šŗšøš²š¹ | creative nonfiction writer | @uchicago ā24
world traveler | co-founder & co-editor @mghawgin
eng prof @mxcollege | read my work on my website
Iām at Malcolm X College five days of the week & every day is different. Every time I teach, the lesson is different, even though I might be teaching something I already taught. And I learn new approaches on the spot all the time. Every day is different because of the different students who I tutor at the writing center, along with their different needs. Thereās always a lot going on at work, but with my first year & second semester at Malcolm X coming to an end, I thought that itās important to really sit & think about what it is that I do daily. And most of you on social media donāt see it. So hereās a very brief moment into my job. It sometimes stresses me out (most times) but it is so rewarding seeing the students succeed š #teaching
Some difficult decisions huh š« but on a serious note, what a privilege to be able to travel & see the world, lots of people donāt have that privilege #grateful #solotravel #travel #traveler #worldtravel š
šizalco vulcan (1,950 meters in elevation)
My fifth volcano š I specifically came to El Salvador to climb more volcanoes, each & every one of them is different. Whatās so cool about Izalco is that you can walk in the middle of the crater & see steam rising from the volcano. For some reason, travelers skip doing this which is such a shame because Izalco is its own experience.
The hike itself wasnāt easy. Me & my tour guide @new_adventure_sv parked on Cerro Verde Volcano, hiked down it, hiked up Izalco, back down Izalco & then up Cerro Verde. Cerro Verde is covered in jungle & thereās a small town at the top, so not as picture-worthy but I technically climbed a sixth volcano haha and climbing up Cerro Verde was the hard part! The trail was steep & seemed to want to never end. Anyways, the whole hike was worth it (but I really need rest)
El Salvador, youāve been absolutely great šøš»
#elsalvador #solotravel #volcano #sĆsepuede
El Salvador, I really like you š«¶šøš» What a relaxing day enjoying the natural waters of this seven-waterfall hike (also a bit tired out lol) Absolutely incredible!
šsanta ana vulcan (2,381 meters)
My fourth volcano š What a view! A sulphur lake in the middle of its crater. And what an easy one-hour hike. Plus, I made a friend on the way up. Lorie is such an inspiration. I want to be like her when I grow up, traveling to the most incredible places in the world š
#centralamerica #travel #solotravel #elsalvador
I recently got asked āwhen was your first solo trip?ā I had never asked myself that question so when I had to sit & remember exactly when, I was surprised that it didnāt hit me at first.
I moved to Michigan temporarily when I was 19 & I guess that was my first solo trip? It was a different kind of trip because I was living there for school. It wasnāt until I was 21, after the pandemic, that I went to Amsterdam on my own. And I havenāt stopped solo traveling since then.
I rarely think to myself āoh something bad can happen & Iām all aloneā. Maybe after years of solo travel, what I think of as ādangerousā is different to most haha
I turned 26 recently & although I love solo travel, Iām starting to realize that Iām not solo traveling as much as I used to. Iāve been meeting friends & family more on trips lately, & I donāt mind it. Doesnāt mean the solo traveler in me will go away, I think itās just normal to evolve & get older.
A lot of people tell me that Iām ābraveā for traveling alone. And I know a part of that comes from the fact that Iām a woman. But I never saw myself as a āfemaleā solo traveler. Iāve always seen myself as a solo traveler & maybe I am brave, but I donāt really think that. Iām just the type of person that goes ahead & does whatever I want haha
So if youāre scared to solo travel, well, there are a lot of good people in the world. There are more good people than bad people. And thereās so much to see out there in the world. Why wait for people to join you when you can just go! Thatās what I tell myself #solotraveler āļø
And hereās a couple of photos from my brief time in Paris š«š· Although I usually solo travel, Iāve been leaning towards meeting with friends & family on my travels lately. And Iām super glad I got to see my long distance bestie Yana (we legit only see each other two or three times a year lol) I also loved Paris when I visited two & a half years ago & have been dying to visit the Notre Dame. Another incredible architectural gem that Iāve ticked off my bucket list. Also got to meet with my French roommateās mom in Paris! And she was so cute. So a lot of running around in the city. And if you thought my travels were winding down, Iāll be flying to Mexico in a few days š But first, back to good olā Chicago for a few days āØ #travel #traveladdicted
Madrid has been a city that Iāve been wanting to visit for a few years, and of course, I made it happen. This trip was a special one because I got to meet my parents there. The 8-hour flight was worth it!
Iād say Madrid is a city full of riches. Itās clean, has some of the most incredible architecture & it takes care of art & culture. Iām thrilled that I got to see some of the most greatest Western artworks, especially La Guernica & the 8th of May 1814 (works that I teach my students about). Madrid had good food, amazing flamenco dancers & a gorgeous royal palace šŖšø
But I guess the highlight was running around Madrid with my parents. Thank you for the trip š«¶
2025 was the year of new career opportunities, new countries, new people (& lots of shots š) A year of blessings. 2026, Iām ready for you ā
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#nye #newyesrseve #newyear #chicago #newyork #world #worldtraveller #travel #traveller #travel #solotravel #nicaragua #guatemala #acatenango #travelling #travels #traveljunkie #traveladdicted #travelmemories #travelcommunity #travelvibes
