ℰ.ℒ.
~
True story,
Word of Honor:
Joseph Heller, an important and funny writer now dead, and I were at a party given by a billionaire on Shelter Island.
I said, “Joe, how does it make you feel to know that our host only yesterday may have made more money than your novel ‘Catch-22′ has earned in its entire history?”
And Joe said, “I’ve got something he can never have.”
And I said, “What on earth could that be, Joe?”
And Joe said, “The knowledge that I’ve got enough.”
Not bad! Rest in peace!” – Kurt Vonnegut
~
” Cleopatra “
© LOUIS ELIOPOULOS
~
“28 MEMORIES”
- I’m a hot-blooded, métis woman of uncertain age. Who is a nomadic, chaotic and at times dysfunctional home, to a fragile, Russian Soul ~ Full of flaws, absurdities, contradictions, insecurities and vulnerability. Brave, honest, compassionate and all or nothing. Often disagreeable, sometimes selfish and incredibly stubborn. But above all, it’s a soul that will never have a price and the one, a Foreigner will never fully understand.
- Arrived solo in USA in 2003
- I hold a dual citizenship with United States of America & Russian Federation
- Bilingual – Russian & English ( would really like to learn French )
- I’m unmarried ( most of the time, happily. ) & it’s complicated
- Turned 18 when I lost my father to cancer
- I’m a Cultural Chameleon, but not a Russian spy ( so stop asking )
- Love being on the road with as less stuff as possible & embrace solo travel.
- I’m passionate about Life, travel, cinema, photography & writing … What’s Your Passion?
- I believe in Compassion & Giving back
- I’m not good with planning, but know how to Travel The World on the cheap & got rid of my “bucket list”,
TV, facebook, myspaceandtwitter.Also have 0 interest in having a mortgage, credit cards, 9-5 job, huge SUV’s & play dates. - I left my ♥ in Bali, New York, Zambia, Zanzibar, San Francisco, Russia & Morocco, however don’t ever want to go back to Las Vegas.
- Bungee jumped 111m, Walked with Lions & swam in the most Dangerous Pool in The World
- Met 42nd President of the United States & had my hand kissed by a Prince ( not the singer… although that would have been nice too )
- Traveled by several crazy Kenyan Matatus , danced with Maasai Warriors and traveled by Boda-Boda’s in Uganda.
- Got tangled up with a Python, swam with a Dolphin, got really close to Gorillas in The Mist & danced with a Cobra
- Played harmonica with an Elephant while being on his back
- Got up, close and personal with Monkeys & did ceremonies with locals in Bali
- Zip-lined at the Original Canopy Tour in Costa Rica
- Almost got married several times and one of them was to a beautiful woman
- Worked on a few Hollywood films , modeled & member of SAG – AFTRA Guild of America
- No matter how fat the check for reality tv or for some tasteless “hollywood produce” is , I’d rather be broke for the rest of my life than have my name and my face anywhere near that kind of “art” … However, if you are a producer or director of the next film about Mata Hari, Cleopatra, Phoolan Devi, Isabelle Eberhardt, Elizabeth Zarubina, or any other project with a soul, story and interesting characters, give me a buzz.
- Attended all major Hollywood Red Carpet events. ( and would trade all that for RTW ticket in a second )
- Persuaded a manager of the bank to open it on a Sunday morning in Zanzibar, Tanzania & checkmated Harvard graduate after a few moves (my father would’ve been very proud)
- What I love ; coffee, Frank Sinatra, Juliette Binoche, dancing, people watching, Honest Films, ARTIST’S , antiques & Blues. But not a fan of
shopping & beauty salons— do my own hair, nails and make up, thank you very much. I am a true Minimalist ~ My closet is always half empty and when I say ” I’ll be ready in 10 minutes “, I actually mean it.. The art of looking good and having your own style has very little to do with how much you pay for your clothes and what color the soles of your shoes are. Buying hundreds or thousands of dollars stuff in order to look classy, stylish and expensive won’t work, if you don’t know how to wear a 20 dollar dress and look like a million bucks…
- Quit smoking “cold turkey” in 2008 after smoking for 10 years and have been smoke free ever since. (however, I do miss a good cigar sometimes)
- Stepped over the railing at“The Peak” in Hong Kong.
- Spent my 28th Birthday in the highest dunes of Sahara, survived sandstorm at Giza Pyramids & visited a place that was once Cleopatra’s wedding gift. Saw one of the best Flamenco performances in the world. Traveled through and lived in Morocco. Shared food with a Nomad family in Sahara. Fell in love with Sitges. Had the best Tapas in Barcelona at “Tapeo” restaurant. Watched Madrid / Barcelona match with locals in Rubi. Lived in Moscow for a few months after 9 years of absence. Experienced Russian Extreme on top of ATV, in the mud, lakes and forests of “Rublevka”, jumped out of the perfectly good airplane in the middle of Russian winter, Ice skated and greeted 2013 with fireworks in the Red Square.
“We have to become lost before we can find ourselves. That sort of map you make up as you go along.” ~ Stirling Silliphant
Social status has never been a goal or a priority of mine. I can’t tell the difference between jimmy choos and prada. To me it’s just a shiny wrapper with no substance or real value. Our world today has more important issues to deal with, than a decision making of what brand of shoes to buy this afternoon or what color the highlights should be.
Agree?
Photo by EDDIE ROUSE
We get bombarded with slogans that scream at us that we’re not good enough, cool enough, young enough, beautiful enough…fill in the blank…
→ You are enough! ←
You are beautiful and unique in your own amazing way! Don’t ever let anyone sabotage or doubt that… not even yourself..
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~ Mark Twain
~
What matters at the end of the day are not things at all … It’s all those shared moments of laughter, joy, love and everything in between with people we love.
It’s about creating yourself, discovering the world around us and helping each other along the way.
And it’s also about dancing while the music is being played…
I’ve always wanted to write about my travels, but I was too young & overwhelmingly impatient.
But it’s never too late to start again.. (let’s see how long this will last) I hope you will find some of this information useful for your own adventures.
Safe Travels to all of you free spirits out there and Bon Voyage!
Keep dreaming, keep exploring and keep following your hearts!
Let There Always Be A Road…
Elena Levon xo
” Feather to fire, fire to blood, blood to bone, bone to marrow, marrow to ashes, ashes to snow…” – Gregory Colbert
– Legal Disclaimer –
*** All Images, videos, ideas and text displayed on http://www.mselenalevontraveling.com are protected by Copyright Laws and cannot be reproduced in any manner without written permission. If you would like to use any of imagery and text displayed on this site, you may send a request. ***
Copyright 2011-2013. Ms. Elena Levon Traveling. All Rights Reserved
thank u so much for stopping by my blog. Looking at your blog it seems you are a stylish and well-travelled person. It was beautiful reading about your travel. Keep up the good work.
You look really Gorgeous
thank you for stopping by my new blog! your journeys are simply amazing…i’m excited to read more
http://www.neverendingwishlist.wordpress.com
Just found out your blog, and I have to say: wow! The experiences you had and is still having are amazing. I really want to do the same, live a life where I can look back and feel happy because I was doing what I really wanted, I was living the dream. Well hope to meet you throughout the world someday when I myself become a nomad. And if you have any tips to help me in my path to become one please let me know
Enjoy your travels!
It’s good to see a soul turn brave to life and share their adventures alongside their beliefs. Thank you for visiting, sharing, and please do continue sharing lion-tamer.
-Kevin Dufresne
http://www.kdufresne.me
lion-tamer… ha, i like that! )) although i think i’m more of a friend to nature.. not the tamer..
Hey E.L thanks for stopping by my blog.
P.S: I love the name of your blog. It’s so inspirational!
Thank you so much for liking my blog as it’s given me the wonderful opportunity to read through yours! I’m enamored and can’t wait to read more.
[...] /el/ [...]
[...] ℰ.ℒ. [...]
[...] ℰ.ℒ. [...]
Hi,
Good news (I hope), if not, just news.
I am nominating your blog for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award.
The rules of this blog award are at:
http://notesfromcamelidcountry.net/2013/01/25/something-inspirational/
Best wishes, Paul.
Thanks for stopping by to view my newsletter on tea. Your blog is very interesting to view about your life and your travels.
Hei, I just love reading through your blog and nominated it for the Liebster Blog Award. Find out more about it on http://miyaautumn.com/2013/01/01/liebster-award/. If you’re not interested in the nomination, just let it dissolve into the www. Cheers, Miya
Just nominated you for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award”. Happy 2013!
http://louisencrepes.wordpress.com/2013/01/02/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Hi Elena,.you rock. True rock star. I would love to meet you whenever youare in LA
Thank you! coming back in middle of Jan. I’m sure we’ll meet! : )
You are so amazing Elena. When are you in Los Angeles? I would love meet you
Good afternoon Elena. I’m very thankful to you, you liked many posts from my blog. I decided to check your blog, then I and I had a chance to thank you. I like your photos
Hey Elena.
I saw you liked one of my blogs, I got curious how you found it!
My first ”like” of a true celebrity haha!
Loving your work too by the way, it’s awesome!
I admire and love your mantra, “choosing to collect memories instead of things”. I completely agree. I would rather live below my means, yet travel the world, then have the biggest SUV on the block. But I will collect one more thing, an interesting blog from a blessed world traveler. May we meet in the air port some day. Bravo!
I would love that! : )
Thank you for coming across my blog and taking the time to read my post, I am flattered.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and the like. You have beautiful photos here. Enjoyed reading Mzungu in the Rain.
Thank you for liking my post. I am amazed to read your experiences. It is motivating and awe-inspiring. I agree with your concept of being simple and focus on the real things that need attention in the world.
Hi again…
I got around to using one of your pics as a reference for one of my digital painting series- hope you like it:
http://louiseliopoulos.wordpress.com/2012/12/14/jezebel-femme-fatale-3/
you are amazing!
Can’t think of a blog that’s any more inspiring than yours! I truly enjoy reading your posts. So with that, I’ve nominated you for the Inspiring Blog Award! If you’d like to participate, details can be found here: http://kavi360.com/2012/12/14/inspiringblogaward/
good to see – do feel free to add me here https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000717835716
[...] ℰ.ℒ. [...]
[...] ” Memories “ [...]
I am a fan of your blog, so have nominated you to receive the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. The rules for accepting the award require that you:
Thank the blogger who nominated you.
Place the award on your site. (you will find it on my site.)
Share 7 random things about yourself.
Nominate 15 blogs. Let them know they’ve been nominated and how to accept the award.
Congrats! MM
[...] ℰ.ℒ. [...]
Hi Elena,
Thanks for the like. Saw your work, must say extremely impressive.
Looks like you have a new fan.
Thanks again.
Elena,
For always believing in me and for always inspiring me….I’d like to award you with the beautiful blogger award.
Beautiful Blogger Award Rules:
The idea behind the Beautiful Blogger Award is to recognize some of the bloggers we follow for their hard work and inspiration.
1. Copy the Beautiful Blogger Award logo and place it in your post.
2. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
3. Tell 7 things about yourself.
4. Nominate 7 other bloggers for their own Beautiful Blogger Award, and comment on their blogs to let them know.
Hey !! Visted your blog for the first time today..totally loving it !! Following
Very cool blog! =)
Reading about your travels is so fascinating, I especially like no.28 of your 28 memories, not to mention your photographs are lovely! I yearn to travel as well, just wish my motion sickness wouldn’t get in the way haha. Also thank you for stopping by my blog
thank you! maybe you can try acupuncture for that?.. : )
Elena,
You’re one of a kind! I always enjoy catching up with your blog!
Thanks for liking my post……which led me to your amazing blog……You are very inspiring=)
It’s a wonderful challenge to us and you set a great example of ‘speaking your truth.’ Thank you for visiting my blog.
Wow Elena! I am so honored to have connected with you. I love your passion for life and your great understanding of what is most important. Thank you for being you! Ty for liking my post
I hope to meet you one day. You seem like very good company. May you be blessed evermore in your pursuits and endeavors!
Unbelievable! You are an amazing person! Thank you for stopping by my blog, Catalyst Quotes, and liking it. I hope that you continue to be inspired by the quotes.
Ah….(deep sigh) so lovely x
Elena – just checking out your posts after you were kind enough to “like” one of mine. What an amazing woman you are!! You are living the life I never had the courage to live and that I so admire. I’m past the point of having choices, but in my next life I aspire to live as you do in this one! Thank you for the vicarious adventures ~
thank you! i am happy to have you in my journey!!
love
Lena
[...] ℰ.ℒ. [...]
Thanks for the like of my recent drawings… I was struck by how much you remind me of one of my regular adventure characters/subjects named Winsomme…example: http://louiseliopoulos.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/the-gateway/
May I use you as a reference now and then? It helps achieve realism.
be my guest : )
efharisto poli, koukla!
awesome…. I have toyed with the idea of taking her out of the forests and into other realms, and now have no excuse not to!
parakalo! : )
I do agree, and some of your about me’s sound like myself. Thanks for stopping by at EncompassingChaos. It is great to come into contact with another soul who sees through the shadows of names and commodities and all of the obsessions of our ‘modern’ society. I too am a collector of memories and experience verses material possessions. I have just taken a different journey with children who teach me patience and consistency, but after my lessons my husband and I hope to have no boundaries. Until then I think I will live vicariously through you. Ha, just kidding. Thanks for being true to your soul and letting it take you where to go. If you are ever in the Memphis, TN area I have a futon you can rest on and open ears for a story.
Wow!
Thanks for the ‘like’, it brought me to you. Extraordinary.
Elena, thank you for liking my Beatles work at Grace Line Arts! So glad you stopped by. I love your writing and your philosophies on life. I’d love to live so carefree as you do, learning cultures and never thinking about the mundane routines of life. Thank you for helping your readers get outside the cultural boxes we’ve learned to put ourselves in.
You’ve been nominated for the Liebster Award!
Go to: http://quirksterblog.com/2012/12/05/blog-love/
Hi Elena, Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking my musings
.
Have to applaud for such interesting and vibrant “About Me” section of yours.. There are so many things which I wish to do and to know someone has actually done them gives me hope that even I can do it….. Wonderful to read your posts.
Your passion shines through… inspiring. Thanks for your likes on my blog.
Hi Elena,
Thank you for stopping by my blog & liking my post, “Meeting Samantha Brown.” I look forward to reading about your travel adventures!
Thanks for stopping by “Swords, Specters, & Stuff,” Elena. Come back any old time.
Amazing blog. Thank you for sharing what freedom looks like. Keep walking it looks good one u!!!!
Thanks for visiting my blog and luring me to yours… love it! Especially the desert photos.
Namaste
It seems you have lived a life on your own terms and seen it all. Not many people in the world can experience all these. Nice way of writing.
Love your blog and your approach to life.
Amazing picture and profile Elena! Love your ability to tell a story
HI Elena,
Thank you for liking my posts on my blog!
That is a fantastic list of memories you have listed. Not nearly enough people in this world live life fully. It is good to see that you are using all of the runway!
Best wishes to you!
Shawn Flaherty
http://www.shawnflaherty.com
[...] ℰ.ℒ. [...]
Nice, expressive self-portraitures. Good job, Elena. I do like your photographic work.
self-restraint is a hard virtue, when you got a russian neighbor
Dear Elana,
Thank you for liking my post. It is early in my blogging and I enjoy reading others. I have also believed we should collect memories and not things. It is the memories that make our life rich and enjoyable. Besides the things we collect will only be left for someone else to dispose of after we are gone.
Great writings! And even better philosophies of life. Peace.
Wanted hit the like button but could not find one so, I liked your post.
Hi Elena,
Thanks for stopping by my blog, it led me to yours, and I am glad it did. I love how unique and powerful your writing is. Your writing is just so much more than words, and in this age of far too many blogs, that is a rare quality.
I also admire your philosophy of life and travel and can imagine that it takes a while before one gets to that level of self awareness. That said, you are an inspiration.
Happy travels!
-Natasha
Thank you very much, Natasha!
love & light to you and yours
Love your quote on Mark Twain. I saw it on a piece of canvas right after my husband asked me if I wanted to move to Australia because of his work. It inspired me to drop my life in the US and move with my husband and baby across the world with high hopes of seeing more of it. Live life simply and you get to see really what it is all about.
BTW you are beautiful.
wow! Great choice you made! Congrats! I once too, almost moved there, because of a man, but something told me… “not yet” and I stayed. Thank you for the compliment!
love, light & peace
el
LOVELY! Elena, thank you so much… truly inspiring! I particularly liked #’s 11, 12, & 26 (for starters). Thanks for peeking at my post! I’ll be checking in… Cheers!
Thank you for taking the time to read and like our blog, in doing so you led me to yours in which I will take your kind advice and experience and use it for when I begin my travels when I turn 21, all the best : )
beautiful spirit. Beautiful.
Beautiful
Thanks for coming by my blog and liking my latest post: http://paulajophotodesigns.com Your travels are fascinating…I will come back to look often and hope you will do the same on my blog! Blessings!
Elana – thanks for taking time to read my post and liking it. I love your blog and look forward to catching up on all I have missed.
Scott
[...] ℰ.ℒ. [...]
Hi Elena, first of all a big ‘Thanks’ for visiting my blog and for likeing and following
Absolutely love all the blogs I follow and happy that yours is one of them. Keep posting, please 
I’m hooked:)
[...] n. /el [...]
Thnk you so much for stopping by my blog and liking post . I appreciate ❤
Enjoy to read your adventures and nice posts 😃
Looking forward to see more your posts☺
Hi I’ve nominated you for a Reader Appreciation Award
http://ramblingsfromamum.wordpress.com/2012/10/02/
[...] Live simply, travel lightly, love passionately & don't forget to breathe ℰ.ℒ. [...]
I love what you wrote in here!
[...] Live simply, travel lightly, love passionately & don't forget to breathe ℰ.ℒ. [...]
Dear Elena, thank you for be inspiring. I feel the same way. “I choose to collect memories instead of things” has become one of my favorite quotes.
Elena, I love your philosophy towards life – I do hope our paths cross one day. Have a good day and look forward to following your chapters….
Elena,
Thank you for stopping by and liking my post about The Matrix! I was excited to have a real celebrity reading an entertainment post of mine. Now I have to go see all your movies.
Thank you also for sharing your travels with us.
Take care,
Wyman
Elena,
Thanks for dropping into my blog. It seems we have writing, photography and travel in common. Ways to keep us thinking, observing, feeling, learning and living well – mostly well, ultimately well.
I love wide, open spaces, I’m from Australia. I believe that, as a species, we pass too much time in the built environment. That’s where people lost themselves, their intuition, their perspective.
The vibrancy in your site is upbeat, contagious, rebellious, ‘free’… but am worried about that fur… is it real?
Life is an adventure and we live it and all its cliches apart from when we get off the beaten track see ourselves for real.
Enjoy!
KMY
Thank you for reading. Agree with a lot of things you said. To answer your question – Yes, it’s real. That “fur” was donated to help a family pay off medical bills, who’s son died.. do you have any problem with that?
Well, yes a bit Elena, and it is MY problem. I’m getting a bit semantic here – I consider it more a concern than a problem. I’m into humane behaviour toward all sensate creatures, not just human beings. For me, there’s a certain arrogance in our response to the rest of the animal kingdom and our relentless pursuit of happiness in places of interest, challenge, peace, harmony – whatever an individual seeks. No question we will hunt, kill and maim other species in the natural process of survival. It’s when we we move beyond what we ‘need’ and toward luxury that I ponder what might be an acceptable natural order. People have developed an approach of doing things because we can. This can and has lead to innovation and triumphs in art and science and philosophy etc etc but it has also lead to less constructive outcomes. There’s black and white and a multitude of grey for each one of us how we move through the world. I think I probably asked about the fur because, to me, it seemed inconsistent with your compassionate musings and vivacious appreciation of life.
Thanks for asking.
Best wishes,
KMY
agree. However, that “fur” was not bought by me.. I don’t buy “fur” . I donated it to people who needed money. You can discuss all you want about “inhumane” nature of how the world works and how animals are being killed, but I’d love for you to give the same speech to a Maasai warrior in Kenya.. who kill animals because they have to SURVIVE… they have to feed their children.. all the fur that I actually do wear is fake. When you and I sit on a post bus in Uganda ( I highly doubt that I ever would see you there ) next to a child who haven’t ate for days and then is offered cow meat, I would love to discuss luxury and “inhumane” treatment of animals with you.. maybe you should read a few posts of mine from rural Africa, before you judge someone from 1 picture with a coat that happened to have fur on it.
all the best to you too
el
Elena,
I wrote my reply openly partly because your comment box is headed ‘speak your truth’, which I love. I had no intention to offend. Perhaps I did not emphasise sufficiently the section:
‘It’s when we we move beyond what we ‘need’ and toward luxury that I ponder what might be an acceptable natural order.’
By ‘we’, I refer to the majority of ‘we’ in the west/developed world who have far, far more than we need to ‘survive’.
And no, I didn’t miss the part about you donating the money to people who need it, and yes, I have been on buses in Kenya (no, not Uganda but Tanzania and Zimbabwe) up near the Ethiopian border which the Kenyan government had neglected for decades when I was there, and I sent to the Turkana people on the lake a huge box filled with pens, pencils, exercise books and contemporary texts for maths and English because they were working from donated books that were so old as to be almost irrelevant to contemporary life in the developed world. I have never needed, and have the good fortune to foresee that I will never need, to walk 5 – 10 kms a day to get water for cooking and drinking. Every time I turn on a tap, I use the water sparingly, despite the fact that there is plenty in most places I am.
I have lived and worked in a number of developing countries; I work to increase understanding and cohesion between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Australia, (not a small number of the former constitute my circle of friends). Such actions are true and honest gestures that I hope make constructive contributions in the places I move.
I had a sense that you thought similarly. I was interested to make a dialogue with you, and thought I had commented positively about your site, your verve for life etc. The garment was, to me, one piece of a larger whole. I hope you can believe that, if I were to judge you (and I see little reason to do so), that impressions I drew would be founded more on the life and passion in your site than a few shots of you in a ‘fur’.
KMY
all my love to you. Peace.
and to you. Enjoy!
It’s good to agree to disagree. Checkmate…Elena, my family are now reading your blog. My wife just now and then when my 8yr old daughter comes home from school she will have a look too. I had to read some parts again. Keep living blatantly honest like you do…it will hold you in good stead..
I like your philosophy – especially number 11, among others.
Safe travels to you – enjoying Morocco I gathered ? That’s one place I know I will visit some day.
Thank you for the ‘like’ on one of my blog posts, I’m glad you did because it led me to yours and I just love the way you write, and your lovely positive outlook on life. I look forward to reading more. – I.
[...] Live simply, travel lightly, love passionately & don't forget to breathe ℰ.ℒ. [...]
Hi Elena! I wanted to say thank you for your like! I have just started to read your blog and I am pretty amazed at your stories and your life. You seem to have gone through so much and to have gained a lot from it… Have a great weekend!
Your posts are so inspirational, and so motivating to read about such an independent woman
If you ever visit north India, I would love to give you some tips!
I REALLY REALLY HOPE to be as confident and free spirited as you are when I get to your age. I love every single part of what you wrote in here and agree in absolutely everything. Im 21 and I can really say you are a true inspiration for me
thanks for posting this, it really helps me to be focused on what I want and not think that I’m in the wrong path for not following what everyone states.
keep on writing things like this and I’ll read them gladly every time you do!
Thank you very much for your kind words.
always listen to your soul..
and know that, you are going to be better than me, when you are my age!!
love and light to you1
el xo
Love your outlook on life! I too, believe in collecting memories instead of things.
[...] Live simply, travel lightly, love passionately & don't forget to breathe ℰ.ℒ. [...]
You are a lucky young woman. Good to travel and see the world. I did a lot of traveling when I was younger. Now are best memories of my life. Thank for the description and amazing photos.
Elena,
Thanks for letting us in so much. I wish I could be as courageous as you are! But then I realize we just have very different styles – as you could see by how different I approached visiting Morocco from the way you did.
I love your quote from Mark Twain, by the way. I’m a big Twain fan.
Thanks also for your interest in my blog, The Dairy Free Traveler. I recently left the wordpress.com nest and am now self-hosting, so I don’t get the instant gratification of seeing people’s “likes” to let me know they’re reading. I must admit, it is a bit lonely out here in self-hosting land. But I am working to re-connect to people as best I can.
Toward that end, please feel free to leave comments on my posts if so inclined to let me know when and why something appeals to you. I promise in turn that I will not be a stranger on your site!
All the best,
Karl
You have created so beautiful and touching posts that I just couldn’ t not nominate you for the Sensual Blogging Award. Here it is: http://esengasvoice.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/sensual-blogging-award/
Your way of life seems amazing and brave. I guess not many are willing to live without financial securities like you seem to do. I admire your life choices…
Thanks for clicking “like” on my blog – I am glad to have been introduced to your blog! I really like this post – especially the part about not worrying about labels and beauty, but just to be your own self. Nice to meet you!
Hi Elena! I have nominated you for the #capturethecolour competition being run by travelsupermarket.com. More info at: http://www.travelsupermarket.com/c/holidays/capture-the-colour/
This is my post:
http://www.maroc-o-phile.com/moroccan-musings/33-capture-the-colour
Lovely Elena…Loving your blog…thank you for stopping by for a visit on mine (Postcards from Travel PiZazz). Love your spirit and honesty! V.
Thanks for liking our blog post! I’ve looked through your travel blog and I am amazed by your no-nonsense views and your lovely pictures! Your entries are very inspiring and know that we admire you and hope you keep on blogging
You are a beautiful soul. Thank you for sharing yourself, your story, your life.
Thank you, Kyla!
love & light
el
Thank you for your refreshing blunt words! What fabulous aptitude for embracing life you seem to have come to.
Thanks for visiting my blog and liking my work.
May you find lasting peace
Roselinde
Don’t know how else to say this, but you are a very cool woman. If i was more free-spirited, I’ve no doubt you’d be a wonderful role model.
thank you for visiting my new wp site and “liking” my illustrations! I enjoyed reading your posts!
I love your outlook on life. What a wonderful site. I cannot wait to read more!
Wow! This is the most beautiful amazing and truthful ‘about’ I’ve read so far!
Thank you very much for stopping by. I will definitely come back!
You. Are. Fabulous.
I absolutely love this. I love that you said you got rid of your bucket list a long time ago. I found that ironic because you “liked” my post about my bucket list, although I will say it was the first time I’d ever given any serious thought to it. You have lived such a full life already and I envy you so much. Keep having fun.
You’re good at it!
..Hannah
Thanks for stopping by and liking my post, Luscious Tomatoes. I am glad I found yours. Enjoyed reading your posts.
I absolutely love your Blog heading . . . . “LIVE SIMPLY, TRAVEL LIGHTLY, LOVE PASSIONATELY & DON’T FORGET TO BREATHE”. So so true and something I am very focused on right now ; )
Thanks for the ‘like.’ Love your spirit! Bet you’ve had some good- and interesting- food too.
thank you for liking my post! I’m glad you did because it brought me to your blog. it’s incredible! I’m looking forward to keeping up with it
thank you for liking my post
Thank you for your ‘Like’ on my ‘Rainforest’ post, Elena.
Just went through your blog and I am inspired. I am a bit of a lost soul still searching…. Your blog truly is beautiful and a piece of work from the heart. Thanks for sharing & good luck with your travels! Keep up the amazing writing, travelling and inspiration but most of all keep following your dreams, there’s nothing like it.
Mika
Your passion for life glistens. Very inspiring.
[...] Live simply, travel lightly, love passionately & don't forget to breathe ℰ.ℒ. [...]
You’ve done it all!(: How do you get it all done:)
not all! haven’t had one of my shots published in National Geographic … yet : )
as to how I get it done.. the answer is very simple – I don’t watch
TV: )I like your style of writing! Thank you always for your “likes.” Off to see the world now……!
I think your blog is among the truly precious pearls I have seen on WordPress. The way you write is…so alive, honest, captivating and your photos radiate raw beauty.
wow! thank you! Means a lot to hear this, since there are so many incredible human stories on wordpress..
love & light
el
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love your pictures, quotes, etc. GReat inspiration for life. I hope to inspire others as well. I’m following your blog, hope to keep sharing my journey with you too!
~Erin
Neaten Your Nest
I love your blog and your outlook on life! Keep on traveling and sharing your memories.
hi elena,
they lead me to your page and i am in awe of how you interrupt life. happy and safe travels to you.
thank you for checking out my posts
~christie
inspiring!
Thank you for the like at Girl and Her Pink Backpack. You’re blog & life truly seems one-of-a kind..im enjoying it!
[...] ” Memories “ [...]
[...] ” Memories “ [...]
Hi Elena. Thanks for stopping by my page which led me to yours.. your experiences are amazing, you’re a strong woman. All my best.
Thanks for like”ing” my post. I love what you’ve done with “this place”. You are indeed an inspiration.
Dwayne
ps Sorry for the tardiness of this reply, I’ve just gotten back onto the grid.
Take care
Elena, thanks for having clicked “like” on my blog. I would have otherwise missed the opportunity to visit your blog, and what a loss it would have been…So enlightening! All the best, Silvia
You are an extremely interesting person, and I really appreciate the opportunity to read about your travels. I too like to travel alone and notice how extraordinary the world is. Best of luck in your adventures!
Thank you for liking my blog Elena, I couldn’t stop exploring yours. Your photography is incredible, your poetry struck me especially the line: ‘I forget us in yesterday’ but overall it is your liberating philosophy of life that impresses me. So thank you for the inspiration!
thank you very much! Welcome to my online home!
love & light
el
your blog is inspiring! I wish to travel as much as you do! <3
Wow, that’s an impressive list of accomplishments, and well written
love the Mark Twain quote!
Loved your post..The Pursuit of Happiness..yet to read all your posts..will do it in the coming days..I could see from your map that you did not visit India..Plan for it if you get a chance..Keep writing…Thanks..
I can’t wait to visit India!!
Thank you for visiting my blog. Your blog is beautiful and inspiring. What a great story you have! I will enjoy reading your posts. (loved the quote from Mark Twain too!)
Wow! Your About Me page reads like a really cool movie. Thanks for dropping by my blog!
wow! what a blog. what a story. thank you for sharing so much, and for stopping by my little ole blog. i’m looking forward to reading more of your journey as you soak up every little fiber of this beautiful life. i’m on a similar journey myself, seeking ways follow my bliss. namaste. ~liz
Finding your site was a wonderful delight! I love what you write and share, and i really like your sincerity and that you are real to yourself and those who visit, down to earth type of person with a vibrant radiance that could dance the night away or watch the sunrise with someone and still have a great time. Thanks for touching my world with your visit. Enjoy your weekend…i know that you will…live, breathe, and have fun!
Thank you very much for your kind words! I’m happy to have you on this ride with me : )
love & light
el
: ) : )
…big smile….
[...] Live simply, travel lightly, love passionately & don't forget to breathe ℰ.ℒ. [...]
Your blog is very inspiring. I’m in the process of reading about your adventures, and I commend you on your courage to go out and explore the world! Thanks for being a great motivation and role model (and for visiting my blog)!
“I choose to collect memories instead of things”
And more power to that!
Thanks for visiting my blog. Great to see someone living life to the hilt. *Inspired*
Thanks so much for liking my blog! Loving yours also!
I appreciate that you made a visit to my little-known blog. I am really inspired by your story and feel filled with ‘pure possibility’ as I look at the adventures of your life…some out of necessity…some fulfilled out of desire. Have a beautiful TODAY!
your counts – simply inspiring. I love your words about beauty as well. Thanks for the visit today!
-ECB BB
Thank you for visiting my site! Your pictures are very well done!
Great way to introduce yourself!
Much appreciated! 
Thanks too for stopping by our blog and liking our latest post
I’m happy to have discovered your site. Any time you come across someone who reminds you that the world is a big place, full of interesting, intelligent, passionate, creative people, this is a boon, So, thank you, and happy travels,
Lovely site Elena! Glad you dropped by & allowed me to find you here. Hope our adventures & memories made in Hong Kong will inspire you as well whenever you stop by… Please DO leave us a note & let us know what you think! -Blessings, jk
Hi Elena,
Thanks for stopping by and liking the post on the white, mountain village of Comares, on my East of Málaga blog.
Did you manage to travel to Spain when you were so close – in Morocco? I´m sure you would love the people and the culture. I do – in fact, I moved to live there! Actor Antonio Banderas hails from just down the road, in Málaga.
I try to live my life according to this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt:
“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.”
I wish you happy travels and a happy life.
Marianne
Thank you Marianne.
Going back to live in Morocco for a month, then to Spain in October.
Love that quote!
What a fabulous life you’ve created for yourself! Keep dreaming and creating, I hope to have a travel list as extensive as yours someday!
I’m glad you stumbled into my blog so I stumbled into yours. Okay so I don;t have your Hollywood connections but I share a lot of your sentiments. Happy trails!!
[...] Live simply, travel lightly, love passionately & don't forget to breathe ℰ.ℒ. [...]
Such a well put together site! Really inspiring!
Mark Twain for the win!
G.
Marvelous writings and marvelous photos…simply marvelous (losing my vocabs, eh?)
Great life philosophy and gorgeous pictures! Thanks for stopping by!
Dream your life & Live your dream! Great photos! Thanks for visiting my blog.
This is a truly inspirational blog…….I shall look forward to following your posts in the future. Many thanks for visiting and liking my site.
No wonder, the Sun shined brighter this morning…It saw you dropping by my post.
be happy.
HI there!
I have just nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. Details on today’s blog (June 18, 2012). Congratulations!
Hey Elena – thanks so much for stopping by my blog mumhowmuchlonger – and right back at you – LURVE your blog! Your trip to the Sahara was exactly 5 years after ours but looking at your photos it feels like yesterday. We loved every moment – even with the stomach flu and at that time a 3 and a 5 year old. As far as we’re concerned you’re never to young to appreciate another culture! J/x
Agree with you – Never too early!
love & light
el
Beautiful blog
Thanks for stopping by our blog and liking a post. It’s a great encouragement for us 
Hello Elena, It’s very nice to meet you and visit your fabulous blog! ~Patricia
You writing is light, airy and refreshing-very enjoyable. Thanks for visiting my blog.
There is something light, airy and refreshing about you’re writing. It makes you reflect as you read along. Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog.
[...] Live simply, travel lightly, love passionately & don't forget to breathe ℰ.ℒ. [...]
Live Simply, Celebrate Always, Love Profoundly, Breathe Deeply, Laugh Heartily, Savor Fully!
Who takes the photos of you?
whoever happens to be the closest to my camera and willing to press the shutter button .. : )
Hello Ms. Elena, I nominated you for the sunshine award: http://maribelskidneystory.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/my-very-first-blog-award/
You are a stunning being.
Thank you Kendra!
Hi, I am excited to inform you that I have nominated you for the versatile blogger award. Please visit http://carolinebakker.com/awards-and-nominations/ for more information. All the best. Warm regards, Caroline from http://www.carolinebakker.com
[...] Live Your Passion - her passionate stories are captivating and full of life – congrats Elena! [...]
I love your quote ‘I choose to collect memories instead of things’ and I admire the way you have chosen to live your life. You are an inspiration.
Thanks for liking my poetry & I can only hope I can travel where you have one day.
I enjoy your writing. I also love many of the values you have.
How was your citizenship ceremony
glad you liked my recent post on Santo Domingo trip. Likewise enjoyed your reads on Monaco and Egypt recently.
Thanks for the visit. I just had to relatives to get their citizenship and my wife has been enjoying hers for the last five years. Can be a long process. Congrats and and enjoy.
God bless!
Bob
Thank you Bob! Yes, it was a long 9 year process..
Take care and enjoy the moment!
Really cool list
Thanks for the like
Hello Elena my friend,
Thank you for your continued support of my writing, including the current, “Honda to the Rescue.” Your above list is inspiring and was much needed today. Thank You.
Ravie d’avoir découvert ton blog , il est top!
Great post…so inspiring..
Thank you for coming by my blog and helping me find your absolutely delightful one Elena…
We have a few things in common although I have a head start of a few decades on you…I was born in Moscow…have travelled a lot, and continue doing so…have lived in Morocco…ansd share your passion for life and living…
I love your pictures, they are beautiful…as is your writing and spirit…
God bless…
Wow! that’s a amazing! Nice to meet you! : ) glad to have you in my online home ..
love & light
lena
You are a true international “jetsetter!” Thks for visiting my blog!
“jetsetters” can’t shop at thrift stores, stay at hostels, ride Kenyan Matatus solo and then hangout with a President of USA!… i can .. : P
Very nice to “meet” you Elena! What a lovely blog you have – such a pleasure to go through and read. All the best to you on your continuing journey
anne
Thank you for stopping by my blog and leading me here. Your blog is lyrically beautiful and visually elegant. I love traveling. You’ve inspired me to look for ways to travel and see more of the world with my sons. I look forward to reading more of your journey as time goes on.
786…a picture IS worth 1000 words/miles!!! …thanks for the journey…love and light—sufi
Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking my posts. I’m so glad you did as it has brought your own site to my attention…fantastic
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Wow, I’ve enjoyed reading and getting to know you
It is amazing what we can do when we put our minds and heart into it. You have accomplished much already I look forward to reading about your new adventures and discoveries.
[...] Live simply, travel lightly, love passionately & don't forget to breathe ℰ.ℒ. [...]
Thanks for checking out my blog and even more for leading me here! I look forward to reading more amazing posts! Also, congratulations with your U.S. citizenship interview!
Thank you so much! Welcome to my online home!
love
el
I like the way you think, and the way you express yourself. What I feel sometimes you have written with words so simply!
Thanks for stopping by my blog in the first place.
Please keep posting, I enjoy reading what you write!
Thank you for your comment! It takes a few falls with bruises to be able to really hear yourself, see the truth and live your passion..
Thank you for reading me..
live your passion..
love
el
i got you now i saw your site before when someone else scrolling your pages. really beautifull site
Lovely, Elena. Thanks for liking my post. I particulrly enjoyed your 28th birthday adventure. I have travelled a bit, but nothing quite on that scale. I will follow your blogs with interest.
Ms Elena, I clicked over to your blog after finding out that you liked a post of mine. Wow. Thank you. You seem amazing, and write so beautifully. You pictures are amazing (as are your travels. I admit I am a bit jealous. But I still have time…) And you are Russian!? A long fascination because my grandmother was Prussian/Ukrainian. But that is too much…
Good luck on your citizenship. I am American, and blessed to be. Hope you will too.
Thank you for your lovely comment. I’m half Russian , Half Armenian.
There’s always time! Never too late to take off and live your dream!
love & light
el
Hi Elena,
thank you for stopping by my blog. I found that we have a few things in common – looking forward to get to know more about you through your blog.
Spasibo!
Yulia
Thanks for liking my blog. Loved reading your posts here…I sense and echo this undying thirst to explore the world….keep travelling…till you have seen it all… cheers !
From japan, tanks for visiting my blog. Your blog is wonderful , especially travel site.
Wonderful Blog. I enjoy and share your outlook on life and possessions. Seems almost Taoist. While your pictures are stunning, your words and thoughts are even more illuminating. I look forward to reading more in the future. Best of luck in where the road next takes you….
Hi Elena, thanx for liking my post – ur writings are really inspirational- thanx for sharing! keep it up! ohh and this is so true : “We have to become lost before we can find ourselves(…)” – then we are ready to find our way and live life to the fullest! wishing u a good WE time!
Lu’
Just stumbled upon your blog… can’t wait to read more! You seem like an amazing person who is living life to the fullest.
Great job all the way around! I am in awe of your courageous nature and your wisdom that is beyond your years. Thank you for being such an inspiration and the willingness to share your journeys with the rest of us. -Rhonda
Thank you for the like and thank you even more for leading me to this post. You’re such a breath of fresh air and a great joy to read!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I am fascinated and inspired by your posts!
Your blog is inspirational. Good luck with your National test thing tomorrow ( sorry not American and can’t figure that out) – its important that America has more people like you so I will be praying for you – God will keep you in his hand. I will keep you in my heart.
Thank you so much, Megan!!
love & light
el
It’s amazing all that you have done. I want to add some of what you’ve done on my bucket list. I’m glad you found my blog that directed me to your inspiring world. I love the quote about choosing to collect memories and not on things. I’m a firm believer of that!
Cool blog…I love the title! Thanks for visiting my blog and ‘liking’ my photo!
I’ll bet you hear this a lot, but I really like your comment about collecting memories rather than things. In my early travels I collected a lot of things along with the memories, but it didn’t take me long to realize the difference. Memories are cheaper, they last as long as we do, we don’t have to worry about breaking them, we take them with us wherever we go and they don’t clutter up our lives. So much better!
Hi,
thanks for visiting my blog.
Yours is inspirational! Following….
Hi. Thanks for liking my post.
Your blog is inspiring! Love it!
Beautiful photos and words, Elena. Thank you for following… I have a feeling we may meet on the road sometime.
Fascinating blog … something to absorb (or be absorbed by) bit by bit.
Hi Elena!
Thanks for visiting our blog!
Great picts by the way
Good day God bless.
You’ve been nominated for the One Lovely Blog award!
Here are the steps for the award:
Name the blogger who awarded you this fantastic award
List 7 random facts about yourself
Award 15 other bloggers this award
Enjoy!
Wow what a beautiful blog you have. I’m so glad you liked my blog and led me back to discover your inspiring blog. I love your quotes and passion for travel and life. I look forward to devouring your posts!
Hi,
I nominated you for the beautiful blogger award!
http://elisacashiola.com/2012/05/07/the-award-goes-to/
Cheers,
Elisa
And thank you for following!!!
Thank you for liking my post. Your blog is truly beautiful and inspiring. I will be following you! BTW Happy Birthday!
Hi Elena, thanks for dropping by my blog and liking my caving post. You have a wonderful and evocative blog here which I need to read through. I’ll add you to my own blogroll and RSS feeds and look forward to reading more of your posts
Cheers from a cold and wet UK
Andy
Thank you very much Andy!
Love your posts and photos. Thanks for dropping by to my blog
This is one cool blog and you’re one cool person. Thanks for dropping by my blog so I could discover yours.
Hi! I nominated you for the ABC (Awesome Blog Content) Award. I was moved to do so because I am delighted whenever I see an email from you in my in-box. You can read about the award at http://elladeewords.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/a-community-garden-and-abc-awards/ .
Accepting awards to enable you to nominate other worthy recipients isn’t for the faint hearted or time poor, so please accept if you choose and there’s no timeframe on responding, or obligation to do so if it’s not right for you.
Best wishes,
EllaDee
thanks for the like on my post on quito, El.
Your travels are intense and your list is amazing. I can only hope life has an equaly epic path for me. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking my post on Viennese food! It sounds like you’ve been on so many great adventures yourself, and the photos to go with are amazing! Thanks for sharing with us
First of all, again thank you for taking all of us with you on your incredible journey, for your adventures spirit, and your bravery. Second of all, thank you for your decision to follow my flog. I am very flattered. Love and light to you, Lenochka.
Wow! I am ecstatic that I discover your blog (thanks to one blogger passing Sunshine Award to another). I’ll be a happy follower of your news on your journey. Best wishes. Yelena
Spasibo Yelena! : )
You continue to inspire me!!!
I just nominated you for a blog award… http://wp.me/p2aLEz-d3
xoxoxo
Wonderful. I do not have an adventurous spirit. I am content to be home with family and friends and presently I am loving the journey to my own soul which is incredibly vast, but the opportunity to visit your site and experience your travels and the spirit you bring with you is amazing and surprisingly satisfying. Continue to share your soul with the world. You remind us the world is bigger than our own four walls. Thank you.
Thank you for reading me.
As for your journey –
it’s far more important to have and seek the treasure that is family & friends, then just traveling… many travel in order to find what you already have..
You are very rich, my friend..
love, light & peace to you and yours..
Glad to have you in my online home..
el
Elena
thank you for visiting my blog.
You do good writing. I liked your deepness.
Удачи!
Olga
Spasibo bol’shoe Olya! : )
so beautiful!
Thanks for liking Wandrin’ Round. You have a very beautiful and inspirational blog here.
Thank you for moseying over to my space — it’s always a delight to find fellow wanderlusters and lovers of beauty. Where is your next trip to? (:
US Citizenship interview : )
Good luck! I’m sure you’ll charm the pants off of them.
Just the beginning of a life well lived …
Best wishes
Inspirational!
You’ve lived that life that I’ve imagined, to put a little spin on an old quote.
It’s not all roses ; )
Thanks for visiting the italyin30seconds blog. See that you, I and Mark Twain share a similar idea about travel! Enjoy the ride – see and savor.
Just a belated thank you for following my blog ‘gdaycanucks’.
I wouldn’t have found your wonderful blog if you hadn’t visited.
You really seem to have it all togetehr and know what’s important in life. I look forward to continuing to follow your adventures….
Thank you! but nothing is what it seems .. ; )
I’m just taking it one day at a time ..
Glad to have you on board ..
el
Happy 28th Birthday! Hope your travels went well!
Hey there, Sunshine. I’m sure you get this all the time…I nominated you for The Sunshine Award. Congrats! You’ve brought the sunshine in with you! Your friend, Stephanie@Random Acts
Beautiful girl, beautiful blog. Keep up the inspirational work
Thank you very much
love & light
el
Elena,
As I’m presently into my third full month of year-long travel (which includes an RTW), sometimes it’s not easy having to be constantly on the move without a real home to call my own. However, I’m very fortunate I’ve been to call upon friends around with whom I can stay; they’ve all been great, helpful, and understanding, and without them, this whole “experiment” or enterprise would not have possible.
Thanks for having stopped by to have a look and liking the recent “San Francisco” gallery-post on my blog.
Take care, and I look forward to reading about your upcoming journey to Morocco, Egypt, and Turkey! (re. /2012/03/20/la-morocco-egypt-turkey-la/)
p.s. Happy upcoming 28th birthday!
Inspiring. Thank you for dropping in on my blog and leading me to discover yours.
Hey you fabulous you! You are nominated for the Academy Award Winning Writers Association for…drumroll…The Most Versatile! The Academy would like to thank you for your unending/unwavering awesomeness from yours truly @ Random Acts. Don’t forget me in your acceptance speech! Kiss, kiss, hugs all around! ….and that’s the truth!
Grattis! You have been nominated for a Sunshine Award!
https://redpantsandamustache.wordpress.com/2012/03/18/sunshine-award-the-sun-is-shining/
Cheers!
Hi Elena,
Congratulations! I have nominated your blog for the Versatile Blogger award.
If you’ve received the award previously, then know I feel you deserve another one.
Rules and other information about the award are at
http://dearkitty1.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/versatile-blogger-award-again-thanks-ann/
Thanks for liking my blog. Yours is beautiful as well.
Thanks for visiting Good Penmanship! Oh, the pre-child days of tantrum-free air travel, how I miss thee….
Hey, thanks for the ‘like’! Your blog looks amazing and inspiring – I hope to travel much, much more as well!
What a gorgeous person, and I’m not just talking about how you look. Be well fellow traveler. :0)
Thank you very much! Very kind of you.
Let there always be a road .. ; )
el
I’m so glad to have discovered your blog!
likewise
Thank you for stopping by my blog. In your posts, I’ve found additional inspiration to stop living timidly.
You are a brave soul =)
Thanks Elena, same here
Thanks for the “like” on my recent! I am checking out your blog!!
Great to find you in my world, Elena. Greetings! You travel all over the world, but I never move. Amazing! In my imagination I have reached across galaxies and have rewritten the history of Earth. Each in our own ways we touch on memories that are eons old, it is our destiny to do so. I look forward to reading your blog. Kristin. Namaste
My goodness. Wonder what you will have to say by the time your are 50!
Hope I am still around then!
Thanks for liking my blog and am going to follow yours.
Jan
dawsonphotos.wordpress.com
You will be! : )
I guess I’m just going to continue walking the line the only way I know how.. ; )
love & light
el
~ I choose to collect memories instead of things ~
I love that quote and have often said the same myself. Bon Voyage and Happy Trails to you.
Ellen
http://www.unexpecteddestinations.com
thanks for visiting my blog! i just love yours! especially this bio page. i look forward to exploring your site more!
A classy, vibey site it will be a pleasure to follow.
Dear Elena,
I am probably as mesmerized by Turkey as you are (if not more). Having never been there, I can’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy.
Appreciate you liking my post. Thank you!
Cheers,
Yousuf
Love the style, the simplicity, and the substance here in your pages. I already complimented your photography, but have to do it again.
Thanks for the follow, I hope you enjoy my journey!
Also noticed you have Nick Vujicic listed as “inspiration”…You might get a kick out the photo at the bottom center of this page…
http://thf2.wordpress.com/who-is-dug/
(Nick and I in India)
Thank you Dug! So kind of you. I love what you are doing! That photo is great btw! : ) would love to meet him someday.
namaste
el
That is an amazing list of experiences. Thanks for sharing!
Thats a pretty incredible life. Kudos and hope your adventures continue.
El-
Like your style Elena! Ann
Hi Elena, way to go! Love how you describe yourself in a list rather than prose. From your description of yourself, I can exuberantly say that this world is a better place with you in it.
Thank you for reading my blog and continue loving life. Live long and prosper–Elena ^_^.
Thank you so much for your kind words!
love & light
el
Hi Elena, thank you for stopping by my “puddle.” I really appreciate it. I am so impressed by your blog, & the fact that you are from Russia (I was born in Kirov Oblast and grew up in Ukraine), & the fact that your are a celebrity!
I have a friend from Kirov : )
ps – i’m not a
celebrity..I know everything has already been said but not by me. Great, inspiring pages, El. I will subscribe and come back often.
Thank you very much! Glad you’re enjoying it.
el
My husband and I made a pact early in our marriage, when we are old we will be able to say, “do you remember when?” instead of, “I wish we had.” I turned 70 last year and we have been married 53 years. We are saying, do you remember when…” though there will always be some things we wish we could still do.
Thank you for a wonderful comment! Congratulations on an amazing union! I like the way you live! Wishing your family many more years that you can remember later! ; )
love & light
el
Thank you for posting the link to The Tao of Travel…read the list twice, it resonates with me as I prepare for Afghanistan.
Well, all I can say is, good for you to be so independent and so confident at a young age! You obviously march to your own drummer! A lot of these truths have come to me much later in life. But as they say, better late than never. Blessings on your travels! ~ Sheila
Thank you Sheila! It’s much more fun to dance to your own beat.. isn’t ? ; )
Here’s to your next amazing 50 years or so! ; )
love & light
el
Thank you! I feel like I’m just warming up! But reading your posts, I think you’re ahead of the game. You are fortunate to know yourself so early in life. Cheers! ~ Sheila
Elena, thank you so much for stopping by my, very new, blog. For one so much you have done a lot of travelling and have an open mind about the world and its indiosyncracies. I will keep following.
very honest and personal blog… I share your values and enjoy reading about your restless spirit. Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much! I’m glad you like it : )
el
Beautiful !!!
An interesting, inspiring story! your’re welcome and you really should put The Netherlands on your list aswell.
I love your posts, it’s nostalgy for me to see all those stunning places you have visited too!
Good luck on your travels!
Thank you! I will try to do that! love & light el
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog—I am so happy to have discovered yours—it is really lovely! Looking forward to visiting often.
flattered that you read “windmills” and liked it. thanks for the read and the endorsement.
Wow,very nice and inspiring blog…i hope i could learn how to be a good writer. Thanks much…..
thanks for visiting my blog. Your interests are very much like mine but I’m not as dedicated as you are to traveling or blogging! I enjoyed your photos, too, but mostly, your sense of adventure.
Thanks for liking my blogpost ! I’ve read the 27 things about you, what an interesting life u have ! Keep up the positive vibe. Cheers
Marvelous! I admire your attitude and the great joy you choose, find, create and share in your life.
Namaste!
Kathryn
I like your list, I couldn’t help but wonder if you had a “bucket list”…what’s next?
Thank you : )
.. would really like to step on all 7 continents, have one of my photographs published in National Geographic, learn French, play Mata Hari in a film & maybe even write & publish a book someday.. and of course continue helping as many people as I can .. how’s that for “next” ? ; )
love & light
el
Good goals,the toughest one is probably Nat Geo, good luck with Antartica too!
Thank you. Yes, none of those goals are easy.. That’s the point ; )
Thanks for liking my Lincoln Highway: Wyoming post. Your blog looks great—your thoughts about traveling when young led me to think back to a hitchhiking trip I did across Europe when I was 18. It was wild and unpredictable, and it was great.
Rock on!
–Tim
I agree! I agree! Beautiful words, pics, travels and inspiration. Thank you!
Great Blog!
Thanks for taking a look at “Wild Tales of…”, and liking the D.C. post! I love how you are living such an adventurous life!
happy trails…
-K
Elena…..life is a precious gift. Live….is both a command and a verb. Thanks for following that and sharing your living in such creative ways.
Inspiring !
AN.
Wow, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this! All the best as you continue on your journey and live life to the FULLEST! Bless you!
Your blog is incredible! You have SO MUCH going for you!! I’d love to meet you one day!
Kudos (:
Hi Elena,
Thanks for liking my post. I have taken the blog post your liked down temporarily, as I have issues with my employer and my writing may cause more trouble for me (I still work full time).
You are quite the writer yourself and seem to have a strong drive for life itself, very inspiring. Safe travels!
Elena,
Thanks for visiting my blog and liking my recent post “Foreign Exchange” Glad it led me to your blog. I know I will be back here to visit often. Good stuff!
Great blog! Your inspiration further inspires me. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Neat!
Hi El thank you for stopping by. Your blog is wonderful and can’t wait to start reading about all your adventures.
I like how you give us bits of info about yourself. I envy you for traveling in so many countries at a very young age! What a brave heart you’ve got! Keep up the good work! Thanks btw for stopping by my blog!
Elena,
I concur with petrel41. Why don’t you install a like button for your posts?
Because I don’t want my simple & clean blog to become a mirror of a facebook page. Hope that answers your question.
Yes Elena. You are absolutely correct.
Elena,
Your introduction is awesome and very inspiring. Is it okay if I do a write up about you in my blog when time permits?
Thank you for your kind words. Go ahead, i don’t mind.
love & light
el
Elena, I thank you for your prompt reply. It might take some time for me to write an article about you since I have launched a new blog “Inspirations” (http://tvaraj2inspirations.wordpress.com/). If you can find time, please visit this blog.
hey el, thanx 4 liking my post. really loved your writing
Hi Elena, thanks so much for liking my Gambian birds blog post!
I would love to give you more “likes” but unfortunately, as far as i see, there are no “like” buttons on your blog.
What a wonderful page! So simple, but powerfully honest. Many great philosophies and ideas to keep in mind about life and living. Its easy to have a life, but much harder to really live it.
hey Elena
you speak from the heart & soul
your blog is like a Hindi Zhara record
thanks for the “like” ping on the “How To Sleep On A Plane” post on my blog
may you continue your journey seeing yourself through the people you meet & places you go, enjoy every present moment
pascal b.
Nice to meet you, thanks for reading my lists because now I came to see your amazing blog and all your great writings and photos, very nice.
Elena, thanks for reading my post. Your description of yourself in 27 sentences is amazing. Look at me just a year younger than you, and haven’t done anything so magnificent. I am not an adventurous soul but I do love to travel and have done a fair bit of it.Your post is very inspiring. Thanks!
Also like you, I don’t know the difference between Prada and Jimmy Choo
Thanks for liking the post! Your blog and quotes are very inspiring and wonderfully strong! Looking forward to go back reading your latest adventure
Again, as others have said … your blog is wonderful! Oh, and Thanks for following “Eyes of the Mountain”.
Thank you for visiting my blog. You are amazing … I admire your courage and your attitude …great blog!
Leena
Wonderful words, El! I got goose bumps!
Very VERY inspiring!
I love your list El. You had done and seen so much! I hope one day I can definitely say/write the same
Carpe Diem! Kindred spirits in travel! Peace.
Thank you for stopping by “Eyes of the Mountain”.
Your life and blog are fascinating. I’ll be back!
I love your blog… very funny lady, awesome pics, and very inspiring travel log.
Thank you! I love your photos! would love to see more!
ps – u r gorgeous and very talented!
el
Wow! Impressive!! You’ve made me want to add a few more things onto my bucket list
Thanks for the like too.
That made me smile!
You’re gorgeous my dear! Kindred spirits.
I going to live through you now. You are my hero. Keeping living life to the fullest.
And I wish you to live to the fullest as well!
love & light to you
el
Good for you Elena!
I have never had and will never had a Facebook or Twitter account and receive endless ridicule for it. But life is for living, it’s not about burying your face in little screens
amen to that!
I like
Will look forward to reading more!
Oh, my! Your bog is amazing. I’ve just entered the blog world on more of a personal basis rather than only business as previously. I have a feeling I’m going to be hooked to your blog.
Welcome to my online home, Joyce! Mi casa su casa ; )
love & light
el
Wonderful! Such joie de vivre!
Wow!
That’s an awesome adventurous life you have. I need to step it up and do that. Great post!
Excellent writing of some remarkable facts and beliefs. It made me smile!
Thank you for the “like”! I loved reading your “27 Things” and look forward to reading more about your travels! Peace!
Hi Elena, Wanted to say thank you so much for following my blog and that I am following you as well. Love your great posts
I really enjoyed this post…you should write a book! Btw, thanks for checking out my blog!
perhaps someday i will : ) glad you’re enjoying my site
el
Interesting About Me … Anyway, I am impressed with your travel stories (I did some browsing before I landed here.) more so of the fact that you are one daredevil woman. You just made my balls shrink because of that photo of yours — the one showing you did bungee jumping. Kudos, Madam!
hahaha thanks for making me laugh! : )) yeah, that bungee was the one the girl fell from a couple of months after my jump..
el
oops … thank for pointing that out. still, you rock!
I mean, thanks!
I enjoyed looking at your blog, what a delightfully adventurous life! Thanks for the inspirational quote. Looks like you’re missing South America in your life, plan on going any time soon?
Thank you! Yes, will be visiting soon hopefully.
el
Thank you for liking my “Road to Ricardo Brig Casarico.” I have a friend who lives in Italy and hope to visit one of these days. And I wish I could travel more but I have never regreted any trip I have taken. Love the travel experience! Your blog is inspiring – I will be traveling back to it! Happy traveling. I like your attitude.
Elena, you are my new hero.
“Ya Ponimayoo.”
Spasibo bolshoe! : )
lena
Thank you for inspiring me!
Thank you for reading me ; )
el
All I can say is beautiful. Keep sharing! Namaste
Hi Elena, thanks for liking my blog about “Durham Doorways” and helping me to find you, you have made my Saturday morning breakfast as I sit here basking in the sheer energy and “glow” of all that you are about! I am going to subscribe so I can keep enjoying what you have to share.
Thank you so much El, for liking my post.
You have a great blog, and website!
It’s a pleasurable journey going through them; now, I find more meaning as I travel and travail, to places and spaces…
Cheers!
I enjoyed getting to know you this evening through your bio-personal history. Thank you for the like at http://www.corinthrose.wordpress.com, Elena. Also, I like the name “Elena”…it was my great grandmothers.
Greetings, El!
As Morcheeba said: “…just enjoy the ride…”
Thank you and good traveling!
beautiful blog, beautiful sentiments. You’re a wise soul and happy traveler. I’m glad you enjoyed San Francisco so much, though it doesn’t surprise me.
Thanks for stopping by my Vancouver trip, it is quite a lovely place.
There is so much good stuff written above, it makes we wonder how all the dull people can cope with day to day drudgery. Travel, it’s all about the journey, not the arrival. My recent holiday to Sweden was fun, but the journey home in heavy snow, and freezing temperatures was exhilarating.
Have a fun weekend (I think you will).
Hi there!
We both share passion for travel, not planning & coffee : )
Agree, that it is all about the journey, not just travel, but life itself. Every person has a story to tell and every person is on their own unique journey. That’s what always fascinates me about meeting other people.. is their unique story.. No life is dull, each road is full of magic, one just have to learn to walk with eyes and heart wide open.
love & light
el
Just stopped by to say thanks for the like on my post. Love your philosophy and your style and look forward to reading more of your adventures.
Thank you! Glad to have you here !
el
What a unique way to write about yourself. Thanks for liking my post. I look forward to reading more about your take on the world through your travels.
Thank you Molly! Welcome aboard ! ; )
love & light
el
“I choose to collect memories instead of things”….I really love that. A personal ritual that I have when I travel is to bring back the music of the place, when I hear it there, instead of physical things…a violin concerto from Poland, Verdi from Italy, a local band from Costa Rica. Then, when I am home, and I playback the music, the memories associated with the location come rushing in. You seem like the same kind of person. Cheers to you and your personal, memorable, unique style that is all your own…
Thank you beautiful!
wow! It’s a wonderful way to keep a piece of that country! I do that too sometimes : )
love & light you you!
Thank you for your kind words.
May there always be a road ..
el
You were so kind to visit my blog and even like it. I appreciate it. In reading through yours I can only say I wish… I wish I had been so bold, beautiful and self-aware at 27. I love your spirit and attitude, it energizes me. Thank you for that gift.
Thank you so very much for your kind comment..
I’m so happy that coming to my blog is such a positive experience for you! — This means more to me than any “blogger award” “book deal” or “being freshly pressed” put together!!
Welcome to my “online home” ! Mi casa su casa ! ; )
ps – You ARE all those things and more!!
love & light to you and yours!
el
Thanks for the like and wow you are a busy girl! Such a unique site.
Take care,
Chala
Thank you Chala! Just trying to live my passions now ..
love & light
el
What an interesting life you’ve led! Really enjoyed reading about it
I know, can’t believe I made it to 27 : ))
love,
el
Elena! Thanks for visiting thenewvernacular! Glad you liked the post… looks like you’ve had plenty of adventures of your own. Have you been on a game drive before?
Hi there!
Yep, I’ve been on a game drive..in the Masai Mara National Reserve. You can read all about it in my Kenya post. /2011/11/16/kenya-solo/
let there always be a road..
el
Hi, thanks for liking my blog post on Gambian birds (there will be more).
All the best for your blog!
My goodness, you are a busy woman! Definitely write about your adventures.
I really enjoy your blog!
Although I haven’t been to many different countries, I love to get out and explore the wilderness here in the states…and it’s great to see that there are more people that like to solo.
Thanks for reading and helping to support my blog. I’m just starting out and it’s reassuring to see that people are reading and enjoying.
Thanks again and happy travels!
Hi Elena!
Thanks for reading and liking my recent post regarding my trip to Batanes
. And your list of 27 is quite an entertaining read!
Good luck and safe travels. Again, thanks for stopping by the blog.
I love this. I’ve been to Tanzania and Zanzibar too, and have traveled extensively… so I completely adore your 27 things
Inspirational.
LOVE your list of 27 things! Fantastic, funny and makes me want to read more of your writing! Thanks for stopping by my blog! I will definitely read more of your posts…
Namaste from India…thanks so much for liking and encouraging a beginner…really inspiring thoughts here…enjoyed your blog…would love to get feedback on my future posts as well…Enjoy and take care
write from your heart
namaste
el
Hi Elena! Thank you for visiting my blog. I really like yours too
couldn’t find the “like” button, so I clicked “follow” instead 
I see you are a globetrotter like me and lived through a lot of drama too. Nice to meet you – so equal and yet so different! You are a nice inspiration.
cheers!
the “like” button reminded me too much of
FB.. I’d rather hear people speak their mind ; )so thank you for doing that ..
love & light
el
ps – we are are united in our differences
Thanks for reading my blog posting, “Sometimes It’s Okay to Take the Wrong Bus…” and for liking it. I loved your post “27 Things” as well. Great outlook on life! I feel pretty much the same, except I love my Facebook as it keeps me connected when I am on the road. Pleased to make your acquaintance!
You have a great story and a passion that is admirable! And I love the photos!
Hi Elena,
great blog you have.
We would like to thank you for your interest in our straw bale hotel. Actually, my mothers name is Elena. We are Greeks.
Wish you all the best and a lot of success with your writing.
Greetings from Switzerland
Louis
Thank you very much Louis! Would love to visit Switzerland someday!
Efharisto para poli!
el
Wow!
You are a brave young lady with an inspiring message. Best to you.
Thank you Jim!
I wish you all the best as well! Nice to have you here, in my “online home”
el
Hi pretty lady! Even though I’ve only “known” you for a short time, you have definitely inspired me, so I would love to honor you as I have been with the Versatile Blogger Award: http://6monthstolive.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/honored-humbled-part-2/ Keep up the beautiful writing and insights into life!
You should read our Russian story, and let us know what you think of it. We tried to get a naked photo at the Red Square but we didn’t think it would be worth spending a night in prison.
guys, you’re hilarious! I was laughing a lot through your post! But come on, not all Russian girls like MD! : )) You know, if you paid $$$ to a cop, I’m sure he would be ok with turning his back for a few minutes, while you take that shot…
Oh.. mother Russia.. how forever misunderstood you are…even by those you gave birth to..
But hey, you learned how to cook Borsh and survived our glorious train rides .. If you can survive in Russia.. you can do it anywhere !
Let there always be a road..
el
I am loving everything you’re writing about and living! I can’t wait to read and explore more. Would you be at all interested in doing a guest blog for my site about one of the many places you’ve traveled? Maybe about Russia?
But no pressure–I’ll continue to follow your blog, regardless.
Dear Sarah, Thank you so much for reading and for your invitation to write a guest post..
I am sooo new at this .. just trying to keep up with my own blog.. I’ve only posted 20 posts.. It’s kind of a crazy time for me right now, as I’m juggling a few big projects. ( I have no idea how people keep up with all of their social networks and manage to get something done ) But maybe when I’m more fluent with this wordpress thing and when I have more free time.. I’d love to write a guest post, although I have never done so before.. I think I’m just better at writing only when I really feel it.. ( I’m sure you can relate )
ps – I am following you and it’s cool that we chose the same theme.. I like it, it’s clean and simple and you can’t really “hide” behind the hustle and bustle of too much distraction .. it’s right to the point.. kind of like just a pen, paper, a few photos and your soul..
my kind of theme – Simplicity without clutter and noise.. perfect place for writing ; )
love & light
el
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I look forward to following yours!
Nice photographs. Grab the lion by the tail.
To doing the opposite of what we’re told,
-Joseph
Oh, and you like that quote from Mark Twain too! what a coincidence
hi, i like your list, especially no. 5. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi,
Thanks for stopping in and signing up! Love your journeys.
Photography and writing are two of mine too. I’m also currently traveling round costs rica with one small item of luggage. A simple carry on back pack. I was nervous at first but it’s working out perfectly. Maybe I even still have too much!
I love traveling lightly ! It’s a true art! ; )
el
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my recent post ‘The appeal of surreal photography’ – I’m delighted you like it!
I love your bio by the way… it provides readers with a telling glimpse into what I imagine is the real you!
I’m off now to browse your blog further – thank you for assisting me in finding it, a happy discovery.
Best wishes,
Susie
)
Thank you Susie for your kind words. I really do love photography and I’m glad I came across your blog.
el
Hi,
I got here after you liked my article on Poland (thank you for that, by the way). From what you wrote you have to be an amazing person and I feel like we would get along, so I will definitely be coming beck here!
Thank you! Glad to have you here.. enjoy !
el
you are amazing!
I nominated you for the Versatile Blog Award. Not sure if you’ve been nominated before or if you have the time for it…but wanted you to know I enjoy your blog!
Thank you so much beautiful! It means a lot to me. I’m just so not good at all the awards thing..
The fact that you and others come here and read notes of this nutty lady, is so much more to me than any kind of award.
and I thank you for that!
I have met and continue to meet extraordinary souls here and that’s more then I could have ever asked for.
love,
el
ps – heard about Ms. Houston today…. so sad… : (( I cried .. still in shock.. I loved her so much and knew her songs by heart..
life is so fragile..
Live Your Passion
Thanks very much for your support with The North Terrace Colonnade @ Kensal Green Cemetery….
Thank you, loved to see your blog!…
Hi Elena! You have traveled to so many beautiful places
I’m a traveler myself! I can’t wait to look at your pictures, especially Europe and Africa! Thanks for visiting my blog!
-Adri
So glad to have stumbled upon your blog today! Simply beautiful.
Hi Elena. Thanks for liking my blog. Just read through your list of 27 things. Made me smile. You are certainly not typical Russian. All the Russian women I know would die if they couldn’t go to a nail parlour
You are definitely eclectic. Keep it up 
This made me laugh! Russell, you are right on the money with that remark! ( sorry ladies, but Russell spoke the truth ) My boyfriend said ” you know, u r pretty amazing.. cause women who look like you, can’t even tie their own shoes ” : ))
Amazing I stand .. and modest .. of course ..
el
ps – when I say I’ll be ready in 5, I actually mean that
Inspiring stuff! Thank you for liking my blog, from one like minded spirit to another!
El,
I ‘ve been inspired by the same Mark Twain quote and it ‘s resulted in my experiencing something not too dissimilar from your “I’m not good with planning” sentiment. It ‘s far more important to learn how to appreciate where one is (meaning especially who is around) without becoming engulfed by such a place — in other words, find people, find beauty and learn from them (record notes as needed).
Shukran,
JRL
Thanks for the like on my post you have a beautiful blog!
El,
What comes through in your writing is your enjoyment of life.
Stay true.
thanks for following me, you have very similar world views, nice to see there are more people like us out there, keep on walking, keep on exploring…
Dear El,
Thanks for liking my pictures I share your passion for cinema, art and photography!
After reading your bio list I hope I run into you in my next life. Thanks for liking my comic. I’m honored.
What a beautiful blog! I can’t wait to read more
Never mind, World’s most danger pool right here. Fantastic story!
Thanks for liking my Drop Dead post.
Hi, thanks for dropping by and enjoying my entry on my trip to Jeju/ Korea. I like your self-introduction!
Love, Yanni
the best “about me” I have ever read! Quite Inspirational
Keep up the good work!
Hello! Thank you so much for finding my blog. You are aesthetically and intellectually stunning. It has always been my wish to visit Turkey and Morocco but I shall wait for your wonderful posts about them. Hopefully, I’d make it there soon.
Beautiful blog, Elena – thank you.
I wanted to be Mata Hari when I was a little girl!
Amanda Carmen @ TasmanianTravels
Thank you Amanda! yep, that Mata Hari is one hell of a chick : )
What an excellent blog! And I’m totally with you on Thing #12. What happens in Vegas can stay in Vegas, as long as I don’t have to stay with it!
Thanks for the like on my trip to Mars! Can’t wait to hear more about your travel adventures.
Love your blog so glad you stopped by mine
Hi El,
Thanks for liking my blog. Else I wouldn’t have stumbled onto this wonderful blog of yours. This ‘about me’–>totally awesome!
Also, lovely name, elena.
Namaste,
Sangeet
Thanks for liking my blog – lovely to read yours, love the energy and engagement with this great planet x
Elena, you sound like a beautiful person inside and out (out, as proven by your photos!). I’m so glad you came by my blog because now I can follow all of your adventures. Also, I love the Stirling Silliphant quote you used. Never heard it before, but I completely agree with it. Anyway, you are my newest inspiration
Emily, darling, thank you for your warm words. I’m glad you’re on board with me on my journey! Glad to have you ! : )
namaste
el
I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Information about the rules (which are really simple) can be found here:
http://girlfridaymakesgood.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/honey-i-was-nominated-for-the-versace-blogger-award/
You may have already received this award, I just wanted to show my appreciation for your blog! Thanks!
Thank you so much darling! Thank you for letting me know that you enjoy it. It’s very nice of you to include my blog, but I really am not good at this type of thing.
namaste
el
Love this blog and your outlook on life and travel! Thanks for liking my post and bringing me to your site!
Amazing that you came to America all by yourself — good for you. I’m jealous of your travels as well. keep up the great blog
)))
Coming here was one of the most riskiest decisions of my life, but also the most rewarding one. It’s really hard not having a family to fall back on to for almost 9 years… it teaches you to be rock strong. No diploma is going to give you that kind of confidence & strength. Even though my life has taught me a whole lot of lessons along the way.. and then some, but I have made a conscious choice a long time ago, to never give up on my soul, truth and compassion.. and for that, I’m truly grateful.
Don’t be jealous darling ( it’s not all roses.. I promise you that!! ) .. you can do anything! … the world is at your fingertips..
love & light
el
Miss Elena.
I think I’m in love with you. But I do fall in love all the time.. which is good for both of us; me because its fun and you because that way i’m less creepy!
Anyway, you’re pretty and interesting and self-reliant and totally had me hooked even before the Mark Twain quote. I’ll be reading!
Oh darling! I’m blushing now.. and my bf is very jealous : ))
Thank you for sharing your spirit .. Will be reading u as well.
Wow, what an exciting life you lead! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and like one of my pictures
Elena … You are an inspiration. I leave for a week in Barcelona today and feel I might be just a little braver about trying something different because of what I’ve read of you. In recent years I’ve been plagued with anxiety issues related to PTSD and adrenal fatigue. This has really slowed me down and forced me to “play it safe,” but with help I’m gradually addressing these issues and things are getting better. I turn 50 this year and my goal for the years I have left, whatever number that may be, is to thrive, not merely survive. I’m going to follow your blog because I have this feeling you’re going to inspire me to do just that. … Having said that, you won’t find me wrestling with a python any time soon …
… Thanks for visiting my blog “Eyes to Heart” and for clicking the “like” button. Be well … Dorothy 
Dear Dorothy,
Thank you for sharing your story! You are a remarkable woman! Don’t ever forget that.. and if you do even for a second, come back here .. I will remind you.. ; )
Playing it safe only makes your soul smaller.. I’m so happy that you have courage and strength to turn your life around. I applaud you!
Thank you again, for your kind words and don’t ever give up, beautiful!
I only have to correct one little typo here .. “And my goal for the next 50 is … ” ; )
love & light to you!
el
ps – when is your big day?
Everything you have written, I agree with. So glad to meet you. Wishing you the very best in your life’s journey.
What a colorful life you live, El. Thanks for the like. My world is pretty small and unchanging compared to yours. I sure like the design of your blog. Best wishes!
I love how you described yourself here.
And I agree with you. It’s not the material things that matter but the memories we have made and shared and the number of lives we have touched.
I am thankful that I am able find another “happily unmarried” woman who believes that life is to be experienced. Let’s never stop following our dreams. Let’s do this!
By the way, do you have any plans of going to the Philippines? Let me know, I might be able to show you around.
Aubrey, lets! : )
thank you for “getting it” ..
I love being Happily Unmarried. I’d rather be that then ” unhappily married ” ( 90% of marriages ) I might get married someday.. but .. I doubt that anyone is capable of getting me that drunk .. ; )
I would love to visit Philippines in the near future and hope you will be able to show me around!
namaste
el
Great stuff El, I wish you well and am sure that you will realize it.
Richard
Biggest difference…The rise of buildings everywhere I’d say plus a flow of people from other parts of the world for business on the island. You can still find though things that are associated to CY from the old days when you go outside the main cities.
If you do decide to make the journey feel free to drop me a message, I might be around
oh wow..
you know what I miss most about Cyprus? … “Loukoumades” !!!! Oh how I miss them!! ..
Loukoumades…ah yes..my grandma makes them really good, memories..Do you speak greek btw? You seem to remember quite a few words.
I’m forgetting it .. my Russian is also not as good as it’s used to be .. I really would like to learn french.
I love number 12. This is a great blog.
Never stop; I’m looking forward to your 54 things.
BTW, I moved to Colorado in 2005 . . . I never knew what I was missing. We can often say that about many places (Hawaii and Alaska are my two others . . . so far), but at least for now I can’t envision living elsewhere. I liked your write-up on it, and I agree about the air.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Thank you. Your comment made me smile : ) .. I can’t even begin to imagine number 54 .. but time flies so fast that.. i might be writing about 57 things (if i’m lucky) sooner than i think.
It was my first time in CO and the first thing I noticed was the air.. I couldn’t get enough of it .. hoping to visit it in the summer too.
Yeah, I used to not be able to imagine 58 (my current “thing”).
Now I think at 58 i’m still pretty young . . . err . . . not pretty (never was). Thing is, whenever I go by a mirror, and when I happen to look at it, it takes me a few seconds to figure out the old geezer staring back is me. That whole thing about inner beauty shining through? . . . not so much.
But don’t worry; you look like you’ll age gracefully.
gave me a chuckle..
but seriously age is just a number! You’re not old.. you’re experienced! ; ) and that, you can’t buy ..
A few words on aging gracefully; On my bedside table I have a wonderful card, that reads ;
I’m not easily impressed. . . but that’s imperssnig me!
Your intro is very inspiring. You have accomplished so much with such pain at an early age. You should give yourself full credit for all that you have and are. You sound like a beautiful person.
Thank you dear.. very kind of you. I actually chocked up when I read your comment..
love & light to you.
el xo
Thank you for visiting my blog and liking my post. It is a privilege to have something liked from someone like you. Your list of 27 things just brought me in awe of your spirit. I admire what you represent.
P.S where in Cyprus did you study?
Thank you so much for your kind words! I studied at the American Academy in Larnaca.
love & light
el
Very nice. I’m mixed race, one part being cypriot from Limassol. Enjoy your future trips and keep sharing them!
Love Limassol! Oh you cypriot guys!! .. Panaya mu, Panaya mu ! ; ) What’s the other part? So many of my school friends are still in Cyprus.. will be great to go for a reunion up there sometime as well.
I see you remember some essential phrases still
The other part is from palestine. Was born in bulgaria raised in Cy, currently living in London 
When was the last time you went to the island?
ha ha, i could never forget that phrase even if I tried! heard it too much .. usually directed at my la vida loca life : )) I was baptised in Sofia. damn .. you have moved around.. but that’s great; you have multi-culture education which is more valuable than any diploma! I love London! So many of my friends live there. The last time I was in CY was 1999.
Yes, Panaya mu and koumpareare easily the most used phrases in Cy
I was born in Sofia! I do agree with you though, having a multicultural educationgives you so much more than any diploma could. In general Traveling does. London is great but not a place I would spend all my life for sure. Doing a solo trip to Cuba in march so that should be fun! you should visit CY though, a lot has changed since 1999 
Would love to see Cyprus again.. I’m sure it has changed .. what’s the biggest difference?
Have an amazing trip to Cuba!
safe travels,
let there always be a road..
Very inspiring, thank you for stopping by my post
I look forward to reading more of yours in the future
Thanks for clicking the ‘like’ button. Lovely blog. I believe that people who love to travel are blessed. Collecting memories and learning about others allows a person to look back on a life well lived.
so very true, couldn’t agree more.. thank you for kind words.
el
I want you to know how much “What’s your passion?” resonates within me. I accept and take it in as a whole, yet I focus in on specific passages tht seem to be written specifically for me. Thank you so much.
I would like to share something with you, that I have had for many, many years. Something similar to “pasion” in that it can be taken in as the whole and be zeroed in to it’s parts:
Centering With The Inner Master
Be at peace with yourself and
You will be at peace with all you meet.
When you’re not at peace with yourself, be alone.
Balance yourself, or seek guidance from a natural source.
Fill each day with a joy of living, and your mistakes will be
Transformed into lessons for your awareness.
Love the spirit within each person and action.
Dwell on negativity, and you will draw it to you.
Dwell on the light and you will lift yourself.
Serve in whatever way you can without expecting reward.
Expectations lead to disappointment and hurt feelings.
Your reward is your joy in doing.
Set aside a time each day to attune to the spirit.
For it is that attunement,
That brings you joy, harmony and love.
All else is illusion.
Seek perfection in the spirit,
There is no perfection in the physical.
Be patient, tolerant, and loving. Above all, accept.
For, it takes time to grow into your Godhood.
Be grateful for the lessons of each day.
Give thanks for the many opportunities you are given for growth.
Love yourself, and you will love all creation.
-Joy Irene Lasseter
Thank you again and peace,
Mike
Mike, wow!! Thank you so much for sharing this! These are truly inspiring words… so very true .. every word.. every single word. Thank you.
namaste
el
thanks for liking my post. so happy to have discovered your blog! everything’s so inspiring
Maybe you’d like to try to visit the Philippines someday. I’m a filmmaker from there. Hope to work with you someday 
martika
I would LOVE to visit Philippines! I haven’t been there yet. Would be great to work together.
el
beautiful words you seem to be connected with light !!! enjoy be in the present, love and peace!!
Stefen K
Thanks for liking my Tagaytay post…By the way, I love your blog! Really cool…………..
~ I choose to collect memories instead of things ~
love it!
Me too…I will rather collect memories than things……….
I am truly humbled my vortex has brought you to me! You are the fulfillment of my vision for my blog! I hope to have one as amazing as yours!
Namste,
Z
Thank you beautiful! Likewise! And you will! Even better one!
love & light, always,
el
Inshallah! {Universe willling!}
It is nice to get to know you through your blog, El. Keep blogging, keep traveling
Thank you for stopping by! I love reading about your adventures as well. You take amazing pictures!
love & light to you and your family,
el
Howdy –
Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I’m glad you do, I believe I’m going to enjoy yours also…….
Hey El
Thanks for the ‘like’ on my blog…
I hate it when women I’d like to photograph are the other side of the world.
Good luck in all.
Stuart
Stuart, thank you for stopping by!
And you never know, I might be in UK or Brazil sooner than you think : )
el
My camera batteries are always fully charged….
Wow. I really love your blog. Inspirational and beautifully written!! I look forward to more!
Thank you Maggie! It’s great to meet other expats : ) Hope I can visit Spain soon! I have never been there before..
love & light to you and your daughter,
el
How fun is this? Great blog and I thoroughly enjoy your outlook, collecting lots of memories myself…………………
mexcelia
From one gypsy to another — here’s to loads of memories & less stuff! : )
Thank you Mexcelia, for your comment. I’m glad you’re enjoying my blog.
let there always be a road..
love & light
el
El, you are my role model!!! I’m thankful that the Universe brought you! I am looking forward to staying up all night reading your entire site! LOL
As a first time blogger, I literally started my blog last night, and a spiritual traveler, I am humbled that you read my blog! <3
Namaste,
Z
Oh darling thank you so much! And you are mine ; ) You have so much joy in you! I love that we share passion for road and Africa : ) I can’t wait to follow your adventures and read all about it! You write so honestly, that it’s hard not to becoming addicted to your blog! : )
Namaste
el
ps – I’m a first time blogger too, and still trying to figure this thing out.. I’m such a dinosaur when it comes to “codes” and html and other stuff .. for me it’s easier to solo backpack through Africa, then to write a wordpress post : ) So we are learning together.. that’s great thing!
Wow! What a compliment! I tried journaling many and it did not work! Blogging is doing wonders for my creativity, though!
See you in Cairo!
What a great blog…will be following you collecting memories and not things!
Thank you darling! Stay tuned : )
love
el
What a great outlook on life!
(PS thank you for visiting my blog!
Are you on FB or Twitter dear? Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your life is extraordinary — you should write a book. LOVE your pics!
Thank you Andi! I love reading about your adventures! You have a beautiful spirit and you are absolutely gorgeous, my dear! About FB & T – pressed on that “delete profile” about 2-3 years ago and never looked back .. : ) Don’t know about the book though… there’s so much more to do and see.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting,
bon voyage!
el
Thanks for stopping by and subscribing to my blog today, El.
It sounds like you’ve lived an incredible life so far and it’s so nice to meet someone with the same value and appreciation for travel, and life in general.
I’m looking forward to making my way through your blog and your adventures!
Katy
Thank you so much for your kind words, Katy! It’s a pleasure to have you here. I’m looking forward to following your Nomadic Storytelling as well.
bon voyage to a fellow nomad!
love & light
el
Wow! What an amazing woman you are! Thanks for following my blog, I’ll do the same with yours!
Thank you very much. Good luck with all your plans, travels & bucket list!
Bon Voyage!
el
Hi Elena,
You sound like a modern day Marco Polo, adventurous, courageous and very interesting, keep it up.
Thanks for liking my blog post.
Johanna
haha I like that! : ) Thank you for an amazing compliment, Johanna!
el
I love the words you put on your website ” What matters at the end of the day are not things at all – It’s all those shared moments of laughter, joy, love and everything in between with people we love.”
Great blog, I will visit often
JJ
http://www.jjchenphotography.com
Thank you very much! I’m glad you’re enjoying my site. Will be following your photography too! It’s amazing!
el
EL:
thanks for your compliments! I love your photo a lot, you are good at self portrait, I love those face expression, it’s characteristic and vivid.
I wish one day you can be my model… haha:)
hugs
JJ
JJ, you never know .. ; )
thank you for kind words.
el
You sound like an amazing person. Thanks for visiting my blog. I look forward to frequenting yours.
Thank you for your kind words! Enjoy the ride! I’ll be following your adventures as well.
el
la la land : ) Beverly Hills
Wishing you lots of luck on your citizenship! I was speaking to someone recently who is originally from Croatia, and she reminded me of what it means to be an American citizen and how so many of us take our freedoms and advantages for granted.
Haha. Well, if you ever make it up to SF, give me a shout out!
Thank you, Jacqueline! I hope for the best & keeping my finders crossed. I’m in love with SF and visit it often! Would love to meet up for a drink or cup of coffee : )
That would be great! I’ll let you know if I’m ever down in Beverly Hills / LA.
Please do! That would be great! I like this wordpress thing.. : )
Wow! What a life. I truly admire your candor and boldness in being honest about who you are and are not. Look forward to hearing about more of your adventures! I’m on about 20 countries now, and as I was mentioning to a friend the other day, I purposely signed up for the thicker 52-page passport when renewing, and I want to do and see a LOT in the next 10 years!
Thank you Jacqueline! Life is a great adventure and it should be filled with days when we explore our world .. one country at a time or should I say.. 6 months at a time .. ! Looking forward to following your adventures around the world too! Thank you for your comment & a tip on getting a 52-page passport .. hopefully when I’m granted a US Citizenship in around 7 months time.. ( keeping my fingers crossed ! ) this has been the longest and toughest journeys of them all ..
love & light
Happy Travels !
Hi El, thank you for subscribing to my blog
keep shooting,
Nate
Glad to have discovered your blog this morning. You are quite interesting. Love the photos, especially the lions.
Thank you for stopping by and liking my photos! : )
There was so many moments in reading this page where I smiled knowingly at your comment!
[Getting a bank open in Zanzibar on a Sunday particularly impressed me too!]
Wonderful blog, a treat, a real treat to read!
Thank you Holly! I’m now following your glorious self! You are one hell of a gal! Yep, that bank in Zanzibar was one of those stories that even if you wanted, you couldn’t have come up with.. unless it really happened : ))
love & light
EL
Beautiful blog!!! Can you pack me in your suitcase for your next trip?!
haha! Thank you darling! No problem! Come along! : ) As a matter of fact I’m traveling in March-April ; ) … there’s only 1 but .. I will only have one small backpack & camera bag. .. you see the difficulty? Thank you for reading!
love & light
EL
Hey there,
I would love to add your blog to my list of Travel Blogs link on mine; hope you can add mine too (http://wanderbugjade.wordpress.com/). Looking forward to reading more of your adventures. <3
Cheers, J
Thanks for stopping by my log. I’ve enjoyed browsing through your tales and pictures. If your ever in Sacramento let me know, I’d love to go out and shoot some photos with you.
Thank you! Will do! : )
love & light
EL
You have a beautiful blog and your writing is excellent. I really enjoy your articles.
All the best from South Africa
Thank you for stopping by! Glad you enjoying it. All my love to South Africa!
EL
Hey El
thanks for liking my post
your blog is filled with a sense of mystery about u. Keep it up! 
Solo travelling is always amazing. You can also try voluntourism, it’s superb!
Thank you! Voluntourism is great! Here are a few organizations that I support that might interest you as well. — http://elenalevon.com/html/showcase.php?showcase=10&psi=34 .. helping others is a big part of my everyday life. Thanks for visiting.
EL
Wow, you really are amazing!
)
Love your blog and intro … very inspiring
keep it up.
Thank you for reading!
You are amazing !
Oh, thank you, that’s very kind of you..
Very nicely put. It’s refreshing to read someone who seems to travel on the same planet as I do… Thanks.
Thank you! Likewise!
love & light
EL
Hi Elena – Thanks for visiting my blog…you’re right our tag lines are very similar! I love your blog too and like you…am constantly craving and have itchy travel feet! Hope to meet you some day! ~Sherry~
: ) Thank you! Hope to meet someday too!
ps – I can’t believe your age!! You are stunning! wow!
Hello…. your list is inspiring, … number 9 and 25, we’re on the same boat…
Thank you. We should have a coffee sometime then ; )
Hi Elena, I saw that you were recently in Zion. Isn’t that an amazing place? You lead an inspiring life. It’s always nice to meet another person who loves traveling. Thank you for visiting my blog. You take some amazing photos. Love your hat in the recent Colorado post.
Oh thank you so much! So kind of you to say that. I’m only trying to stay true to myself and live the life that makes me happy, not the one that’s “prestigious” or “normal” .. etc.. People who put travel at the top of their list, benefit from it greatly. Other cultures fascinate me.. always have. It is so great to meet others who share my passion for travel and share stories from the road; the happy, the sad and everything in between.. while embracing every second : )
Zion is gorgeous! Especially at night when the sky is full of stars embraced by magical stillness.
love & light
EL
A FABULOUS, FABULOUS BLOG. Live the dream!
Thank you! : ) I’m glad you liked it! Love your photography as well!
Inspirational! Glad that you enjoyed Beaver Creek so much and other parts of Colorado. Let me know when you are next in downtown Denver. I know some great unique places that I think you would love…at least from what I gather about you from your beautiful and expressive photos.
No matter where I have traveled and where I still plan to travel to, I have a heart for Denver as my “home-base”. I hope you continue to enjoy Colorado when you can.
Besos to you!
Thank you Amalia! Would love to visit Denver and now I’m really intrigued about seeing ” unique places ” that you mentioned. You are really lucky! I haven’t found that “home-base” place.. yet … ; )
Thanks for the like and subscription – you are an inspiration
Thank you back! And you are pretty amazing yourself! ; )
EL
collecting memories instead of things is a powerful statement, and indicator of who you are. thanks for liking my site. -steve miller
Thank you for your comment Steve! Your genius photography works are true inspiration! Thank you!
love & light,
EL
Your writing and your spirit are very inspiring….
I would love to read some more…
TW
Thank you very much!
Likewise!
EL
Excellent writings about yourself El! Your words are very inspiring. You have a beautiful spirit! I’m borrowing your Mark Twain quote to use on my photo blog page today.
Safe travels you to. Looking forward to your next post.
Mike
Mike, thank you so much for your words! So very kind of you!
Borrow away! It’s one of my all time favorite quotes and deserves to be shared with as many people as possible! : )
love & light,
EL
Wise words from a youngster
Thanks so much for posting. Those of us who have moved on to marriage and children long to wander free and explore. Guess we’ll have to do it in a different way!
You can still do those things!
el
tHANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT POSTS! i AM TRULY ENJOYING THEM AND WILL TRY TO KEEP UP.