Hiking Yosemite National Park

Amid alpines and clear skies, I sat on a granite rock and looked out toward Half Dome, a Yosemite National Park landmark. The rock formation’s name is derived from its appearance of being a dome cut in half. One side is a steep 90 degree angle while the other three are rounded.

I was on the John Muir trail, a 210.4-mile trail according to the United States Geological Survey. Unlike some hikers traveling the whole distance, I was only climbing a portion of the trail for a day trip. My group started at 6am to get in as much isolation as possible on the popular Mist Trail. With motivating views in store, getting up early on this vacation was easy.

We began our steep ascent from Happy Isle Bridge, the prelude hike to the Mist and John Muir Trail junction. We shed multiple layers of clothing quickly. Gorgeous views of valleys rewarded us. When we reached the junction, we refilled our water bottles at the water-stop and forged on to Mist Trail.

Mist Trail runs along a river and keeps up a steady incline. As we reached the top of the waterfall, we found flatter terrain to perch upon. We listened to the thundering water and looked below at the colorful speckles of people climbing toward us.

Proceeding further, we scouted views of a second waterfall, Nevada Falls, off in the distance. We navigated our way back to the John Muir Trail. This would loop us back to where we began. I looked toward Half Dome, squinting to see if I could spot anyone scaling the side.

As we continued our descent, we dropped to the so-called “Ice Cut,” or Panarama Cliff, which gets its name from the dangerous winter conditions.

Those eager to continue along John Muir Trail have Kings Canyon, Sequoia National Park and breathtaking views in the Sierra Nevada to look forward to. The footpath links up with the Pacific Crest Trail for about 100 miles. A majority of the trail is in high elevation, around 8,000-10,000 feet.

The John Muir Trail is named after naturalist John Muir who was an early supporter in the preservation of the United States wilderness and creator of the Sierra Club. As an activist, he petitioned Congress to designate Yosemite as a national park. You can read his books, essays, and letters which reflect upon the spiritual connection between nature and people.

Yosemite is a refreshing experience that allows you to disconnect from daily life and be in  awe of the world’s natural beauty. In celebration of National Park’s centennial birthday, consider taking a trip to one of the 58 national parks. Enjoy a new perspective, challenge your body to adjust to new heights, and disconnect from technology for a quiet moment in nature. I extended my trip by a week so I could dive into all things San Francisco. Read my San Francisco restaurant and activity recommendations here!

San Francisco: Recommendations Around the City

Weaving through the streets of San Francisco’s flattest district, the Mission, I sauntered casually past cyclists and down graffiti alleyways. I stood before Bernal Heights hill. Unlike most hills in San Francisco, it is undeveloped besides the radio tower at the crest. I climbed the steep dirt path surrounded by straw-colored grasses, the California state flower, California poppy, and joined dog walkers. Atop are expansive views of the city. I oriented myself, noting places I had already visited and created a mental map of the city for later use. I could have used google maps, but sometimes getting lost allows you to find unforeseen treasures. Read on for some of those jewels, including restaurant, museum, shopping, and activity recommendations.

Restaurants

Blue Plate, 3218 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, blueplatesf.com

This eatery boasts American new dishes with a Mediterranean twist. Each dish is strategically laid out on the plate with artistic grace. It won my affection for the most impressive restaurant I ate at on my trip. Unique pairings from locally-sourced farms were mouth-watering, such as artichoke soup with raspberries and chopped peanuts sprinkled on top. My friend and I opted to eat tapas-style and sampled several dishes. The atmosphere was cozy and rustic with an open kitchen. Divided into three main rooms, we sat in the middle, where we enjoyed a glass of red wine and relished in flavorful moments.

Cinderella Bakery & Cafe, 436 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118, http://cinderellabakery.com/home.html

Moving from Blue plate’s innovative take on American, Cinderella’s slides in with traditional done right. I stumbled upon this Russian Bakery & Café while seeking out completely different food. My friend, who lived in Korea for some time, tipped me off about a great Korean place located by the Conservatory of Flowers, a botanical garden in Golden Gate Park.

As I came to a halt in front of Muguboka, the Korean restaurant, it was dark. I found a sign confirming my suspicion it was closed on Tuesdays. I looked across the street and saw a bakery with wood-paneled outdoor seating surrounded by an oasis of succulents. I darted toward it, eager to find a place to recharge my camera and review my photographs of rare flowers from the Conservatory. As I entered, a waft of savory meat lay in the air. I realized this would not be a quick stop for a camera charge. Instead, my eyes scanned the Russian menu of meat pies and sandwiches.

This Russian gem on Balboa Street has homey foods that could conjure late Tsars from their graves by its sheer smell of alluring sweet and savory treats. Adding to it’s gravitational pull is its proximity to museums of interest, such as the deYoung Museum https://deyoung.famsf.org/, Academy of Science http://www.calacademy.org/, Japanese Tea Garden http://japaneseteagardensf.com/, and San Francisco Botanical Garden http://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/.

El Techo, 2516 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, http://eltechosf.com/

This Latin American rooftop restaurant has sweeping city views. It lies above its sister restaurant, Lolinda http://lolindasf.com/. Wait in line, proceed past the beautiful attendant, who manages to pull off a buzz cut, and ride an elevator to the top floor. There seems like a lot of waiting involved, but it’s worth the unobscured city views and delicious small plates, featuring Argentine grilled meats. Dim lights, city views, and a young crowd chatting away under heat lamps on chillier nights make this place memorable.

Dandelion, 740 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110, https://www.dandelionchocolate.com/

Chocolate lovers: you’ll be in heaven. No milk chocolate is served at this chocolate factory and café on Valencia Street in the Mission district. This small batch chocolate maker sells only 70% cocoa and higher. Chocolate is made on site with two ingredients: cocoa beans and sugar.

Activities

• Bike over Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and Tiberon. Take the ferry back to the city.

• Meander through city districts.

• Climb Bernal Heights hill for superb city views.

• See and be seen at Mission Delores Park.

• Take a side trip to breath-taking Yosemite National Park.

Shopping

You’ll find uniquely curated stores on the streets listed below with clothing, home goods, antiques, and plenty of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. Each street has its own character, giving off funky, chic, and lively vibes.

• Valencia Street-for the hipster-leaning folk
• Hayes Street-for chic individuals
• Linden Street-for Hayes Street’s on-trend sibling
• Haight-Ashbury-for a trip back to the 60’s
• Castro Street-everyone’s welcome!

San Francisco’s neighborhoods are interesting to walk through when you’re not in a rush. Each area is full of artistic delights, good coffee, and varied museums. If you’re visiting the city, check out Blue Plate for American new, Cinderella’s for Russian, El Techo for Latin American, and Dandelion for desert.  Of the museums I visited, Academy of Science was my favorite because of the wide array of sea creatures and because I went to adult night, which featured an outdoor rock concert. The art museum I enjoyed most, not mentioned above, was Legion of Honor for its collection of Auguste Rodin’s sculptures and the mummies and medicine exhibition. Get out there and start exploring!

 

20 Things You Should Know Before Traveling To Phnom Penh

After 26 hours of flying, I arrived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. One piece of luggage was missing. Four days later, I succumbed to the fact that it was probably gone for good.

The reason I hoped the luggage would arrive wasn’t because of the clothing and accessories inside (I had been combing my hair with my fingers instead of a real brush), but rather to access a gift I had brought for my friend’s mother.

I asked my friend what a good replacement gift would be. Her answer: a slab of beef.

In Cambodia, beef is very expensive. Chicken and fish are more affordable. We stopped off on the side of the road after a two-day excursion in Longvek, a countryside village about an hour north of the capital.

There was a meat stand located at an outdoor food market. A woman sat on the table with the meat, slicing fat away. Next to her were various animal parts. I could make out a hoof, ear, and liver. The rest was to be determined. Her colleague took on the duty of weighing the meat, bagging it, and handling the money.

I took my bag of meat into the vehicle driving us back to Phnom Penh. The car had obviously been transported from another country, as the steering wheel was on the right side, rather than the left.

Cambodians drive on the same side of the road as we do in the United States, however, there aren’t many regulations when it comes to vehicles. If there are, no one follows them. You can buy a car made in Australia or the UK, like our driver had. However, the drawback for him was the inconvenience of having to lean across the car to pay tolls.

Crossing the street in Cambodia is a death-defying challenge. If you ever have to drive yourself, remember to think and act like a Cambodian driver. This requires ignoring the lines separating lanes and expecting to be cut off. Also, if you have more than one person in your group, no need to all purchase vehicles. Look around and you will see entire families riding on a motorcycle. If they can do it, you can too. Although, I wouldn’t recommend driving at all. On another note, if you are Cambodian and own a car, it is to be parked inside your living room at night for safe keeping.

When we arrived back in Phnom Penh, I learned my luggage had been found! An hour later, her mother had a framed photo of her daughter, which she placed inside the expertly carved wooden bookcase.

Woodcarvings are gorgeous in Cambodia. If you are planning on purchasing an expensive gift, you might consider one of the intricately carved pieces of furniture.

Chronologically speaking, my first day actually began with a trip to a maternity hospital. My friend’s sister had just had her first baby the day before our arrival. I felt lucky to experience this event. Over the next few days, I had a crash course in Cambodian culture.

Overall, within the first week, I learned:

1. Driving rules are to ignore driving rules; except red lights.

2. You can eat a large meal for under $1.00, or 4,000 riel, if you buy it from a street vendor.

3. Cambodian weddings typically last three days.

4. Weddings venues are always set up in front of the bride’s home.

5. If you only need a small amount of gas for your motorcycle, look for Pepsi, Fanta, or Coca Cola bottles on the side of the road.

6. Massages are $6.00-12.00. (a.k.a get one everyday.)

7. Angkor beer is the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage in the country.

8. When walking across the street, step into the road, and make your presence known. Vehicles will slow down for you, but never stop. You should stop in the middle of the road to let fast cars pass by and then continue on your journey to the other side.

9. Cambodians carve beautiful wood furniture.

10. Meat, especially beef, is a good gift.

11. Always negotiate prices; what often starts at 5 becomes 3.

12. Apsara dance is a slow Khmer classical dance with sinuous hand gestures that tell mythical or religious stories.

13. Water is not drinkable. Cambodians boil water, refrigerate, then drink. You can buy bottled water. Make sure the cap is sealed.

14. If you want to clean your clothes, you can throw them in a large bucket, add water and soap, and let it sit. Then, as if making wine and stomping on grapes, get inside the bucket and start stomping. Proceed to rub clothing against each other, squeeze, and let hang dry.

15. Chicken and fish are more affordable.

16. Breakfast=soup. For example, congee, or rice porridge, mixed with fish and blood pudding is a common choice. Another is beef noodle soup with hot chili peppers, vegetables, and banana blossom shavings.

17. Iced coffee is made with condensed milk and comes with an handy plastic carrier you can place around your wrist.

18. You can pay in US dollars, riel, or a combination of the two.

19. Take your hat off as a sign of respect when in the presence of a monk.

20. Use and eat every part of an animal. Eyeballs and all.

My first week was filled with learning Cambodian phrases, a trip to the maternity ward, and a new diet of noodle soup, rice, and meat. I learned that crossing the street is never a casual thing. I attended an engagement party that was set up as a mock wedding. I was advised that price negotiation is expected. Upon closer inspection of soda bottles, I realized it was gasoline. Overall, it was a week of new experiences!