Reader Interactions

Leave a comment

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Bull can die. Event is fun to watch so fun is more important.

  2. Misako

    ” it’s better to talk and share about these kinds of cultural practices, though they might be different from our own, rather than gloss over them. I look back on the festival now that I’m older, and while I’m glad that I got to experience it, I wouldn’t go again. However, I think this is the best way to open up a dialogue about the world around us and in turn, promote positive growth. ” Kiersten Rich, The Blonde Abroad.

    Thank you for this statement, therefore, let’s “open up the dialogue” as Kiki suggests and make people aware that at the end of the ‘Running of the Bulls’ these animals are brought into a bullring where they are repeatedly stabbed, harpooned, drugged, and in the end, have their ears cut off – while still conscious- to show to gruesomely display to the horrified crowd – most of which are tourists.

    The banderilleros dart around the terrified, bleeding animals while plunging banderillas—brightly colored sticks with a harpoon point on one end—into their already-injured backs. The wounded animals are forced to run in circles, until they stop because they’re too dizzy, disoriented, and weakened from blood loss to continue.

    Now let’s continue the dialogue and discuss “tradition”. Is this really “tradition?” Large corporate entities feed their corporate greed as these events are hugely profitable. The problem is that most tourists are not aware of the torture that these animals endure, and naively attend these festivals without understanding the horrific and gruesome deaths that these animals will succumb to – all in the name of “cultural entertainment”

    Moreover, more than 100 Spanish towns and cities have banned bullfighting, and a 2016 poll found that 81% of Spaniards ages 16 to 65 oppose it. That figure rises to 93% among 16- to 24-year-olds.

    I think it’s important that as global citizens we have accountability for our actions and understand the consequence of our actions; One of the reasons many of us travel is for cultural immersion as a means of better understanding the world. With that understanding, comes more informed, responsible, educated decisions on how we travel, spend our money, and its long-term effects on those beings around us.

    Don’t allow our naivety as tourists to be exploited for corporate profit at the expense of the vulnerable beings around us, namely the bulls. Don’t attend this barbaric festival.

    I hope my comments are actually posted on this website and not deleted as spam or because they are too controversial. That is not how it was intended. If my comments are deleted, this just just another touristy website, with no depth, and lack of global consciousness.

Instagram

Arguably the MOST “autumnal” day of the trip: 🍎 🍂 🍩
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Welcome back to my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) series! We’re over halfway through our road trip on Day 6 and this was the perfect day of all things autumn.

After a slow morning leaving @woodstock.inn, we were on our way to the famous town of Stowe, Vermont!

I had originally created a jam-packed itinerary, but traveling with a toddler can definitely call for some readjusting and going with the flow. We made 2 of the stops I had planned:

🍎🌳 Hunger Mountain Orchard
🍎🍩 @coldhollowcidermillvt 

If we had a little more time, a lot of people add the 🍦 @benandjerrys factory tour on this day. 

We ended our day by checking into the @trappfamilylodge —owned by the real family from the Sound of Music where we enjoyed the lodge and property before dinner and bedtime.

Be sure to come back for Day 7 with more on this amazing property and all the furry friends that live here!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
@vermonttourism @visitnew_england
#vermont #newenglandroadtrip #stowevermont
Fall fashion is my favorite! What about you? 🍁
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
My recent trip to New England was the perfect opportunity to pack my @meet.nex bags with some cute new styles perfect for any trip!

Nex luggage is super high-quality and will hold up on any adventure. Their Million Mile Care program is also one-of-a-kind. You can trade in your used luggage towards credit for new luggage!

I get so much use out of the Nex crossbody and backpack in Lanikai Amber—they’re my go-to for camera gear and toddler essentials. And you can style them with just about every outfit!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Click my link in bio for my luggage and favorite fall styles! #ad
Bienvenidos a Oaxaca! 🇲🇽
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
I recently visited this vibrant, colorful city just in time for some of the Dia de los Muertos celebrations and it did not disappoint! From walking the cobblestone streets lined with colorful murals to witnessing centuries’ old architectural marvels, this entire city is an UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful sites around every corner.

There are tons of epic @vrbo vacation homes in Oaxaca—perfect for a group trip!

One of the major highlights of Oaxaca is the FOOD 🤤 Traditional cuisine like mole, mezcal, tlayuda, quesillo, and even… chapulines (aka fried grasshoppers! 😱) are a must. Foodies and adventurous diners alike will find themselves with more than a few delicious options here in Oaxaca.

Add these highlights to your Oaxaca bucket list:

🇲🇽 Shop at the artisan markets
🇲🇽 Get down on some delicious street food
🇲🇽 Try a traditional cooking class
🇲🇽 Take a day trip to Hierve el Agua
🇲🇽 Experience a temazcal ceremony
🇲🇽 Discover the countless murals
🇲🇽 Visit during Dia de Los Muertos

Did you know you can also book activities with some of the best local, hidden gems, through @expedia?

Try a traditional cooking class, book a local photographer, or enjoy a mezcal and mole tasting with a certified sommelier through the @Expedia app!

Have you been to Oaxaca? What time of year did you go and what was your favorite part??
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#mexico #oaxaca #diadelosmuertos
Is this the cutest town in Vermont? 🍁
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This is Day 5 of our New England Road Trip with a Toddler Series! We stayed at the @woodstock.inn for 2 nights and set aside a full day to explore Woodstock .

With Woodstock Inn & Resort is situated in the heart of Woodstock, so it gave us the perfect opportunity to explore the town by foot. There are cute shops, cafes, and it’s so festive during foliage season.

My number one tip here is to reserve your room at Woodstock Inn early! Woodstock is a small town, and especially during fall foliage season, it can be fully booked up a year in advance.

BONUS TIP: We booked our room through Amex Travel and got tons of perks like early check-in/late check-out, daily breakfast for 2, a room upgrade, guaranteed 4 pm check-out, and a $100 resort credit (which mama DEF used for a massage at the spa).

We spent our morning at @billingsfarm and got to meet some dairy cows and other farm animals. Kids will love this spot!

In town, be sure to grab a Maple Creemee (a maple soft serve ice cream) from @woodstockscoops. Visit the F. H. Gillingham & Sons General Store to shop for TONS of local products like maple syrup. And The Village Butcher Shop is a great deli for yummy sandwiches & deli meats & cheese. 

We wanted to eat at @simonpearcerestaurant but it was already fully booked (two months in advance!!!) so plan ahead.

Stay tuned for Day 6 for apple picking, cider donuts, and the cutest family-friendly lodge in Vermont!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Have you been to Woodstock, Vermont?

@vermonttourism @visitnew_england
#vermont #newenglandroadtrip #woodstockvermont
It’s time to add the “Kanc” to your bucket list! 🪣🗒️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
The “Kanc” aka The Kancamagus Scenic Byway is a 34.5-mile-long state highway that winds through the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire. This might just be one of the most scenic drives in the US—especially if you’re coming during Fall foliage season.

You can drive the byway without stopping in about 45 minutes, but you’ll wanna plan for at least half a day, if not a full day, to explore it to the fullest.

Because we were with a toddler, we limited our stops to the Albany Covered Bridge, Sabbaday Falls, and the Panoramic Overlook. But, consider adding these stops as well:

- Lower Falls
- Rocky Gorge Scenic Area
- Sugar Hill Scenic Vista
- Hancock Overlook

TIP: We started at 7 am (toddler life) and I highly recommend starting your day early! This is a super famous destination for leaf peeping in the fall so we were shocked that we had most of these areas to ourselves until about noon.

The Albany Bridge is a super scenic stop—the foliage is so beautiful along the riverbank and the wooden bridge makes for amazing photos.

Sabbaday Falls is the perfect kid-friendly hike, minimal crowds, and such a great view of the scenery through the thicket of colorful foliage and cascading waterfalls.

And the Panoramic Overlook is on the far west end of the byway and has some of the best sweeping views.

You can stop for lunch in Lincoln or North Woodstock, NH.

TIP: All of the little towns in NH and VT are short-staffed during foliage season because there is SO much tourism. You’ll need to pre-book reservations at restaurants or be prepared to wait 1+ hrs (or longer).

Then is was off to Vermont! After a long drive (and car nap for Ollie), we checked into the famous @woodstock.inn in Woodstock, VT. We wandered through town and enjoyed the Farmer’s Market on the Green (Wednesdays) before calling it a night!

Check back for Vlog 5 as we kick off our time in Vermont—farms, apple picking, and the best spots for foliage!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
@visitnh @vermonttourism #newengland #newhampshire #kancamagushighway #foliage #roadtrip #familytravel
Share
Tweet
Pin