Welcome!
My name is Samantha; friends call me Sam. I started There She Goes Again to share all my adventures and tips that no one in my real life actually wanted me to spell out for them. I’m an AAPI travel blogger currently based near Philadelphia, PA but with my heart in about a dozen places around the world.
Click the button for my personal story and keep scrolling for more on the what this blog is all about!
“Not all who wander are aimless, especially those who seek truth beyond tradition, beyond definition, beyond the image.”
MONA LISA SMILE
WHat to Expect
When it comes to how I approach travel, things are constantly changing and evolving. I started traveling in high school, after all, and my first big trip was over 15 years ago! However, below is just a taste of what you get if you’re interested in the way I like to see the world.
PERSONAL DESTINATION GUIDES
Everything written on this site is by me and occasionally 2-3 friends who go on cool trips I haven’t had a chance to. I actually like writing and have wanted to be a writer since I was a kid, so consider this me living my dreams.
STYLE & BEAUTY TIPS (KIND OF)
I always said if I traveled the world, I wanted to do it in style. I like to think over the years I’ve mastered that whether it’s wandering through Paris or hiking up a mountain in Washington State!
CONSCIOUS TRAVEL
I like the word conscious because, frankly, there are sustainable travelers who do it way better than I could. However, I like to think I’m conscious in how I visit new destinations and meet new people.
GOOD FOOD & RESTAURANTS
One day I’ll write a memoir about how Korea made me both a foodie. I even have the chapters outlined. I went from, “Let’s just get lunch at 7/11” to “Our trip will not be complete if we do not here,” so I like to think my food and restaurant guides will not disappoint.
CUTE, TRENDY CAFES
Another thing Korea made me love? Cafes. I barely drank coffee before I moved to Namwon! I love nothing more than finding a good cafe in a new city. From traditional ones that have been around for decades to new, super trendy ones with fancy coffee trends, I want to catch ’em all!
WHAT MAKES A PLACE WHAT IT IS
When it comes to travel, the first thing I want to know is “Why here? Why is this place as it is?” Sometimes the answer isn’t always fun, but it really teaches you about a culture before you’ve even stepped for in the destination. I always try to add a little history to my guides!
RUNNING AROUND THE WORLD
A few years ago, I really started taking running more seriously. I worked for a great running community, and I slowly found myself running more intentionally and signing up for races. Now I have a goal to run at least a 5K everywhere I travel and an running a marathon in Madrid next year.
HIKING GUIDES FOR BEGINNERS
I always say I don’t love hiking but I love the views. You will never catch me on some ledge questioning my life choices, but you will find me meandering up some gentle switchbacks for gorgeous snowcapped views. I write a lot about my hikes to help non-hikers have a good time.
SKIING GUIDES FOR PIZZA SKIERS
Like hiking and running, I will never be a professional or even particularly advanced. But when it comes to winter, I had to do something so I wouldn’t turn to hibernation! Besides running, I also have begun to ski more. My ski guides are aimed to help any new skier feel less anxious!
BOOKS, BOOKS, & MORE BOOKS
I’ve been a book worm since the day I first read The Bear Next Door by myself and went on to major in English Lit in college. There is nothing more I love than a good story – it’s why I love travel and how I get inspired to visit new places. Since 2018, I’ve been sharing my annual 52 Book Challenge here and on my Instagram.
NEW LANGUAGES & WORDS
I love learning new languages even if I’m not the most fluent. I majored in Spanish in college, picked up Korean in Namwon, and took Vietnamese classes in Saigon. Right now I’m trying to learn Dutch for my big move and know tiny bits of Norwegian and Mandarin. Language is like a really fun puzzle.
AN ALARMING AMOUNT OF CATS
Will travel to cuddle with cat. Not only do I often cat sit for friends around the world, I will stop or go out of my way to say hello (well, “hi cutie patootie” or “hello baby girl, you’re so cuteeee”) to any and all cats. I was so busy with the cats in Morocco, the famously forward men began to just leave me alone!
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