Showing posts with label travel blogger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel blogger. Show all posts

Friday, December 18

Hi, my name is Ellen, and I need your help.

There's a thing about living in a new country and having a grand adventure that most people don't address on a travel blog:

It's hard.

Sometimes it's just really fucking hard.

For me, this is compounded by being unemployed. I'm an externally motivated person, a true extrovert. My creativity and energy and enthusiasm grow exponentially when I can share it with people, or when I am responding to a discussion or when I can talk through ideas en voz alta with another human. Without a job, I'm not motivated to be anywhere by any certain time. I'm left to wander around most days left to my own devices, which, for me, is as exciting as reading a phone book. Which means some days I don't leave the house, or get fresh air or even interact with a barista. Which means my moods get lower and the days run together. There's probably some seasonal affective disorder happening, too, but I don't think that can account for all of it.

However, this blog helps a lot: I enjoy writing, and I can't write seven blog posts about the color of the carpet. (It's like a dark foresty teal. A bit like deep ocean. Or a stormy day on the Oregon coast. Hmmm, maybe I could write seven posts about it...)

So, I'm asking for your help: 

Find something for me to do in London. 


Do a quick Google search. Tell me your favorite pub (or library?) from when you studied abroad. What odd museum is always overlooked by Lonely Planet? If I know someone is expecting a post, I'll actually do it! Leave a comment or shout out on social media.

And don't hold back! I want the most random things you can think of. I've seen Oxford Street. I've been to South Bank. I can see the London Eye every damn day if I wanted to. I'll review the basics, too, but what haven't you seen?

Or, don't. That's cool too. I'll just move on to describing the curtains. They're kind of beige... like the very tip of a hedgehog's spine...

Monday, November 16

Get a postcard from Ellen!

Hey, readers — I'm bringing old-school travel habits back, and you can get in on the fun!


I'm working on building up my email list, so as a thank-you for subscribing now through Dec. 31, 2015, I'll send you a postcard from one of my upcoming destinations!

I'm talking a physical, hand-written, personalized-just-for-you, definitely-not-a-mass-email postcard. Just for giving me your email address and agreeing to hear from me about twice a month. What a deal!

Once you've subscribed, be sure to fill out this quick form so I have your mailing address (a key part to receiving a postcard). If that makes you squirm a little bit, no worries! I will send you a personalized email upon my return instead.

So where am I going next?

Oslo, Norway

A quick two-night trip with an old friend to see what Oslo is all about! Why Oslo? Because I found a round-trip ticket for £15 so why not??

Munich, Germany and surrounding areas

First leg of a holiday with my husband and in-laws. We'll be based in Munich but hopefully taking a few day trips. Any suggestions? Leave me a comment!

Rome-to-Venice, Italy

Second leg of the holiday trip. We're starting in Rome and heading north for about a week. Places in between are still TBD.

Can't wait to write to you about my travels.

PS — I would love to regret this decision. Please tell all of your friends by sharing this post on Facebook, Twitter, or your platform of choice!