ELLE
Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly. ~ Franz Kafka
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( Click on the highlighted areas below for a story )
“29 MEMORIES”
1. Born a month early (patience has never been my virtue) & have a Russian Soul. I’m full of contradictions, absurdities, imperfections, insecurities and flaws.
2. Arrived solo in USA in 2003. I now hold a dual citizenship with United States of America & Russian Federation
3. Bilingual – Russian & English
4. I’m unmarried ( most of the time, happily. ) & it’s complicated
5. Turned 18 when I lost my father to cancer. All my life I’ve been battling trying to heal palmar & plantar Hyperhidrosis and a very exiting bouquet of other health problems.
6. I’m a Cultural Chameleon, but not a Russian spy ( so stop asking )
7. Love being on the road with as less stuff as possible & embrace solo travel.
8. I’m passionate about Life, travel, cinema, photography & writing … What’s Your Passion?
9. I believe in Compassion & Giving back
10. I’m not good with planning, but know how to Travel The World on the cheap and got rid of my “bucket list” & TV. Will never have a twitter, pinterest or facebook accounts.
11. I left my heart in Cori, Zanzibar, New York, Catalonia, Moscow and Morocco, however don’t ever want to go back to Las Vegas or to the worst hotel in Morocco.
12. Bungee jumped 111m, Walked with Lions & swam in the most Dangerous Pool in The World
13. Met 42nd President of the United States & had my hand kissed by a Prince (not the singer… although that would have been nice too)
14. Traveled by crazy Kenyan Matatus , and hopped on Boda-Boda’s in Uganda.
17. Got up, close and personal with monkeys in Bali.
18. Zip-lined in Costa Rica
19. Almost got married several times and one of them was to a beautiful woman
20. Worked on a few Hollywood films , modeled & member of SAG – AFTRA Guild of America
21. I am a true Minimalist ~ My closet is always half empty, because I recycle clothes and donate them & love to spend money in thrift stores. 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…
22. Got really close to Gorillas in The Mist
23. Persuaded a manager of the bank to open it on a Sunday morning in Zanzibar.
24. What I love ; coffee, Frank Sinatra, Juliette Binoche, dancing, black color clothing, people watching, Honest Films, ARTIST’S , antiques & Blues. But not a big fan of shopping & beauty salons — do my own hair, nails and make up, thank you very much.
25. 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)
26. Stepped over the railing at“The Peak” in Hong Kong.
27. Have 0 interest in having a mortgage, credit cards, “beach proposal / wedding”, retirement fund, 9-5 job, huge SUV’s & play dates.
( Maybe this is the “American dream”, but it’s definitely not my dream. )
28. Spent my 28th Birthday in the highest dunes of Sahara, survived sandstorm at Giza Pyramids & visited Cleopatra’s wedding gift. Saw one of the best Flamenco performances in the world. I became a Dual Citizen. Traveled through and lived in Morocco. Shared food with a Nomad family in the desert. Experienced a contact high in Chefchaouen & stayed at the WORST hotel in the world. Explored Tangier with a French writer and was invited to a home of a descendant of Russian Nobility. Fell in love with Catalonia. Lived in Moscow for 3 months after 9 years of absence. Experienced Russian Extreme. Cut and donated 17 inches of my curls to charity. (28, I will miss you dearly…you were one of the best years of my life)
29. Tasted freedom of the Greek Soul. Slept in a Cave. Rocked it front row at the Pet Shop Boys concert in Barcelona. Police officer in Venice stopped the train for me. Lived in a villa next to George Clooney in Laglio, Como. Got drenched inside one of the main fountains in Como & partied like a rock star. Swam topless in South of France. Ran under the rain in Paris. Got in a fight with Russian mobsters at a strip club in Saint Petersburg. Had to put on hold my travel plans to China through Mongolia, due to a bunch of different issues that came up. Made a crazy decision to move cross-country from Los Angeles to New York. Cried after my breakfast in Middle America, but felt incredibly at peace in the forests of east coast. Got swept away by New York’s beauty ~ Her Majesty The Fall. …
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“What in your life is calling you? When all the noise is silenced, the meetings adjourned, the lists laid aside, and the wild iris blooms by itself in the dark forest, what still pulls on your soul? In the silence between your heartbeats hides a summons, do you hear it? Name it, if you must, or leave it forever nameless, but why pretend it is not there?” – The Terma Collective
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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?
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.
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…
Don’t just dream the dream… LIVE it!
Elena Levon xo
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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
” Feather to fire, fire to blood, blood to bone, bone to marrow, marrow to ashes, ashes to snow…” - Gregory Colbert
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This is my LIFE & WORK.
I write about my journey, with all it’s heartbreak, passion & joy.
This is a personal memoir.
ps – all the juicy and really naughty parts are going into the print version…
Let There Always Be A Road…
~
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Copyright 2011-2013. Ms. Elena Levon Traveling. All Rights Reserved
___________________________
The woman behind the journey …
Howdy –
Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I’m glad you do, I believe I’m going to enjoy yours also…….
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
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!}
~ I choose to collect memories instead of things ~
love it!
Me too…I will rather collect memories than things……….
Thanks for liking my Tagaytay post…By the way, I love your blog! Really cool…………..
beautiful words you seem to be connected with light !!! enjoy be in the present, love and peace!!
Stefen K
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
Yes! Visit the Philippines! Our government says it’s fun here, and I agree. The people can be fun! Although the pockmarked roads, open manholes, inefficient airports, stifling tropical heat and torrential monsoon rains followed by flooding can take getting used to — the effort will be worth it (i hope). But the country contains 7,107 island (during low tide) and each one is worth a visit.
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 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
Very inspiring, thank you for stopping by my post
I look forward to reading more of yours in the future
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..
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
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!
I love number 12. This is a great blog.
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.
Great stuff El, I wish you well and am sure that you will realize it.
Richard
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
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!
Everything you have written, I agree with. So glad to meet you. Wishing you the very best in your life’s journey.
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?
Wow, what an exciting life you lead! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and like one of my pictures
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.
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
Love this blog and your outlook on life and travel! Thanks for liking my post and bringing me to your site!
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
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
Thanks for liking my blog – lovely to read yours, love the energy and engagement with this great planet x
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
Love your blog so glad you stopped by mine
Thanks for the like on my trip to Mars! Can’t wait to hear more about your travel adventures.
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!
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 : )
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.
the best “about me” I have ever read! Quite Inspirational
Keep up the good work!
Hi, thanks for dropping by and enjoying my entry on my trip to Jeju/ Korea. I like your self-introduction!
Love, Yanni