Rediscovering Community After a Road Trip in British Columbia
A full summer experience to me feels like humidity, heat, sunsets, mountain views, lake dips all of which I experienced while doing my 2.5 month road trip in British Columbia. It’s been a needed reminded of how rich in kindness and value my community is, which at times while solo travelling abroad I forget how incredible my people are even if they’re KMs away 🥹
I spent my last couple weeks in Penticton with a consistent rotation of playing Auntie 🐶, supporting my sister and her partner (something I value being in person together), planning the YTF Coliving, preparing proposals for prospective freelance clients and taking a look at what the heck is travel for me for the rest of 2025.
Before I knew it, I was back on the road driving home to Alberta.
Now, according to Google maps this trip should have taken me 8 hours. There’s always construction in the mountains, it’s easy to get stuck behind trucks and RVs on the single lane sections and your girl needs a few bathroom and more importantly eye ball breaks. It took me a total of 10 hours, all so worth it. That drive is just dang PRETTY. And makes me gasp out loud getting to experience mountain views that turn into the iconic Canadian prairies.
With no passenger princess option, it meant taking a day off away from my laptop and to stay on top of tasks, I snuck in a few hours on the weekend.I also ran a 10km race on Sunday which honestly booked only a month ago as a way to motivate me to come back to Alberta by having an event in my calendar. I always find book ends in travel plans - I need to be here by X date, I’m meeting this friend in X location - create boundaries to build the plans in between.
Now it’s full steam ahead pencilling in travel plans for the next seven months of my life 🤯
Resources I’m using to plan travel
Exploring accommodations on Hostelworld and booking.com
Renewing my international travel insurance with SafetyWing
Looking at bus routes with FlixBus
Finding activities with Get Your Guide
Purchasing a European packaged e-sim
Do you have an upcoming trip you’re excited for? Let me know in the comments!
SLOVENIA MAP LIST
Start to discover Ljubljana's hidden gems with this map list. From charming bridges to vibrant squares, our map pins will lead you through the city's surprisingly simple yet captivating streets, showcasing its unique blend of natural beauty + cultural richness all while enjoying good food + drinks with free bike access!
📍 60 pins
🗺️ Ljubljana + Lake Bled region
Hint: favourite hostel for Lake Bled (and maybe of all time) is Second Station Hostel
FAVOURITES
📺 Watching
Discovered the YouTuber Laura Try and have binged watched a few episodes because of her relatability and truth in her choices
🍌 Num in my Tum
Trying to cook recipes that will be helpful, easy and nutritious while travelling again like these Stuffed Bell Peppers
✈️ Travel Fav
Easy way to plan activities + look for events in different cities is GetYourGuide
WHERE SHE BUILDS | EP. 7
The Secret to Making Lifelong Friends While Travelling
Awkward friendship pickup lines, random chats, and a bit of bravery is how we’ve turned strangers into friends while traveling. We discuss the balance between introversion and extroversion, the necessity of recharging one's social battery, creative ways to initiate conversations with new people and what’s helped us connect authentically with future friends in new places.
COMMUNITY
🕺🏼 Hello 12 new subscribers on YouTube
🤳🏼 4 friends joined on Instagram
📧 Welcome to the 3 people who joined the newsletter
🌎 YTF WhatsApp Community had 2 new friends join!
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