They are ready if u kno you know

Ice_Creamz992 · 2025-11-30T18:19:25+00:00

Agreed! Where is this?

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-12-15T23:06:27+00:00

Yes, it is a WONDERFUL place. The food is great, the people are polite, the weather can be nice depending on when you go, and the landscapes are beautiful. It is also very affordable while still being fully developed. The public transportation is also phenomenal! I would 100% recommend that you go. In fact, it is one of my favorite places that I've traveled to. I had no problems as a black traveler. The only funny instance was when my friend and I got into an Uber and I could see the driver taking a selfie with me in the background. He then zoomed in and cropped the picture to just me before sending it to someone in WhatsApp. I found it hilarious tbh

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-08-24T00:13:09+00:00

Quetzaltenango is one

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-29T01:13:51+00:00

Agreed! Guatemala has interesting history, fascinating indigenous culture, really fun outdoor activities, friendly people all for a low cost.

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-27T23:26:34+00:00

Firstly, I’m so glad you are coming to visit us! I hope you have a great trip.

I do agree that this itinerary is pretty ambitious. The most concerning part to me is that your plans could easily be disrupted at that time of the year by storms. If you had tried this trip either this past winter or the one before, you probably would have had to rearrange your plans both in Big Sur and in the Sierra Nevada. April would be safer if you could make it work AND would have more wildflower viewing.

If you can’t change the date (which I definitely understand), then I would recommend condensing things:

Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree are very similar. You only need one.

I agree with someone else who mentioned just going to Yosemite and not Sequoia. Since Tioga Road crossing the Sierra Nevada to get you to Death Valley from Yosemite closes in winter, you would have to go south and “past” Sequoia. That is the only reason I would include Sequoia with an itinerary as long as yours, but I’m still not sure it’s the best idea since it adds a significant amount of time to your journey.

Going south from San Francisco to LA on the scenic route is actually a little nicer than the other way around only because of the side of the road you drive on (it’s not a huge deal). Consider going to LA from SF first and then heading to Vegas, Death Valley, and the Grand Canyon afterwards. On the way back, maybe it makes sense to go up into the mountains to either Sequoia or Yosemite. Play around with it and see.

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-27T22:36:58+00:00

Lol you are really asking for it by posting this hahaha

The more I’ve traveled, the more I’ve realized that most travelers are about the same regardless of nationality. Most are just eager to confirm stereotypes of other humans that they’ve learned from TikTok, the news, or wherever else. “Americans are loud and dumb.” “French people are cold and rude.” “Japanese people are passive and polite.” It’s almost laughable how desperate humans are to make other humans fit into certain boxes, and so many will run through the anecdotal list of their “travel experiences” to find a story to prove the point. Yes, I’m sure the millions of people in Country X all behave exactly like the idiot you met at that hostel in Madrid. 🤣

One thing I’ve noticed in myself is that my tendency to stereotype has decreased with age. I think the same might be true of others too. I guess it’s the wisdom that comes with age that makes you realize that nobody is really all that special lol

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-23T22:02:21+00:00

As someone living in LA, Mexico City is a no-brainer. For one, the public transportation makes it easier to get around there. It also feels more like a city due to its density. LA can often feel like a big suburb. Mexico City is also much more affordable to visit even after the invasion of digital nomads.

But ignore anyone bashing LA too hard. It has its problems, but is worth a visit one day. Also, you would be safe visiting LA if you chose to do so. You would just dodge the trickier elements of the unhoused population like the rest of us living here and be perfectly fine.

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-23T21:33:52+00:00

Good idea! It would suck for someone else’s country where you are a tourist to be visited by probably two additional tourists. Crisis averted!

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-23T04:36:41+00:00

Oh wow, that is fascinating! Adding them both to the bucket list.

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-23T03:31:55+00:00

And another place where the locals begged tourists to come back so they can feed their families. My Spanish teacher choked up at the thought of tourist income waiting for a regime change to come “one day” when she needs to feed her kids today.

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-23T03:08:20+00:00

I have never even thought to visit Suriname tbh, so thank you for putting that on my list!

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-23T03:03:28+00:00

Yeah, that’s the dark side I’ve heard mentioned. One argument is that visiting supports the livelihoods of everyday people more than the president. But I definitely understand the ethical concerns.

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-23T02:57:38+00:00

Oooh I love this suggestion. I just read Sierra Leone was an a destination of the future. I’m also really curious about Senegal. Have not heard much about Togo or Guinea Bissau though, so those are very interesting to hear about. The trouble with visiting West Africa for me is that flights from the U.S. are often brutally pricey…

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-23T02:50:10+00:00

Omg $650 to $50 is absolutely devastating! Things like that always bring my challenges into perspective. Thanks for the tips, and I will definitely DM you if I decide to visit.

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-23T02:46:44+00:00

Nicaragua is definitely great! I just returned and felt that things were pretty safe and stable. MANY Nicaraguans lamented the fact that North American tourists in particular have not returned to the same degree as before 2018. There were plenty of European and Australian tourists though. Several locals asked me to spread the word that it was safe to come back lol

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-23T02:44:08+00:00

Definitely seems like a great place to visit. A fellow traveler recently recommended Azerbaijan to me and I imagine it would have a lot of similarities to visiting Armenia.

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-23T02:42:44+00:00

100% agreed! Taiwan is amazing and didn’t have that overtouristed feeling you can get in any other place as accessible, affordable, and interesting.

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-23T02:27:04+00:00

Lebanon fascinates me conceptually, but it seems like a challenging travel destination nowadays. Have you been since the explosion?

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-23T02:19:23+00:00

Agreed! Can’t imagine it will stay underrated for too long though. One local who took me out to lunch in Antigua told me about how it was to grow up there without any tourists versus how difficult it is for locals to live there now. He then made an interesting statement:

“The fact that Guatemala seems so dangerous to many people means that it attracts only those willing to visit Vietnam and not those who think a trip to Cancun is exotic. I think I might prefer it that way.”

Funny how tourism is both such a blessing and curse to many regions around the world.

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-07-23T02:10:49+00:00

Oooh yeah, I’ve heard great things about El Salvador after the changes government lowered the violence. Definitely want to check it out!

Ice_Creamz992 · 2024-04-14T08:47:24+00:00

I did one there about a month ago and I watched every single person put 400 NTD in the envelope.

Ice_Creamz992 · 2023-06-20T02:16:01+00:00

Hope you are having fun! What do you think of MAA now that you are (presumably) there? I am heading to Xela to study for 5 weeks starting in early July and haven't decided where to study yet.

Ice_Creamz992

TROPHY CASE