Travel ✈
Current location ~ USA
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Every pin on the map represents a place that I either have lived in or visited at some point in my life.
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“While we search for the antidote or the medicine to cure us, the new, that which can only be found in the unknown, we must continue to turn to sex, books, and travel, even knowing they will lead us into the abyss, which, as it happens, is the only place we can find the cure.” – Roberto Bola
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Backpacked solo through Africa,
Traveled to 27 countries, 4 continents, Citizen of 2, lived & studied in 4 of those countries for several years at a time;
Russia, England, Cyprus and USA.
Wish I’ve started documenting my travels and life as an expat earlier.
Click on the countries below for stories, tips, photography & video.
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✈ How NOT to Plan & Travel The World Cheap ✈
~ AMERICAS ~
North America
Central America
Caribbean
~ AFRICA ~
Morocco Egypt Kenya Tanzania Zambia Uganda
~ ASIA ~
~ EUROPE / EURASIA~
Turkey United Kingdom Spain Russian Federation
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Travel is a right, not a privilege.
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The woman behind the journey …
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“I choose to collect memories instead of things”- Love it! & Love your photos!
Seeing your travel map it’s obvious you need to get ‘down under’ sometime!
Great posts! Happy trails to a fellow traveller ….
Love your blog and your thoughts on travel … if you fail to travel, you fail to live.
Rhonda
Great resource for wannabe travelers like myself – and truly inspiring
You have quite an impressive travel resume! I’m still working on building mine. Thanks for stopping by my blog! It was fun to look around yours as well. Hope to see you on mine again soon! -Christine
You view the world with an amazing eye. Fortunately, there’s so much more to see!
Wow… Wonderful…
I’d urge you to visit India as well… I’ve been travelling around this great place for years and I got so obsessed with it… I wanna cover as much of India as I can before I go International…
Trust me, U’d love India…
Cheers,
Jibu
I’m loving your posts and blog
Thank you for stopping by http://www.QuarterLyfeCrisis.com and liking my page about my life here in Caracas, VZ (http://quarterlyfecrisis.com/2013/02/05/60-days-in-venezuela-20-facts-and-observations/) I love your blog! I definitely hope to do some traveling during my time in South America
I dig the map. I wonder what mine would look like. I did Europe solo but Africa solo. Brave!
[...] Travel ✈ [...]
I just started my blog today, fumbling intuitively into a whole new world. It was to be a simple record-keeping of sorts recording my upcoming trip to NZ. It might remain so or I might enter fellow travelers’ worlds. Yours looks interesting…
You need more entries to Asia!!
http://sakukalliomaki.wordpress.com/ Amazing Thailand
have been to a few countries in Asia.. just haven’t blogged about them. Thailand would be great… however everyone visits Thailand nowadays.. not many visit Uganda.. if I would want to go somewhere it would be Bhutan or Nepal… Thailand can wait..
You are right. Thailand is pretty main stream for the most parts. There’s still a lot of unique places at north and some “secret” islands. It can also be used as a “base” of sorts when exploring Laos and Cambodia. And if you really want something special then even Burma.
thank you for your suggestion!
Well done, Mademoiselle.
Awesome blog Elena! It looks like you’ve been just about everywhere. I’m, super jealous! Was it fun acting with the cast of How I Met Your Mother? I hope to one day travel as much as you! best of luck!
-jake
thank you, Jake!
yes, it was great working with those guys.. a lot of jokes happen in the make up room ))
el
Thats awesome. Just curious, where are you going to travel to next? and what has been your favorite? I really want to get to Africa.
thinking of doing Europe by eurorail at the end of May… as for my favorite.. don’t know.. they are all very different and hold different treasures .. but let’s say if you asked me what’s my favorite Island .. my answer would be 100% ZANZIBAR ))
Wow, that would be fantastic. I can’t wait to get out and explore. I look forward to hearing about your next trip! It all looks amazing!
-jake
Fantastic blog! Beautiful photos and very moving letter to your Papa. It looks like you have the right idea of how to live your life.Thanks for passing by and dropping in on my blog also! Java x
Traveling is a dream for most people but sometimes we don’t see that all dreams do come true. My wife and I are going on a long term traveling adventure, dropping out of the “normal” working world and heading in a direction of making a traveling cultural center combining art, self sustainability and a practical guide for all things DIY! It’s an art collective on wheels… http://thepeoplescaravan.wordpress.com
thanks for your blog!
One word comes to mind when I see your Blog “BadAss” You are RockStar!!!
You Inspire me Elena
xoxo
Thank you, beautiful!! Likewise! : )
x
“I choose to collect memories instead of things” – YES YES YES! Thank you for liking ‘My Bucket List’- that is exactly what it plans to do. I look forward to reading what you get up to x
My dream is to travel all over the world. I love your blog.
Some really amazing adventures! Very jealous and great to hear about them, but will soon be on some serious ones of my own
So glad to have connected via our blogs. I love finding fellow travels who can revel in th passion and beauty of it as much as I. Love your home page quote. Thanks for sharing!
Inspiring adventures you have here! Thanks for liking one of my posts, I’m moving to Morocco in a few days and it helps to read so many positive things about this country. Perfect timing also
The Universe, she thinks of everything!
that’s great! You will love Morocco! Enjoy!
let there always be a road..
Thanks for liking ‘My bucket list kicked the bucket’ blog post
Great to meet you. May God’s favor be on you today, tomorrow, and forever, Mark
Thanks for stopping by my blog! It meant I got a chance to have a read through yours. Will definitely be checking back for a read about all your travels! Great blog
I envy your travels … yet I hope you get to do more. Thanks for visiting my little corner.
[...] Travel ✈ [...]
Thanks for stopping by our blog.
[...] Travel ✈ [...]
Elena, I’ve recently moved from London to Hong Kong – after only traveling through Europe – a big change for me & a great one. I travel and explore daily here and cannot wait to travel to the neighbouring islands & the world just as you continue to do. I wanted to let you know that if you are ever in Hong Kong or want to visit, you are welcome to stay with me I have 2 spare rooms & your travel stories could enlighten and bewilder me even more then they have reading online..LA
I would like to thank you for taking us along with you on your adventures. Your writing is passionate and inspiring and I look forward to reading more of your work.
Congratulations, I just nominated you for “One Lovely Blog Award”:
http://exxtracts.wordpress.com/2012/09/22/one-lovely-blog-award-2/
Lovely blog. I am traveling to Turkey soon, looking forward reading your pages on it.
Thanks for liking our post “a box life”.
Are you safe in Morocco? Sometimes there is only a small group who make a lot of noise in front of the cameras. Hope that’s the case there.
Congrats on your US citizenship
I’m glad you stopped by my blog so I got a chance to see all your travel pics and read about your travel adventures. 
thanks for the ‘Like’ on my Uzbekistan post! Just had a look through a couple of your posts and you have been all over!! Will certainly have to make some time to look at a few more!
It seems you are a fascinating, well traveled woman! I can’t wait to get a chance to look over some of your posts. I’d love to hear your travel advice.
Thank you, Elena, for stopping by Featherglass and liking the post on Tioman Island, Malaysia. I can *feel* the passionate, free-spirited independent woman you are, and it is SUCH an inspiration and rare in the blogosphere indeed. If you ever stop by Singapore, drop me a line on Featherglass. : )
The best part about staring a blog is finding like-minded people whose accomplishments inspire and absolutely amaze the hell out of you! Thank you for the like Elena, and for visiting my fledgling blog. Yours looks beautiful!
Great stuff Elena, just need to fill in that great big gap down around Australia next.
Excellent blog!! Inspiring and useful information as well. As an expat of just three years so far, I can only hope to do and see what you have! If you ever make it to Northern Thailand let us know, would be happy to show you around!
Hello, I have nominated you for One Lovely Blog Award for all your hard work. For more details please click here:
http://journeyaroundtheglobe.com/one-lovely-blog-award/
Pleasecheck my photo essay from Samarkand. http://ayecapitalist.com/2011/10/21/samarkand-an-oasis-of-exotic-delights-on-the-old-silk-road/
Loved your posts. I too spent a great week in Uzbekistan – Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara
Fascinating life. I grew up with a Bohemian mother that was more comfortable with no money and an adventure than a suburban lifestyle, it was a good person to learn. Continue to play and be free!
And thanks for checking out my blog, stop by again some time.:)
What a wonderful way to have been brought up! You’re very lucky! : )
love
el
You are as special as your replies to our comments thanks Elena…
Wow! If i could travel even just half of the places you’ve visited, I would feel AWESOME…
I guess we’ve only scratched the surface with our travels. Having some catching up to do. Enjoy your trips:)
Hi there… I have nominated you for the inspiring blogger award cause your blog is pretty interesting.
Please follow the link:
http://songofdusk.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
You’re on your way to seeing all of the countries! Keep up the good work. I enjoy your blog.
you are an inspiration Elana! thanks for your support! <3
Thank you for liking my blog about Paris Elena! I love the city and cannot wait to return. I have so enjoying reading about your travels, and about your life. You are very inspiring! xoxo Lynn
Thanks for the like. What a travel history! What I’m really intrigued by is the focus on less-commonly traveled parts of the world. Consider me a new fan.
Hey Elena,
Just saw your NYC pix! Awesome…
Loved the colors, the perspectives, the richness of tones. 
Now I wouldn’t have visited your site, if it wasn’t for your visit to mine, and your appreciation; Thank you, for stopping by. 
I’ll be seeing more of your posts… ’cause there’s a simple philosophy I follow… it’s in your headline! 
Cheers, and good luck, wish you many successes, memorable journeys, and laughter to fill your senses.
thanks for liking my recent post. travel is an itch that we love to scratch!
Nice to meet you
I was born in Cyprus and spent a fair chunk of my childhood there 
going back on Sunday 
oh, Cyprus.. so many memories : ) I’d like to visit it again..
Easy jet route now
It has a way of climbing into ones heart and refusing to leave 
Wow! A true globetrotter. Loved the photos from Costa Rica….pura vida!
Thanks for liking my page. I agree that we all must explore the world and travel light
I also have travelled extensively for the past 10 years. Though I wanted to pen down all my experiences, I kept on procrastinating. It’s just now that I decided to spare some time and start writing. I wish you all the best.
Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. How I wish I could travel the world as much as you do! Wishing you more adventures to come!
Loving your blog….thanks for liking mine so I could discover yours!
[...] /travel/ Mselenalontraveling gives me eyes into worlds I may never see. I live vicariously through here as she treks the globe taking beautiful pictures. This blog will take you right out of your cement city and into the great beyond. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. [...]
I want to thank you for taking us along with you on your adventures. Your writing is passionate and inspiring and I look forward to reading more of your work.
Best of luck in your travels Elena!
Thanks for liking my blog – enjoying yours. The Hunter S Thomson quote is one of my favorites, and I too loved Turkey. Am looking forward to taking some hints from the other places you’ve visited as I continue my travels.
Beautiful blog! And such lovely photographs!
thanks for the like, Elena! You seem to lead an incredibly adventurous life. All the more power to ya!
Thanks for the like. Looks like you’ve traveled a bunch! I hope to do the same
Let me know when you’re planning a trip to Italy
will do : )
Keep up the good work ! You should try Romania !
[...] Travel ✈ [...]
I love the map you have put up. And backpacking solo through Africa must have been fun. Come visit India sometime- There’s that huge gap on your map!
Would love to visit India! It seems like it’s my kind of place ..
Well if you are in for something which is unpredictable , colorful and loud, yes
Visit soon!
i’m packing : )
Ha ha brilliant!
Hopefully I’ll bump into you when you get here.
Hi Elena – What a great little corner of the WWW you’ve created here. And thanks for visiting my electronic backwater. If you ever need a tour guide for a visit to the Redneck Riviera, keep me in mind. My rates are quite unreasonable. Cheers! Cap’n Crusty
thank you! : )
Love this blog so much. You are such an inspiration. Happy travels!
Just found this blog and lovin’ it!
When you get ready to go to South Korea, let me know. I know a few folks there who are SO wonderful!
Learning lots of from you, Ms.Lena
Would love to see you someday in our country.
All the best from Vietnam.
Hai Sontra,
Danang, Vietnam.
Oh I would love to!! Just wait till I get my US passport and I’m coming! : )
love & light
el
Thanks Ms. El,
Lovely to hear from you, so far away from Vietnam.
Awaiting danang,
Hai Sontra, Vietnam
Your blog inspires me to live more freely!
Thank you! Words like these are the best reward of having this blog!
love
el
Hi Elena! Discovered your blog, from one of your likes on my posts! I’m intrigued by the blog and had to click the follow button! Will check out the blog some more and look out for your continued adventures!
And like you, I wish I started my blog earlier too as this is such a great way of preserving and sharing memories!
Cheers,
Tonito
I hope it well for you yesterday. Congratulations ! I hope ….
Lovely blog! Thanks for stopping by mine and I do love your motto in life: ” I choose to collect memories instead of things”. If only I could embrace it and not be so obsessed with collecting all things that make me happy like Moomins.
Some nice destinations you have been to!
great blog! Your photos and posts about everywhere you’ve been are so inspiring! I love travelling
Elena, I see You like Africa most of all
hmm.. I love Europe as well with it’s rich culture and gorgeous architecture and there are some incredibly beautiful places in US that take your breath away .. but Africa is where my heart is …
I’m also looking forward to traveling in Asia more and going to South America, Australia and Antarctica in the near future.
I’m an Indian, I would love to welcome you to India. Its a place where you will see different culture and meet different peoples at every next move. Don’t Forget to Visit Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. You will love it.. it looks like mini Europe.
Wow! You’re all over the place. Sound like you know how to see the world and have fun… Can’t wait to see more:)