Steps in Every Corner

Tag: solo female backpacking

  • The Traveling Bookworm

    I hope everybody had a wonderful holiday season! If you are reading this, I thank you so much for your support. I mostly write for fun – to document my life experiences, for myself and for the friends or family who are interested in knowing about any of it. But it always makes me happy…

  • Strangers Hosted Me in Egypt

    I left Jordan by way of what was advertised as a ferry. In reality, it was a cargo ship that crossed the Red Sea each night, porting in Egypt. Before boarding, I had the most surreal customs experience of my life. After running my bags through the x-ray, they asked me to take out all…

  • Boka of the Red Sea

    I was staying in a tent on the roof of the Carmine Hotel in Dahab when I met Boka. I’d been in Egypt for three or four days, and he offered to take me to the best fried chicken joint around once he learned I was American and had, in fact, been craving fried chicken…

  • Two Bags (Part 2)

    Sometimes I see workspace views from other writers and feel envious. The beautiful window scenery – maybe an Amsterdam canal or the picturesque Scottish green. These writers have their books stacked perfectly, their maple-scented candle burning. I imagine them getting up at dawn to make their routine coffee or tea of choice, and sitting down…

  • Jordan’s Surprises (A Bedouin Story)

    I don’t know why I ended up in Jordan. It was never on my radar; never a bucket list place to visit for me. I didn’t know much about the country even upon arrival. Israel is close by. Syria borders the north; go east and you’ll hit Iraq. But the country opened itself up to…

  • Cappadocia: Hot Air Balloons & Underground Cities

    Cappadocia is a region in central Turkey, known for its extraordinary natural wonders and skies filled with hot air balloons. It holds valleys that dip and rise through amazing rock formations. Hiking through these valleys is breathtaking; walking up close to the fairy chimneys and ancient cave dwellings is indescribable. I would wake up early…

  • Two Bags (Part 1)

    I have my rituals. This is sort of a necessity when everything I own is either within arms reach or thousands of miles away stored in my childhood bedroom. My laundry days are meticulously planned out, because I have about 5 outfits total and don’t often have the luxury of a dryer. Sometimes not even…

  • Journey Across Java, Indonesia

    I arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia in September 2024 after two full days of travel; of course I was jet-lagged, but barely tired. Too captivated by the neon lights, the hums of the motorbikes, the rich smell of street food surrounding me. Starting my upcoming weeks of backpacking across the island of Java. My first real…