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Personal Journey

Traveling Back in Time with My Dad

In a recent article for Expedia Viewfinder, I write about how I might travel using a time machine if given the opportunity. The post was inspired by Expedia™s campaign in support of the new Dreamworks film, Mr. Peabody and Sherman. And in writing my piece, I was really surprised to find how personal the topic of time travel turned out to be for me. Most people might choose to go back to some profound moment in world history. And in the film, the main characters do exactly that from Troy to Versailles to Ancient Egypt, accidentally wreaking havoc on the space-time continuum. But me!? I™d go back to the toe-tapping era of the 1950™s in Vegas. Why? Well, first of…

What is Local Travel Anyway?

It is a core mission of my website and video series to help my viewers travel locally. Either here or on other travel publications, I’m sure you’ve seen articles referencing local travel, getting an authentic experience, or experiential travel. And you might be wondering, what do these buzz words mean exactly? I think there are two main components to local travel. One is the ability to experience a destination for what it is today. The other is to make personal connections with people from a different part of the world. Both opportunities can enhance your trip and impact your life. Every destination has a living, breathing society that is evolving all the time. Think about your hometown or New York…

A Trip to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas!

Vegas. At every turn there is something that will awe you, overwhelm you or at least cause you to shake your head in disbelief. It is the ultimate saturation of the senses. But however grand Las Vegas is – the Grand Canyon will impress you more. Last week, I went to Vegas with a friend from out of town – from France to be exact. And he made a request. He said, we must also visit the Grand Canyon. He could not possibly go back to Europe and explain that when traveling to Las Vegas he hadn’t also visited the Grand Canyon. As an American, or rather as a Los Angeles native, I reasoned with him saying, nobody from here…

Don’t Date a Boy Who Doesn’t Travel

I recently came across an article about why it is a bad idea to date girls who travel. Ouch! Apparently, it has gone viral and been translated into six languages because it resonates with so many. And as I read it, I find myself simultaneously offended and utterly flattered. The essay reads as a cautionary tale for young bachelors. It says, œDon™t date a girl who travels. She is hard to please. The usual dinner-movie date at the mall will suck the life out of her. Her soul craves for new experiences and adventures. Check out the piece itself “ but also read this one I wrote in response, or rather in defense, for girls who travel. When I was…

To Seattle, I Go

So, today is the big day! It’s my first flight since the LAX shooting. And I have very mixed emotions. For one, I am overjoyed that I am feeling courageous enough to go through an airport, pass security check and board a flight. Secondly, I can’t wait to take off. To feel like I’ve regained my freedom – my freedom to do my job and to live life as I want to. On the other hand,…

The Shooting at LAX – My Personal Account

On Nov. 1st, 2013, I was on my way to New York City from Los Angeles to celebrate my 30th birthday. Like any soon-to-be 30-year-old, this was a big life moment, fraught with fond memories and cringe-worthy regrets about my 20’s, and excitement and fears about the decade to come. I was planning to fly out of LAX, Terminal 3. But unfortunately for me and even more tragically for others I was bound to cross paths with someone else that morning with a very different agenda. If you are a Travel with Kate follower, you’ve noticed I’ve not been publishing very much content recently. That’s because on that morning, I witnessed something truly horrible. And as I have been recovering…