Happy new year 🎉🎉🎉
2019 is here and although it might be a little late for a review of last year, I thought that 2018 was such an amazing year that I couldn’t let it go without sharing its highlights.
A Year of travel & new experiences
For those of you who don’t know, I had moved to the UK for one year starting in September 2017. It was hands-down one of the experience I would forever be grateful for. One of the perks about living in Europe is the opportunity to travel at affordable prices within countries but across the continent as well. I enjoyed exploring the UK & my only regret was not visiting Ireland. While I was living in Guildford, I got the chance to visit:
London | Oxford | Cambridge | Dorking | Bournemouth | Bristol | Birmingham | Bath | Brighton | Cardiff in Wales | Glasgow & Edinburgh in Scotland
Easy jet quickly became my best friend. Together, we went to new destinations:
Bordeaux in France | Paphos in Cyprus | Barcelona, Valencia & Madrid in Spain.
From learning, Scottish traditional dances in January to swimming in the Mediterranean for the first time, 2018 was definitely a year to remember.
Year of stepping out of my comfort zone
Every year I try to undertake a new activity that will push me further out of my confort zone. In 2018:
- I went zip lining for the first time in Bournemouth. What an awesome feeling to be 25 meters above water!
- I went solo traveling in Spain. It was also the first time I was traveling alone considering that it was not a business trip nor was I traveling for education purposes. Just me, myself and lots of churros.
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
Year of meeting new friends
There is nothing more refreshing than connecting with DOPE like-minded people. I am really grateful to have met & connected with:
- Tokunbo of Tokunbo’s kitchen;
- Eulanda & Omo of Hey! Dip your toes in
- Vivienne of Melanin Travel;
- Nicola, Sonia & Sasha: Three inspiring women with whom I was in Cyprus.
Year of falling in love with my country all over again
I moved back to Côte d’Ivoire in October and before that I had the chance to come back in June. I am still wondering what triggered that feeling, although my best bet would be the tourism programme I was completing in the UK. Prior to it, I knew how much potential my country had but being fully immersed in that industry now makes me realize how much we are blessed with, without even realizing it.
That’s it for my highlights of 2018. I wish you nothing but the very best this year. Believe in yourself and in your abilities to do wonders. Have loads of fun & Enjoy 2019 !
What are of your highlights of 2018? It’s never too late to share them!
*Photo Credit : Featured Image by Hey ! Dip your toes in
