Steps in Every Corner

Tag: solo female backpacking

  • On Being Unprepared

    I still remember how on my first trip to Europe, I packed nothing but ripped jeans. At the time, ripped mom jeans were a staple at my American college. However, in Europe, they were not. And probably never were. This is something I learned by walking through gorgeous, historic city centers dressed like I was…

  • Travel in Three Chapters

    Chapter 1: Throughout all of my travels, the most unexpected discovery hasn’t been a place. It’s been myself. Which sounds dramatic, but unfortunately, it’s true. I’m learning to prioritize the things I actually want, over what sounds cool or what will save me the most dollars. I’m incredibly lucky to be writing this in 2026,…

  • A Spooky Sojourn in Transylvania

    Transylvania hardly seems like an actual place. I think its sense of unreality was heightened with the popular animated film Hotel Transylvania (which I loved, by the way). I’ve always loved the spooky, the eerie, the odd. I was a teenager when I found out Transylvania does, in fact, exist – and it’s a Romanian…

  • The Kraków Diaries

    I grew up eating my Aunt Denise’s famous lazy pierogi every holiday. I grew up confused about how to spell or even properly pronounce some of my family surnames, like Staszczyk or Jarzyniecki (yes – I had to double check those spellings just now). My mom would make kielbasa at least once a week. At…

  • 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…