The Travel Zen of Cai

Lifestyle

  • When Literature Becomes Real: My Visit to Edgar Allan Poe’s House

    I was looking at our backyard when I saw a bird. Not ebony black, but dark enough to be called black, with a grayish tint on its chest. I asked my husband what kind of bird it was, and he… Continue reading

  • How to Pull Off a Chic Layered Look While Living in Baguio

    If you’re living in or visiting Baguio during the cold season, you know the weather calls for thoughtful layering that keeps you warm without feeling bulky. Pulling off a chic layered outfit here means balancing function and style – light… Continue reading

  • In the Heart of the Highlands

    I remember looking down below—it was steep ravines and the deep blue river at the bottom seemed so angry, its raging current crashing against the rocks with a wild intensity. I quickly averted my eyes forward. The endless sharp curves… Continue reading

  • What Happened After Graduation 2019?

    Have you ever thought about where you might be now if the world hadn’t paused back in 2020? Not just in terms of places you could’ve gone, but the version of yourself you imagined becoming. The plans you made –… Continue reading

  • My First Taste of Pad Thai

    When it comes to food, I’ve always been a little cautious- sticking to what I know and love. My husband, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. He’s the kind of person who gets excited about unfamiliar dishes, bold… Continue reading

  • Have You Ever Hiked After the Rain?

    I started my hike at the foot of the mountain just after the rain had passed. The air felt fresh and alive, filled with the scent of wet earth and woodland. Everything shimmered with leftover raindrops –  the leaves, the… Continue reading

  • Escaping the DC Buzz: A Day in Old Town Alexandria

    One of the best things about living in Washington, DC is how easy it is to escape the city for a day without even needing a car. Sometimes, all it takes is a swipe of your Metro card and a… Continue reading

  • Beneath the Mountains, Beside the Rice Fields

    Have you ever lived somewhere so remote, it feels like civilization is a distant hum on the horizon? A place where you wake up not to traffic or alarms, but to the sound of roosters crowing and the rustle of… Continue reading

  • More Than Dirt: A Mining Story

    One thing I’ll never forget is my experience going to the mines. My mom came from a family of miners- that’s actually where she met my dad. So in a way, mining is part of my story, part of who… Continue reading

  • Peace of Mind Isn’t Found- It’s Protected

    There’s a lesson life keeps teaching me over and over again: peace of mind is not something you find-  it’s something you PROTECT. I’ve seen just how easy it is to lose that peace. I’ve watched people let the world… Continue reading