also the longest consecutive running fair in the United States. Every year, there are many attractions and vendors that come into York to put on a show and enjoy themselves. There are also things such as baking and vegetable growing contests, camel rides, local farmers exhibits, musicians, actors, and carnival rides.

We also have timeline arcade and a large ice arena, and both are cool ways to have fun on a weekend. Down in central city, there are a lot of dance clubs of varying types, what's the most notable one being the Swing Dance Club in downtown York. Close to that is the strand capitol, and not-for-profit entertainment venue that hosts lots of small acts every single year.

York is also a culture hub that is home to many small markets, that I described in another one of my posts. there is a little bit of something in York for everybody, you just have to know where to look for it. we may be tiny, but we are mighty and we are progressive, and that is what matters most about one of the cities that was one of the first capitals of the United States.

The Shoe House

the Haines shoe house is an eccentric piece of art that dwells in Hellam, Pennsylvania. It resembles a 25x47x17 work boot, as they were originally sold by Mahlon Haines in the early 1900s. It also happens to be a right shoe, specifically. There is also a small dog house in the back, also shaped like a shoe, that was once 6ft tall, but has since sank into the Earth to become about 2 ft tall.

The story of Mr. Haines, as I discovered for myself, was a very unusual one. His sister owned a department store, and he worked for her after graduating from high school for quite some time. However, instead of being automatically promoted through the ranks, his sister made him struggle through the ranks, which eventually upset him to the point where he quit and decided to strike out on his own. He worked a bunch of odd jobs before landing a small gig in Ohio with his then fiance. She eventually left him, and all he had left to his name after losing both her and the job were his engagement ring, a couple of bucks in cash, his bicycle, and the clothes on his back. So, being originally from Southern Pennsylvania, he set out for home. His bike broke down, and he decided to sell his engagement ring and buy 10 pairs of shoes. He then set up a kiosk at a local market and sold the shoes, retaining his prophets and then increasing them. He became really good at making shoe deals, he realized he was on to something, and quickly started selling shoes that were refurbished from Hanover Shoe Outlet.

To promote his Empire, Mr. Haines spent an exuberant amount of time walking around town and giving out free pencils, mirrors, fans, and pocket protectors that had his business information on them. As of the early 2000s, some 1,500 fans had been recovered. needless to say, his business grew, he settled down and married, and eventually retired with several million dollars in assets. It was at this point in time that he was able to purchase a yacht and enjoy his life at sea, as well as return to the mainland to participate in community improvement projects and play with a softball team that was intended for individuals 75 and older. every time he got a home run, the team manager carved a bulldog for him, totaling a collection of 23 Bulldogs. eventually, he moved out of the shoe house that he built to advertise his business and open up for tours, and rented out two guest rooms. he hired a maid who also acted as a chauffeur, made some extra income off of renting out the shoe house rooms, and then built and lived in a house across the street from it. He passed away from respiratory failure on Halloween of 1962 in his 80s, settling 1.5 million dollars to various charities in the Boy Scouts of America, and leaving his widow with the shoe house, the house across the street from it, and enough money to live a comfortable retired life until she passed away.

When she passed away, the house set for a couple of years before an orthodontist purchased it to live in it. Eventually, he would come to pass as well, and although the house was left to some of his co-workers, they didn't know what to do to upkeep it. Eventually, Mr. Haines's granddaughter, who was an architectural contractor, purchased and restored the then rotting house to its former glory. It was rented out there on out as an ice cream store and tourhouse, and its history is preserved well into this day.

As for myself, I have quite a few impressions of this tiny house that I spontaneously explored one afternoon. First of all, they always have, and continue to this day, to sell wonderful ice cream. They also having a lot of cute souvenirs, and the tour of the house itself is very affordable at $5 per person and free for children. This makes it a great spot for both tourists and locals to visit. if the house was not designated as a tourist attraction, it is one that I would honestly consider staying in for a night. I hope that this shoe house has inspired other unusual houses to pop up around the globe. I know that there are glorified bunkers and treehouses, but I really want to see more things like the shoe house.

Although there typically isn't a whole lot to see in south central Pennsylvania, going for a day hike and then replenishing your battery with ice cream and a tour of the shoe house is a perfect way to spend an afternoon. the story is a lot more complex than just a fairy tale about the lady who lived in the shoe, although it is another wonderful metaphor. Go check out the shoe house today!

Tower City

In north central Pennsylvania, there is a town called Tower City that lies near several mountains. I had to take an opportunity to write about this, because I went up here one summer to visit a friend from undergraduate.

and I am so glad that I did.

I was on the highway for maybe a half hour out of the hour and a half Journey from my house. For the rest of it, I was surrounded by the forest, mountains, Recreational Park areas, fishing zones, and the Appalachian Trail. since starting my new job with a medical company, I had wanted nothing more than to retreat to the mountains again. This came as a perfect opportunity, as I got some much-needed forest therapy. I needed this time so badly, that I actually put my phone on silent and stopped voice-recording any book or blog notes I was working on, turned off my mp3 player, and enjoyed the Roaring glands through the trees for a solid 30 miles until I arrived at my friend's house.

When I was in high school, one of my English teachers told me to go and sit with nature. Not just being it, but to engage in it. To turn off all electronic devices, to take the watch off, and to sit and be one with the world for least a half hour. I sat there for an unknown amount of time, wrote my assignment about it, and realized immediately that this experience has changed my life completely and for the better. It is the reason why I'm so obsessed with being outdoors in nature and Hiking now.

And so when I got to the area of Wiconisco, we went hiking in Bear Valley. It was pretty much a straight shot up one trail. If we would have taken the trail ten miles we would have eventually reached a fire lookout. We hiked for about 2 miles before turning around, enveloped by forest on either side.

After this, we spend a lazy afternoon at my friend's girlfriend's place, relaxing with homemade pizza, mountain pies, and lemonade. Many good laughs were shared, and even if it isnt a high caliber adventure that I usually take, it was much needed for R&R. Until the next adventure... stay tuned!

What Should I Bring Hiking?

Being an eagle scout as an avid Outdoorsman, I've done quite a lot of hiking and time spent outside in my life. The Scout motto is to be prepared, which always comes in handy. My personal mottos are to learn to improvise and to not overcompensate, though, which are also very important rules to live by. This is especially true if you're packing for any sort of trip and what you will not be around the comforts of home, which will pretty much be everywhere, unless you are camping out in the hotel room instead of in tents. Here, I've compiled list of some items you should definitely bring and not bring on a hiking trip.

1) A compass or some other method of orientation (such as a sextant).

When you're out in the wilderness, your surroundings can change in an instant, leaving you lost for words as to where you are located. As a rule of thumb, it is important to not rely on a GPS or piece of electronic equipment to bring you back to civilization. In the wilderness, electronics are prone to fail, lose service, or die. Learning how to use a compass will be a valuable skill. Just as well, there are several tips and tricks to finding society when you are lost.


2) A water filter.

Of course, when you're out hiking, you need to remain hydrated. If you're in the middle of the woods and your water supply runs out, having a water filter can save you from almost certain dehydration on your hike. There are some that are so efficient that you can put it in the stream and drink directly from the stream. I've taken many a drink from many a stream, but it is much more efficient and healthy and safe if it has been purified or filtered.

3) Lots of Trail Mix or granola.

When you are out hiking, it is easy to forget to eat lunch, lost in the beauty of your surroundings. Is even more likely that you will run out of physiological fuel and need to replenish. When I hike, I always bring a bag of granola trail mix with me to put put a pleasant taste in my mouth and to replenish my energy.

4) Airtight bags containing extra clothing and rain gear.

On this note, learning how to gauge the weather patterns by looking at the clouds in the sky is a valuable skill, as is checking the weather forecast before departing. You should always come prepared with extra clothing in case of inclement weather, and keeping it in air-tight bags will ensure that your clothing actually stays dry should your pack run out of water proofing. Getting a can of waterproof spray is also a helpful precautionary measure as well.

5) A first aid kit.

There are many of small pocket-size first aid kits available nowadays, and each one is very valuable for trail hiking. A lot of camping stores also give free or discounted classes on wilderness medicine, where you will learn the difference between treatments and items for discounted price. One notable store is REI.

6) A multi-purpose tool.

Trying to cut a piece of tinder for your fire? Open a bottle or can? File something down to size? Need to fix a loose nut or Bolt somewhere along the line? A multi-purpose tool will become your best friend as such. Plenty of retailers carry multi-purpose tools, and finding a good one is essential for any outdoorsman.

7) Safety items, such as a magnesium stick, whistle, and rechargeable flashlight.

Purchasing a wind-up flashlight or flashlight with rechargeable batteries will come in great usage out in the wilderness, where there is a great potential to see nothing for miles and miles and quite literally so. You can use a flashlight as a signal, to see your way around, or even as a way of telling directions if you know how. With a magnesium stick, you won't have the risk of it getting wet like matches or drying out and cracking like flint and steel. A magnesium stick such as this one goes right on the keychain and produces an insane amount of Sparks when scraped with a steel knife. And a whistle will come in great use as well if you are stranded (or bored).

8) A companion.

By way of common knowledge, it is always a good idea to utilize the buddy system when in an unfamiliar area, especially when that area happens to be fairly uncharted and unorganized territory. Not only will you reduce your risk of falling victim to an injury and not being able to receive medical attention or help, but bringing a friend with you ensures that you have someone to share your wonderful memories with. The best voyages are often taken with the company of others. And, if you lack the resources of outdoorsy friends, then try to stick to well-lit and highly-traveled areas.

9) Rechargeable batteries and a battery recharger.

If you have anything at all that runs on electronics, getting rechargeable batteries and a portable recharging station can be the difference between life and death. If you don't have access to a recharging station, make haste to bring plenty of extra batteries. Solarchargers also come in handy for cell phones end other USB adaptive technology, since you definitely won't have access to a wall outlet in the middle of the Woods.

10) Pack smart, pack light.

In general, remember to pack light and only pack what you need. When searching for gadgets online, try to get a gadget that does at least more than one thing. It will save on pack weight and overall expenditure. For comparison, this survival kit only costs around $30, whereas the individual components would be well over $40 and take up more space. 

These are just a few of the basics, which hopefully prepare you for a successful excursion outdoors.

Taking a really long drive

Hello again loyal readers and new friends alike!

You may or may not have noticed by now that I like taking rather long drives and excursions. In fact, it's one of my favorite things to do when I can afford the time to do so.

Taking a long drive is really good for clearing the mind, even when traffic jams occur. And trust me, I've been on my fair share of Interstate Highway jams. It is nice to just breathe unfamiliar air and take in the sights and sounds around you. It is something for which I am most grateful every single day.

If you ever find yourself taking a long drive as well, don't be afraid. You will get to your destination before you know it, but it is most important to enjoy the journey. Brother you are planning on taking a long hiking trip to a location for states away, interviewing for grad schools, or just going out to sea the countryside, there's much to learn about along the way.

You can always put on a really good podcast and get cracking. Depending on what you want to learn about, There is almost always a market for the podcast on the internet for it. I know friends that run podcast on gaming, social media, news in the world, beauty products, comedy, and so much more. There is an issue out there for everything.

You can also use this opportunity to listen to a favorite album. I know I like listening to some of my favorite bands when I'm on the road, one of which took me to Iceland. jamming out to a favorite mixtape is a great way to pass time, especially if you have a friend in the car with you that shares a similar interest in a similar genre of music. I know this happened for me when I was driving to a grad school interview in Boston.

If you need more mental stimulation, you can also listen to audiobooks during this time. I personally prefer to put on a tape about Buddhism, a topic that I have written about in the past. audio books are a great way to read a book without picking it up, it's something that you can definitely do to pass time while learning in the car.

If all else fails, you can use voice text to work on writing your own literature, something that I have taken advantage of on long drives. It's also the source of so many uncorrected wording and spelling errors. Really, there is no reason not to make your time productive.

And last but not least, phone calls and telephone conferences are a wonderful use of time on a long drive if there is not much else to do. On my way 2 New York for the 2nd time, I was on the phone with my then-girlfriend almost the entire time.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab some coffee, pack your bags, fill up on gas, and hit the road.

My Visit to Knoebels

At age 22, I'd only been to a handful of amusement parks. I am an adrenaline junkie, and I love the feeling of falling out of the sky, but I just haven't had the money or time to take extended trips to go see amusement parks. At this point in time though, at the age of 22, I had already been to Knoebels, and it was time for me to go again. But this time, I would be going with my then girlfriend, who became a "BACA Child", or a kid who receives the services of Bikers Against Child Abuse. As such, I'll be sharing a bit about Knoebels and Baca both.

BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse) began in 1995 when John Paul Lilly, known as the chief, noticed that a lot of his pediatric abuse patients still felt insecure in their neighborhoods and especially around their perpetrators. He noticed that whenever he rode his motorcycle with his friends, children felt safer and protected when he was around them. And so, he took one of his most favorite patients and invited some 40 bikers to the child house one day. The mother later reported that the child started riding his bicycle around the neighborhood again for the first time in months. The organization grew in popularity when a sexually abused child had to sit in court and testify against her father, who was also her abuser. BACA was there to stand behind her and support her every step of the way, and she became one of the most noteworthy BACA children.

Fast forward to 2016, where my girlfriend's PTSD regarding her father and his abuse has become so severe that it keeps her awake at night. She enlists to become a BACA child, quickly becoming part of the family, and before I know it, there are some 20 bikers or so at my house with her when I get off of work one day. I'm introduced to all of them, whom retain Anonymous identities for the sake of Health privacy, and do the same, giving me a nickname later that day. I became 'FIT', as I wanted to fit in and be physically fit. A month later, they have their annual picnic an amusement park they at Knoebels. I loved Knoebels the last time I went when I was 17, so I couldn't resist going.

Owned and operated by the Knoebels family since 1926, located in Elysburg Pennsylvania is Knoebels Amusement Park, the largest free admission amusement park in America. Although they have seen Leaps and Bounds over their career, they have long-standing Ben a family fun place for everybody, including roller coasters, a large water park, kids rides, haunted house attractions, and live entertainment. Going with BACA, my girlfriend and I got several bags full of Free Ride tickets, as well as free food. As such, the only thing I had to pay for the entire day was cotton candy. Needless to say, it was an awesome concept that I wasn't going to complain about.

Their oldest wooden roller coasters where the Phoenix and the tornado, and both will send you for a loop. No pun intended. There are two log flume rides are also and there are plenty of. Parking is also expansive, and even better yet, it is free. You can literally just walk around the park for the entire day and not get on any rides and not spend a dime. Or you can get a wristband for a day and spend $28, much better than any other amusement park I can think of. Whatever you decide, you will have a blast.

When the day is done, they have cheap catering services around every corner, and a family picnic & Campground. Staying the night there is also rather cost-efficient, as they have some of the cheapest camping fares Pennsylvania. It is family friendly, fun, and full of fantasy... And absolutely worth a visit if you can make it up there.

The Wonders of Couchsurfing

Have you ever been in a pinch and needing somewhere cheap to stay when traveling around? Or have plans suddenly changed and you've come somewhere and have a day or two where you have nowhere to stay? And when they did, did you wish you have a random person's couch or futon to cash on at no cost?

Okay, maybe just me. And the 14 million others that use it.

Couchsurfing was started by a bg roup of guys who were tired of having to pay for lodging when they were traveling and also wanted a cool new way to meet people. And so, Couchsurfing was born.

To be a member on couchsurfing, you simply need to sign up and list your place as being available to stay at. From there, you can choose to host people (if your housemates are alright with it), is say that you are 'maybe' or 'not' accepting guests. From here, you can build a network, meet other surfers, and best of all, find places to stay when traveling.

When I wrote this post, I'd only stayed with two couchsurfing hosts. Both people were lovely human beings who offered me food and drink and welcomed me in after long days of traveling in Scandinavia. I felt right at home, like I was catching up with an old friend - and not once did I feel like my safety was jeopardised.

So folks, don't knock it until you try it. It could be your ticket to traveling the world at large without having to worry about breaking the bank finding places to stay if you're open to the experience.

My Experience with AirBnB

My Experience with AirBnB

In the 21st century, there is an increasing demand for cheap accommodations, as more individuals are now using their savings for global travel. Many Millennials especially are realizing that the world is big, and there is many things that are worth seeing. As such, traveling jobs have become more and more frequent, and hotels are taking this into consideration and profiting. And so, Airbnb came along as a potential solution. Let me share a little bit of back story with you.

Brian Chesty started Airbnb in its infancy in 2007 with friend and co-founder Joe Gebbia, running the first Airbnb out of their spare room in the back of their apartment to try and generate passive income to help afford rent. They brought on a few more people, pitched their ideas to several funding platforms, and eventually found the funding to launch their idea worldwide. Their idea picked up steam in 2011, and now has grown into a global powerhouse.

So naturally, as soon as our friends turned me on to them, I needed to check it out for myself. I like to take trips, and I hate spending money. So, it seems like a good trade-off. I took my first trip Wes, only getting as far out as Cleveland for now. This would be my first Airbnb experience. I set up a profile using my Facebook account, pitched a couple messages to potential hosts, and after working around double scheduling from some individuals, I finally found a place to stay. The process of making a payment and getting in contact with my host regarding details of the location was extremely easy, and so far, every Airbnb I’ve stayed at has been extremely communicative. After all, you would want to make sure a stranger knows the lowdown on your house rules if they're staying with you and your personal home, too.

After buying my first Airbnb, I browsed around the website itself a little bit more. There are several filters you can utilize to search for specifics on your home stay, including how much or how little you would like to spend, exact locations, what type of Hose do you want, what type of amenities you'll need, and how many people you can accommodate. There are also different tour guides that operate cheap tours through Airbnb and different experiences. There's a horse farm in central Pennsylvania there was actually advertising when I looked. The application itself is very user-friendly and feels like you are truly establishing a personal connection with whoever you reach out to. You will write a story in your biography about yourself and your travels, and so will your host, and as such, you will establish rapport long before you step into their house.

As far as the experience itself goes, every guest house I have stayed at has been under $70, and has more than served its purpose well. Every guest house I've stayed at also had several extra guest rooms, and I use this opportunity to make friends with the other house guests that were staying there. I also made friends with all of the hosts, using them as International friendships and connections. Because of staying in guest homes with multiple rooms, I now have friends from several different countries. Because of this, Airbnb felt more like a private hostel then did a hotel room.

The only negative thing I can find about Airbnb would come from the people itself rather than the app. I've already had several potential hosts flake out on me, and the communication through the app itself needs a little bit of improvement. Otherwise, I prefer this to purchasing a hotel room 9 times out of 10. You'll make so many connections that you never knew existed just by staying and somebody's basement. Literally. I've had a wonderful experience so far with Airbnb, and will continue using them until the end of the line.

To those who have big dreams

When I was in high school, I wrote a song called follow your dreams. I released it 3 years later as an undergraduate student and a program that I knew it wasn't right for me. I had Big Dreams, and no idea how I would ever achieve them.

Until, one day, I decided to blindly go after them and start pursuing them with every ounce of energy I had left and my tired body.

Add all I can say, is that I am so glad that I did. I didn't have much money, nor resources, or time, but I still found a way to go out and see the world. 

If there is ever even a passing thought in your mind that you want to live in another country, find out what you need to do for that country in order to become a part of it. Familiarize yourself with local terminology and systems, such as prices of things, their currency, their language, and their social life. Try to hang out with the locals as much as possible and to shy away from what the tourists are doing. where on their mannerisms, how they talk, how they eat, how they think, how they sleep, and how they joke.  

And most importantly of all, learn the resources and finances needed to integrate with this new country. When I was going abroad to study for two years in London, I needed to register myself with the National Institution of health, and renew it every year for about $500 each time. I needed to apply for the biometric residence permit and Visa, which cost roughly $1,000. I need it to pay for extra vaccinations out-of-pocket. I need it to go through criminal clearances in both my country and there's sand and lots of long lines, accumulate a mini cabinet worth of paperwork, and remain on hold for up to 20 minutes of times to speak with people across the pond about various documentation and Licensing processes. sometimes I would wait 4 weeks on the ends to get documents mailed to me.

All of this had to occur before I could even buy my plane ticket and stepped foot in the airport. The process was not easy, but it was greatly worth my time and effort. The memories I made or insurmountable, and the friendships and Partnerships established for lifelong and Limitless.

Crabs, Birbs, and Starz

Baltimore is another wonderful city that lies close to my hometown of York. Although most people don't realize this as such, Baltimore is home to many small but important items. And, some of them are listed in the title of this post. I will now systematically review some of the things that makes Baltimore what it is.

First and foremost, it is a cultural Hub. Throughout the years, the demographic has severely shifted away from Germanic and Irish descent and become more mixed in ethnicity. There are several restaurants around owned by Indian people, African American people, Hispanic people, are there Asiatic call Sarah, and so much more. On nearly every single block, you can find a hub for a different culture or group of people.

The one downside to this, however, is that there is a lot of disputes between people, and a lot of poverty and crime in certain parts of the city. As such, if you are going to Baltimore at night, it is advisable to take at least one other comrade with you. It is the sad unfortunate truth that I must warn others about, pertaining to big cities with high population density.

Baltimore is also home to Inner Harbor, and Metropolitan epicenter of Commerce and Industry. Not only are there attractions like the Baltimore Science Museum, the Baltimore aquarium, the Baltimore Zoo, Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum, and several excellent concert venues, but it is also home to the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is home to most of the East Coast domestic crab imports, and home to several difference indigenous species of wildlife. As such, there are many environmentalist initiatives to support the Chesapeake Watershed and to preserve the surrounding area by reducing carbon emissions and waste output. The bay itself is beautiful, and there are ferries that serve the greater Baltimore Maryland area allow one to be on the water.

Aside from all of these wonderful attractions, Baltimore is also home to the Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Ravens, to sporting’s most prominent sports teams. Both of these teams have amassed many awards and accolades throughout the years, and their stadiums are within a 15-minute commute of one another. Many major sporting events and charity events happen if both of these stadiums every single year.

Probably one of the most important things about Baltimore is its government and American history. Many government workers and Space Engineers are employed in Baltimore because it is halfway between Washington DC and Harrisburg, which are two major areas of government work. This was able to be initiated because Baltimore is home to Fort McHenry. When the British Invasion happened in the 1800's, Francis Scott Key was on a boat in the harbor witnessing the bombardments on Fort McHenry, which inspired him to write the poetic piece that would later become America's national anthem. The Fort is still open and accessible for visitors to this day, and small tours around the surrounding area and Proving Grounds are often lead.

So this being said, if you are ever in northern Maryland, check out Baltimore and the surrounding area. There are lots of things to see and do, is this entire area and several square miles have been industrialized quite efficiently.

A Dive into Philadelphia

The third time I went to Philadelphia, I went to visit my friend Tommy, who is a graphic design artist in front end developer for a large corporation just outside city limits. He’d recently sold his car for the sake of a train and subway pass, as gas could cost up to $80 a month and car insurance and payments could cost at least a hundred per month. Hopping into taking the train for $30 per month with unlimited usage could save him about $2,000 per year or more on commuting expenses. Plus, he was vegan, and walking to work sometimes, so he is in great shape. With his business portfolio he established himself in the world as a prominent front end developer, and he started thinking about eventually getting additional schooling paid for and to one day work from home. Who says you can't get paid to get creative?

In general, Center Philly traffic absolutely sucks. Even getting to his small studio apartment was a nightmare, and when I finally found a secure valet parking, the $40 for an overnight pass completely drained whatever resources I had left. however, I knew that my car was safe, and that I could just hoof it around the city with my friend.

Considering the Philadelphia is an up-and-coming town with a lot of Millennials moving in, there are a lot of vegan-friendly options and nearly every restaurant, and the prices aren't actually too ridiculous. For example, a pint of ice cream cost me about $8, but in Iceland it probably would have cost me $12 or $13. I was able to get a vegan shaved ice for $8 at The Founder’s Fountain (link), and old timey ice cream parlor that has been in Philadelphia since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Dinner that night was at Tattooed Mom, a small restaurant and late night bar that had both omnivore friendly and vegan-friendly options. I got a Chubby Cheesesteak, made with Veganaise, chicken flavored seitan, tater tots, onions, mushrooms, and peppers. It was served and a toasted tortilla wrap and it was one of the best things I've ever eaten at a restaurant. We then went for vegan drinks at Charlie was a sinner, a vegan company that also owns HipCityVeg, which was my Santa Fe Southwest vegan "egg" the next morning. In addition, both bars I visited had happy hour price drinks, so I got loaded up on IPA and Porter for $3 a pop. Not bad Philadelphia, not bad. A happy plant-based dieter I was that day.

Just as exciting as the food were the people. There were so many beautiful people walking around, but there was also unfortunately a large demographic of homeless and mentally ill that were despondently wandering the streets. Men and women alike of all cultural and racial backgrounds were sitting on the street, both able-bodied and sitting on walkers, begging for change. Considering as to how I had to borrow money just to make this trip and the next happen, as my paycheck had not come through yet, I felt conceited and awful that I could not spare even a penny, as I was desperately broke myself.

What was the most exciting was all of the history that I got to experience with my friend Tommy and his girlfriend Miranda. We walked around downtown, seeing Penn's Landing where William Penn landed during the revolution, we got to stand in front of the building where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and we got to take pictures in front of the Liberty Bell. We got to see the historic district at all of the gothic churches and Barbershop style stores that still stood tall and proud. Indeed, everything was within walking distance and very humbling.

After meeting up with my friend and meeting his vegan girlfriend, we walked around and saw and did as much as we possibly could. Philadelphia has no shortage of museums and restaurants to visit. And, you can spend countless hours just walking around and ogling everything. This included a jazz rrio that became a quartet when a street Busker came by with his saxophone, a random guy playing congas for change on the corner near the old parliament, and some guy yodeling outside of the restaurant we ate at. Traffic continued to suck throughout my experience, and truly is the only thing that I did not like about visiting Philadelphia. 

Although it did not have enough time or money to spare, I went to the Eastern State Penitentiary to snap a few pictures. This is the prison where Al Capone was held at four the last couple of Decades of his life. When I get time and money to spend, I will definitely come back to visit this hallowed ground.

So without further ado, when you get the chance to do so, go on out and visit Philadelphia. You especially must come if you are fresh out of college and looking for a job, as the economy for Millennials is starting to flourish in this city.

Kings and Queens of Prussia

Just before visiting my friend in East Greenville, I decided to swing by the King of Prussia area to visit my friend Kelly who lives there. She also went to York with me, before transferring out to go back home to finish undergraduate studies. It was a very quiet little area, but still worth mentioning on here.

My friend lives in a small town called Phoenixville, about 10 minutes from Valley Forge National Park in about 15 minutes from King of Prussia Mall. Valley Forge is a very nice Historic Park, and although I got to drive by it, it was dark out, so I didn't really get to set foot inside the park. It was quite a phenomenal location to visit, as there are lots of trails to hike inside the park and statues and memorials and whatnot. Visiting my friend this summer and getting to swim in her pool with one of her friends was an incredible gift. And now for the main event, King of Prussia.

King of Prussia at the time that I visited it was the second largest strip mall in America. Plans were released to expand the mall completely by 2020, effectively making it the largest mall in America. It has a plethora of stores between three floors, spans 300 yards, and overall is a good place to spend an afternoon and burn some daylight. Many patrons from far and wide to travel to this area to see what this part of Pennsylvania is like, as there's also hotels and lavish casinos nearby.

When I stepped inside the mall for the first time to visit my friend, I walked to the nearest Starbucks, which was bigger than most stand alone stores that I visited. There were a few other stores Incorporated clothing, pop culture, and other things into their store. It is a good place to spend money and find any sort of store imaginable, and I noticed this almost immediately. I met up with my friend and her friend Kim, and we went for a little walk around the mall. We went to Wegmans after that, which was the first Wegmans that I've ever been to. My initial impression? The stores are much bigger out here on the east coast of Pennsylvania.

Although I personally don't spend a whole lot of time in malls because I'm more interested in geographical destinations, you can plainly see that this mall has a lot to offer everybody. I also try to conserve my money as much as possible, so I didn't spend a whole lot of time browsing the stores. No matter what you're into, you can always get exercise and simultaneously shop at King of Prussia.

Fly Like a Hawk

Tucked away in a little town called Duncannon is the Hawk Rock Ridge and Trail. The starting point of the trail is marked very differently from where the GPS directs you to go, which led to some confusion the first time I was there. The trail, however, is massive and fortuitous, and boasts one of the best views of Duncannon and the surrounding area for several miles. The trails surrounding Hawk Rock are part of the Appalachian Trail, and extend at least 6 miles. Hawk Rock itself is about 1030 feet above sea level. The path that I have taken twice is only about a mile long though, and gains about 750 feet in elevation.

When you park at the water reservoir to begin your hike up the mountain side, there are a couple of signs four different paths to take. From here, the one pass right in front of you is the most direct. You'll climb for about a half-hour through nearly constant switchbacks, but you'll make it to the beautiful mountain face in no time. The first time I went, I went with two friends, and one had a gimpy leg at the time. The second time I went, I went with an Eagle Scout friend of mine who is also an avid hiker. As such, my first scale of the mountain took about two hours; this one only took about 30 minutes. It is a relaxing trail that can easily be done by any family at their own pace.

The view is immense.

The difficulty for this hike is about a two out of 10. It's not long; it's not terribly intense either. Walking at a comfortable pace, it's not hard to make it to the point of interest within an hour of walking. Scenery wise, although it isn’t the highest or the grandest, it is up there. You get such a breathtaking wide-angle glimpse of the entire surrounding area, and it is amazing. It is one of those mountains that will make you wish you could fly away like a little hawk, and it will leave you pondering just how small we all are.

Pretty much anybody can hike this mountain regardless of stamina or stature. And it is absolutely worth it, because at the end, the views that you will see are incredible. It is a gentle reminder of how inferior human beings are, and just how Grand everything else is. All they're not the best view I've ever seen hiking a mountain, it is well worth the experience once. You will see over all of Greater Duncannon. And, you'll wish that you as well could fly like a hawk.

How to Travel on a Budget

The older I've gotten, the more my Wanderlust has grown. And as such, I've taken more and more trips, both domestic and abroad. Respectively, people have asked me how I go about doing it, knowing that I never necessarily worked in a high-paying job during and after my undergraduate years of college. Once you learn the secrets to budgeting, it isn't all that difficult. And today, I'm here to show you some tips and tricks on how to do it.

1) Make a list of places that you would like to go.

This part of the process is fairly intuitive. Before you step outside your front door, it's important to know where you think you'd like to go. Start by compiling a list of places that you would like to visit, and fines out what some of there average prices are for items. Websites like blank will help you determine the average cost of items as it Stacks up to your hometown so you can prepare accordingly.

2) Establish connections online and some of these locations.

If you are like me when I was younger, then you likely have played a lot of online video games. Guess what? This is one of the best ways to meet new people from different places. Every time you add somebody on Xbox, put them on your friends list after a friendly conversation on RuneScape, or play successful game of OverWatch, you will make a new connection in another part of the world. Sometimes, that is all it takes as well. If you go to school, you can meet potential travel destinations by getting involved with school clubs, especially ones that involve multiculturalism and students of different ethnic or faith backgrounds. From there, you can ask to be introduced to their friends, send them an email correspondence, and get the ball rolling wherever they live as well. And if this isn't enough for you to meet people, there are hundreds of websites online the people used to meet people, especially penpals. Through one penpal website, I met a girl from Russia, a guy from Denmark, a girl from Morocco, and two girls from China.

3) Travel around the deals.

Now that you have a reason to go and potentially a person to visit, it's time to book your flight. Or, to hop in your car. Either way around, there are lots of travel web sites out there that offer deals on a frequent basis. If you follow other travel agents and travel bloggers, they will likely link you to website or two that they use that has good deals as well. Going somewhere you slightly want to go to that is on sale vs going somewhere you really want to go that isn't quite in the off-season can be the difference of hundreds of dollars.

4) Find cheap lodging, which can lead to other Connections in other places.

Although several travel websites and flight pages will offer you combined housing/car rental/flight packages, it is often more efficient to do the app for mentioned your own way. Regardless, you will be paying for luggage separate most of the time, and you will be paying an insurance deposit for your rental car regardless. Hotels can also quickly rack up the bill. Globalfreeloaders.com and couchsurfing.com are two websites in which you list your couch or spare room to host guests and visitors, and in return, they extend the favor to you. Hostelworld.com is a comprehensive list of 35,000 hostels around the globe, and also provides information on what their bloggers have found around the world. Airbnb are two of my personal favorites, as they let you rent out a private room in somebody's home. There is also the option of staying at a farm (typically running price is between $80-$100/night) or at a monastery (you can find alot of places for $40 a night or so).

5) engage in work travel jobs.

I have met up with a couple of people that have traveled the world's, done really cool things, and developed amazing friendships, all due to traveler jobs. There are several web sites out there that I used to subscribe to in regards to this. Workaway is the website where you are able to trade services with somebody in exchange for room and board, and some places will give you a stipend as well. Some allow you to be a nanny or an Au Pair in exchange for room and board. Going through TEFL, you to become certified to teach English as a foreign language, what you can become a lifelong career for some people. Certain companies well also provide you with these opportunities. For instance, I interviewed with English first and Ameson Year in China, and both companies would have paid for a flight to China, got me certified to teach, and also give you half a year worth of rudimentary Mandarin Chinese, as well as a stipend for travel alongside your salary.

6)Undershoot on what you need to buy to survive.

If you're traveling on a budget, you likely are okay nixing some of home's comforts. That being said, a fast food sandwich and store brand apple juice will do just as fine as a fancy lunch that doesn't fill you up near as much. Try to bring as many things as you possibly can from him outside of perishable and not exportable items, such as food and certain liquids and medicines, and only by what you absolutely need. The exception to this rule is if you are planning on doing a food tour of some sort, or going on at or where food is included. There are plenty of web sites out there that advertise discounted travel fair and tour guides. That being said, if you know that you can survive on a very minimalist diet while you are traveling, it will serve you well in the long run financially.

7) Always - and I mean ALWAYS - Take advantage of free and discounted items.

Using coupon books bought at airports as well as Groupon has saved me a plethora of precious cash, as I found coupons for lodging, food, parking, entertainment at night, taxis, and pretty much anything else you can think of. There are several other websites like Groupon that you can subscribe to that all have discounted where's and fares. Also take full advantage of the hospitality of others. When I was in Cleveland, I got free breakfast because I meditated with the Harris. And Iceland, I talked to the owner of the restaurant I went to, and because he likes my interested in his business and personality, I got two free beers at his second restaurant out of the deal. Never turn down free for anything, and also remember the one you least expect it, the free things will come to you.

7)As Shia LaBeouf once said, quite literally, "Just Do It. Don't let your dreams be dreams."

I know several individuals who are traveling the world full time, and they aren't rich. They're finding websites like this one or this one for temporary work, offering their skills, and just going out and doing it.

Here's a case study for you: If I chose to drive up to Poughkeepsie New York instead of fly up, the flight would have been $200 more expensive then the tank and a half of gas that it cost me to get there and around. I met a connection at College, who happens to be my girlfriend at the time, and they put me up for a few nights for free. In exchange for a couple hours of music, I got two nights worth of dinner and some wine. I utilized their knowledge of New York and New York City to navigate for all of the deals, which included a beautiful lunch at a Foods truck stop for cheap one morning. Breakfast every morning was cheap, as I went out and bought a small container of granola, as well as having some eggs that they had at the house for me. We utilized the dads Commerce miles on the subway to get a cheap parking pass at the cheapest subway station by her house, and bought a one-way pass into New York City at student rate. In New York City, we went to as many free exhibits and stores that we could to see things and Window Shop. We returned home with another one way ticket, since this option was more cost-efficient than buying an all day pass.

End result - keep in mind some of these tips and tricks, and you will succeed at planning your adventures. I'm going to reflect upon one of my trips, specifically when I took my first solo trip up to New York.

Run like the Tarahumara

Rarámuri, also known as the Tarahumara tribe drama descended from the Mongollan (Uto-Aztecan) culture after 300 ad and descended into the Canyons of Chihuahua, Mexico, in the 1400s after the Conquistadors came. they quickly found their Nish as Trail runners and Messengers between tribes in different parts of the valleys and canyons, author name translates to tribe of the running feet. The average cross-country athlete trains 50 km a day and is in pain and Agony afterwards. The people of the Tarahumara tribe find Blissful joy and running, are always smiling when they are competing in there long distance races Tama and can train up to a hundred kilometers per day without injury or pain. with myself being an avid hiker, this long distance endurance thing really appeals to me personally, and so I decided to look further into it. I watched a few miniature documentaries Chelsea what they were doing differently compared to the rest of the world. here's what I noticed:

1) They were either flimsy running sandals or Nothing at All.

The Tarahumara believe in grounding, which means getting positive ions from the surface of the Earth as they run. Studies have been done to show the barefoot running improves body circulation and reduce the stress levels. Of course, being somebody that has run their foot on gravel before, I can't imagine running Barefoot through the woods or rocky Canyons should be all that comfortable. however, it is something that we should try, as it is part of their success and their happiness and overall well-being.

2) They are strictly nose breathers.

They take long breaths in, long drags out, and do it almost exclusively through their nasal passage. Their mouth is used instead for smiling, which I will get to in just a second.

By going against the grain of "in through the nose, out through the mouth", you allow more nitric oxide to build up in your nose, which boost your energy and testosterone levels, and allows anaerobic respiration to take place in your body, which will process toxins in your fat cells more. Strictly nose breathing during intense exercise and depriving the body of excess oxygen is quite similar to altitude training. And for an even better workout, you can cover your face with a surgical mask or cloth, which will allow even less oxygen in. Carbon dioxide is not the enemy here.

3) They find joy in running.

Running is their lifeblood, and they always look forward to their daily exercise. Instead of meeting it with Agony, they meet it with a smile. As they pass other trail runners, they are smiling and carrying on. Similarly, they travel light and are ready to break into a run or adventure at any time.

4) Group participation is key.

Studies show that running as part of a group not only promotes Esprit de corps, but boosts your engagement levels as well. The Tarahumara tribe always runs as part of a group, because they believe then no race and life is ever run for sole proprietorship.

5) let your heels heal.

Even though they do quite a good bit of running, they never run using their heels of their feet. Instead, they bounce in a Spring Lake motion off of the balls and front part of their feet, which continuously propels them forward with minimal effort and injury. When studying this foot strike, researchers soon learned that it was an essential part of maintaining Wellness whilst out on the trails running. stepping on the hill and rolling the foot and traces strain in the lower back and the ankles, whereas using only the balls of their feet about full impact and transfer of energy between the ground in the foot.

6) Waste no time or energy.

In both running and field work, the Tarahumara believe in the conservation of energy. When they are running very long distances with no breaks all day long with minimal calories, every single bit of energy intake and output matters. As soon as break time is called, all of them immediately sit down and rest. When they are running, they're keeping a steady pace, as it allows the most consistent burn of energy.

7) Go hard.

The Tarahumara are hard workers, always brewing homemade corn beer like tecate or tesguino, and find no shame in their culture of beer and work. although they remain poor financially, they are rich in soul and life simple, steadfast lives. They worked, farmed, ran, and partied hard, and still never looked beat after a 50 mile race.

At the end of the day, this is a tribe of incredible super humans that are very gifted in the art of long-distance travel and running. Individuals of any age and exercise backgrounds can take something away from their way of life in their approach to getting things done.

Ancient History

For my last day in Colorado, I went to the Morrison Natural Museum of History first. It was here that I learned about some of the bones that Arthur Lakes and his company had sent to co Marsh Hattie Yale University for a paleontological examination. some of these bones, such as the Allosaurus and Triceratops, we're over 90 million years old, and some fossils were found well before the Jurassic Extinction. It is incredible to see or evolutionary past at play, and even more incredible 2 c rock that are close to a billion years old.

I would NOT want to be impaled by that!

are then decided to take an Uber to the trailhead of Mount Falcon, a peek of right around 8,000 feet. The trails were easy and paved, and I found myself making good time on the trail. I reach the ruins of the Walker home, turned around on the Meadow Trail, and then hiked 2000 feet up the tower Trail to reach the summit. I was so thankful that my Uber driver provided water, because I needed every last drop to forge my way. The views, though? Worth it. 

It can't get much better than this (referring to Colorado as a whole).

I then had an Indonesian uber driver take me to Dinosaur Ridge, where he told me about his culture and the things that he misses about home. His advice to me? "If you want to see Jakarta one day, you'll make it happen. You're a smart kid." I am so thankful to have met this wonderful man in my travels.

Dinosaur ridge was chock-full of cool things to see and do. A proliferation of what I saw at the museum, There ere actual dinosaur tracks in the mountainside from the Cenozoic Era, and bones entrenched in the mountainside from the Triassic Era. Some of the shale here dated back a billion years. After this adventure, I headed to the Airport and said farewells to my new favorite paradise of the world.

Upon leaving, I had to go through additional screenings because of losing my license on the train in Denver. Both of the guys involved in my screen and clearance felt genuinely bad for me for losing my stuff, but also gave me suggestions for further travels and whatnot. both of them had actually been to my home state, and encouraged me to go Explore a museum near my house. Considering as to how my TSA process was extremely painless, I'll have to take him up on that offer.

And so, with a final run to China Wok and Einstein Bros, I disappeared into the airway terminals, met a few really cool people to converse with, and flew into the night. Stay tuned for more adventures!

Haunted Highway

About 2 hours West of where I grew up, and about 40 minutes west of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, there is an old stretch of highway that has been desolate and abandoned 4 the last 40 years or so. This stretch of highway is simply called the abandoned PA Turnpike, because that is exactly what it is. Always curious for more urban exploration, I decided to go and check this place out for myself.

For the backstory of this 13 Mile long stretch of highway, it was first commissioned around since 1941 by the Pennsylvania highway agency. It served as a main route for transportation until the 60s, where it was deemed impractical because it became so heavily trafficked due to the bottlenecking of the tunnels at Sideling Hill, Tuscarora, Rays Hill, and blue hill made traffic and absolute nightmare. Around 1964, a plan was laid down to expand the turnpike, which was partially followed through, until the highway was eventually shut down with the construction of the new Turnpike in the 80s. Although the tunnels and Highway roads have not been maintained for over 30 years, the tunnels are still intact, and parts of the highway and Turnpike themselves, although littered with graffiti, are still approachable.

And so, two of my friends and I set out on an adventure to check out as much of this Turnpike as we possibly could. We first came up on a stretch of road in Buchanan State Forest called Oregon road,

where we parked in a lay-by and climbed to the top of a tunnel to see the first stretch of abandoned highway. Other than a beautiful place to take a few pictures of the surrounding Forest, there wasn't much to see in the ways of graffiti. However, this is where my GPS deemed the tunnels to be, and this is where my first stop was. We consulted a few other blogs before moving forward with our next destinations.

One blog suggested we take 30 West through Chambersburg until we get to Blue Mountain Road followed consecutively by Pump Station Road. And so we did just that, getting to another section of Turnpike that was just as Bland as the last. However, we still did not see any tunnels. As a last-ditch effort, we drove to a location called "Pike to Bike", a non-profit company run by the community that is going to be turning the abandoned turnpike until public domain Rail Trail. It started sleeting, and my shoes were soaked, but we found a pair of joggers about a mile into our walk down the road then insured us that we were about threequarters of the way towards one of the bigger tunnels on the turnpike. So, now that we knew that we were on the right track, we forced on words.

This time I was about 18 minutes from Rays Hill Tunnel, so I believe it was the Tuscarora tunnel in Breezewood Pennsylvania. Walking 5 minutes into it, we saw a lot of graffiti, and we were still just as it, we saw a lot of graffiti, and we were still just as close to the light at the end of the tunnel as we were at the beginning. Although we can see the light, we determine if there was an incredibly long tunnel. There was a rusted maintenance room in Boiler Room nearby, as well as an observation tower, but all the doors were rusted shut, so even upon entry by crawling through a broken out window, we couldn't see much.

After dropping a few pieces of metal and running through the dark like bumbling idiots, we decided to depart from the turnpike. Whether or not it is haunted remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure; I will be going back to see the tunnels another day.

Looks inviting, right?

A Voice in the Choir

Singing in choir has always been near and dear to my heart. I have sang in choir since I was in the 8th grade of my primary education. I was initially too nervous to join flyer, but then quickly became a confident soloist our select ensemble. what is quite nice to know is that even if you do not have the best singing voice, you will still be able to contribute to they overall warm tones of a choir.

Singing in a choir took me literally across the world. I have performed in Time Square, in various churches throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland, at cultural festivals, at LGBT festivals, and in several Cathedrals and a festival in Ireland. All because I realize that I have the ability to boost the bottom of the choir with my bass voice. If it weren't for singing, and music that lifts the soul, I would not have met even half of the amazing people that I have throughout my lifetime.

what is even more incredible is finding a Nish of people that you can buy with. If you appreciate music to any capacity, then choir will be well for you. You don't need to find a College Choir where professional choir, you can start small, like at a church choir. I introduced quite a few songs and conducted a few songs of my church choir, and it is always a gift. a common interest in music binds us all together, regardless of religious or political affiliation, or who we love, or who we are. Music is the language that transcends language.

Of course, there are several different voice Parts in choir. There is a lot of flexibility as well, because every voice is unique. For instance, I have a baritone range, but because I have a very rich low-end, I often sang base 1 and base 2 and select ensembles because of the depth that I can provide. My friend, also baritone, has a glassier voice, so he sometimes jumps in on Tanner Park. I know many Sopranos that sing really high or really low. By the way around, your unique talents can contribute to the overall sound of a choir.

So even if you have the slightest a bit of talent for singing, or barely any at all even, you should consider joining a choir. There is nothing quite as remarkable as a vocal swell and 1/8 part split. You never know where your music will take you.

The Royal Dukes

I'm uploading this post you're not only discuss a British restaurant that was referred to me by a colleague from my master's program, but also to put forth an update on the happenings of my life.

Back in June of 2018, I got accepted to Brunel University in London. An entire month of stress and paperwork later, I was all but 2 weeks away from flying overseas to start the next stage of my life. I always dreamed of expatriating, and I've also always dreamed of studying abroad, but this reality seems almost too good to be true when it finally came.

I wouldn't just be doing a semester abroad. I won't be doing an entire master's degree abroad, at the only School in Europe that was accredited in occupational therapy in the United States. I was literally on my way to becoming an accredited therapist on the international scale.

The Counter, in all its glory.

I wanted to involve myself in as much internationally related things as I could before and during my time in London. and so, I sat down at a little British pub near the zoo in Washington DC to start scribbling out this blog post.

I will be heading out most of my Journeys into a diary, and eventually releasing these notes as part of a book, which I will tentatively call "Stranger in a Strange Land". I will talk about everyday life, adversities, discrepancies, finances, traveling, and so much more, all from the eyes of a non-native to the countries I reside in.

I decided to try both the Curry Poutine and the Spicy Aubergine Sarnie at this cute little corner of British Paradise, aptly named Duke's Counter. They had a lot of niche recipes I'd never heard of, as well as a full British bar. The pad mostly screamed "American" though, with US Football and Tennis on the tele and American spellings. However, the decor was proper, and the food was delicious.

I beyond elated to have the opportunity to study abroad. Stay tuned for more updates!