⋆ Second Gen Desi ⋆

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Catch up on Part 1 here

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Our third day in Dakar would be our last before moving on to our second destination in Senegal, Ngor Island. As a group, we had made the decision to set out early in the morning to visit the Renaissance Monument without the worry of crowds and excessive heat.

Despite the fact we had been heavily active on the trip so far, I was beginning to feel antsy for some familiar movement. I wore my running clothes while the rest of the group got dressed in social media best 😛.

Fortunately, I wasn’t the only crazy person ready for a staircase workout. However, I was the only woman crazy enough for a staircase workout. As time wore on, more men came out for the morning burn, but my friends and I felt comfortable doing our own thing, and did not have to worry about unwanted attention or comments, thankfully.

The Renaissance Monument was designed by Senegalese architect Pierre Goudiaby Atepa and built by Mansudae Overseas Projects, a North Korean construction company (‼). The monument is a relatively recent institution, and was officially dedicated April 4^th, 2010, Senegal’s National Day and the 50th anniversary of independence from France.

You can probably guess, but it is the tallest statue in Africa.

As it started to get brighter (and warmer), we made another stop at a well-known Dakar landmark, the Mosque of the Divinity. I recognized it from the promo pic United Airlines used for its Senegal route (RIP).

While we didn’t go inside, I had a feeling it probably wouldn’t match up to what we saw the day before…

We made it back to the hotel for one more breakfast, and to officially check out. I have to be honest and say I wasn’t too sure about our next stop of the day…at first I thought we would be bouncing around markets, but I didn’t think we would be changing up our transportation for that.

Keeping my arms tucked because it was too hot lol

This was an example of a “Car Rapide”, a brightly-painted yellow and blue minibus used for public transit in Dakar. The vehicles are adorned with religious slogans, vibrant artwork, and protective hand-painted eyes—and for a hot minute, it was just the four of us in one bus. But within minutes, we were rolling up a hill, picking up more and more people every couple feet!

I suppose it was a form of entertainment, and I learned soon after the bus completed its route that yes, it was indeed for our tourist entertainment. What made it even sillier was the group photo we took at the end of the ride, which the driver of the car rapide (??) invited himself into, along with our guide and a random local who told my friend to “make him famous!”

Soon after, we found our “actual” driver and got back in our black van to head to the destination I thought was going to be our first stop since checking out of BOMA—Marché Soumbédioune.

The sun was finally starting to get to me, and so while some of my friends shopped, I did my best to keep cool in pockets of shade as I found them. My souvenirs have always been photos, and more recently scrapbooking, so shopping at markets is more of an “observational” activity for me 😉.

Things took an interesting turn when we came across a shop owned by a young woman. I didn’t notice anything peculiar at first, but before we knew it, our group—including Jeremies—was somehow invited to sit inside while the shopkeeper cut up fresh papaya. We noticed that the young woman seemed to admire Jeremies, and of course, we took it to the next level and teased him about it.

In fact, we became more attuned to how the women we came across on our trip seemed to be charmed by our guide, for whatever reason 😅. It was all in good fun, though.

After snacking through the papaya and taking a breather from the sun, our group got back into the van to find a suitable restaurant for lunch. We ended up at a restaurant called Jungle, which offered cozy seating, but there was nothing on the menu (of substance) for a vegetarian diner. Jeremies was in shock, but I was the one in shock after learning about his thought process for selecting this place: jungle = green = vegetables = vegetarian.

At least we had our reliable option of Indian cuisine—Shaluc was not too far from the disappointment that was the Jungle. In fact, Senegal had made me grateful for the Indian diaspora—always coming to the rescue of vegetarians globally.

After this meal, which ended up becoming an early dinner, we checked into our next accommodation on Ngor Island, Ngor Madrague.

Compared to BOMA, these accommodations were on the simplistic side. But at least we were only here for one night, during which we learned we had made it onto “mosque TikTok” to our humorous delight.

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The next morning, I didn’t wake up early to run or frolic on the beach like my friends did (got to get those pics for the ‘gram!), but we did eventually meet up for a sub-par breakfast and were rudely accompanied by flies. No pics of that obviously.

The main objective of the day was to explore Lake Retba, or the “pink lake”. However, the images available online are photoshopped beyond belief. The lake was more of a brown hue in-person, but it was still a unique sight to see.

The water’s color is due to Dunaliella salina algae and the lake itself has a salinity level of 40%—we didn’t come prepared with swimsuits to test this with a “float” test, but I mean, look at all the foam on the shore too?!

The salt trade is alive and well, as we saw a number of salt deposits organized in hills along the shore. Some vendors even sell salt-based products right then and there for the eager tourist.

Our excursion at the lake was straightforward, where we went for a group boat ride and took in the views while making sure no one felt off-balance leading to an accidental fall in the water! After our boat ride, we quickly got back on the road to the dismay of the local vendors—in our defense, we had a long ride ahead to our next accommodation, Hôtel Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Saly.

The 1hr and 33 min estimate is a joke btw…safest bet is to double whatever Google suggests when traveling in West Africa!

BOMA still ranked at the top of my list, but checking into this resort felt like a major step up from our accommodations at Ngor Island. The resort was packed with white French tourists who could have easily been mistaken for White Lotus characters.

While the views were great and dinner offered many options thanks to it being a buffet, I learned that this accommodation would also be our accommodation for the last night of our trip. We would actually be driving back north to “spend Christmas in the desert”…

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Hard to believe I had been in Senegal for five days at this point, but the adventure continued! I woke up early enough to see the sun start to rise, and was able to fit in a short run along a paved path that cut through the beach.

Breakfast at the buffet was sub-par in regards to variety, but what called my attention was the Nutella container and the waffle guy—not the guy, but the fact that he was in charge of preparing fresh waffles for my breakfast amusement.

We were soon all packed up and back in the van—our next destination was three hours away according to Google which…wasn’t too far off actually! We were specifically staying at Hôtel OKAÏ in the Lompoul desert.

There were no surprises when it came to arriving at our destination. We were literally driving over sand for about 15 minutes before approaching the “parking lot” which again, was just sand. We had some assistance with our luggage, and were given the grand tour before getting our rooms assigned.

The pool was indeed luxurious, but the water was too cold for me!!

With it being so isolated in the desert, the resort was definitely a place meant for unwinding and detaching. The rooms were spacious and clean (they were like luxury glamping huts), although everywhere we walked was sand, except for the paved area by the pool and dining area.

Lunch of course was a humorous event. It took a lengthy discussion between Jeremies, the chef, and our waiter to clarify what a vegetarian meal to my liking consists of. I tried to communicate that I’d be satisfied with a plate of flavored steamed veggies (mixed in sauce already or on the side), but that I needed some type of bready carb as well. Outside of our Indian jaunts, this ended up being my go-to meal request throughout the trip, and sometimes to my delight I would get bread with my veggies while oftentimes not.

Nevertheless, the chefs always did their best, and the presentation of our lunch was impeccable.

You can probably guess where I was sitting

After lunch, it was definitely time for a nap. We headed back to our rooms and I slept for a solid hour, which felt exactly right after the morning’s travel and the full desert heat.

Once we woke up, Aneesa and I decided to check out the pool. Unfortunately, it was still a little too cold for my liking, but I did what any good friend would do and take on the role of photographer.

There was not much to do after that and before dinner, even though the hotel offered a few desert activities, including motorbiking over sand dunes. Just wasn’t our style though.

At least we had a Christmas Eve dinner buffet to look forward to, but as expected, my options were still fairly limited—mostly vegetables, potatoes, and finally some bread—but there were also cakes for dessert, so I was able to indulge a little.

After dinner, most of our group was ready to call it a night. The desert temperature had dropped significantly, and with the wind picking up, it was not exactly comfortable to keep sitting outside.

The funny part is that we apparently slept through the main entertainment. Later that night, the staff gathered around a campfire with drums, music, and dancing. Some of the tourists even joined in and took turns dancing. Jeremies had recorded a video of it, and just like with our appearance on “mosque TikTok”, we could not contain ourselves at the sight of someone’s uncle really going all out with campfire dance moves.

The next morning marked the start of our next adventure. We had a long drive ahead of us back down toward the border of Senegal and The Gambia, where the next part of the trip would begin. If you are going to pay attention to any of these posts, I highly recommend this next one, and I highly do not recommend a trip to The Gambia anytime soon.

Are you a “picky” eater when it comes to traveling?

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I’ve always been a geography girlie. In third grade, my dad challenged me to learn the capitals of all 50 U.S. states. After a perfect recitation, I was rewarded with a $1 scoop of Baskin-Robbins ice cream (back when those $1 scoop Tuesdays still existed…). I even competed in my middle school’s geography bee—and absolutely tortured myself after missing the question, “What is the largest desert in California?”—I knew about the Mojave, unlike most thirteen-year-old Americans I bet, yet somehow still got it wrong and mentally flogged myself for a week.

In adulthood, especially during moments of ennui, I’ve found myself opening Google Maps, zooming into random regions, and lingering there—pondering borders, cities, and landscapes. That habit is how I first became familiar with South America beyond the behemoth that is Brazil.

And as an adult with actual spending money and the ability to explore more of the world, I’m eager to do more than memorize city names or niche fun facts about countries most of the Western world wouldn’t recognize. I find myself yearning to travel to more “exotic” places with whatever time off work I can scrape together. While I’m not pressuring myself to visit every country in the world, I’ve quietly adopted it as an unofficial goal 🙈.

In recent years, I’ve also been lucky enough to make friends who share my travel style—people who are flexible, curious, and excited by destinations that aren’t always top of mind. When you’re the kind of person who just wants to see as much of the world as possible with agreeable company, it helps. So when a friend casually suggests, “Senegal this December, guys?” you don’t hesitate. You jump all in, thrilled to check off your first visit to the African continent—especially when it wasn’t even on your radar for most of the year.

My friend Aneesa (the Expat Panda) was able to loop myself as well as friends P and M into the mix to plan a girls’ trip to both Senegal and The Gambia (Senegambia is also a term used to describe both countries, but Senegambia is not an actual country).

Super zoomed in pic of Senegal and The Gambia, West Africa

Since we would be venturing to West Africa, with none of us speaking fluent French (essential for most countries in West Africa), we were able to work with the Mowoki travel group company to help sort out our itinerary—including accommodations, activities, our driver, airport transfers, most meals, and even visas when necessary. The owner of the company, Jeremies, was even our guide for the entire 10-day trip. During the planning stages, I honestly didn’t know what to expect or how the trip would turn out, but knowing I’d be with friends I trusted eased my nerves in a way going alone wouldn’t have.

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Our trip plans began in August, with the actual trip being in December. My portion as 1/4 of a girls group amounted to around $2,240 USD for all of the essentials mentioned above, organized through Mowoki. Even then, the conversion rate led me to getting about $200 back in local currency when I arrived, which I used towards my Gambian visa (more on that experience later…). With flights, I was lucky that my go-to international airline (United) had a direct flight from IAD to Dakar, Senegal (the capital). Dates and times worked out in my favor, so there was no need to transit through Europe to get to the African continent…

Unfortunately, as of December 2025, United made the decision to cancel the route …the route launched in May 2025, so it barely lasted a year 😪. It is still possible to fly direct trans-Atlantically from JFK or Montreal, but the United decision hurts my heart because that’s one of the current airlines I’m loyal to lol.

The trip was taken in the last half of December, and so it aligned perfectly with days off from work. I flew into IAD from Austin the day before my flight to Dakar, just so I wouldn’t risk missing the flight to Dakar due to delays. I stayed overnight in Alexandria, VA, which was a separate, but cute little experience to have before venturing off to warmer temperatures and more tropical adventures.

Exploring Alexandria a few hours before my trans-Atlantic flight

My experience flying from IAD to Dakar was mostly smooth! I was upgraded to United Premium Economy, and felt comfortable for the 7 hour journey thanks to additional “Saks Fifth Avenue” branded blankets and seats with roomier leg room. We did have a 1.5 hour delay though—with limited flights a week, I guess the crew wanted to make sure EVERYBODY who was supposed to be on the flight and checked-in was on board.

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I landed in Dakar around 8am local time the next day. Walking into the airport, a part of me felt a sense of accomplishment before even stepping outside—I made it to Africa! The only reason I exclaim that so broadly is because it truly was my first time on the continent. But I knew that this trip would only be a sampling of what to expect, and many more trips will need to be planned to further explore this continent!

Immigration was a breeze (no visa needed for stays less than 90 days for US citizens), but waiting for my luggage to arrive was a chore. After about an hour, I was able to meet my driver outside the airport, which was thankfully arranged by Mowoki.

The drive to Dakar city from the airport was also a journey, and nothing too exciting to comment on. In fact, the wide open desert-like terrain reminded me of some parts of West Texas!

Google maps can’t always be trusted here due to the nature of the roads, but it did take around 1.5 hours for me

My destination was our first accommodation for the trip—BOMA Lifestyle Hotel. It was tucked away in the middle of a busy street, and even my driver had to make a long U-turn after missing it the first time. Despite arriving around 10am, I was able to partake in my complimentary breakfast, after checking-in, meeting Jeremies in-person, and catching up with Aneesa and M while P would be joining us later.

Breakfast at BOMA each morning of our stay was substantial! We got to pick a hot beverage, a cold juice, a savory side, a sweet side, and an entree

Knowing that the first day was essentially a travel day for everyone, our plans were minimal. After breakfast, all I remember doing was taking a nap and then having snacks with Aneesa and M before figuring out what our plans for dinner were. We just knew we were having a “welcome dinner”—but where and when? No clue.

Eventually, we did find out where we were going for dinner. It was a venue none of us could have imagined, but it definitely gave us an “exciting” preview of what was to come on our trip in Senegal:

The beach behind Magic Land aka the location of a crazy night

We were seated on the rocks of a beach behind an amusement park known as Magic Land, and attempted to make ourselves comfortable in plastic beach chairs as Jeremies explained what was on tonight’s menu—basically the lifeblood of Senegalese cuisine, fresh fish. I was assured there would be a veggie option for me, and that would be cooked and served in a traditional way as well.

In the meantime, the next couple of hours (yes, you read that right) included some unusual, frightening, and downright hilarious antics. We quickly got used to the persistent solicitation from vendors selling everything from hot tea to books, musicians trying to get us to get up and dance to some Afro drum beats or serenade us with “I love yous”, and even witnessed a fight between two young boys (!!) because one boy thought the other was stealing his customer (this was the frightening one, just because I’m sure one of the boys got hurt falling HARD on the rocks…).

It truly was dinner with a show, yet we were still waiting for the dinner part…

My veggie plate of fried plantains, boiled carrots, potatoes, cucumber and tomatoes, pickled onions (loved this!!), and lettuce

At least it was worth the wait?

My friends somehow managed to tackle two (!!) similarly-sized plates of fish, along with what I had pictured above! Needless to say, we did not finish our meals but we left with our bellies and hearts full. The amount of laughter we had that night was equivalent to a 30-min ab workout!

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The next day was the start of our real adventures for the trip. We began with a half-day excursion to Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site that once played a central role in the 15th- to 19th-century slave trade. Despite its heavy history, the island is visually stunning, with colonial architecture, soft pastel buildings, and bursts of colorful bougainvillea throughout.

We had a mini tour of the island with a local guide, who was a wealth of knowledge when it came to the history of the island. For the first half of our walk, we saw the “good, innocent” parts of the island—baobabs, sand art, colorful artwork, buildings artistically shaped like ships…

The buildings were indeed picturesque and Instagrammable:

But when we finally reached the House of Slaves, that’s when the truth came to light about what this place really was.

As we walked through the rooms, it was difficult to comprehend that while slave traders lived comfortably on the upper levels, hundreds of enslaved men, women, and children were crammed into spaces no larger than closets. Learning that young girls, in particular, were subjected to abuse and were only spared once they became pregnant was horrifying. The entire experience was deeply unsettling, but confronting this history directly is necessary to prevent the dangerous path of history repeating itself.

On that note, we were grateful to witness one of the most historical sites in Senegal, and it also served as a humbling reminder that sometimes travel brings on discomfort, and that’s when you know the journey that you are on really means something.

After Gorée, we continued on to visit the iconic Mosque of the Divinity (Massalikoul Djinane Mosque)—this stop was much more humorous than expected?

This was my second time visiting a mosque, and my first time with (appropriate) covering. I visited a mosque in Cologne, Germany with a friend once and don’t recall covering my hair (I think I was able to tie it in a ponytail) and I was wearing a long dress but stopped short at my knees. No one was bothered there, and I was probably more self-conscious of not wanting to offend anyone.

Here however, my friends and I were given the VIP treatment. The imam met us in the parking lot—as soon as our van door opened, there he was, with plenty of covering options for us to choose from 😂. From there, we walked through the prayer hall (men’s side) and could not believe how beautiful the interior was:

The amount of detail just had me like 🤩 the entire time. The imam spent the entire time with us, walking us through all the open rooms and again, treating us like VIPs. It seemed…strange?

We would soon find out there was a reason why we were receiving such princess-like treatment. We later learned that our guide had told the imam that the four of us were “well known in the English-speaking community”, and the imam had shared he ran a lively TikTok account for the mosque. The next night, Aneesa and I were curious and did some stalking and found out that we indeed ended up on the mosque’s TikTok! At one point during our visit, the imam popped out his phone to take a video of us, and not knowing how to react, we all blankly stared at the camera and that is what ended up online for his community to see.

I guess you could say we went viral in Senegal?

After the mosque visit, it was finally time to eat! While we were managing throughout the day with snacks, we stopped at Phare des Mamelles for a late lunch since it was supposed to offer scenic views of the city.

While the views were great, the food was not. At least for a vegetarian like me. I’d soon realize that Senegalese cuisine is not the best for vegetarians, and many of my meals outside of the breakfast hour would require some customization. This restaurant did not have a proper vegetarian meal, so I was left picking at a plate of vegetables…I even had to beg for proper sauce. My friends also knew we would need to eat something else later, and fortunately, everyone was excited about the prospect of Indian food since there was a restaurant just outside BOMA.

We did right at Rasoi, where we indulged in spring rolls with sauce, paratha, and delicious hot chai.
To think that I had only been in Senegal for two days at this point and to have seen so much already? I was excited to continue on our adventure, though like with any trip, there were fun, memorable moments and those that felt mentally draining.

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I plan to conclude my recap of the Senegambia trip with a reflection drawn from my personal observations and conversations, as the experience left me thinking about how I might use what I learned to help deepen others’ understanding of this region of the world—more to come!

Have you ever visited West Africa?

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In this blog post, I talk about my experience with a group tour to Guatemala organized by the company Here & Now Travel. This post is a recap of my experience and not sponsored, but if you find yourself inspired to join a future group trip—whether it is in Guatemala or some place else—use code PREE100 for $100 off your first trip with them! You can read Part 1 here.

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Day three of the trip was one I had been especially looking forward to—hiking a volcano! Originally, I had hoped to do an overnight hike to Acatenango with a different tour company when I was planning my trip to Guatemala, but with H&N, the volcano of choice was Pacaya. It was a shorter day hike, but still required a good level of fitness. Even though it wasn’t the overnight adventure I’d imagined, I was still really excited—this time I had proper hiking boots, and I was ready.

We started the day with an earlier-than-usual breakfast before hopping on the bus and heading toward the trailhead. Once there, we met our guide and were told that horses would be available if anyone got too tired or out of breath. Most of us were hesitant/embarrassed about needing to use that option, but thankfully no one in our group needed to use a horse.

The hike was no joke. Because of the high altitude and the steep incline right from the start, I felt out of breath almost immediately. Still, after pushing through the beginning, my body adjusted, and the experience became incredibly fulfilling. After about an hour and a half, we reached the summit, took photos, and soaked in the scenery.

The descent was much easier, and near the lower levels, we passed dogs running around the volcanic soil and natural smoke pits where people were roasting marshmallows—a fun local tradition.

Another hour and a half later, we were back at the base. Thanks to my hiking boots, the trek was much more manageable, and while I felt tired, I was only a little sore the next day.

After the hike, we headed to Rainbow Café for lunch, where we were able to preorder our meals. I chose a falafel plate, and it was incredibly satisfying as a post-hike meal. The café reminded me a lot of Samsara, but this time, I was really glad to partake in a meal that satisfied my cravings while with the group.

After lunch, some of us went on a walking tour of Antigua, while others wandered through the outdoor markets (I was mentally pooped from the hike and opted for the latter). I was thoroughly amused by the abundance of capybara-themed products—it seems the capybara obsession has truly taken flight, and it makes sense because these creatures are the GOAT.

Nothing in particular caught my eye, but I enjoyed tagging along. Eventually, another girl from my group and I stopped for some long-awaited gelato. For only two quetzales, it was incredibly delicious and absolutely worth it.

We spent the rest of the afternoon resting at the hotel before heading out for our last group dinner in Antigua at Hector’s Bistro. The menu had plenty of options, including pizzas and American-style dishes. I ordered sweet potato fries with a vegetable platter, which was both satisfying and flavorful.

After dinner, everyone went their separate ways for the night. I turned in early, ready for the next chapter of the trip.

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The following day, we headed to Lake Atitlán. The drive took most of the morning (about 3 hours), but we arrived to our hotel (Jardines del Lago) just before lunch, giving us time to relax and take in the views.

Lunch was at a very local, hole-in-the-wall spot serving Uruguayan food. The portions were massive, but unfortunately, the food itself was pretty bland. I ate what I could, but it wasn’t my favorite meal of the trip. Still in the mood for something sweet, I treated myself to another scoop of gelato—this time a creamy Nutella flavor—which made everything better.

Soon after, we visited a nearby nature reserve. Some people went zip lining and ended up having a very unexpected, somewhat chaotic experience that led to serious trauma bonding. I was part of the group that chose to hike instead, though not by choice. We were supposedly trying to find a beach, but the trail ended up being longer and more confusing than expected, which made it a bit frustrating. It wasn’t my favorite part of the trip, but it was still an adventure.

Later on, a few of us decided to get massages. I went with my fellow gelato girlie to a local spot that was able to fit us in, while others found appointments at another nearby salon. An hour-long massage only cost around $35 USD! A tip wasn’t required, but I threw one in 🙂

That evening, we had dinner at a fusion Asian restaurant and continued getting acquainted with Lake Atitlán.

Our hotel in Panajachel was more basic compared to the boutique-style hotel in Antigua, but it was clean, well-located, and had beautiful views of the lake. And of course, I ended the night with yet another scoop of gelato.

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Our last full day took us to different parts of the lake for swimming and cultural activities. Breakfast at the hotel was a buffet, but it filled up quickly—if you weren’t there by 7:00 a.m., it was already packed. I was not enthusiastic about the options anyways.

After breakfast, we gathered outside and took a boat to a lookout point (Cerro Tzankujil) where people could jump into the lake, swim, sunbathe, and take photos. It was a relaxing and scenic stop. I took a pic of Panajachel in the morning—a much more quiet view!

At Cerro Tzankujil, I opted to mostly sun bathe as the water was too cold for my liking. I did try to walk around in the water for a bit, but it ended up feeling too boring haha.

Next, we headed to San Juan La Laguna, a colorful lakeside village full of vendors, cafés, and art. At the dock, our guide pointed out Indian Nose, which is another famous hiking destination. It really did look like a nose!

Our first stop was a women’s cooperative focused on traditional weaving and natural dyeing practices.

One of the women walked us through the entire process, and because it’s a co-op, the handmade items are sold directly in their shop. I ended up purchasing a few gifts, happy to support their work.

As a side note, one of the items I purchased made it into a white elephant game at a Christmas party I attended, and the person who ended up with it was absolutely in love!

On each item, the price tag includes a picture of the woman who made the item, and the days it took to make!

Afterwards, we broke into smaller groups to explore the town—wandering through shops, admiring murals, and taking in the vibrant atmosphere.

We regrouped for lunch, which again wasn’t anything spectacular, but it kept us going. Our overall time spent in town was for a shorter duration compared to some of our destinations on the trip. Apparently there were other towns around the lake that had their own personalities—like San Marcos La Laguna, which is supposedly famous for its spiritual vibe, yoga studios, meditation centers, and bohemian atmosphere. I’m sure I would have found delicious vegetarian options there!

By the afternoon, everyone was pretty exhausted, so we returned to the hotel to rest, enjoy the sunset, and take photos by the lake. That evening, we gathered for our farewell dinner. While the food wasn’t particularly memorable, the live music and the shared experience made it special. I didn’t get my nightly scoop of gelato that evening, but I did have ice cream and spent the rest of the night reflecting on the trip and appreciating everything it had been.

The final day was purely a travel day. We woke up early for the long drive back to Guatemala City and the airport, said our goodbyes, and boarded our flights. Even though the trip was only five days long, it felt incredibly meaningful. Experiencing Guatemala alongside like-minded travelers—people who were just as present and appreciative—made the memories even more special.

I’m already planning to join H&N next year for a trip to Belize, and hope to see more of Central and South America with companies like them. It helps when you don’t have to worry about logistics—a vacation can actually feel more like a vacation!

Have you ever visited Guatemala?

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As someone who’s always been type A and loves to travel, I’ve set myself a long-term goal of visiting as many of the 197 (maybe it’s more, some lists include Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, while I’ve seen some say Curacao is technically part of the Netherlands 🙄…in my book it is its own country, I’m counting it 😝) countries as possible. It’s a big task, but I’m determined to experience the world, one country at a time.

For a while, I focused mostly on Europe because it was easy to plan, affordable, and familiar, but over time, Europe started to feel repetitive and boring. Eastern Europe provides some variation, but even then, it does not feel like an “adventurous” destination to me anymore.

Last year, I was able to begin prioritizing international travel on my side of the globe, like Playa del Carmen and Chichen Itza in Mexico, and the trip to Curacao. After my first trip to Serbia earlier that year, and going on some hiking adventures, I knew I needed to explore more challenging and adventurous destinations.

It made sense to continue down south and look into Central America. Guatemala wasn’t on my radar initially, but after hearing about amazing experiences from two friends who had been in recent times, it started to spark my interest.

I have to be honest and admit that at first, I did have some small reservations—at least with the thought of traveling alone. I know that the news and media outlets like to sensationalize things, and so I appreciated the feedback I got from two friends I trust. I trusted their experiences more over whatever has been shared on the nightly news.

I also realized that there are many group tours to Guatemala, which gave me reassurance that it must be a safe and welcoming place for tourists. After visiting Greece and Bulgaria this summer, my social media algorithm quickly picked up on my travel habits and started bombarding me with ads for group tours, many of them in Guatemala.

Originally, I was planning to go with an all-female solo travelers group, excited for the longer itinerary they offered. Unfortunately, that trip fell through—some of the girls couldn’t commit to the dates I had blocked off. At first, I was disappointed and thought I’d have to cancel everything and look for another trip. But then, I stumbled across a company called Here and Now, which happened to have a tour scheduled on the exact dates I was available. With their trip being shorter, I was thrilled at the prospect of not only getting my Guatemala adventure, but also having a few days to relax at home before jumping back into work. It felt like everything was falling into place!

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Prep and Day 1

I always joke that I love traveling but hate everything leading up to it—especially packing. My work schedule doesn’t leave much room for daydreaming about upcoming trips, so I kept prep simple. The only things I proactively did were buy real hiking boots from REI—because after hiking through Bulgaria in run-down running shoes, I knew that the only way I would ever want to go hiking again is if I get REAL boots! I also stocked up on some of my favorite US snacks a few days before the trip, since I’m the type who gets hangry fast, especially when vegetarian-friendly options are limited.

One nice perk of this trip was flying direct out of IAH airport in Houston. I got to spend Thanksgiving with family (after almost SEVEN years of no Thanksgivings spent at home—because I was traveling or living in Italy, lol), and then head off on my adventure without the stress of multiple connections. The flight itself was smooth, and I landed in Guatemala City around 1 p.m., grabbed my suitcase, breezed through customs, and found my driver.

The drive from Guatemala City to Antigua, though—whew. The winding roads, construction, traffic, and even a couple of car accidents turned it into a full sensory experience. But it also gave me an instant glimpse of local life, like watching my driver and his girlfriend(?) in the passenger seat casually buy snacks from vendors weaving between cars as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

I checked into the Good Hotel in Antigua around 3:30pm, quickly freshened up, and joined a few travelers from my group for a short walk around town before meeting our full group and guide in the lobby for introductions and dinner. The hotel itself was fantastic—clean, minimalist, and thoughtfully designed. There were tiny Guatemalan worry dolls placed on our beds, which was such a charming touch. I did have a roommate for the entire trip, but Here & Now did a great job pairing travelers based on sleep schedules and logistical preferences.

Dinner that night was at El Adobe, which offered a mix of authentic Guatemalan dishes and other options. I ordered a cauliflower dish (advertised as spicy but definitely mild, and a bit cold) along with a steamed veggie platter topped with a creamy lemon drizzle. They also served blue corn tortillas tableside, which were delicious. Guatemalan cuisine is definitely meat-forward, and I knew going in I would face challenges, but the veggie options I did get access to in Antigua were surprisingly good.

Veggie platter and (cold) cauliflower at El Adobe

After dinner, the group wandered into a nearby bar, and after a few minutes my roommate and I called it an early night. Before heading back, our guide helped me withdraw cash—$139 worth—which, combined with a few credit card charges, ended up being the perfect amount for the entire trip.

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Day 2

The next morning, I woke up early in order to do something I had not been planning to during the trip—run! Leading up to the trip, I wasn’t sure if running would be feasible in Guatemala, given concerns about road safety and accessibility. However, upon arriving in Antigua and seeing the quality of the hotel, I felt much more confident. I sought advice from the concierge, who reassured me that running in the city center was perfectly safe in the mornings. They did mention that areas outside the city could be more challenging to navigate, but as long as I stayed within the city, it would be fine.

I decided to follow their recommendation and embarked on a short, 2-mile run. It turned out to be more difficult than I had anticipated, primarily because the roads in Antigua are mostly cobblestone. The sidewalks were either narrow or nonexistent, so I had to remain very cautious while navigating through the streets. Despite the difficulty, the run was invigorating, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there was a 5K/10K race taking place that morning. If I had known about the event in advance, I might have considered joining in (lol!).

After my run, I met up with a few of my fellow travelers to head into town. We were planning to visit the “famous arch” (Arco de Santa Catalina) and get some photos in. We gathered in the hotel lobby, and I had just enough time to shower, change, and join the group for the short walk to the arch. Although we left at 7 AM, thinking we would beat the crowds, there were still many people already out and about. Nonetheless, we managed to take some great photos.

Upon our return to the hotel, we were ready for breakfast. The breakfast at the hotel restaurant, Saul, was delightful. The variety of options was impressive, and as part of the trip package, we were entitled to one breakfast item and a hot drink (black coffee or tea). However, I opted to pay a out-of-pocket for a cappuccino, which cost $3.25—a reasonable price considering what one might pay at a US Starbucks! The cappuccino came with a small biscotti, which was a nice touch. I paired it with oatmeal, which had a porridge-like consistency and was topped with fresh berries and nuts. It was light yet filling, and just enough for that morning since we were soon on our way to a Guatemalan cooking class!

Cappuccino with biscotti | Oatmeal topped with fruit and granola

The class was held in the home of a Guatemalan woman named Saira, along with her sister. Their family has a long history in the culinary arts, with family members holding executive culinary positions within the Guatemalan government. It was clear that they were deeply passionate about their country’s food culture, and they were eager to share their knowledge with us.

The class was divided into three groups: one for appetizers, one for the main course, and one for dessert. I placed myself in the dessert group, as the appetizer and main course preparations involved meat, but the hosts kindly made sure there were vegetarian options for me by the time we were ready to eat!

Dobladas, vegetarian “stew”, flan-like dessert with candied fruit

The experience was both enjoyable and informative, offering a unique opportunity to bond with fellow travelers while learning about Guatemalan cuisine and the cultural significance of the dishes we were preparing.

After the Guatemalan cooking class, we had some free time to relax before the next activity of the day: a visit to a local coffee plantation. Around 2:00 p.m., we boarded a bus and headed to San Miguel Escobar, home to a family-run, multigenerational coffee farm. There, we met one of the family members who walked us through the entire coffee-growing process—from crop cultivation and harvesting, to quality control and roasting.

The family shared the historical and cultural significance of their farm, explaining how their long-standing relationships with U.S. partners and exporters have helped support not only their own family, but neighboring families as well. It was eye-opening to see how interconnected community, trade, and sustainability are within their operation.

After touring the plantation and seeing the coffee plants up close, we traveled to the family’s home and processing area. They demonstrated how the beans are husked, processed, and roasted, explaining the differences between light, medium, and dark roasts (including the surprising fact that lighter and medium roasts actually contain more caffeine than dark roasts). We also learned more about how their plantation partners with coffee companies in the U.S. to distribute their beans.

Of course, we got to sample the coffee fresh—and it was incredible. We also had the opportunity to purchase coffee products, including skincare items created in collaboration with another local brand, and each of us received a complimentary bag of coffee to take home. It felt good to directly support a local business while gaining a deeper appreciation for a drink so many of us take for granted.

After the plantation visit, we headed as a group to Antigua Brewing Company for happy hour. With rooftop views, snacks that doubled as dinner for some, and plenty of conversation (plus a few card games), we stayed until nightfall. Fireworks began lighting up the sky, and we learned that in Guatemala, fireworks usually signal a celebration—often a wedding.

After about two hours on the rooftop, we decided it was time for dinner. I was craving a place that catered to vegans and vegetarians, so I ventured out on my own and found Samsara, a small, hole-in-the-wall vegan restaurant. Like many vegan spots around the world, it had that familiar hippie, eco-conscious vibe—but I always love supporting plant-based businesses wherever I travel.

I ordered a tempeh bowl with coconut peanut sauce and rice, paired with a hot tea. It was hearty, comforting, and exactly what I needed. After dinner, I headed back to rest—knowing the next day would bring the volcano hike and that I’d need every bit of energy for what was ahead.

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All in all, my first two days in Guatemala were enriching and filled with memorable moments—whether it was the challenge of running on cobblestone streets, experiencing the bustling atmosphere of Antigua’s iconic arch, or learning about the rich culinary traditions of the country. So far, this was all just a sampling of what was to come—even more exciting adventures were awaiting!

Stick around for Part 2!

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I never thought I would be one of those bloggers who would disappear “without a trace” for more than a year…but it happened. It’s hard to pinpoint a specific reason why I decided to step away…at first it was unintentional, and then as the months went by, I felt comfortable with my new routines and newfound passions. In a way, I felt like I’d always have this space, if and when I chose to come back to it. Same thing with the podcast (ya’ll remember Pour the Coffee ?). With my friend and co-host leaving the project to start a new chapter in her life (motherhood), the podcast became something I still had, but I wasn’t publishing episodes as frequently…just when I felt like it.

My website domain and hosting renewals were coming up, and to be honest, I was contemplating shutting down the blog. My main reasons for keeping it up—at least maybe going into next year—are 1) I’m still very much annoyed when anyone uses the term “first generation Indian-American” when they are simply a “second gen desi”. “First generation” is literally the immigrant generation—why is everyone trying to be first all the time when they’re not? Lol!

So if the my blog’s URL helps with piquing curiosity and understanding why “second gen desi”, one mission accomplished ✅.

And 2) I still love looking back at all the posts I’ve written on the second gen experience, living abroad, running, and traveling. I will say my current interests have shifted—it’s been two years since I’ve been an expat, and that lifestyle is not something that interests me at this time—but I love to see that people still find my post about the EU Blue Card useful.

But now? What do I feel like writing about then?

After this long blog hiatus since mid-2024—sparked by a lack of motivation and unclear direction—I shifted my energy toward a creative dream I’d long put on hold: modeling.

What started as a gut-driven exploration quickly turned into a year-plus of runway auditions, portfolio-building, and fashion week experiences in NYC and LA, and internationally in cities like Cannes and Belgrade. While I haven’t entirely abandoned writing or podcasting, modeling became the more energizing outlet, offering both personal growth and professional connections. I figured, if I am going to have a comeback post now, might as well be about the one thing that stole me away from blogging in the first place!

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Modeling today is incredibly saturated. The “rules” of traditional modeling have dissolved thanks to social media and shifting aesthetics. For me, modeling has always been a dream, but I’ve also never intended to do it full-time. I enjoy balancing my scientific career with my creative pursuits.

It’s frustrating that the industry—and the public—often want to box people into one thing. But I thrive in multiple spaces. Modeling is just one part of my enriching and multi-faceted life.

Despite its challenges, modeling has brought immense joy. I’ve been selective with the work I take on, aiming for high-fashion editorial and artistic runway shows. Thanks to my job (the one that allows me to have a decent, sustainable salary lol), I’ve had the flexibility and financial means to travel to cities and countries for shows and shoots.

While compensation is ideal, I’m not driven by money. I’m more focused on networking, building credibility, and hopefully working with respected brands or designers through the connections I make. The real value lies in the experiences, the creative collaborations, and the freedom to pursue this on my own terms.

But believe me, like with anything I’ve set out to do, modeling is BOUNTIFUL when it comes to frustrations and irritations…below are just some highlights, I’d love to dive deeper into these topics in future posts perhaps, or maybe spill all the beans on a podcast episode 🙃:

1. The “Money” Question

One of my biggest pet peeves is getting asked that ridiculous question—“Did you get paid for that shoot/show?” Why is that anyone’s business? No one asks tennis players at the country club if they got paid for a match. Modeling, especially at the freelance level, is saturated and competitive. Many models, especially newer ones, do unpaid gigs for exposure or portfolio growth. And there’s nothing wrong with that if you’re having fun (which I feel like people have forgotten how to do in recent years).

Now that I have been modeling for over a year, I do consider myself more experienced, but will still often do things unpaid if I think it is worth my time or will offer me networking opportunities that will eventually work in my favor. Until I do land that “big gig” (which, in reality, is a rare occurrence even for the most well-represented models), I might as well have fun with the gigs I choose to do!

2. Poor Communication Skills Among Creatives

Many creatives in this space—photographers, designers, and other models—struggle with basic communication. Ghosting, vague responses, and last-minute cancellations are frequent occurences. As someone with a high emotional IQ and a professional background that values clear, empathetic communication, it can get incredibly frustrating.

Photographers holding back photos, designers changing models without informing them—unfortunately, there’s often lack of communication and professionalism in this space. When I walked in a show in Cannes earlier this summer, I had one of the designers I was supposed to walk for in a show replace me last minute without even telling me. I happened to see her talk to the show organizer out of the blue, looking in my direction. I knew something was up, and even the organizer disclosed to me that she thought the designer’s behavior was unprofessional. Despite the anger I felt about the situation, I took it all in stride. I was already walking for other designers who were happy with my look and wanted to work with me. I wanted to prioritize that and showcase their designs in the best light versus being hung up on one designer who did not want to work with me. Not my fault if others have communication issues and are unable to express their thoughts to others in a mature manner…

3. Cliquishness + Fake “Open Calls”

Open calls often pretend to be inclusive, but in reality, they repeatedly use the same faces. When you reach out to collaborate with other creatives and are told “nothing is in the works,” only to see them working with the same individuals they always work with—it’s disingenuous and undermines the push for real diversity.

I was more sensitive to this when I first started modeling, only because it did feel like a clique I wasn’t able to get into. But by looking outside the local community and willing to travel for opportunities, the probability of landing more opportunities increased. Now, I am pretty happy with the trajectory of my network, and I am always looking for the next *new* opportunity. I also treat model castings and applications like applying for a job—apply for every single one that interests you, log it, and move on! If they’re interested, you will hear back. And it doesn’t hurt to follow-up either!

4. Protecting Your Boundaries in a Shifting Industry

With AI and other emerging tech, models now have to be even more cautious. Some runway shows sneak in clauses allowing the use of your image in AI training, which is obviously a red flag for me. I’m also wary of the photographers and designers I choose to work with from a safety perspective—revealing boudoir or swimwear is not something I’m comfortable with, though I do see plenty of models who choose to participate in those types of shoots or shows. To each their own, but the risk of exploitation in those types of modeling is unfortunately higher.

That’s why boundaries, intention, and self-advocacy are crucial. I’m very selective about who I work with now, especially as someone who keeps my modeling world somewhat separate from my professional and personal circles. It’s not about hiding—it’s about protecting the creative space I’ve built for myself.

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This year has been incredibly hectic on all fronts, which I absolutely love. I’ve always loved staying busy, and having my hands full, even if it means exhaustion. Going forward with this blog, I guess I could write about my experience in upcoming fashion shows, interesting travels, or even the basic, tried-and-true “If We Were Having Coffee” posts just to keep in touch, but I don’t want to make any promises.

*Fashion show in Belgrade, Serbia—just 1.5 years after I visited the country for the first time! Life is so funny.*

If you’ve stuck around this long, waiting for me to come back, I appreciate that with all my heart. I may not be the same Pree I was when you started following my journey, but I can assure you that my life right now is anything but boring!

The Senegambia Girls’ Trip: Part 2

The Senegambia Girls’ Trip: Part 1

My Guatemala Group Tour Experience: Part 2

My Guatemala Group Tour Experience: Part 1

Unexpected Bloggy Break & Diving into New Hobbies (Modeling!)