The Bohemian Diaries » Personal http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com The wanderlust musings of Jessica Janoski Mon, 29 Jun 2015 04:46:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.2 Greetings from Sucre + Instagram Inspiration http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/greetings-sucre-instagram/ http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/greetings-sucre-instagram/#comments Sun, 14 Jun 2015 21:14:39 +0000 http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/?p=2353 A quick look at my visit to Sucre, Bolivia thus far through my Instagram feed. Plus, my top ten favorite inspirational travel and lifestyle Instagrammers for you to check out!

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Saludos from the beautiful white city of Sucre, my friends!

In the two plus years since moving to Bolivia I’ve been itching to explore the country’s capital and finally, I made it! It’s a work/birthday weekend celebration and I’d like to take the opportunity to share with you what we’ve been up to so far.

Seeing as Sucre is the most picturesque city I’ve visited in Bolivia—and quickly becoming my favorite—I figure there’s no better way to document the trip than with a little Instagram action. And since I’m feeling extra inspired surrounded by such beauty, I’ll also be sharing some of my favorite travel Instagrammers at the end of this post so you can add them to your feed’s repertoire. Be sure to follow along over at @jessicajanoski for more updates and adventures!

First things first, a walking tour to get our bearings with map in hand and camera in the other. We’ve zig-zagged across the colonial city, climbing anything above three stories and often turning in circles from mid-morning when we landed until sunset. Hands down, the best view of the city center is from the rooftop of San Felipe Neri, pictured below. We climbed up to the bell tower just as the sun was setting and it was absolutely stunning. A little Santorni-esque (sans the sea), wouldn’t you agree?

And for my dear readers, here are a few more snaps that didn’t make the Instagram cut from during the day. You gotta be selective, #amiright.

The Bohemian Diaries Instagram

A quick shout out to Mi Pueblo Samary, the tranquil, boutique hotel that’s hosting us and providing the most calming garden oasis for us to rest at. The details are charming and if there wasn’t so much to see and do in Sucre, I’d be spending the entire day curled up with my books in between the rose beds and the calla lilies.

Sucre’s details got me all in love with this little city. #thelittlethings #MiPuebloSamary A photo posted by The Bohemian Diaries (@jessicajanoski) on


As the birthplace of Bolivia, Sucre is full of history and thus, full of museums commemorating their colorful past. There’s no shortage of cultural identity or pride that I’ve noticed in this city and each museum and monument we’ve visited so far has been just as full of locals as foreigners. This is something I really wish we had more of in Santa Cruz— galleries and institutions that celebrate local art, history and culture. One of my highlights of day three was dragging my cruceño (a.ka. the bf) around to each of the historical landmarks (sometimes multiple times until the light was right for a photo) and posing with the country’s Declaration of Independence.

I was disappointed when we visited La Recoleta, a Franciscan monastery seated atop a hill offering the best panoramic views of the city, but pleasantly surprised with our visit to the cemetery earlier today. Whereas the lookout at La Recoleta was overcrowded with teenage school kids and an amateur talent competition (no joke), the cemetery was peaceful (a nice reprieve from what we are used to in our city) and a good way to relax during the afternoon. It turned out to be fabulously interesting as we toured the graves and learned about local chuquisaqueña beliefs and customs regarding life and death.

Little boxes on the hillside, little boxes made of ticky tacky 🎶 Actually, these colorful squares are not cookie cutter molds from suburbia (please tell me you get the song reference!) but graves in Sucre’s one and only cemetery. Chuquisaqueños (locals of Sucre) believe that after death the body is still “fresh” for seven years and so nobody is cremated until that point. Everyone rests in colorful nichos filled with goodies, toys and other little trinkets representing what that person loved in life. Some nichos are even decorated with bottles of yogurt and packs of oreos! Most of them also include a little jar of water for the soul to come back and sip as they believe the alma is always thirsty. Its one of the most beautiful and peaceful parts of the city, definitely worth a visit to learn more about their cultural beliefs 🌹 A photo posted by The Bohemian Diaries (@jessicajanoski) on

There’s seriously so much more to see and discover that I doubt we will have time to squeeze it all in, especially since we have been accommodating a couple hours each night to the 2015 Copa America soccer tournament! Wish us well as we continue our travels!

#Inspo

And now, a few of my favorite photogs for you to check out and drool over the next time you scroll through Instagram. These accounts are full of wanderlust, killer landscapes, and sheer talent, check them out!

Nicola Lemmon

nicola-instaIf Nicola’s photos don’t inspire enough wanderlust to have you this close to packing your bags and hitting the road, I don’t know what will. This Aussie native is the master of creating dreamscapes that are simultaneously retro and modern and always pleasing to the eye.

LeBackpacker

lebackpacker-instaAs possibly the most “instagrammable” place on Earth, New Zealand has it’s fair share of photographers summiting peaks, chasing auroras and camping out seaside all in the pursuit of a great photo. Johan Lolos by far stands out from the crowd as his enthusiasm for adventure and love for NZ is evident in each frame he posts. #Swooning.

It’s Beautiful Here

Untitled-1Georgia Hopkins of It’s Beautiful Here snaps beautiful cityscapes while creating unique guides from her travels across Europe and beyond. From food scenes to street portraits, she captures the heartwarming, the unusual, and of course, the beautiful throughout her journey. Visit her blog (mentioned above) to browse her guides and stories.

Travel Tales of Life

traveltales
Follow this colorful couple as they document their equally vibrant travels around the world one gram at a time. Sue and Dave also blog about their adventures over at Travel Tales of Life, proving it’s never to late to start exploring. Be sure to brighten your feed with their fun account!

In A Faraway Land

farawayMarta Kulesza is a Polish landscape photographer who recently relocated to New Zealand and documents her adventures both night and day on her extraordinary mountain-filled feed. She’s an expert at astrophotography and has me swooning over every starry night and lunar photo she posts. Follow her travels on her blog, In A Faraway Land.

Ha’a Keaulana

Haa-Insta2Sand, surf and sun is what native Hawaiian Ha’a Keaulana is all about. She documents her everyday adventures living the HI life and looking good while doing so.

Pretty Moon

prettymoonTo describe Christine’s photos in one word, I’d go with whimsical. She features herself in nearly all of her photos, creating a unique perspective in telling the story of where she’s been. A sort of “in my shoes” collection, if you will.

Mark Clinton

markclintonCombining the best of both mountain and seascapes, Sydney-based photographer Mark Clinton captures nature’s extremes and the interaction between humans pushing their limits within the great outdoors. Definitely one of my favorite accounts to visit and revisit.

Your turn! Leave your handle in the comments below so I can take a peek at your lovely feeds! And tell me, where has been the most instagrammable place in all your travels?

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Travel Talk with the A Broad, Abroad Podcast http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/travel-talk-with-the-a-broad-abroad-podcast/ http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/travel-talk-with-the-a-broad-abroad-podcast/#comments Wed, 15 Apr 2015 15:43:49 +0000 http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/?p=2240 Oh hey! I'm on iTunes! In my interview with Mariza from the podcast A Broad, Abroad you'll hear me dish on how social media stalking turned my dream job into reality, feeling like a foreigner in my own country, life in a tropical paradise and some of the woes of expat living and long-term travel...

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Jessica Janoski | The Bohemian DiariesFriends! I’M ON ITUNES.

And thankfully, for you, I’m not singing. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with my friend Mariza during an episode of her expat podcast series A Broad, abroad. In the interview I dish on how social media stalking turned my dream job into reality, feeling like a foreigner in my own country, life in a tropical paradise and some of the woes of expat living and long-term travel (including but not limited to stinky cheese and bragging rights for the world’s worst traffic). Give it a listen!

And now that you’ve listened to me, let’s hear about you! Tell me, how does travel fit into your lifestyle? If you’re also an expat, what advice do you have for other travelers interested in making a more permanent move? Sailing from Panama to Colombia as been my travel high, what’s yours?

Until next time, happy trails!

Be sure to subscribe to A Broad, abroad and download Mariza’s latest episodes from iTunes, Stitcher, and Facebook.

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Twenty-six During Twenty-six http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/twenty-six-twenty-six/ http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/twenty-six-twenty-six/#comments Tue, 10 Jun 2014 11:28:31 +0000 http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/?p=1865 It’s here, it’s here! Time to blow out the candles on another year and wish for the best in the next to come. Here's my list of 26 kick-ass and life-changing things to accomplish while 26.

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The Bohemian Diaries | Jessica Janoski Photography

It’s here, it’s here! Time to blow out the candles on another year and wish for the best in the next to come.

Seeing as I basically spent the entire last year in a perpetual state of existential uncertainty (read: quarter-life crisis), I’ve decided to give this following year some direction. And seeing as I can’t resist a good list, here’s one to keep me busy for the next 365 days. Let’s knock a few out together?

26 kick-ass, life-changing, and personally challenging things to accomplish while 26.

Get down to business.

  1. Put this journalism degree to better use and continue freelancing pieces to travel/news publications on a regular basis. Now to define “regular basis”…
  2. Focus on taking The Bohemian Diaries to the next level.  My hope is that this eventually becomes a solid travel resource and place to go for photography/travel inspiration.
  3. Sell some of my photographs and establish an online gallery. Buy one?
  4. Open my own studio/office.
  5. Take a class. Maybe business, maybe political science. Heck, maybe even the business of politics. Just as long as it’s something new.
  6. Climb a mountain. This is kind of cheating since it was one of two New Year’s resolutions for 2014 but it’s a little more daunting than I expected. (A few months ago I was winded walking up and down a simple flight of stairs in small Bolivian town at high altitude.) So, I’m giving myself some leeway if I can’t manage to summit by the end of the calendar year.
  7. Visit three countries, old or new. Preferably on a new continent. This may get tricky considering my visa limitations regarding travel outside of the country but where there’s a will there’s a way. Right?
  8. Tour Mendoza wineries and vineyards.
  9. Get lost in the city of La Paz, Bolivia.
  10. Photograph the Milky Way.
  11. Master one kick-ass dish in the kitchen. Or at least put all of my hours watching Food Network to good use and try 10 completely new-to-me recipes.
  12. Improve upon my subpar Bachata moves and take Latin ballroom partnering classes. #MyHipsDontLie
  13. Take a 30-day challenge. 30 days of clean eating. Or 30 acts of kindness towards strangers. Note: I will not acknowledge Pinterest’s 30-days to rock hard abs or a better butt. I refuse.
  14. Read a book in Spanish.
  15. Watch The Godfather. And The Sopranos. And any other mobster/mafia must-sees I’ve made it this far without watching but probably should just get to anyway.
  16. Catch an El Dorado fish. I’ve already caught a piranha, this shouldn’t be too bad.
  17. Attempt a 10k and half marathon.
  18. Volunteer with a local NGO or organization working towards community development here in Bolivia.
  19. Paint my nails in pure glitter. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little glam every once in a while for this girl.
  20. Establish a morning routine. Such as, waking up early in the morning and devote time to working on any one of these goals without crawling back to bed for a mid-morning nap.
  21. Eat more fresh fruit. I really love fruit, but it’s been pointed out that only love fruit that I don’t have to peel, cut, carve or actually work at eating. Picky, much?
  22. Fight for a cause.
  23. Make deadlines and stick to them. Or rather, follow through with my ideas instead of let them float around without putting them into action.
  24. Mediate. Or practice yoga more often.
  25. Find a balance. Which will come with #20 and #26.
  26. Live more in the moment and don’t get burdened by the small things. Smile more and enjoy this beautiful life.

What are some things you are working toward accomplishing throughout the year? Any tips for committing to some of these items?

Wish me luck!

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Opening Up with the Liebster Awards http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/opening-liebster-awards/ http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/opening-liebster-awards/#comments Mon, 31 Mar 2014 14:32:19 +0000 http://jessicajanoski.com/blog/?p=1325 Get to know me and meet other bloggers with this little Q+A. Complete with awkward moments and personal challenges. Enjoy!

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Liebster AwardI think this unexpected little nomination from Alison and Kenny of A+K Wanderlusts came just at the right time. I’ve been sentenced to bed rest from an excruciating back injury and between heavy doses of Girls and Vice reruns I haven’t been up for heavy blogging. And, since I keep my nook of the web very photography heavy and documentary oriented, I don’t often dish on the girl behind these pages. So, in this get-to-know-me-and-meet-new-followers questionnaire, I answer A+K Wanderlusts inquiries and spill the 411 on yours truly. Enjoy.

1. If you could travel back in time to one particular moment, what would it be? To a motorcycle ride wedged between a Cambodian and Bolivian weaving through the streets of Siam Reap. The moment I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life traveling and seeking adventure where I least expect it.

2. If you had to fast forward to a point in your future for 10 minutes, what would it be? To the moment I am reading my first photo essay in National Geographic while traveling to my next feature assignment!

3. You find $1,000 lying on the street. What’s the first thing you would do? Buy a plane ticket home to meet my new little nephew.

4. Beach or mountains? (And you can’t say a mountain overlooking a beach, which is my go-to answer for this one). Aghh! If I absolutely can’t go with the default answer of both simultaneously I’ll have to say the beach! I’m a sun baby.

5. What is one trait that you are constantly improving upon? Patience and procrastination. It’s quite the battle between them both.

6. What food could you simply not live without? Indian curry.

7. What is your most embarrassing moment? (Well, the most embarrassing moment you’re willing to share). Hmmm. I don’t remember too many times where I’ve been extremely embarrassed but there is one instance where I wished I could have just disappeared from a situation all together. One January morning in Minnesota after a heavy snowstorm I woke up late to a meeting and rushed out the door without brushing my car off which was buried under a foot of snow. It will blow off as I drive, right? Wrong. The snow was so heavy that it remained blanketed on my windows preventing me from driving. I pulled into a church parking lot, the first place I saw off the road, and got out to scrape the snow. Only, instead of scraping I swiped and hit at the snow in frustration for being late, slipping a few choice words out loud, only to find a congregation of people staring at my antics from inside. Ayyyy.

8. How would your best friend describe you in one sentence? As the carefree girl who can’t sit still nor stay in one place for too long.

9. What destination is on the top of your travel list? Greece.

10. When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried? With my sister the last time I was home. Take me back!

11. Describe your perfect day. Photo in the morning, lunch with friends, an afternoon hike and dinner with family.

11 Things About Me

  1. If you’re looking for me, you can find me in the gym. I am a certified Zumba instructor and can’t get enough hip shakin’ and booty squats.
  2. One of my goals for 2014 is to climb a mountain. Like a big one. I’m thinking Huyana Potosí. Wish me luck?
  3. I like it hot. My food that is! The spicier the better.
  4. I didn’t realize it until afterwards but the happiest I have been was when I lived in Hawaii.
  5. I can hike, and hike, and hike…forever. I just love walking through the wilderness.
  6. The Alchemist is my Bible.
  7. As challenging as it can be sometimes, I like living outside of my comfort zone. It’s good to be removed from your element as a way to learn more about yourself that you wouldn’t otherwise.
  8. In the last year I have lost all self-control when it comes to sweets.
  9. Cambodia is my favorite country I’ve traveled to so far.
  10. It’s a bad habit but I almost always choose carbs over fruits and vegetables. Mashed potatoes are my weakness.
  11. I walk anxiously through airport security as if they’ll discover a mango tree or gang of narcotic abusers stuffed in my backpack.

And now I nominate the following…

  1. Pauline of The Voyageur
  2. Planet Lew
  3. Madeline of Head High Heart Strong
  4. Elicia of Life’s a Journee
  5. Alexa of Travel Mi Amor
  6. Charolette of Travelling Flavours
  7. Tina of Girl Meets Globe
  8. Ariane of Read Travel Smile
  9. Lily from Away with Lily
  10. Jenna from The Road I Wander
  11. Megan of meganotravels

…to answer these questions. Have fun!

  1. Where do you find inspiration?
  2. What is the biggest challenge you face daily?
  3. What was the last book you read? What do you recommend reading?
  4. Sand or snow?
  5. What is the most “extreme” thing you’ve done while traveling?
  6. If you could eat any regional dish in the country of its origin tonight, where would you go and what would you eat?
  7. If you could go back and relive one day over, which would it be?
  8. What are your top three favorite travel destinations?
  9. Most difficult moment from the last month?
  10. What’s one of your travel must-haves? Something you always pack and bring along with you…
  11. What’s the goal for your blog in the next year.

Some quick rules for you nominated bloggers…

1. Link back to the person who nominated you.

2. Answer the 11 questions given by the person who nominated you.

3. Post 11 random facts about yourself.

4. Pick 11 nominees with under 200 Bloglovin followers to answer your 11 questions.

5. Can’t nominate the person who nominated you!

6. Tell your 11 nominees you have nominated them.

Looking forward to getting to know you my fellow traveling blog friends!

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Current Craves http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/current-craves/ http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/current-craves/#comments Wed, 02 Oct 2013 12:00:50 +0000 http://jessicajanoski.com/blog/?p=1070 Oh the joy of wanting what you don’t have. I swear living abroad without much window shopping (or shopping of any kind for that matter) intensifies my cravings for certain things. Can I get a Pro Photo Supply store up in here puuhhleez?? Sigh. I know, I know. I shouldn’t get caught up in what(...)

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Oh the joy of wanting what you don’t have. I swear living abroad without much window shopping (or shopping of any kind for that matter) intensifies my cravings for certain things. Can I get a Pro Photo Supply store up in here puuhhleez?? Sigh. I know, I know. I shouldn’t get caught up in what I can’t have and focus on what I’m fortunate to call my own. Sometimes, though, a girl can’t help it. New to the blog are my little wish lists – pseudo shopping, let’s say – as a way to enjoy these cravings without indulging, yet 😉

1. Cactus Garden Arrangements// I’m finally settling into my apartment and what it needs more than anything is living green! Lately I’m obsessed with cacti plants and the lavender/aloe vera/sanseveria mix pictured above is exactly what I want. In every corner of the house.

2. ONA Leather Camera Bag// I have been eyeing this bag, and others over at ONA, for what seems like forever. It’s looks can be deceiving as this beaut is not only fashionable, its totally practical for a photographer on the go. It holds your DSLR, up to THREE lenses, and has room for caps, cards and tablets. I need.

3. Jielde Bronze Desk Lamp// Oh, well I suppose my apartment needs some lighting as well. These are gorgeous and I’ll take two, of the DIY variety.

4. AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II // I’ll let you in on a lofty goal of mine: shooting my way to the 2014 World Cup games in Brasil. This would undeniably be a big help. Can I get an advance on Christmas?

What’s on your wish list lately??

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The Day I Got Mad at Jesus http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/the-day-i-got-mad-at-jesus/ http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/the-day-i-got-mad-at-jesus/#comments Thu, 16 May 2013 03:03:12 +0000 http://jessicajanoski.com/blog/?p=723 The opening line of Disney’s The Lion King is one hard to forget. “Life’s not fair, is it? You see I, well, I will never be king,” muses a sulking Scar as he paces about his lair. Unforgettable as we seem to say it often ourselves, do we not? At eight years old I expressed(...)

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The opening line of Disney’s The Lion King is one hard to forget.

“Life’s not fair, is it? You see I, well, I will never be king,” muses a sulking Scar as he paces about his lair.

Unforgettable as we seem to say it often ourselves, do we not?

At eight years old I expressed (on more than one occasion) detest for this scene as the lion toyed with a mouse’s fate while complaining of his own misfortunes. A rather cruel way to start a musical animation when, after all, Disney was supposed to make the seemingly harsh realities of my young life disappear for a couple of hours while I got lost in a movie.

Driving to work today I was forced to take an alternate route through the city due to road blockades and protesters. Not uncommon for Santa Cruz so I was particularly undisturbed by taking the slower streets through the city’s center.

As I neared the institute where I teach English, I became jammed in the median at a red light between two cross streets. Also not uncommon in the city.

I caught glimpse of a sweet little girl running alongside a tree not five feet away from me. She met her father, I’m assuming, on the other side and as I turned on the green light I watched him help the girl lower her pants to relieve herself on the tree.

She peed right there. IN THE STREET. In the middle of the city, for all to see, without, I’m sure, thinking any better of it. She must have been only three years old.

Annoyed by the indecency of her parental figure to give her some privacy and respect by taking her to a bathroom and teaching her otherwise, I continued on for a mere block before stopping at the next light at a busy roundabout.

Pulling up to the intersection I was suddenly joined by two boys running alongside my car, shirtless with tousled hair yet flashing undeniably infectious grins.

The older boy around 7 years old, rushes to my window and distracts me while the younger, 5 or so, dashes to the front of my vehicle. Like hundreds of other homeless and destitute in Bolivia, the boys were performing in the streets hoping to nab a few coins from commuters.

One begins to juggle and the other sings. Or chants rather. But it was endearing enough that even after the juggler drops his limes and I lose sight of him altogether I reach for a couple coins. Only I had none on hand. While he shuffles at the front of my car, I fumbled around for ANYTHING I could give them. Nothing.

This of course, may I add, had to be the Jesus roundabout.

As I looked up from over the hood of the car, a statuesque Jesus set in the center of the intersection looked down on me with arms spread wide.

Apologizing to the kids as I drove away leaving them empty handed, I proceeded to take out my frustration on Jesus, blaming him for putting the kids in the street in the first place. And for allowing the girl to use a tree instead of a toilet. And for the relentless taxi drivers that blared their horns as they watched me circle the statue with arms raised and fists clenched.

At 25 I still detest The Lion King’s opener, and I finally learned why.

I need a reason for the way things have to be.

These sights aren’t new to me. Nor is it the first time I’ve been confronted by extreme poverty and been left feeling helpless. It’s a reality I am forced to see and think about everyday while living in Bolivia.

But this time the scenarios stuck with me as I settled into the classroom. As my six-year-old students complained about not wanting to draw pictures or practice the English names of farm animals, I was struck by how unfair it felt that the children in the street below may never have the chance to color with their own set of colored pencils. And unlike the children in my room, they may never have the opportunity to put on a shiny new backpack on their way to school to learn a language that will help take them anywhere they want to go in the future.

Life’s not fair, is it?

While considering what really separates the kids learning in my classroom from the kids living in the streets, the word “luck” echoed through my thoughts. Resounding what my boyfriend has offered me before on the matter, the separation boils down to the chance you are born in an environment with the conditions to live well with opportunities to succeed.

I may not understand why things have to be as I see them in this world. And I realize we all struggle in one way or another throughout our lives. But two things became clearer to me at the end of the day.

To start, I can’t go around hollering at statues when I see something upsetting. Blaming others for the misfortunes of many won’t do much good either. I am lucky to be in a position where I can spur change and make a difference where I see it fit. I should get to it, then.

Secondly, counting my blessings and turning my desires for more into acts of gratitude for my privileges shouldn’t only happen after a day like today. I should do such daily.

Maybe then will “life’s not fair” become less of a mantra and more of an afterthought.

 

What have you done lately to make a difference? What are you thankful for in your life?

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Life, lately http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/life-lately/ http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/life-lately/#comments Fri, 03 May 2013 01:20:46 +0000 http://jessicajanoski.com/blog/?p=653 More like, life a few weeks ago. Leaving the city behind, the bf and I headed out to the country for a long weekend at a family farm. Road trip, baby. Fives hours and a couple energy drinks led us to one of Santa Cruz’s nearest lakes where we spent every moment of the weekend(...)

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More like, life a few weeks ago. Leaving the city behind, the bf and I headed out to the country for a long weekend at a family farm. Road trip, baby. Fives hours and a couple energy drinks led us to one of Santa Cruz’s nearest lakes where we spent every moment of the weekend we could in or on the water. Here’s a look at how one of my favorite weekends in Bolivia thus went down.

I belong in the countryside. I am ever inspired by nature’s pure presence and feel so whole and complete when swallowed by the vast outdoors. Thanks for looking.

xo
J

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Nest http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/nest/ http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/nest/#comments Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:14:29 +0000 http://jessicajanoski.com/blog/?p=513 I’ve landed. After six tumultuous months of exploring and wandering both foreign and familiar places, I’m making Santa Cruz, Bolivia, my new home. It’s time to rest the wings and build a foundation with my favorite companion in the world. Traveling, however, is far from over. I have a new country to roam and plenty planned for(...)

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image

I’ve landed. After six tumultuous months of exploring and wandering both foreign and familiar places, I’m making Santa Cruz, Bolivia, my new home. It’s time to rest the wings and build a foundation with my favorite companion in the world.

Traveling, however, is far from over. I have a new country to roam and plenty planned for 2013 to continue covering ground and sharing my adventures with you.

“When you are everywhere, you are nowhere. When you are somewhere, you are everywhere.”  Rumi

P.S. This is the view from my new apartment…eek!!

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Lima knows seafood http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/lima-knows-seafood/ http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/lima-knows-seafood/#comments Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:07:55 +0000 http://jessicajanoski.com/blog/?p=432 There is usually nothing special about November 5th. Unless, I guess, you are celebrating the eponymous conspirator Guy Fawkes with effigies and fireworks. But for us non-Brits, it’s another day on the calendar filled with dentist appointments and rubbish reminders. This year was different. I didn’t adorn a sinister mask nor take to the streets(...)

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There is usually nothing special about November 5th. Unless, I guess, you are celebrating the eponymous conspirator Guy Fawkes with effigies and fireworks. But for us non-Brits, it’s another day on the calendar filled with dentist appointments and rubbish reminders.

This year was different. I didn’t adorn a sinister mask nor take to the streets in a fit of chaos and anarchy. I didn’t even have a cleaning to look forward to! No, on November 5th, I ate like a queen.

This particular sunny afternoon in Lima, Peru, Jay and I met a childhood friend of his for lunch and dined with the BUSINESS. ELITE. (It really was as daunting as it sounds.)

While we often look fairly put together for a couple of backpackers (our hair has not yet dreaded and laundry has not spoiled out of control), we strolled into Segundo Muelle with windblown hair and sun kissed cheeks eager for lunch.

While the modern high-rises fronted by black Caddies should have given it away, I realized after a mere second through the door that my jorts were not the best choice attire for this restaurante. Suddenly, my wannabe Blake Lively windblown locks were ratty strands.

We paraded through the first floor crowded with three-piece suits and pearl sets before making our way upstairs to be seated next to a table of Donald Trump’s future Apprentice Latino contestants. I quickly shoved my Jansport under the table and hid the holes in my otherwise adorable crochet flats with my jacket.

Avoiding eye contact at all cost, considering a glass of juice put us over our usual lunch budget, I asked one of our three waiters his opinion of the tuna tartare as I couldn’t seem to find the rice and beans. Or the order of half a chicken I have been accustomed to settling on over the last three months. Surely this was the holy menu of seafood if I ever saw one.

When the appetizers came I was still far too embarrassed to procure my far-from-conspicuous camera at the table to “play” with my food.

Pankita de pulpo

So my photo of the spiced octopus just doesn’t do it justice.

Maybe it was the Parmesan oysters, or maybe it was Jay’s encouragement to be the touristy, food-taking photographer I wanted to be, but soon enough I let myself fit in at the Cevicheria for the food enthusiast I am, if not anything else.

Conchas a la parmesana

Tagliatelle en salsa de salmon ahumado

Piqueo tres cebiches

Torta de tres leches

Cheesecake de pisco sour

Pisco cheesecake is a direct ticket to heaven.

Enjoying ourselves and the company of a good friend was a highlight of Peru. In a country internationally known for its cuisine and seafood specialties, Segundo Muelle can certainly stand up to the rep.

So let November 5th forever be the day I commit myself to a meal of delicacies and celebrate the love of fine cuisine the way we do unsuccessful revolutionaries and other bizarre novelties!

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Catching Caiman http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/catching-caiman/ http://www.thebohemiandiaries.com/catching-caiman/#comments Thu, 01 Nov 2012 02:37:03 +0000 http://jessicajanoski.com/blog/?p=279 I’m abruptly awoken on Halloween’s eve to the ruffling and shaking of my tent pitched deep in the Peruvian Amazon. A thick coat of alarmed chicken skin rips down my back and across my arms. “JAGUAR,” my mind races after spotting tracks on our trail earlier in the afternoon. No jungle cats here, just my(...)

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I’m abruptly awoken on Halloween’s eve to the ruffling and shaking of my tent pitched deep in the Peruvian Amazon. A thick coat of alarmed chicken skin rips down my back and across my arms. “JAGUAR,” my mind races after spotting tracks on our trail earlier in the afternoon.

No jungle cats here, just my boyfriend.

Relieved and slightly agitated for the head rush, he reassures my nerves announcing we are going shining for Caiman. Right now.

Groggily, I pull my Malaria armor over my first line of mosquito defenses and head to the river. Pushing away our peke peke from shore, I’m still not sure what to expect from this little outing.

Let me set the scene for you. It’s nearly a full moon but it’s the distant lightning storm that faintly illuminates the banks of the Amazon. Its also, I quickly come to realize, the only light we are equipped with, save two small headlamps that are supposed to spot alligator hideouts while simultaneously steering the driver clear from floating debris. The jungle is teeming with life and while it disrupts the natural activity surrounding us, I feel slightly comforted by the obscenely loud engine pushing us downstream and chasing away gators.

Naturally, as in all low budget sci-fi and horror movies involving animals of prey and fanatical tourists, the motor stalls and we drift into a floating tree stretching across the river. As we idly sit entangled in the tree’s embrace it’s brought to my attention that we have no oars or paddles.

What kind of operation is this? I think, hoping we have enough cause to give up the hunt and make our way back to the campsite.

And then away they go. Hacking away in the pitch dark, Jay and our navigator Kushu fashion themselves a paddle of sorts out of the tree blockade, leaving me to reassure myself that we are not tearing apart some large reptile lair where hungry alligators are waiting for us to fall into their laps. Or jaws, rather. My stomach starts to hurt, the sweat is not far behind and I’m over it. I’m just really over it.

¡Allí!

Oh. Dear. God. They found one. And the satisfaction of having its eyes reflecting back at us is not enough. We have to get closer I’m told. Like, what are we going to do up close and personal to a Caiman? How is this sole stick going to hold up against an alligator’s angst when we invade his space and he’s ready to eat us? This is some real Steve Erwin shit right here.

Our sixty-something guide springs up into the tree and just as I close my eyes and fear the worst I hear a splash, grunt and heavy thud. He’s back in the boat grinning from ear to ear. Two seconds tops and we have a Caiman in the boat.

Turns out, he’s a little guy. Cute as reptiles get, too. No need to have worried, Kushu tells me. The three to six meter gators don’t come out until two in the morning. Needless to say, we went out the following night all in the name of spooky fun!

*No Caimans were injured during our adventure and were released back to their natural environment.

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