Although today is my first post, the blog really began in March of 2014.
I was 24 and preparing to leave the country for one year to travel solo around the world. I had been living in Portland, Oregon for the last two years and after completing a 4 month emotional intelligence training in Los Angeles I was ready to make some big moves with my life.
I had traveled to Peru when I was 20. It was my first solo trip abroad and I spent a month backpacking through the mountains, zip lining & river rafting in the jungle and walking around the busy streets of Cusco…I also drank entirely too much rum, smoked spliffs on the top of Machu Picchu, got my first tattoo and ate a lot of anticucho de corazon which is beef heart marinated in vinegar, cumin, garlic and grilled, usually served on a stick with half of a cooked potato stuck on the end of the stick (so fucking good).
I met an incredible group of friends from all over the world that really inspired me to the possibility of long term travel.
I was ready for the trip of a lifetime. A time to meet like minded people and create memories. I think ultimately I was looking to find myself and lose myself at the same time. I now refer to this original trip as my “Eat Pray Love Plan”
So in March, of 2014 I arrived back in Colorado with my Uhaul trailer of belongings and my Jeep Liberty I’d had since high school. I was planning on spending one month visiting with my family, selling my Jeep and leaving my stuff stored at my mom’s ranch in Kiowa, Colorado. But in the first week I was home, my younger sister Faleena called me and said mom was in the hospital. She said it was bad, so I drove down to Parker Adventist Hospital and really, I never left.
Mom had been hiding cancer and it had spread to every part of her body – ovaries, colon, bone marrow – everywhere.
So there I was at age 24 with a one way ticket to Lisbon, Portugal leaving in two weeks and I’m watching my mom die in a hospital room as my younger, soon to be orphaned 15 year old sister watches her best friend and sole caretaker leave this earth.
Some back story:
I had a really complicated relationship with my mom which included not speaking for several years and moving out of her house to live with my dad when I was 14 due to abuse.
My sister Faleena’s dad (not my dad) murdered a woman and committed suicide when Faleena was about 6, I was 15. Faleena was raised homeschooled on the ranch by my mother until March 26th, 2014 when my mom died and I became Faleena’s legal guardian. I prefer the term Master Guardian, for the record.
So anyways, back to the blog.
I had this whole idea around posting my epic trip around the world and sharing recipes, photos and using the blog as a way to keep in touch with all of my loved ones (letting them know I’m not dead). But then I moved back to Kiowa, Colorado to raise my orphaned sister and clean up my mom’s estate so how would that fit onto the blog?
I started thinking of blog posts like “Applying for food stamps, what you need to know” “How to ground your sister” “How to clean up a dilapidated 40 acre ranch, for dummies” “How many dead goats can fit in one freezer?” “How to kick your mentally ill stepdad out of the house”
So needless to say, I focused every single drop of energy I had on raising my sister and getting her through high school. I forgot about the blog, I forgot about my trip and i just gritted my teeth and pushed through it.
Fast forward five years to today
I am sitting in a quaint apartment in Lagos, Portugal sipping on white sangria waiting for my boyfriend Corey to come back with some cookies from the local store. We are four days into our three month trip abroad – the new and improved version of the “Eat Pray Love Plan.”
So the original plan to document the trip abroad is coming back to life and I’m just figuring out how to post content on a blog. I’m nervous about sharing all of this. What if people read this? What if no one reads it?
I really just want to create a space to share, stay tuned for more.
Loveeee it keep going! Can’t wait to see and hear about all the food you eat and the places you go!
Thank you Chris!
Luckily Corey has been navigating most of the trip because I still can’t find Downing Street.
Wahoooo! I’m so excited to read your thoughts, experiences, and updates on this big adventure! It’s long overdue! As someone who walked the journey of the last 5 years with you I can say this: You and Corey deserve every beautiful day and experience possible on this adventure! And please bring home some fun bread recipes????❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much Paula, could not have done it all without you.
Sending all the love from Europe,
Soo Proud Of You Girl For Doing Whatever It Takes And Accomplishing Your Goals Looking Forward To Reading From You Love You ????
I just read your story after your brother shared it. I’m positive your stories will inspire people…inspire them to make goals, inspire them to make sacrifices, inspire them to make choices that leave them with no regrets, inspire them to carry on through unimaginable hardships.
I unexpectedly resonated with your story, being a solo traveler, an orphan, experiencing murders in my own family, taking care of my siblings. And I’m leaving the US next week for 2.5 months as well! First stop Ireland. Portugal will be in July. Maybe I’ll run into you out there 🙂
It’s funny how isolating experiences can feel until we share them and realize so many are going through the same thing. So excited for your trip! Portugal is incredible, we spent about 2 weeks there in May and loved it. Check out my other blog post titled “Portugal” for some restaurant recommendations. Have the best time.
Great start to a 5 year delayed blog and life adventure. Keep posting. World travel is beautiful. And maybe made all the moreso beautiful given what has been the last 5 years. Your joy and savoring of this postponed but not forgotten journey comes through brilliantly. Keep writing.
/a friend of Ben’s
You go girl. I am so proud of you … and Corey for making this happen. Where all do you plan on going? Rendezvous???
Heard about your blog via Ben’s FB post, and I love what you’re sharing, Nikki. So many good life themes to write on- picking up where you left off, how that feels compared to the first time, lessons learned since then, how goals or expectations might change, if you’re missing the idea of solo traveling or not, and what adventures you and Corey have if you decide to visit different cities independently and then meet back up – a taste of soloing, or maybe the importance or fun or daring of that, when you’re in partnership with someone. Juicy themes, Nikki! Plus Europe, food, and all the other goodies. Have fun, enjoy, savor, and taste.
Wow! Thanks for sharing. This is awesome and inspiring. Can’t wait to read more.
Nikki, I did not know your story! Enjoy your time, savor every moment (not just the food and wine!) Yes, your blog will be read! Keep writing!
I’m a friend of Ben’s and I will DEFINITELY read your blog! I’m so very excited for your upcoming adventure(s) and you have definitely earned (although I’m sure you didn’t want to) the Best Sister in the World Award.
Congrats!! So glad you’re pursuing this dream! I found your blog through Ben’s FB post. I look forward to following your journey!
So happy you are taking the adventure!
Nikki! I am truly so proud of you and your family. Amazing adventure for you and whom else should have a life filled with dreams! Truly, take this blessing and run, run and experience life! feel the fear but move ahead anyway! Certainly will be checking in to read and keep up! best of times to you guys!!
Hi Nikki! That was a great first story of many to come! Great Job.
Great first post, looking forward to more food and stories! But must express dismay at your insta of tea with garlic ?????! Might as well drink that Norwegian fermented fish sauce ????
I just read Ben’s tweet I’m following on Twitter and was immediately touched by the post which led me here even more moved. I want to read your blog and keep connected. Love the idea, love the soul behind it. Enjoy the trip and I can’t wait to enjoy it through your posts!
Wow! This is amazing and I don’t even know you, but I a, proud that you raised your sister and now you’re adventuring to your long over due trip that you so gratefully deserve! I can’t wait to hear more about it!