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Tag: Adventure

Veils, Spices, ATM, Konyagi and Swimming in the rain in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Stone Town Door

                                                  ” Welcome To Zanzibar! “

I really felt like I was transported back in time and was in ” 1001 nights ” . It is a completely different world here. With stunningly beautiful doors and architecture, delicious and fresh sea food, proud and mysterious women in colorful veils, enchanting sounds from mosques, smells of spices and rain, buildings full of stories of Arabian Princesses and their passions, museums full of priceless items from the times of Sultans, Dhows, Persian traders and slaves.

At the Airport immigration officer forgot to fingerprint me, so I had to remind him of his job – this was a small introduction to what will happen later in the evening…

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Crazy Matatus, Maasai Warriors & Big 5 of Africa in Kenya.

Maasai Warriors

                                                        ” Holy Matatu! “

Wow! What a crazy adventure this was! I can’t believe the amount of kind, honest, helpful, soulful people I have met here, in Kenya. I felt like I belonged, I felt at home.
People of this amazing country made me feel this way in every step of my journey here. Be it in places I was staying or on the streets of small towns. Everywhere you go you are welcomed and helped. What can I say, I’m hooked..

People and Nature of Masai Mara, Narok and Nairobi have left a big stamp on my life. My heart, mind and soul refuse to let them go…

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How NOT to Plan

19 years old –> Moscow, Russia  –> no plans or bookings — > $1000 –> 1 suitcase  –> Los Angeles, USA  …

  

  … Yes, I actually just got a visa, bought a ticket and left …

Moved to a different continent, alone, as a teenager, with no plans, no help, no family and no friends waiting for me in US… but managed to survive & succeed.

If I could do that, trust me, so can you! Age, time and money should never be an excuse.

For me, “Planning” takes life out of living …

No matter how long you have been planning for or how “perfect” your planned trip is in your head…. Life will happen to it …

Why stand in the way of LIFE with it’s stunning beauty & glorious imperfections and suffocate it with our own FEAR ? …

~

I travel independently, meaning, buying all my plane tickets, hotels, adventures myself or those trips are SPONSORED. I use public transport and spend 99% of my time with locals.

I try to not only visit a country, but actually LIVE there, be it for a few years, a month or for several days…

Wouldn’t trade my time in a crowded Kenyan Matatu or Ugandan Boda-Boda, even for a ride in a limo or on a private jet!

It takes courage and fearlessness to travel our amazing planet solo, but it’s worth every lost nerve cell…

Actually, it’s worth way more than that…

It’s priceless.

~

Google is truly an incredible thing … just search “how to travel the world cheap” and you’ll be able to find tons of useful information on this topic.

~

And remember, Life & Travel is only as expensive or inexpensive as you make it…

___________________________

The woman behind no plans …

AUTHOR

ARTIST

 NOMAD

POETESS

PHOTOGRAPHER

Volcanoes, Zip-lining, Bribing Police & Swimming in waterfalls in Costa Rica.

Lake Arenal sunset

                                                              

                                                          ” Pura Vida! “

This was an amazing adventure! It’s a gorgeous land which is a home to the most happy, proud and kind people. Ticos ( Costa Ricans ) choose to celebrate life every day and are always grateful for everything they have in their lives. These people treasure human soul above human status, always.

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Getting lost & Stepping over the Victoria Peak railing in Hong Kong.

The Good Wish Garden

                                                  ” Lost in Translation “

I didn’t think it was possible for a person to get lost so many times… I was wrong. I should name this trip as ” Lost in Hong Kong ” This mighty giant has swallowed me whole. It’s a fast paced, fast talking, fast moving force! It’s busy, strong, glossy, mindful, tall, spiral, forceful, polished, spiritual, sleepless, rough and smooth all in one. Just getting lost in Yin and Yang of it all.

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA

                                                               ” The City ” 

I love this City! ~ Wind, Rides, Chocolate, Champagne, Fireworks, Walking Hills in Heels..

  • Had brunch and dinner at the Oldest Restaurant in California ; Tadich Grill and met a true Zen Master – the most amazing waiter in the world – Mr. Barry. I have never seen anything like it! I would come in here just to watch Him! He has spoiled me and ruined it for all other waiters.
  • Spend New Years at the Carnelian Room (52nd floor) , overlooking the whole city. It closed for good that night after being open for 40 years.
  •  Ice skated in downtown
  • Went on a bike ride to Berkeley
  • Danced in the middle of the street in the drum circle
  • Beautiful train ride back to LA

2009 – 2010

Runaway Bride aka Catch Me If You Can.

                                ” Pirates, Mayhem, Madness, Reggae and Rum “

Pirrrating nights away in Barbados! It is a true paradise! Everyone is dancing with life here, from young to old, from dusk till dawn. It’s an absolutely gorgeous Island with very kind, friendly, fun and happy people. Can’t wait to visit again!

elena-levon-barbados-2007

elena-levon-barbados-ranaway-bride-2007

  • Galloping on a gorgeous horse along the beautiful white sand beach at sunset
  • Throwing jet ski instructor off the jet ski ( he said it was a first for him )
  • Almost married someone who lives there ( yes, I’m the real life “Runaway bride” … good luck, catching me once I’m on that horse !  )
  • Ate breadfruit and coconuts on a secluded beach, cooked by a local fisherman who happened to sail by
  • Got offered marijuana several times right on the beach, by a souvenir seller
  • Skinny dipped in stunning turquoise water with turtles swimming near by
  • Celebrated Christmas and New Years
  • Danced until sunrise

Nov. 2007 – Jan. 2008

 

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