NammysTravelogue

San Francisco . Travelogue / November 29, 2016 by Nammy Park

After hiking in Big Sur, we drove up to San Francisco, the city of good coffee and rolling hills. It was my first time seeing the Golden Gate bridge and I can only describe it in one word: majestic. It was a totally different type of majestic from the cliffs of Big Sur, but I was in awe nonetheless. After the bridge, we fought off seagulls for our oysters in true SF fashion and walked around gawking at the gorgeous mix of neutral greys and pastels of the homes surrounding the city. The Painted Ladies in particular got the Full House theme song stuck in my head for the rest of the day, which was both annoying and endearing :)

*All photos taken and edited with iPhone

Big Sur . Travelogue / November 27, 2016 by Nammy Park

Finally getting around to updating my travelogue. Around this time last year, my old roomie and I went on a girls' trip to Big Sur and San Francisco (travelogue from SF coming up next). Now she has her first kid, so I'm feeling especially grateful for this time we got to spend before life got REAL. Everything you've heard about Big Sur is true... it's incredibly beautiful and pictures absolutely don't do it justice.

*All photos edited and shot on iPhone

New York . Travelogue / December 16, 2015 by Nammy Park

Born and raised in Chicago, I would generally consider myself a "city girl." CPS educated, CTA reliant, and winter resilient-- I thought I'd be ready for anything New York could throw at me when I got a last minute opportunity to go for a couple of days. Let's just say I was not prepared for the sheer size of the city and what seemed like the millions of people walking around at all hours of the day. One thing that I loved though is that you can pretty much meet people from literally all walks of life in any neighborhood you go to and they all generally get along. In LA, I saw so many restaurants where I thought, "Chicago needs this!" Not that New York doesn't have its share of amazing restaurants, but seeing the diversity and integration was really when I thought, "Chicago needs this!" NY, you're awesome and I'll definitely be back for more exploring. Photos from my super short trip below, because New York looks particularly good in B&W.

Futuristic Pods . New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square

*All photos taken and edited via iPhone.

Southern California . Travelogue / August 31, 2015 by Nammy Park

Cue the "OC" theme song... Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.... Californiaaaaaa. It was stuck in my head pretty much from the moment I stepped off the plane at the chillest airport I've ever been to-- John Wayne, you were a dream. Really, this whole weekend seemed like a dream, eating amazing food, body surfing on some real ocean waves, and spending time with friends. Only a few photos from the weekend because I kept forgetting my phone. Enjoy anyway!

*All photos taken and edited via iPhone.

Los Angeles . Travelogue / January 12, 2015 by Nammy Park

The last time I traveled to California, I was an extremely awkward pre-teen so this weekend LA trip with friends was long overdue. Our itinerary consisted of food, food and more food… oh and also some hiking. It wasn't as warm as we would have liked and the trip was far too short, but we didn't waste a moment. I love LA's laid back culture, palm trees, cute neighborhoods and extremely delicious food. The food really reflects the culture around it, which is always what makes it even more delicious. Let's just say it's time for a juice fast.

Black Sesame from Blockheads Shavery . Sawtelle — Black Sesame from Blockheads Shavery . Sawtelle

Uni and Sangrias . EMC Seafood & Raw Bar — Uni and Sangrias . EMC Seafood & Raw Bar

Steamed Mussels . EMC Seafood & Raw Bar — Steamed Mussels . EMC Seafood & Raw Bar

*All photos taken and edited via iPhone.

Seattle . Travelogue / September 30, 2014 by Nammy Park

When you're in Seattle, you can't help but fall in love with the great outdoors. With only a few guaranteed months of good weather out of the year, there is a deep appreciation for even small pockets of sun throughout the day. Luckily, my last couple of trips to Seattle were drenched with warmth and was spent doing all the touristy things I love-- visiting the gross but endearing gum wall, walking around Pike Place, eating some chowder, and visiting the very first Starbucks Coffee to ever exist. This time around, my gracious host and lovely friend, Annie gave me a sneak peek beyond the comforts of my touristy views. Seattle, I've found, is the land of innovation, health, food, coffee, hiking, and consignment shops, rain or shine.

Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream . Seattle, Washington

Consignment Shop in Ballard . Seattle, Washington

Bop Street Records . Seattle, Washington

Homegrown Sustainable Sandwich Shop . Kirkland, Washington

Aura Bakery & Coffee Bar . Kirkland, Washington

PLANLED Headquarters . Federal Way, Washington

Bogul Bogul Cafe . Federal Way, Washington

Rattlesnake Ridge . North Bend, Washington

*All photos taken and edited via iPhone.

Portland . Travelogue / September 29, 2014 by Nammy Park

The Pacific Northwest will always have a special place in my heart, so it's awesome when I get to travel there for work. Portland in particular is home to some of my favorite places to eat and walk around. Most of my visits are limited to the downtown area, but this year I got to venture out and try the famous Pok Pok for some amazing Thai food. Not to say that there isn't a a plethora of places downtown to get a cultural experience. The famous Portland food trucks line up and down a couple of different parking lots, serving all kinds of food from fish n' chips to Ethiopian to Mauritian, which is a mix of French, Chinese, African, and Indian. There's just something about food that gives you a special connection to the place you're in and for the people of Portland, food is also a way to allow the place you're in to connect with you.

Stay tuned for another post from my stay in Seattle.