One of the best things about staying in a home vs a hotel when traveling — whether it’s a home exchange as I’m doing now or a vacation rental — is the ability to prepare your own meals. I cooked pasta last night, and lunch today is a pear and brie sandwich with spinach salad […]
Today is truly a cause for celebrating: it’s National Margarita Day! What better way to commemorate this iconic and delicious drink than by taking part in a tequila tasting. This is exactly what I did, courtesy of Dulce Vida Organic Tequila and Maudie’s Tex-Mex restaurant. Three tequila sips were placed before me, on a tasting […]
I love to travel. I love to eat. I suspect many of you are the same. One of the best things about traveling, to me and many of us, is experiencing the food and culinary culture of new places. I love trying street food, taking cooking lessons, visiting markets, asking locals for their favorite restaurants, […]
Television shows such as Top Chef and Chopped have exploded in popularity in recent years, and travel to another city or country offers the perfect opportunity to learn a new cuisine or cooking style. Cooking schools give travelers the opportunity to participate in such culinary challenges themselves—and learn a little more about the region they […]
One of my favorite things to do anywhere in the world is go to the local markets. It’s always such a slice of everyday life and culture, fun and interesting. Here are some of my favorite markets around the globe. Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok Wow, this place is like the grandaddy of all markets. I’ve […]
At 500 years old, San Miguel de Allende looks really good for its age. The entire town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and succeeds very well in both keeping its colonial charm and authenticity while staying fresh, modern and very vibrant. San Miguel enjoys a deserved reputation as an artistic community, with its winding […]
I love to travel. I love to eat. I love to cook. To me, one of the highlights of traveling is enjoying the local food in different places around the world. I was reminded of this recently when I was in a cooking class led by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. I was a little star-struck, […]
I started today at the street market in Luang Prabang, Laos at 8 this morning. Just your typical day, strolling through cobblestone lanes between Buddhist temples, checking out delicacies on offer such as freshly-gutted tadpoles, live wriggling larvae, water buffalo ears and live snakes. Have you ever watched any of those cooking shows, such as […]
I’m a big fan of some of the cooking shows, especially the challenge ones like Chopped and Master Chef. I love the creativity some of these chefs bring, and I really enjoy finding products in the stores or farmers markets and trying out new recipes with them. I’ve taken a number of cooking classes here […]
Hit me up via social media or RSS feed
I'm Shelley, a journeyer and learner of the world, freelance journalist and author, yoga chick and dog lover. I pound the keyboard from home barefoot every day, and while my boss is demanding she also occasionally lets me have the early afternoon cocktail. I think not going into an office or collecting corporate paychecks are very good ideas, though not always profitable. I have written for National Geographic, USA Today, The Guardian, Texas Monthly and CNN, among others. Neither the New York Times nor Johnny Depp have answered my letters yet.
I love animals, yoga, indie movies, cooking, wine, books and chocolate, though not necessarily in that order. I believe in karma. Mean people suck. If I could have any dream job I would like to be a superhero. I have performed a catch on the flying trapeze, boarded down a live volcano, snorkeled with seals and was once robbed by a monkey in Nepal. But, I don't know how to whistle.
My mantra is "travel with a purpose."
See the world like a local!
A book I wrote with my partner Keith, that lays out how we travel as much as we do, for damn near free.
Trading Places 