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THE LOOP
Saranya

Charlotte Diaries ❤️

I had many memorable moments in Charlotte during 2016 and 2017 most of which are like my first time experiences. To begin with, until December 29 2015, I never travelled by an airplane. It was my first and long flight to US. Had mixed emotions. Was sad that I will be missing home but was also excited for the new journey. Luckily I met few of my batchmates who also travelled to same university the same day and our friendship journey began in airport and still continues. They are like friends who became family. 

Overnight layover at chicago (first time felt how it would be to be in a place that had its temperature in minus degrees)
     
 

 

I come from a place which had only two seasons - mostly summer and few months for winter (only rains no snow). So you can guess how exciting it could have been to witness snow for first time. I also enjoyed the fall colors and beauty of spring in Charlotte.

 
I admire former president Obama for many reasons and also got a chance to see him from a distance during the election campaign. (may not be clear in this image)

 

 

 

First halloween pumpkin carving with my lovely host family. They gave me and my friends lot of good memories. Lots of get togethers, birthday parties, thanksgiving, christmas, etc. It was like a home away from home. :) :)  

 

  

 

I am a person who is very afraid of heights. After a really long time trembling at the edge of each experience I finally did 100ft free fall, zip lining and it was really a great experience. 

These were some of my first and best experiences in Charlotte. Since our classes were only three times a week mostly, I got a chance to explore many new things. International cultural fest, game nights, and many more cheerful memories.  

 

Finally the graduation. Missed my parents so much on this day but felt very happy to have done this and grateful for all the wonderful experience US gave me. 

 

Izzy

¡Bienvenidos!


What perfect timing to talk about the best vacation I've been on! Let's just say I've been on many memorable vacations growing up, the usual family summer Newport Beach and Tahoe trips. It was definitely time to switch it up (even though I already did the Tahoe trip). Not only has traveling to Guatemala been an overall amazing experience, it's been so eye opening and I've felt truly grateful to be here. It has taken me 19 years but I'm back baby! And we'll just say that I'm a shy Spanish speaker, my parents and brother speak absolutely none, so that's also been fun and quite comedic. 
The moment we landed in the city it was a like whole different world, so beyond beautiful. The first hotel I stayed, which was in Guatemala city, I just looked out and saw endless houses, mountains, and volcanoes. Yes, volcanoes. That is probably the most exciting and thrilling part, hiking a volcano. Also plenty of touristy stuff to do, especially in Antigua, which was where I stayed majority of my time. I got to experience ziplining, horse back riding, coffee tours, and ATVing. 
The first eventful thing that happened was ATVing, I thought about attempting a video of my group and I riding through the city, but you definitely have to be aggressive driving around or you'll just sit at a stop for quite a while. But I have a photo of me parked, next best thing right? The other picture is where I rode to, and I felt on top of the world. So green and beyond beautiful. 
This picture is of me front row, with no seat belt because living on the edge is how we roll, going up the coffee plant filled mountain. I was able to pick my own coffee been and bring it back, awesome!
Here I am riding a horse, names Carter, through the coffee plant mountain which was so surreal and really relaxing. I've mentioned several times how green it is, but do you see that? And this picture still doesn't do it justice. 
Last but not least, the final picture, me about to go zipling across the coffee plantation (I clearly spent a lot of time there). I believe it was over 150 meters, and holy cow it felt like it, but the moment you take off you literally see everything. So open and freeing, a little terrifying of course. 
Guatemala 2019 summer trip, best vacation yet. You bet I'll be back. 
Star

Home is wherever I'm with you...

Like many of you, I've had my fair share of memorable summer moments, but none of them stick out in my mind like the summer of 2017.

That was the summer I married the beard of my dreams, left my hometown in the Midwest, and drove half way across the country to start over on the West Coast with our two children and only what we could fit in our Jeep.

When I left my hometown that summer I left behind everything I've ever known and everything I've ever owned. It was terrifying to say the least, but it was also hands-down the most liberating thing I've ever done for myself.

I'll never forget the first time I took my girls to the beach that summer...all the stress I had been carrying with me up to that moment completely washed away with the tide and there we were...ready for our next big adventure.