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Change of Plans

Posted on October 5, 2018. Last updated on May 5, 2022 by Taylor Keen 2 Comments

“You are only one decision away from a totally different life.” – Mark Batterson

“Making a big life change is pretty scary. But, know what’s even scarier? Regret.” – Zig Ziglar

“Your life changes the moment you make a new, congruent, and committed decision.” – Anthony Robbins

“There comes a time when you have to choose between turning the page or closing the book.” – Josh Jameson

“By knowing that you can fail and making the choice to take the risk, you will be setting yourself up for success and not failure.” – Jennifer N. Smith

“Life is about choices. Some we regret, some we are proud of. Some will haunt us forever. The message: we are what we choose to be.” – Graham Brown

“In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make.” – Lewis Carroll

“You and only you are responsible for your life choices and decisions.” – Robert T. Kiyosaki

I did not expect to be writing this blog post. However, life is full of curveballs, change, and opportunities. The past four months with the Peace Corps in beautiful Mozambique have been great. I have learned so much about the Peace Corps, Mozambique, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and myself. I have also met so many incredible people. With that said, I have decided to resign, or in Peace Corps lingo, early-terminate (ET). This is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make and I do not take the decision lightly. While we have indeed been incredibly busy these first four months in the country, I have had a lot of time to think and reflect and I feel at this time it is the right decision for my future and me.

In the Peace Corps world, “ET-ing” often is looked at in a negative aspect. There are many reasons why volunteers decide to ET (family issues, boyfriends/girlfriends back home, medical reasons, change of heart, job opportunity, schooling opportunity, etc.) so, why is it usually seen as a negative? Is it because we take the US oath? Is it because we are volunteers in a foreign country? Is it because those who ET are thought to be in over their heads or weak? I do not have the answer to the question, but I do not view it as a negative. Are there people who ET for the wrong reasons? Maybe. Nevertheless, there are also plenty of people who ET because it is the right decision for them. In the end, we are all individuals and all have our own lives, goals, dreams, desires, families, etc. While it may not be the decision you would make, it does not mean it is the wrong decision for them.

What Now?

What are my plans now that the next two years have suddenly changed? Well, I am going to spend the next few months in Michigan spending time with my family during the holiday season. In addition, I am going to be pursuing a goal of mine that I have had for several years. What is the goal? Going to graduate school in Germany for my master’s degree. In the coming months I will be preparing my applications, applying for graduate school, and getting back into studying German (do not worry, the master’s program is in English). Some may ask why I don't wait until after Peace Corps to go to graduate school as so many volunteers do. Could I stay in Mozambique for two years and go to graduate school after? Yes. However, after much thought, consideration, and prayer, I believe that in the end, this decision right now is best for my future.

Thank You

To my family and friends in the States, thank you for always encouraging me to follow my dreams and supporting me in my decisions. I know many of my decisions have not been decisions that you would make or the decisions you would choose for me but you accept them anyway and encourage me.

To Peace Corps Mozambique, staff, host families, colleagues, host-country nationals, volunteers, and fellow cohort members, thank you for an amazing four months. It was great getting to know all of you and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for all of you. Whether it be in Mozambique, the US, or anywhere else in the world, I know you all will do great things in life. I will forever be grateful for the amazing friendships I have gained and the memories we have shared. Estamos juntos, sempre.

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Friends Around the World

Posted on May 21, 2018. Last updated on May 5, 2022 by Taylor Keen Leave a Comment

One of the best things about traveling is the people you meet and relationships you build that turn into lifelong friendships. While the majority of the time I travel "solo", it doesn't mean I'm alone the entire time. Along the way, I meet people from all over the world whether it be at a hostel, restaurant, or just roaming the streets. To this day, some of my closest friends are those I met while traveling.

Here are some of my amazing friends and fellow travel enthusiasts. Find out their favorite places, worst travel experiences, travel tips, and more below!

Alex Germerott – Germany

Language(s) spoken: German, English, French, and a bit of Portuguese
Current location: Germany
Favorite place: Well it’s pretty hard to say which one was my favorite place. I liked the clear blue water in Rio de Janeiro but also the massive buildings in Tokyo.
Best travel experience: This is also hard to say, but one of my best experiences was the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Also, our last trip to Tokyo to meet up again.
Worst travel experience: When some pickpocketers tried to steal our bag at Ipanema Beach in Rio.
Travel tip(s): You definitely have to come to good old Germany and try German beer.
How we met: We met in Rio during the 2016 Olympics. It was a pleasure for me to work with you on the golf course.

Brent Folan – United States

Language(s) spoken: English and conversational Spanish
Current location: Central America (sidenote: Brent doesn’t sit still)
Favorite place: Rio de Janeiro, Sydney, Cape Town, Mumbai, or Hong Kong
Best travel experience: The 2016 Summer Olympics or my 412 day trip around the world! Both have been so life-changing.
Worst travel experience: Actually very tough to think of one…food poisoning is never fun anywhere.
Travel tip(s):
1) Always wear a smile! Talk to the locals, they all have a story to tell.
2) Always step out of your comfort zone, it makes for the best stories.
How we met: 2016 Summer Olympics
Link(s): Instagram (@brentfolan) | Folan Finds

Donna Oosterbeek – Netherlands

Language(s) spoken: Dutch and English
Current location: Netherlands
Favorite place: Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica and Rome, Italy
Best travel experience: No doubt the Traveling Spanish Classroom.
Worst travel experience: No doubt as well, Lloret de Mar, Spain. Way too many (sex) tourists and drunk people.
Travel tip(s):
1) The Traveling Spanish Classroom was an awesome experience. I recommend it to other people who want to combine traveling and learning Spanish.
2) Thailand is very nice. Pai in the north is very relaxing and chill. The Koh Pha-Ngan islands are very beautiful.
How we met: Traveling Spanish Classroom in Panama and Costa Rica
Link(s): Instagram (@donnaoosterbeek)

Helina Alvarez – United States

Language(s) spoken: English
Current location: United States
Favorite place: I don’t know if I can pick just one. Greece and Namibia are tied!
Best travel experience: Five weeks in the Namib desert studying reptile ecology with people from Namibia, Botswana, and the US. We spent Christmas and New Years together and were able to experience such a beautiful culture.
Worst travel experience: Brazil. Although it’s a gorgeous country, being there during the 2016 Summer Olympics was insanely crowded. There was security/military standing on almost every street corner with large automatic rifles. I understand it was a safety precaution, but I didn’t feel safe there.
Travel tip(s): Be as respectful and polite as possible. Each culture, religion, and country can be very different from what you’re used to.
How we met: We were roommates for 2 days in Rio.
Link(s): Instagram (@caligirl_helina)

Karol Yela – Colombia

Language(s) spoken: Spanish and English
Current location: Bogotá
Favorite place: Rincon del Mar, Sucre, Colombia
Best travel experience: The Olympic Games Rio 2016
Worst travel experience: None
Travel tip(s):
1) Ask local people for the best places to visit and the best way to do it.
2) Always visit the downtown and most popular neighborhoods to find the best food and customs.
3) Be open to the idea that everything is part of the trip, even the bad things. Don’t get mad because things didn’t go as expected. Just be patient to get out of trouble and keep going!
How we met: We were roommates in Rio de Janeiro.
Link(s): Instagram (@karolyc01)

Kaley Desher – United States

Language(s) spoken: English and Spanish
Current location: Spain
Favorite place: Barcelona
Best travel experience: Stargazing in the Sahara desert.
Worst travel experience: Getting lost in Seville.
Travel tip(s):
1) Be open to new experiences.
2) Be friendly with everyone you meet.
3) Embrace spontaneity.
How we met: We were roommates in Rio de Janeiro!
Link(s): Instagram (@kaleydesh)

Madi Brown – United States

Language(s) spoken: English and Spanish
Current location: California
Favorite place: Antigua, Guatemala and Stockholm, Sweden
Best travel experience: Getting to visit people who I met earlier in my trip and being able to stay in touch with so many people from around the world.
Worst travel experience: Getting parasites in Peru.
Travel tip(s):
1) Don’t be afraid to travel solo.
2) Do your research.
3) Talk to people.
4) Do what you enjoy doing.
5) Don’t be afraid to get off the beaten path.
How we met: Traveling Spanish Classroom in Panama.
Link(s): Instagram (@madi01brown)

Maximilian (Max) Germerott – Germany

Language(s) spoken: German, English, some French, and a little Portuguese
Current location: Germany (just returned from Tokyo)
Favorite place: South Africa
Best travel experience: Safari in South Africa and the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Worst travel experience: Being on the verge of a shootout in Paris.
Travel tip(s): Try to visit every place you’re interested in. Each trip is a lifetime memory.
How we met: During the Olympics in Rio. You worked with my brother.

Tamara Marzouk – United States

Language(s) spoken: English and intermediate Spanish
Current location: Los Angeles
Favorite place: Samara, Costa Rica
Best travel experience: I spent two months in Costa Rica and spent time with an amazing group of doulas and a midwife!
Worst travel experience: I get seasick, so I’ve had trouble on a few boat rides in different places in the world.
Travel tip(s):
1) Be careful about over-packing! You’ll regret it later. You can always buy essentials as you travel, so don’t lug too much around.
2) Take risks! Say yes to something you thought you would never say yes to, even if it scares you. Pushing your comfort zone can be a great opportunity for growth!
How we met: We met at a Spanish school in Turrialba, Costa Rica.

Tiffany Alvord – United States

Language(s) spoken: English, some Korean, and some German
Current location: South Korea
Favorite place: Everywhere I’ve gone but I’d have to say La Gonave, Haiti. Gorgeous views! The views from the plane literally made my jaw drop.
Best travel experience: I was in Haiti visiting family and we were in Anse-a-Galat waiting to take a boat (I use that word loosely – this “boat” was barely bigger than a rowboat and frighteningly rickety) to the small island of La Gonave. The views from the private dock were unbelievable! The views from the “boat” were incredible as well even though I held on for dear life the entire time. Still enjoyable.
Worst travel experience: I had a solo trip to Thailand and was on the last leg. I headed to Bangkok, got there later in the evening and decided to check out a night food market. I had the exact address and everything, but I ended up walking for two hours (after getting lost a few times) to find that the market was not where my GPS said it was. I was in some shady neighborhood. I booked it out of there and went back to the hostel exhausted, starving, and frustrated. I ordered a pizza and ate it on the rooftop deck…so I guess the ending wasn’t that bad!
Travel tip(s):
1) Always exchange more money than you think you will need at the airport. You never know if your cards will stop working or places will only accept cash.
2) Take trips by yourself! I’m literally scared of everything, but traveling solo has proven to me that I’m capable of so much more than I thought.
3) Try the “strange” local food. I tried a silkworm pupa where I’m living in South Korea and even though it was awful (so squishy!), it’s something I’ll never forget.
4) Be prepared for plans to go awry. Roll with the punches and just move on to plan B and sometimes plan C. It’s all part of traveling.
How we met: We worked at the same bank in Michigan
Link(s): Instagram (@tiffany.j.alvord) | Three If By Sky

Victor Firmino – Brazil

Language(s) spoken: Portuguese, English, and some Danish
Current location: Ireland
Favorite place: New York City
Best travel experience: London
Worst travel experience: Keflavik
Travel tip(s):
1) Use Skyscanner for plane tickets.
2) Always book a hostel directly with them.
3) Try to always travel with just a carry-on bag.
How we met: We were staying at the same hostel in Rio

William (Will) McInerney – Australia

Language(s) spoken: English and some basic phrases in other languages
Current location: Home (Adelaide, South Australia)
Favorite place: Egypt is my favorite country! The history of the country is fascinating and how so many ancient monuments have been preserved/restored is incredible. The tombs inside Valley of the Kings are in such good condition…like they were made last week – mind-blowing!
Best travel experience: Being some of the first people of the day to explore places like Machu Picchu and Petra. Having few people around you just allows you to soak in everything and enjoy it at your own pace. Our guide to one of the best vantage points of the Treasury at Petra was a 7-year-old boy and the route to get there involves scaling rock faces. When we got up there he left us up there to find our own way down so we got to do some exploring to find our own way down which was all part of the adventure!
Worst travel experience: When trekking for Silverback Mountain Gorillas in Uganda, our tracker was attacked and mauled by a Blackback (juvenile Silverback) and surrounded by three Silverbacks all trying to grab him. One Silverback charged within a meter or two of me straight towards the tracker. It turns out we did not see that a mother and baby had joined the rest of the family and the males were trying to protect them. Apparently, it is rare for this to happen and everyone was okay, but it was pretty terrifying!
Travel tip(s):
1) Pack light and embrace everything!
2) Get up early and beat the crowds.
3) Do what you can when you can!
How we met: Volunteering at the Olympic Golf Course at the 2016 Rio Olympics
Link(s): Instagram (@wilburrrrr) | Instagram (@wherethereswilltherestravel)

Zandra (Zandy) Treviño – Mexico

Language(s) spoken: Spanish, English, Portuguese, and German
Current location: Mexico (just returned from Asia)
Favorite place: Perito Moreno, Calafate, Argentina
Best travel experience: Guanajuato, Mexico
Worst travel experience: I can’t think of one.
Travel tip(s):
1) Travel with a student card to get discounts to museums and temples.
2) Always bring an extra lock.
3) Carry Advil with you.
4) Always bring a swimsuit and a jacket.
5) Start your trip with half of your bags empty.
6) You can bring things like tequila or local candy to give to the people you meet during your trip.
How we met: In a hostel in Montevideo, Uruguay
Link(s): Instagram (@zandytr)

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Tastes from Around the World

Posted on May 7, 2018. Last updated on November 26, 2018 by Taylor Keen 2 Comments

Anyone that knows me most likely knows I love food. Whether it be my mom's sweet and spicy chili, my grandma's famous chocolate chip cookies, my aunt's amazing baked beans (to be honest, everything she makes is amazing), or my favorite Mexican restaurant, these are just some of the foods I love.

However, there is so much more food than one has on a weekly basis. One of my favorite things about traveling the world is getting to try different foods and local delicacies. For picky-eaters, this may be their worst nightmare, but I'm always excited to try new food. Throughout my travels thus far, I've had the privilege to eat and try a wide array of food from all over the world. While in some rare cases I have come across some not-so-great tasting food, for the most part, the food has been absolutely delicious.

Here is some of my favorite food from around the world:

Brazil – Açaí

Açaí has recently gained popularity here in the United States but has long been popular in Brazil where it’s naturally found. One of the best things about açaí in Brazil? It’s not nearly as expensive as it is in the US!

Brazil – Churrasco

“Churrasco” means barbecue and oh is it delicious. Whether steak, chicken, lamb, pork, or any other meat, it’s all guaranteed to make your mouth water. At Fogo de Chão, the meat is served rodizio style which means the waiters come to the tables with a skewer of meat and a knife and cut the meat off directly onto your plate. I highly recommend visiting a churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse) at least once.

Brazil – Coxinha

Literally meaning “little thigh”, coxinha is deep fried dough shaped into the shape of a chicken thigh and is traditionally stuffed with shredded chicken. I found it to be a great street snack and had at least one a day while in Rio.

Brazil – Creme de moranga

Creme de moranga is a Brazilian dish made with pumpkin and has a creamy soup-like consistency. Sometimes it’s made with meat as well which is the way I had it (pork, smoked sausage, bacon, pepperoni, etc.).

Brazil – Farofa

Farofa is a toasted cassava (shrub native to South America) flour mixture that is typically toasted with various ingredients like butter, salt, garlic, onions, etc. Served alongside a meal, you can eat it on its own as a side or sprinkled on the meal. Garlic farofa was my favorite.

Brazil – Feijoada

Feijoada, a bean stew, is a national dish of Brazil and is made with black beans, a variety of meat such as pork trimmings (ears, nose, feet, etc.) and sausage. My first experience eating feijoada was at a birthday party on a farm in Brazil. While getting my serving of feijoada, I was offered the pig’s nose that I could see floating but opted for one of the feet. That was the safer option, right?

Colombia – Cholado

Cholado is a traditional drink from the Valle del Cauca region of Colombia. It’s made with ice, fresh fruit, and condensed milk and is amazing! Some common fruits that are used include banana, strawberry, kiwi, pineapple, starfruit, etc. It may have been one of, if not the, best drinks I’ve ever had.

France – Crêpe

Crêpes are a very thin pastry filled with a variety of fillings. There are two types of crêpes: sweet and savory. Sweet crêpes are typically filled with fruits, syrup, chocolate, or Nutella. On the other hand, savory crêpes are filled with ingredients such as various meats, cheeses, eggs, mushrooms, etc. If you can’t decide which to try, I recommend trying both.

Germany – Currywurst

Currywurst is a fast food consisting of steamed and then fried pork sausage. They’re then typically cut into slices and seasoned with curry ketchup and curry powder on top. They’re also usually served with fries and in my opinion, mayonnaise is also a must!

Germany – Döner Kebab

While technically Turkish, döner kebabs are super popular in Germany and especially in Berlin where they’re known for their döners and currywurst. A döner is a kebab made of meat that is cooked on a vertical rotisserie and then shaven off. While each restaurant is slightly different, generally it’s wrapped in a flatbread and filled with meat, various vegetables (lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers), cheese, and various sauces. It’s a must-eat if you visit Berlin!

Germany – Käsespätzle

Spätzle is a soft egg noodle that is used in several dishes. Some say the noodles are more like pasta and some say they’re more like a dumpling. This specific spätzle I got was “cheese spätzle” so I would say it’s like macaroni and cheese.

Germany – Weißwurst

Weißwurst, literally “white sausage”, is a traditional Bavarian sausage made from minced veal and pork back bacon. They’re typically brought to the table in a large bowl with the cooking water. There is a skin on the sausage that has to be removed prior to eating and there are two ways you can remove it. The traditional way, zuzein, is to cut the end of the sausage and suck the meat out. However, the more popular way, how I was taught, is to cut the sausage lengthwise and then roll the sausage out from the skin using a fork.

Italy – Gelato

Gelato, or Italian-style ice cream, is different than ice cream in that it contains less fat, less air, and more flavoring. The traditional flavors of gelato are vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, pistachio, cream/custard, and Stracciatella. However, there are an endless amount of new modern flavors.

Japan – Eel

These eel skewers were so tasty! The meat was so tender that it just about melted in your mouth. It was literally finger-licking good!

Japan – Ramen

Ramen in Japan is much better than the ramen associated with college students in the US. Ramen is Chinese-style wheat noodles in a meat or fish broth. It’s typically flavored with soy sauce or miso and can have various toppings such as pork, seaweed, or green onions.

Japan – Sushi

Sushi is vinegared rice mixed with other ingredients such as seafood, vegetables, or fruit. While an ingredient may be raw fish, the word sushi itself doesn’t mean raw fish (raw fish is called sashimi which is also good).

Mozambique – Mandioca

Mozambique has a ton of delicious food so it's hard to pick just one. With that being said, mandioca is very popular in Mozambique. There are various ways to eat or cook it and it also varies by geographic region. In the picture is "sweet mandioca", but I prefer fried mandioca. I say that fried mandioca is like french fries.

Panama – Patacones

Patacones are twice-fried plantains and are easy to make. Take an unripe, green plantain and peel and cut into slices. Second, fry the slices on each side for 1-2 minutes until golden-colored and then remove and pat to remove excess oil. Next, pound the slices flat using something like a plate or cup. Finally, fry the slices again until crisp.

Spain – Cochinillo asado

Cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig) is a two to six-week-old piglet fed on its mother’s milk that is traditionally roasted whole. I ate this dish at Sobrino de Botín in Madrid, the oldest restaurant continuously running in the world (since 1725).

Spain – Paella

Paella is a rice dish from the Valencia area of Spain. There are many versions of paella but typical paella consists of white rice, green beans, white beans, meat, snails, and seasonings.

Do you have a favorite international food? If so, let me know in the comments below.

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