Where to eat in San Francisco

San Francisco is known for its food. I might have made that fact up. But if that's not true, it should be. The food here is amazing. Each section of town is totally different. Mission restaurants are either famous for their burritos or trendy in some farm-to-table, unique combination of ingredients type of way. Bernal Hill is my personal favorite right now, as it's less cool and more delicious. FiDi boasts a lot of amazing lunch spots that I have barely tapped into yet. The rest of the city is just an unexplored goldmine of delicious foods. I can't provide an expansive list as I am pretty sure that's impossible in this city, but here are the restaurants I have tried. Stay tuned for updates. And sorry, no photos. I'm just not that much of a hipster.

The Mission:

Trendy restaurants everyone has heard about. Usually overpriced. Often delicious.

Mission Chinese Food

• Hard to find... unless you spot the 30 people waiting outside. 
• Don't try to go in to talk to a hostess unless you want to prove you're a tourist. They will simply point you to the long wait list posted right outside of the main entrance. 
• Just as spicy as it is overrated. I say go to Big Lantern 2 blocks away. Unless of course, you'd rather be seen than have a great meal.

Big Lantern

• I'm generally not a tofu person, but Big Lantern's vegetarian chicken balls are better than chicken. I'd eat Big Lantern any day.

El Farolito

• My former roommate exclusively ate dinner at this taqueria until he exhausted the menu. It's good. It's probably not that good. 

El Metate

• My favorite taqueria. The outside area is great and they just recently ramped up their salsa selection with fresh fruit varieties.
• Delicious $3 veggie taco was big enough to be a meal.

Radish

• Their home fries are the best. 
• I'm partial because I have been to the farm in Sonoma and watered the farm-to-table ingredients myself. I know it's fresh.

Wise Sons Deli

• Thought I would love this Jewish deli, but didn't. 
• The challah french toast was nothing special and over priced.
• Great atmosphere.

We Be Sushi

• I'm not a huge sushi lover and really only like vegetarian options, but I would go here any day. 
• Super intimate space makes for a great date spot.

Flour + Water

• Incredibly pricey.
• Walk-in was a surprisingly short 2 hour wait.
• Walk-in seating is at the bar, which is actually the best seat in the house. You can see into the kitchen. 

Bi-Rite Creamery

• Yes, that is a red carpet rope outside. 
• Yes, that rope is to control the 20 people waiting in like to order ice cream. 
•  Yes, the ice cream is worth it. 

Sunrise Cafe

• Finally, a brunch spot without a 2 hour wait. 
• Delicious food. Great chai. 

Curry Up Now

• Oh god, their Indian fries! What is on them that makes them so good? 
• I actually want those fries right now. Yum. 

The All American Grilled Cheese Kitchen

• They put mac and cheese on a grilled cheese. Now if that's not genius, I don't know what is. 
• Don't get me wrong, it was pretty delicious. But it can't measure up to Cowgirl Creamery in the Ferry building. 
• The tomato soup was just meh. 

Dosa

• Too spicy. Way too spicy. What were they thinking spicy. 
• Lots of people like this place. It was seriously packed.

Frances

• Two words - bacon beignets. Think bacon doughnut, but way better. 
• We were intimidated by the 4 month waiting list to get a table, but found the walk-in situation to be pretty easy. 
• I wasn't big into the dessert, but the dinner was outstanding. Just give me more of those little bacon doughnuts.

Local Mission Eatery

• All of the food is locally sourced from Farmer's Markets around the city. The menu changes based on whatever looks good at the markets. 
• I saw the chefs cook my dinner right in front of me. 
• Worth forking over a little extra for this super delicious dinner. 

Bernal Hill 

There's no "scene" in Bernal, but the food is delicious. 

Little Nepal Restaurant

• Yum. So good. I have had many a curry, and this one is at the top. 
• Definitely a hole in the wall. 

Zante Pizza

• Biggest mistake was only ordering one slice. 

 Emmy's Spaghetti Shack

• Limited menu. They are serious about their spaghetti. 
• Delicious. One of the better Italian restaurants I have been to in SF. 
• Didn't kill the bank. 

FiDi

Here's where you go on your lunch break when you run out of food. It's a good thing you have a job, because these lunches could run you broke.

Onigilly

• This place is amazing. For around $3, you can have a healthy brown rice thing stuffed with deliciousness and wrapped in seaweed. Buy two. Or three. 
• Try the spicy bacon. 
• Just when you thought it couldn't get better, you realize... free tea. 

Sushirrito

• The made-to-order, over-baked agave-soy king salmon burrito with tempura asparagus, cucumber, butter lettuce, avocado, pepitas, and wasabi dust was the best thing I have eaten in months.

Plentea

• Fail. 
• Sandwiches don't belong on waffles. The end.

La Pasilla

• Great salsas. Free chips. 
• Chipolte-style salads, but this is the real deal.

El Faro

• Don't go here. It's trying to be El Farolito, but it's not. It's a trap.

Banana House

• This is one of my favorite lunch spots in the Financial District. 

Galette 88

• Great atmosphere. Offers a much needed break from office lighting. 
• Like the other Kearny Street restaurants, you have to go early or you'll regret it. 
• The food is OK. It's gluten-free and offers lots of healthy options. 

Boxed Foods Company

• I can make a better salad. 

Still on the to do soon list:

State Bird Provisions

Bar Tartine

Range

Delfina

Highway 1: SF to Big Sur for July 4th

 

San Francisco is not known for its fireworks. It's foggy, there's a drought, the temperature hovers around 60 degrees, and unknowing tourists flock to the city.  Blessed with a four day vacation, we decided instead to make our way from San Francisco to Carmel and eventually to Big Sur by driving down the infamous Highway 1.

It was challenging to drive more than two miles before wanting to stop in front of an abandoned barn, a cliff leading into the ocean, or a field of bright yellow flowers. The only advice I'd give roadtrippers is to go slowly.

Some of the highlights of the trip included the scenic 17 mile drive past the 18th hole at Pebble Beach (which come to find out isn't a beach, but a golfer's dream), a sunset picnic on Carmel Beach (an actual beach), an adventure across a newly built (and mildly terrifying) bridge to reach one of the best views on Highway 1, a drive across Bixby Bridge (and a pit stop to take pictures while standing on the side of a cliff), a visit to the Henry Miller Library, a short hike to McWay Waterfall, and a visit to Pfeiffer Beach (seriously the most beautiful beach ever).

Pfeiffer Beach can be tricky to find, but if you can find it, it is absolutely worth it. The best advice I was given was to locate the only road between the State Park and the Post Office. That road takes you 2 miles down a one-lane drive that seemingly leads to the middle of no-where. Eventually, that road drops you off at a tiny parking lot that leads into a secluded beach surrounded by rocky cliffs. It's exactly what you imagine but a million times better.

The drive from Carmel to Big Sur takes about 40 minutes if you drive it without stopping, but no one should stay in their car that whole time - it's simply too beautiful. One of our stops on the way from Carmel to Big Sur was at Bixby Bridge.  Most tourists stationed themselves on the coastal side of the bridge, but we ventured out to the other side, which I highly recommend because it provides a view of the cliffs, the bridge, and the coast.

One of the most iconic stops we made was at The Lone Cypress in Carmel. If you Google it, you'll likely read that it is "the most photographed tree in America." One crazy writer even says, "It stands along famously scenic 17-Mile Drive, raked by wind, swaddled in fog, clinging to its wave-lashed granite pedestal like God's own advertisement for rugged individualism." I don't know about all that, but it was pretty cool to see a single tree growing out of a cliff in the middle of the water.

Another often photographed spot is McWay Falls. The real directions say to go to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, which straddles Highway 1, about 36 miles south of Carmel. But if you want the easiest way to find it, simply search for a ton of cars parked on the side of the road and gaggles of tourists toting large cameras set to automatic. Follow the half-mile trail and you will have amazing views of the tiny but dramatic waterfall and the beautiful coastal bluffs. Just be careful not to block anyone's view with your selfie.

All of the "official" stops along Highway 1 are great, but also be sure to stop at the less touristy runoffs as well. You'll find great views of the coast (and of the fog).

It's a super fun place to take photos. Tim gets all the credit for these last three...

 

One thing that caught me off guard was that one beach would be foggy, chilly, and windy and then a beach 2 miles down the road would be calm, sunny and warm. It makes it hard to know what to wear. I ended up wearing a bunch of layers and bringing an extra "summer" outfit in the car. Don't leave your bathing suit behind just because it seems cold - who knows, you might find a beach that's 80 degrees! 

 

Sausalito

Sausalito is only a boat ride away from San Francisco, but it feels like a different universe. I have been to Sausalito 5 or 6 times now, but only recently have I discovered the real heart of Sausalito. Many may see it as a tourist trap or a ferry stopover, but for those who actually live there, there is a rich community behind the facade of touristy perfection on the main drag: Caledonia Street. If you want real Sausalito, that's where you should go.

Go eat Indian Food at Sartaj.

Go shop for antiques at the John Wilmer Studio. 

Go sit by the dock.

And go ride the ferry.

A Weekend in Fort Bragg, CA

Deciding to drive out to Fort Bragg was a last minute decision. We knew we wanted to escape the city for a weekend, but were unsure of where to go. Frankly, we were overwhelmed with options. Should we stay in a tiny house in the middle of wine country? What's Big Sur like? Is Portland too far for a weekend? Fortunately, a friend suggested we stay at her aunt's Airbnb in Fort Bragg. Knowing next to nothing about the area, we rented a car and headed out there to explore.

The drive alone was amazing. We rode through wine country, up and down rolling hills, past random strawberry stands, then finally reached our destination: a tiny cottage in the middle of the redwoods. It couldn't have been more picturesque.

Starving, our first adventure was to find the main strip and seek out dinner. We quickly discovered Piaci Pizza, a clear favorite among locals. The tiny establishment was overflowing with people, and the menu looked so good that we ordered not one but three pizzas.

The next morning, we decided to venture out to the neighboring town of Mendocino, which overlooks the rocky coast of the Pacific Ocean. We spent some time wandering the artsy main drag, but the majority of our day was spent hiking along the coastline in awe of the crashing surf and nearby whales.

After checking Mendocino off of our to-do list, we headed to Glass Beach, a former city dump site that is known for having "copious amounts of sea glass." Let me start off by saying that the beach was absolutely beautiful. In fact, it was one of the nicest I have ever been to. The water was a striking aquamarine, the beach was deserted, and the rocky surroundings made it feel as though you were the only one for miles. The beach, however, was made of sand, and not sea glass like I had imagined. Perhaps there were pockets of glass elsewhere on the beach, but I didn't find any. After some research, I found out that tourism has depleted the sea glass stockpiles and what remains is a beautiful sandy beach. I couldn't really complain.

My only real complaint was that we only had one weekend. I can't wait to go back!!

Muir Woods and Sonoma

This past weekend, we went to Sausalito, Muir Woods, and Sonoma. I was quickly reminded that I don't leave the San Francisco bubble nearly as often as I should.

For this trip, I rented Zipcar for the day so that we would have enough time to see all three sites. First, we headed to Sausalito, one of my favorite places in the Bay Area. As you walk along the coast, you have a spectacular view of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, and the city. We didn't stop for lunch in Sausalito this time, but I have eaten at Sartaj on other occasions. Sartaj is a hole-in-the-wall Indian cafe with tons of choices and lots of character. Another go-to restaurant in the area is an amazing Puerto Rican restaurant called Sol Food. Get the lemonade or you will regret it.

After leaving Sausalito, we headed to the redwood forest to hike through Muir Woods. Hike might actually be a bit of an overstatement. Muir has both wood planked walking paths and winding trails through the woods, but we chose the easier of the two since it had recently rained and the trails were pretty muddy. Regardless, the woods were serene and beautiful, despite the large numbers of visitors passing through on the busy Saturday that we chose to visit.






After a morning hike, we set off on Highway 1 towards Sonoma for a wine tasting at Bartholomew Park Winery. Upon entering the vineyard gates, we immediately wished we had more time to spend on the 400-acre grounds. In addition to the wine tasting and museum tour, visitors also have access to picnic grounds and hiking trails. We had just enough time for a tasting before heading back to the city.

Dallas, Texas

A few weeks back, I went to Dallas, TX for a weekend of professional development at an event hosted by the Schusterman Foundation.

I spent much of my time in the hotel attending workshops and hearing from incredible speakers like Howard Behar (of Starbucks) and Ethan Zohn (winner of Survivor). The hotel itself, the Hyatt, was a destination and was home to Reunion Tower, which offers a 360 view of downtown Dallas.

The hotel was just a couple of streets away from where JFK had been assassinated at Dealey Plaza. I made sure to walk over to the Sixth Floor Museum, the site from which Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired the deadly shots.

One of the highlights of the trip was dinner at Life in Deep Ellum, a converted warehouse that is now a coffee shop-art gallery-performance space-cultural center. We had exceptionally good barbecue from Pecan Lodge and learned about the experiences of non-profit leaders in Dallas and beyond. At my table, we spoke with David Eisner, CEO of Repair the World, about the potential benefits of mandatory service post high school or college graduation. We also heard from a local restaurateur who started an organization that teaches culinary skills (and all of the skills associated) to young people leaving jail. Some of the participants in that program were serving dinner as part of their hospitality training. We ended the night with a concert put on by Michelle Citrin at the event space. It was a whirlwind trip, but it couldn't have been better!

The Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets

I have mentioned this company before, but it is worth mentioning again... check out The Flight Deal Daily and sign up for their newsletter to find the best flight deals if you are flexible about dates and locations. Just as an example, one of today's deals is on American Airlines from NYC to San Francisco, and costs $272 for a round trip flight. Not bad... especially if you want to come visit me!

What travel tool should you use to book your flight? My three favorites are Kayak, ITA Software's Matrix Airfare Search, and Hipmunk. Keep in mind, Southwest intentionally opts out of travel tool websites, so be sure to check directly on the Southwest webpage to compare fares.

As a side note, make sure you are always signed up for the frequent flier program for the airline you choose to fly. Even if you don't fly often, it is worth doing. Who knows, you might end up on an international flight with an affiliate of the airline, racking up enough points to score a free domestic trip. Right now I am sitting on enough points to take a free flight on Delta and a free on Southwest. Where should I go?

Trading in the Backpack for an Apartment!

I am trading in my backpack for keys to an apartment in the Mission district of San Francisco!

The end of the backpacking run is bittersweet. I have been on the move since last June, and have had the opportunity to expand my world, to volunteer, to meet amazing people, and to visit places full of history. It is difficult for me to give up the flexibility of being able to book random flights to places like Florida or Hawaii on a whim. But I am excited plant roots and to start a new chapter here in San Francisco. Don't worry, I will still be traveling! Dallas, Texas up next in two weeks!

“San Francisco is a city where people are never more abroad than when they are at home.”~Benjamin F. Taylor

Baker Beach, San Francisco

Out of all of the beaches that I have been to so far in San Francisco (disclaimer, I have only been to 3), Baker Beach has been my favorite. While the sun is more of a guarantee at Stinson Beach and the surfing is better at Pacifica, the view at Baker is unbelievable. 

When I first arrived at Baker, I almost left because the parking lot was thick with fog and it looked like there was no hope for sunshine. Fortunately, the fog quickly rolled out, leaving us with a postcard view of the Golden Gate Bridge. 

I definitely plan on going back, but next time I will bring not only a bathing suit, but also a parka. It's SF. Who knows what the weather will be like.

 

Top 10 Travel Apps

1. Day One - Keep a record of your travels in this digital diary

2. Whatsapp - Send free texts to other users via WiFi when traveling abroad

3. Swell - The Pandora of podcasts is perfect for long car rides

4. Uber/Sidecar/Lyft - Travel like a local using one of these car service apps

5. Venmo - Split checks with friends using this easy money transfer tool

6. RunKeeper - Keep track of how long your epic hikes are

7. Airbnb - Find cool housing options

8. Kayak - Book cheap airline tickets

9. iMovie - The only thing better than selfies is a movie about your trip

10. Duolingo - My favorite free language app

3 Myths About Maui

Myth #1: Going to Hawaii will break the bank!

Some people are under the impression that going to Hawaii is one of those trips that is just too expensive to ever actually go on. I am here to dispel that myth.

$188 - flight -refunded due to delays

$400 - hotel
$90 - groceries
$18 - restaurants
$120 - snorkeling
$75 - rental car
_______________
$703 - total cost for one week in the sun

Don't get me wrong, this is no small sum, but it is doable. I traded a year's worth of chai latte's from Starbucks for a trip to Hawaii. It's all about priorities.

Myth #2: I can't wear sunscreen if I want a tan!

This should not still be a myth with all we know about the effects of the sun, but somehow there are still people who think that wearing sunscreen means you won't get tan. I wore SPF 30 the entire time and not only did I not burn once, I am plenty more tan than when I first stepped foot on the sand.

Myth #3: There will be people my age

I guess this one isn't true if you are reading this and you are 70. Or 80. But if you are between the ages of 20-35, you probably aren't vacationing in Maui. There were a few exceptions here or there. Some honeymooners or families were on the younger side, but the majority of vacationers were post-retirement age. Apparently Oahu is a better island for younger people.

Where to Snorkel in Maui

Yesterday we booked a last minute tour to snorkel at the Island of Lanai. Booking one day in advance is not recommended - you have more options if you plan 2-3 days in advance. We got lucky, and there were 4 seats available on a zodiac boat with Maui Adventure Tours.

Snorkeling is a little pricey (about $100, or even less if you book directly from the company vs. from the hotel), but totally worth it. Seeing the reefs and the brilliantly colored fish up close was surreal. We left from Slip #11 at Lahaina Harbor and spent about 2 hours in the water, splashing around in our flippers and goggles. I also brought my iPhone under with me, carefully protected by a Lifeproof case and a Frieq brand waterproof bag. This was our first time snorkeling and it was surprisingly easy. After a 2 minute lesson from the naturalist on the Maui Adventure Cruise boat, we were jumping off the side and snorkeling around without too much flailing or inhalation of water. The staff on the boat, Becca and Rob, were friendly, helpful, and all around good people. We snorkeled at two stops, and though both were beautiful, the second was particularly cool because it was a lava mass that came to a pinnacle where our boat was parked. This meant you could see not only the shallow reef area, but also the cobalt deep water that surrounded it.

Another 2 hours were spent on the boat, where we were frequently surrounded by whales that came as close as 40 feet from our boat. It was so close that when it was breached, you could tell that it was a female because of a lump the size of a volleyball located under the tail. Whales do not usually approach boats as they pass, but when they do, it's called being "mugged." We could even hear the "songs of the humpback whales" from a hydrophone that the naturalist placed in the water. It was truly a whale watch and snorkeling adventure in one. While the tour company claims to see dolphins 80% of the time, we were in the unlucky 20% of tours, and didn't spot any dolphins, which was kind of a disappointment. Overall though, the whole trip was an amazing experience.

Cruising Down the Road to Hana

One upside to arriving at the rental car place at 3:00 A.M. is that all of the economy cars have already been taken, leaving us with a hard top Jeep. We heard great things about the Road to Hana, but the Jeep cinched it for us - we had to spend a day road tripping.

From our hotel, it took us almost an hour to actually reach the road to Hana, but even the drive down Honoapilani Highway was stunning. Our first stop on the Road to Hana was a popular pull off by mile 6. We were hopeful that all of the cars parks on the side of the road meant we had reached a patch of the famed painted eucalyptus trees, but instead we found a beach that was hosting a local surfing competition. We watched for a while, then returned to the road.

Our next stop was a pull off by mile 10 where we read in our Lonely Planet that we would find the trail head for a popular hiking spot. That's not what we found. Instead, we stumbled on the real Hawaii where residents were fighting for Hawaiian nationalism and revolting against US colonization. This was interesting to see because we have spent a lot of time thinking about and discussing Hawaiian politics.

We went back on the road until we reached mile 22, where we found a fresh fruit stand. We each downed fresh pineapple and banana smoothies, coconut snacks and banana bread and learned about a short hike to twin waterfalls. We also found a secluded swimming hole that was so secluded that it was too tricky for us to find the route to.

Giving up on swimming at the swimming hole, we headed back to our hotel, the Aston Kaanapali Shores to spend the rest of the afternoon laying out at the beach. Before reaching our hotel though, we stopped at a scenic area, Ho'okipa Beach Park, to climb down the rocky coast to witness of one of the most beautiful views thus far.

How I Made Money on My Flight to Hawaii

A few months ago, I booked an impulse trip to Maui when I saw that there was a flight deal for a $188 round trip ticket from SFO. So here I am, in the middle of January, laying on the beach. Life is easy. Flying to Maui... not so much.

When we first booked our flight, we were scheduled to fly out of San Jose in the morning and land in Hawaii by noon. Perfect. One month after we booked our flights (and after we prepaid a hotel room - first mistake), we found out our flight time was changed to 1 P.M., so we wouldn't arrive until 9:30 P.M. Not so perfect. Losing an entire day was a big deal, so I immediately called Delta, explained the situation, and tried to get on an earlier flight. There were no earlier flights available, so the best Delta could do was to switch our flight to Oakland (more convenient for us), and to credit my account with 5,000 miles.

Unfortunately, this was only the beginning. Once we stepped off the plane at LAX for our 50 minute layover, we found we were delayed an additional hour because of a mechanical problem. One hour turned into 6, and we weren't off the ground until 11:00 P.M., getting us into Hawaii at 3:00 A.M.

While this was frustrating, most of the people on the flight stayed positive, especially when Delta credited everyone $50 and started handing out free drinks and snacks. The Delta agent also suggested filing a complaint with Delta online, which I did right from the airport. Three minutes after tweeting about the situation,  I was credited another $150 to my frequent flier account. The credits ended up being worth more $200, which was more than my original ticket! I always find that a respectful and positive tone wins more than hostility. I simply tweeted: "@DeltaAssist  What happens when a mechanical errors causes a delay that prevents me from staying in a prepaid hotel room?"

While I obviously would have preferred an earlier arrival, I am happy that I now have $200 to spend on Delta. Where should I go next?

Bay Area Bucket List

1. Tourist Club
2. Go on a trip with the Outdoor Adventure Club
3. Watch a movie at the Castro Theater
4. See a sunset from the top of Twin Peaks
5. People watch at Dolores Park 
6. Anchor Brewery’s tour and tasting
7. Eat at Burma Superstar
8. Sequoia National Park
9. Dip my toes in Half Moon Bay
10. Ski in Tahoe
11. See the elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Reserve
12. Hike in the Marin Headlands
13. Adult night at the California Academy of Sciences
14. See the Giants play
15. Volunteer with Beyond Z
16. French toast at Mama's
17. Sourdough class at La Victoria's
18. 49er's game
19. Los Gatos Creek Trail
20. Yosemite
21. Gilroy Garlic Festival
22. Treasure Island Flea Market
23. Big Sur
24. Plant a tree with Friends of the Urban Forest
25. Join The Kitchen
26. Continue learning Spanish at Enjoy Spanish

Safety Tips for the Solo Traveler

Whenever I talk to people about having traveled abroad by myself, the conversation always jumps to how I stayed safe. Here are a couple of tips for those traveling by themselves…

• When traveling alone, try not to be alone. This is particularly important at nighttime or when in vulnerable situations like long-distance bus rides. This may seem challenging, as you don’t really know anyone, but it’s really pretty simple. When I traveled, I made sure to stay in places where I would meet like-minded people who might also be traveling alone, or might be jumping from place to place like me. I found hostels to be a great place to meet others. Surprisingly, I encountered many solo travelers, many of whom were women. You have to be comfortable talking to anyone, but once you do, you’ll realize that there is almost always someone who is traveling a similar route or someone who is interested in sharing a meal or exploring the city with a new friend. Not only does this keep you safe, but you also can meet some amazing people who might even turn out to be lifelong friends.

• If you aren’t able to find someone to ride the bus with you, make smart decisions. I only traveled by bus alone a couple of times, but when I did, I made smart decisions. By this I mean that I was willing to pay a bit more to travel a more reputable bus or was willing to be flexible about my travel times in order to arrive during the day versus arriving somewhere alone at night. Also, you don’t need to flash your shiny new iPad on an overnight bus ride, no matter how badly you want to catch up on the new season of Newsroom.

• Learn how to choose a cab. Let’s start with airport cabs. When I was alone, I favored booking cab drivers through my hostel in advance. It cost me about $5 more, but it was worth it to me to know that I would be in good hands. If taking a cab provided by the hostel isn’t an option, use your best judgement and remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. As far as city cabs go, know what to look for to know if a cab is legitimate. In Peru this meant finding a silver sticker on the front window and a black number written across the side. These cabs were registered and generally safer than some random person who is just driving people around to make a little extra cash. Realize, though, that while it is important to be cautious, it’s also important to expect people to be good at heart. At first, I was afraid to speak in cabs, worried that the driver would realize I didn’t speak Spanish fluently and would take advantage of the fact that I was a tourist. But let’s be real, the guy knew I was a tourist even before I opened my mouth. Face it, I am wearing hiking boots, I probably mispronounced the name of my destination, and I am carrying a backpack. Once I got over my fear, I realized all of the cab drivers I spoke to were amazing people with interesting stories and helpful travel advice. So what if I had to pay an extra 30 cents because my accent was American or I missed a few verb conjugations?

• Only carry what you need. You never need your id, all of your money and five credit cards all at the same time. Be smart about what you carry, when, and where. I never took my passport around with me. Instead, I locked it up in my room where I couldn’t lose it or get it stolen. I followed the same rule with my debit cards. When I needed to get cash, I brought my card, but immediately returned it to my room after taking out money. As far as money goes, it should go without saying that you should only carry what you need. If you run out, you can always return to your room and get more. Whatever you are carrying, split it up and put it in a safe (and accessible) place. I tried to get fancy and hide my money in pockets where no one would know about it. The problem was that the money was so inaccessible that even I struggled to access it. Don’t go crazy. It’s not the end of the world if you lose 50 bucks.

• Choose hostels carefully. In the beginning, my priority was to carefully monitor my budget. I learned quickly that while this strategy was great for my savings account, it wasn’t worth risking my safety. The cheapest hostel I stayed at ended up being the one that was robbed. Instead of going by cost, talk to people. Get suggestions. Ask questions and find out where other people stayed in order to find the best (and safest) places. Most importantly, write down what they say! I followed this strategy in Ecuador and stayed in some of the nicest hostels on my trip. This may seem like an obvious suggestion, but it took me two countries to figure out in-person recommendations are much more reliable than online reviews.

• Never leave your belongings unattended in your hostel. Again, this sounds obvious, but there are moments when your phone is charging and you are tempted to leave it on your bed for 30 seconds while you brush your teeth in the bathroom. It might be fine. It might not be. My phone wasn’t. In those 30 seconds, my hostel roommate disappeared and so did my cell.

• Most importantly, don’t ruin your trip by not trusting anyone or not taking calculated risks. Generally people are wonderful people. Don’t let one bad story taint your experience.