Lyss C Global: The World Traveler

The World Traveler

☮ PHOTOS ☮ CULTURE ☮ ADVENTURE ☮

Of all my photos, this is my favorite comparison….

Nicaragua’s famous beach town San Juan del Sur compared to Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonia National Park. What a drastic difference.

Nicaragua 2007 - San Juan del Sur - Semana Santa

This guy walked up and down the beach all day with his polaroid, float, horse, and cowboy hat hoping to make money. I kind of regret not getting my picture taken…

We took this couch shuttle to Madera, where Joel and I were 2 of 3 people on the whole beach… nothing in sight. Good thing we brought the camera

and the skim board!

Costa Rica 2007 - 4 month stay

I volunteered at a day care center each week. The little boy on the left’s name is Angel (spanish pronunciation please), he was too cute for words. Everyone called him Jackie Chan instead of his real name because he was the only Asian. There was also a Nicaraguan kid at the day care center, I don’t know his name they all just called him “The Nica”…

This photo was taken at Tortuguero and says “my eggs are not the solution” as she holds up a Viagra pill. So, apparently men are stealing turtle eggs to help with their you know what. I think most of those male enhancement brands give free trials. That sounds easier to me than stalking a pregnant turtle, waiting for her to lay her eggs, and sneaking on to the protected beaches at night….

I got a chance to meet the BriBri indigenous tribe on the Caribbean coast. The indigenous group leader gave us a tour and pointed out animals, trees, bugs, etc etc along the way. I managed to capture this little guy right off the ground… too bad I didn’t know he was poisonous.

Its totally normal to bring a live hen in a plastic bag on a public bus…

Unfortunately, there was only one road that we could take to get to Manuel Antonio and it leads to a one lane bridge. I guess we’ll just have to wait our turn….

My first tattoo: San Jose, Costa Rica

I volunteered in the countryside of Jamaica 2008

I taught the local kids how to used the computer

I used a machete to clear the yard for organic farming - while the kids used the machete as a toys….

I loaded and unloaded tires for organic composting

I helped thatch the roof with Uncle Ronnie…

During the summer 2009 I completed my Master’s Research in Ecuador - I was really productive….

I jumped off bridges in Banos, Ecuador.

I played with seal lions on the Galapagos Islands

I traded dread beads with local surfers in Canoa, Ecuador

I studied hard at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Amazon

Oh, and I got my second tattoo in Quito, Ecuador

After I finished “studying” in Ecuador I took a trip to Machu Picchu, Peru

I saw a lot of indigenous people - I was just another crazy hippie sneaking pictures of them

I climbed to the top of Waynapicchu and took my shirt off and took a nap

And I got another tattoo - well I added a quote to my second tattoo

New Years 2010 I went back to Nicaragua

I spent half my time at an Eco-Lodge on Lake Nicaragua

and half my time in Granada volunteering with handicapped children

A few month later - off to Honduras!

We hiked the National Park

Drove across the whole the Island of Roatan

Played with some local deer….

And drank beers while watching the sunset!

In May 2010 I graduated with my Master’s from Georgetown!!

And what do you do with a Latin American Studies degree?

Protest for immigrants’ rights!!

September 2010 I went to Abu Dhabi as a nanny for a NYC family who got temporarily relocated. The kids were in school 7am-3pm and my job was to babysit 3 days/nights a week while the parents went out. So most of my photos are of me just exploring Abu Dhabi, the surrounding, and hanging out with new friends on my time off! I was blessed to meet so many wonderful people that I now consider friends - from Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, India, Sweden, US, Italy, Nepal… some Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Spiritual - all open, kind, respectful, and amazing. Gave me a unique perspective on the Middle East.

First stop, The whole family went to Jordan and the Dead Sea!!

Dead Sea Mud

Jerash, Jordan

Tough duties as a babysitter visiting Petra, Jordan

Settling in to Abu Dhabi

My morning wake up call.

The family belonged to the Emirates Palace Beach Club, which is “the second most expensive hotel ever built”.

Emirates Palace Lazy River and Slides

Emirates Palace Camel Rides - Ahmed the Desert Camel Man

Playing beach volleyball on the Corniche

Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi

Volunteered and help organize the first ever Breast Cancer Walk in Abu Dhabi!!

Took the kids to Ferrari World - A whole theme park dedicated to Ferrari’s

Observing the Fastest Roller Coaster in the World

My boyfriend Josh came to visit and the kids liked him, a lot!!!

Dubai

Dubai Gondola Ride to the Souk Madinat Jumeirah - Burj al Arab in background

Souk is another word for market. There are fish souks, gold souks, spice souks etc.

Souk Shopping

Burj Khalifa - Tallest building in the WORLD

Driving up the Palm Islands to the Atlantis Hotel

Aquaventure - Atlantis Hotel Waterpark

Desert Safari

All the different Tour Companies taking passengers to Desert Safari Tents!

Henna and Hookah (Shi Sha/Hubbly Bubbly)

Ski Dubai - Indoor Snow Park

Its 115 degrees outside, but I’m snowboarding at the Mall!

All of those windows at the bottom connect to the Mall of the Emirates. So people who are shopping or dining can just overlook the snow park and watch the people inside the park!

OMAN

Sarah and I in Muscat, Oman - Souk Shopping

Yes, at a Camel Souk - where you buy and sell camels (Al Ain, Oman Border)

The camel owners were infatuated by Sarah and I … I can’t image why!?

Camel Racetrack (Al Ain, Oman Border)

Old Muscat, Oman

F1 Weekend Abu Dhabi!! One of the biggest weekends for Abu Dhabi. F1 races each day followed by amazing concerts and parties! My stay in Abu Dhabi ended on the F1 weekend. What a way to go out! 3 nights of nonstop partying with my friends before heading back to the States!