–
Kerala, India has a lot to offer: it’s known for its houseboat stays along the backwater regions, Chinese fish nets in Kochin, and myriad beach resorts along the coast. It’s not unsurprising, then, that many travellers never make it to the lesser-known mountain town of Munnar.

Getting there is a bit of a challenge. To say that it’s remote is an understatement, and the road conditions leading to Munnar are downright treacherous (at least by Western standards). Since driving in India is out of the question, the options come down to hiring a private driver or taking a public bus.

Our expedition to Munnar was actually an afterthought. We were in Kochin and had intended to spend our last days visiting beach resorts, namely Varkala and Kovalam. These were conveniently on the way to the airport in Thiruvananthapuram where we’d fly back to San Francisco.

However, having just spent time in Goa, we’d had enough of beaches. We wanted to do something different and interesting with our remaining time in India, and the mountains sounded like a great change of pace. Unfortunately, the change in itinerary meant we’d be running low on time. Munnar was actually in the opposite direction from the airport and visiting would mean a 10 hour road trip to the airport on the day of our flight!

We took the plunge and ended up hiring a private driver for the trip, which we’d highly recommend if your budget can accomodate it. In addition to the obvious advantages of on-demand AC and restroom and meal breaks, your driver will know some fun stops along the way that you’d otherwise miss taking a bus. Don’t be surprised when the fare includes the driver’s accomodation in addition to gas and salary… but the cost is still very reasonable if you have a lot of ground to cover. Just be sure to shop around and get a few quotes.

On the way to Munnar, we got to see baby elephants being bathed in the river, snapped photos of Cheyyapara Waterfalls, and took a tour of a spice garden. I actually found the spice garden facinating — I was able to see all the staple spices in my kitchen (and many more) alive and growing! I had no idea what most of them looked like as living plants.

When we arrived at Dew Drops, our guest house near Munnar, the cool mountain air was a welcome change from the rest of India. The place was up on a hill and had a panoramic view of its lush surroundings. Each room had its own private patio area: the perfect place to relax over a hot cup of chai and enjoy the scenery. It was still a ways from town, so you couldn’t just take a stroll to pick up food, but there was a restaurant on site and even a little spot for yoga and meditation. Quite a steal!

In the morning, our driver took us to see what Munnar had to offer. Along the way, we started to encounter the tea plantations. We hadn’t known what to expect, and the expansive rolling hills packed with an incredible labyrinth of vibrant green tea bushes did not disappoint. Tea was growing everywhere you looked, on both sides of the road and as far as the eye could see. From a distance, the dense, well-manicured shrubberies looked like a natural carpet of green blanketing the hills. With such beauty in the backdrop, it’s almost impossible to take bad pictures.

On the way to Top station, the highest of the hill stations in Munnar, we stopped by beautiful Mattupeti dam. It was packed with tourists (mostly Indian) and partially obscured by a tall fence, but still a good place for a photo op. And there were vendors everywhere selling fresh homemade chocolate and hot chai.

Did I mention that Munnar is famous for both tea and chocolate, in addition to the spectacular scenery? These being three of my all-time favorite things, I can hardly imagine a better place. Indian masala chai has long been my favorite form of tea, and the tea in Munnar was some of the best I’ve had. I especially enjoyed the cardamom chai. The chocolate had an undescribeable freshness to it that I’ve never experienced in the States. I bought (and ate) a LOT of chocolate during my stay.

Unfortunately, when we arrived at the Top station, it was already engolfed by fog. Rather than looking out on a bed of clouds, we were in them. Perhaps if we’d gotten up earlier, we could have beaten the fog… but it didn’t matter. The views on the drive up were so magnificent that I can’t imagine the one from the top was much better.

After the gorgeous drive back down the mountain, we visited the tea museum, sampling more tea and chocolate there, and learning about Munnar’s history. The tea plantations were originally owned by a British company (no surprise there). In recent years, the company’s stakes were transferred to a giant conglomerate: the Tata Group. Not only do they own these beautiful spreads of land, they also manufacture the local Indian cars. If you’ve been travelling in India for awhile, you can’t help but notice the company logo on the road. We also saw a lot of Indian honeymooners — and found out that among Indians, Munnar is well-known as one of the most beautiful spots in the country to visit.

As for what to do at night, our driver directed us to an awesome martial arts performance. Since he happened to be friends with one of the performers, we were able grab front row seats. Check out some of the action shots.

If you’re tired of the party scenes in Goa and looking for something a little different, I’d strongly recommending heading to the mountainous region of Munnar. It was decidedly worth it, despite our ensuing 10 hour road trip by taxi to the airport!

Growing up, my mother always dispensed exceptional advice… that I never took. She would tell me which boys to avoid, what classes to take, and how dress for each and every occasion. Amongst her wise words and cautionary tales, the best piece of advice was; “enjoy and experience your youth.” (It’s the mom-approved version of “YOLO.”) In a rush to grow up, I resisted this notion until a couple of years ago, and I wish I had been less stubborn. But I’m not going to tell her that, I’m going to tell you; enjoy and experience being young.

Youth gives us unbridled opportunity, a grace period for trial-and-error, and the privilege to be a little selfish. Besides the added benefit of a wrinkle-free face, here are some reasons being young is a blessing!

1. Experimentation

I’m not (necessarily) talking about that kind of experimentation.

“To be old and wise, you must be young and stupid.” When we are young, we have to learn from our mistakes, over and over (and over) again. With no biological clock ticking, we can date the wrong guys, choose the wrong job, the wrong friends, the wrong exit, and still have time to fix our mistakes and learn invaluable lessons. Ultimately, we can change our minds and major until we “get it right.”

2. Travel

Notice this; you’ve never heard someone say, “Man, I wish I had never traveled the world and learned about other cultures.” And it’s not a coincidence. When we’re ripe, we are impressionable and typically more open-minded. Why not utilize that, and do as the Romans do.

I have been privileged enough to experience the beauty of Europe and culture of South America. And while, I doubt I will be applying for dual citizenship, I have a priceless appreciation for other cultures as well as my own. Plus, any excuse to eat new cuisine and shop… is a good excuse.

3. Free thinking

Along with bad antiques, costume jewelry and a timeshare in Florida, we can sometimes inherit past generations’ ways of thinking.  Fortunately, things are a little different, and the ongoing progression of civil rights has allowed us and encouraged us to think past our grandparents’ dated ideals, and form our own opinions of the world. I can’t imagine living in the ignorance of yesterday, but I am happy and most of all hopeful, that the new generation can come together and make a better tomorrow for everyone.  We have the freedom of changing the world and the way people see it.

 4.Being (a little) selfish

Whether we like to admit it or not, being young gives us the luxury to be selfish. My decision on where I take a job, take a vacation or to even take out the trash solely affects me. With no parents to please, no children to take care of, no husband to tend to, the only permission I seek, the only approval I need, is my own. Though amazing and liberating, it has an expiration date, and I intend on milking it (read: buying tickets to the “Made In America” concert, and planning a spontaneous trip to Philly because I deserve it) for all its worth.

With little responsibility, there’s endless possibilies.

Don’t forget to check out her 40:20 Vision site!
Enjoy your positive Thursday!

1. That I moved to a new city with no friends – all my old friends visited me and I made a lot of new friends.
2. Jobs perks …when I had the time to actually enjoy them.
3. Traveling cheaply
4. True friends…to remind you how amazing you are.
5. Crazy friends …to make you go new places.
6. That one “bad” friend – to make you appreciate your other friends
7. Rainy days and movie marathons
8. Roommates
9. Roommates with cars
10. Get up and go days
11. A get up and go faceJ
12.  “Friending” my mom and dad – the old fashioned way
13. A back yard perfect for BBQs
14. Street fairs
15. Playing fair
16. Long hair
17. Cut-off shorts
18. Hours on the beach
19. SPF
20. Mental days
21. Off Broadway plays
22. Lazy Sundays
23. Seeing the sunrise
24. Seeing everything with fresh eyes
25. Exercise

Thanks Christina! Enjoy! 
–

1. Moving across the country for a relationship that didn’t work

When my boyfriend got transferred to California at about the same time I was getting bored with my first job and itching for a career switch, I agreed to move with him. I decided to let go of my fear of not being able to get another job with visions of tennis, Lake Tahoe and wine country in my head.

One year later, I moved back to New York, one “failed relationship” richer and a marketing director title under my belt.  I had quit a job, gotten a job and came back to find another job complete with more money and a new direction. So many people said upon my return, “ so sorry it didn’t work out (e.g. you didn’t marry this man you moved for)…and I just had to smile. I wasn’t. I had an adventure and found the confidence to know I can get another job!  Plus I discovered my love affair was really with New York. I learned a lot from that guy and from living in Cali….but neither held the excitement of NYC.

2. Getting “laid-off”

Well, I’d say it was more fired but I still got a good reference and great experience. But it taught me that a job is as much about relationships as it is about the quality of your work. I naively came swooshing in from my big ad agency job in New York City to a male-centric organization in a slow moving industry. I thought it would be a good idea to update the creative process with the ad agency. It did yield better work but it rubbed the agency head the wrong way…and he just happened to have a long time relationship and golf habit with my CEO. They just wanted someone to keep things moving, not someone to move things forward. When moving a company forward you have to check in to see if everyone else is along for the ride.

3. That my only friend in NYC moved back to Chicago the week I moved to the city   

It forced me to make new friends, to look up friends of friends and reach out to relative strangers. Moving to a new city with no friends to rely on gives you a head start on networking.

4. That I had lots of bad dates.

I still think bad dates make good stories. Plus, it gives you a lot more perspective on what a good date is.

5. That I was underpaid.

I got pursued by another company and got an offer for almost 50% more than what I was making. Then I got a counteroffer from my own company. Damn. I felt pretty stupid for not having been asking for more and better raises. So that part is not what I am grateful for per se. But what I am grateful for is that it taught me to ask big. Women tend to undervalue themselves so at least it got me over that bad habit!

Hello Everyone!! Leigh here from Create. I am honored that Andi is having me why she is enjoying a wonderful trip to Paris!! Hope you have a magical time Andi !

Today’s post was actually inspired by a friend of mine that I have worked with a few times, Luccia Cafero and just adore, along with her amazing hair!! (Major hair envy!) She recently did a photoshoot with Christos Sewell called “Mane Attraction” ~ It’s all about emphasizing real natural hair with harmless beauty products. Hair is sometimes over looked and should never be underestimated.” Luccia.

Well I am just in awe that hair could be that amazing, so she must know what she is talking about. I on the other hand have a head of hair that is in recovery from years of coloring, flat irons and hot blow dryers where she let her hair just be (it is a hard thing) as this past year I have been really working on doing just that, letting it air dry more, growing out my color and giving it back the life it needs to be to be healthy again. The in between growing out and all that can be hard on confidence as I can say no matter how well I feel or how amazing an outfit can be, if I am having a bad hair day, it pretty much takes over.

But to share all of my favorite products that have helped me along the way made it less painful are below.

To start, I switch back and forth between Purology Hydrate for color treated hair and Redkin Color Extend for the basic washing, but like Luccia as far as after products go, I have found that leaving less in my hair while it air dries is the trick. I only use about 5 drops of Redkin’s Argan oil to keep the strands smooth but not sticky.

Also the best lesson learned is only washing my hair a few times a week to bring back the natural oils that my scalp produces.

But not always do I let it air dry so to protect it from the flat and thanks to my fabulous hair dresser Robyn for introducing to my hair, Chi 44 Iron Guard which helps with a layer of protection between my hair and the heat.

What about you, what are your tried and true products and habits to keep your hair healthy, your lessons learned with your hair and are you like me a person that has fought the natural given hair that you were born with?

Thank you Andi for having me and cannot wait to hear about your trip!! xo

Andi and Cait in 2004

Enjoy her post today – and thank you Cait for sharing! xo
–

Hello fellow queens!…and as my mother likes to say, three C.H.E.E.R.S for F.R.I.D.A.Y ! !

Andi, oh so kindly asked me to guest post today..and well, while I’m overly thrilled about this opportunity to share a story with you all, I’m also a tad nervous. You see, I am the furthest thing from a writer, a creative mind, or blogger. I am your typical analytical, “You must start at point A before you get to point B”, blog- viewer-only, direct and straight to the point kind of gal. Of course, with a lot of humor and goofy antics inserted throughout. So with that said, here goes nothing!

Miss Andi and I met our freshman year of high school. Our laughter, spunk, and just plain goofiness brought us together instantly, and the rest is well…history. There was one particular trait or “thing” that Andi and I have always shared, understood each other on, thrived on, and supported one another on…and that’s goal setting and following our dreams.

Goals: I knew from the time I was in middle school, I wanted one thing and one thing only when I grew up. That one thing was to work in the fashion industry ( yes, many young girls have this same desire). During my time in college, I had the opportunity to study in New York City for a year, as a part of a visiting student program. Now, because most of you do not know me personally…let me just say, when I found out this was a possibility..things got REAL serious, FAST! There was no way I wasn’t jumping on this opportunity as soon as I possibly could.

Fast Forward: to my junior year of college. It was time to apply. This was the moment I had been waiting. I filled out all the paper work, collected more letters of recommendation that I ever wanted to, and spent countless hours perfecting my essay…which for me, took months. I sent everything in three weeks early and now it was time to wait…….and wait……and wait to find out if I had been accepted. The Fashion Institute of Technology is one of the most prestigious institutions to study fashion design and the business of fashion. They only accept 20 visiting students every semester and the program is very competitive.

Disappointment: I can remember the day I drove home from class, opened up the mailbox, and found my rejection letter, yes, rejection letter. I couldn’t believe it. I was devastated beyond belief and felt like all of my hard work, effort, drive, and dedication had been hit by a semi-truck, kicked in the stomach, and then stomped on 100 times over. I spent the next two weeks mourning my rejection and for the most part feeling embarrassed about my failure. It wasn’t until one rainy afternoon, while I was sitting in class that I realized I wasn’t going to settle. I wasn’t going to give up. I knew I deserved this opportunity and I had worked hard for it. In that very same day, I scrambled to re-fill everything out, spent the entire evening through the night re-writing my essay from scratch, and gathering all I needed to re-submit my application packet for the next semester. There was only one minor detail…..I decided not to tell a single person I was re-applying accept for my mother.

Birthday Present: September 28, 2009. My mom & step- dad’s birthday. (yes, they share the same birthday, cute- right?) I met them for dinner after one of my classes to celebrate their day. I sat down and noticed my mom just had this glowing smile that was hard not to notice. She lifted up onto the table a huge white envelope that said “Congratulations” written across the front. From that point on I knew, I had been accepted. It was by far the most rewarding day of my life. I won the fight on not settling and it finally paid off.

Today: Looking back now, almost two years later, New York was by far one of the most fantastic experiences I have had to date. I accomplished, learned, and experienced so many amazing things. I can honestly say I would not be where I am today without following my dreams, following through with my goals, and never settling for anything less than whats desired.

A huge thank you to the queen of all queens herself, Miss Teggart, for providing an outlet for people to gather such positive inspiration and hope through her blog. Most of all, thank you for pushing me 110% out of my comfort zone to guest post today!

Cait and Andi in 2012

An hola and a holla to all you Polish Your Crown readers! I’m so excited to be guest blogging for Andi while she’s away in le gay Pareeee (I’m also terribly terribly jealous, for obvious reasons). But I’m actually going to share one of my own French adventures with you here… enjoy!

Twas the summer of 2009 (oh yes, fab… I’ll now be singing Summer of 69 in my head for the day) and I had just spent half of my summer studying abroad in Paris. The other half was set aside to travel around France with my pal and study abroad cohort, Carrie (I know Carrie always provokes the Carrie Bradshaw or Carrie Fisher (Can I getta what what Star Wars fans??) image in our heads but this Carrie is so very not those Carries). My Carrie is to date one of the kindest souls I’ve ever met and that summer she proved that she was much more trusting and adventurous in ways that I certainly was not. I think this can be summed up into one word… or term, rather: couchsurfing.

Carrie came up with the idea to courchsurf through the South of France when we were planning out our post-study abroad travels during spring quarter back at OU. It’s a cheap (aka free) way to travel around – sleeping on the couches of friendly people who are willing to put you up for a couple nights in their homes (genius but frightening idea, I know). For those of you who haven’t heard of couchsurfing, it may sound a bit bizarre in this day in age when no one even hitchhikes anymore let alone stays at someone’s house who they’ve never met. I was pretty skeptical about the idea myself even when we first began traveling. But I felt a gillion percent different as soon as I met (the woman who became) my French mother, Hélène.

We met Hélène in Sete after spending a week working on a donkey farm in the Pyrenees Mountains. That experience was not couchsurfing but was instead wwoofing, where we worked as a form of payment for their generosity of feeding us and giving us a place to sleep. It was actually hard work – we shoveled 5 years of built up donkey poop out of a barn for 5 days straight — but it gave me one of those stories I’ll definitely tell to my poor, little unassuming grandchildren one day. And to that, I will forever be in debt to our host, Toon. Yes, his name was Toon. And he was Dutch.

Carrie and our favorite donkey

I digress. Hélène was not just a welcome reprieve after the farm. She was quite literally our French mother. We called her that after only knowing her a day. And she called us her American filles (daughters). She had Carrie and I sleep in her bed while she slept on the couch. She made us homemade meals of pork chop and octopus tartes and took us out on the town to try other local grub like fresh sardines (I’m talking only-4-hours-out-of-the-water-before-we-ate-em kind of fresh here). She took us on a boat tour of the bay. She brought us down to the ocean and waded in the Mediterranean waves for hours with us. She hiked to the top of the local mountain with us to take in the amazing 360 view of this old French town. And she even drove us to the train station and helped us out when (surprise, surprise) the trains were off schedule and our tickets got messed up.

Ze French Mere herself, Hélène

Getting caught in the waves

Oh and did I mention we only stayed with Hélène in Sete for TWO DAYS?! She is the French Mother Teresa – lezz be honest. But really, leaving Hélène and the beautiful fishing town of Sete was so sad for us even after only those two short days. We both sent Hélène mail from the US for a year after that. It’s amazing what two days with one wonderful woman (who we very well might have never met) can do to a person. Both Carrie and Hélène have made me a much more trusting and adventurous traveler than I ever was before. Although I will admit, I still clutch onto my purse in big cities like it is the last golden ticket in Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory (the original movie, of course). And I live in New York City so just enjoy that image for a minute!

The main canal in dear ole Sete

As someone on the verge of moving to the Rhône-Alpes region for a seven-month language assistantship, I cannot help but reflect on my first trip to France in 2009. A college freshmen still adjusting to university life, I opted out of spring quarter for a three-month language and culture immersion program in Avignon. I’d traveled to Europe and China with student tour groups, but my studies abroad were the first time I actually lived in a foreign land. A wanderlust-stricken journalism and French student, my experiences in France only enhanced my desire to sharpen my language skills in hopes of working overseas one day.

As Andi is undoubtedly having a fabulous time in the City of Lights and Love, I’m thrilled to share tidbits of French style de vie gained from my spring in Provence!

1. Coffee is très petit. In my over-caffeinated opinion, too small. Oh mon Dieu. When I ordered my first cup, I was shocked to receive a mere espresso shot over my usual XL Red Eye. European coffee is excellent, mind you, and also very strong, but even as a seasoned black coffee drinker, I had to add a little sucre or lait on occasion. Tip: Order a café allongé (“long coffee”) if you’re missing a standard American cup o’ joe. Don’t expect to get your order to go, unless you’re ordering from the local MacDo.

2. Parlez-vous anglais? Most French are a far cry from the snooty traveler despisers portrayed on television. The key to charming the Français is attempting to speak French, even if all you can utter is “Bonjour” and “Merci.” Don’t get discouraged. They don’t expect you to be fluent. A little effort, a smile, and a few basic phrases go a long way.

3. Be flexible. Unlike presumed rudeness, I found the French lassiez-faire attitude to be a refreshingly true stereotype. French are very laid-back people who like to savor and enjoy life, leisurely soaking in the beauty of each moment. Expect schedule changes and plan to be “fashionably late.” Aside from public transportation, which normally runs like clockwork, being on time may be an extreme faux pas.

4. Bottled water is cheap, and wine is like water. Someone please explain how we pay over a dollar for one 16-oz. bottle of water in The States. Try 1 Euro wine on for size. Bottled water, usually sold in sizes equivalent to a U.S. liter for .25, is a staple for on-the-go travelers. Wine is paired with dinner, and often lunch, as vin is treated like an essential accessory to the meal. If you’re not already a wino, France will do it to you.

5. It’s prettier than the pictures. Unexplainable, but a picture cannot fully capture the beauty of this, or any, place.

6. The cuisine lives up to the hype. Prepare your taste buds and your wallets, because you’re going to want to savor each morsel of what the gastronomique capital of the world has to serve up. When in France, be adventurous in your eating. Escargot? Pourquoi pas? Save room for dessert. Pastel-colored macarons and budget-friendly staples like gelato and Nutella and banana-filled crepes are worth the splurge!

7. The French have flair. It’s no wonder perfume and fashion’s haute couture originated in Paris. An indiscernible “je ne sais quoi” appears in each aspect of the culture. The French are like everyday artists, adding stylish twists to monotonous daily tasks like the a.m. commute. Parisians zooming down the boulevard atop a vintage bike while stylishly sporting scarf and trench: a regular sight. When in doubt, you can never go wrong with black. France street style: black, black, and more black. Chic and sleek.

8. There is so much more to France than Paris. Paris may be my favorite city I’ve traveled to, but the rest of the country has much to offer! From castles to vineyards, to beaches and mountains, France is a versatile land. Travel off the beaten path to discover la France profonde (“deep France”).

9. Deep down, we’re the same. Whether in France, Australia, Asia, or Africa, embrace your surroundings – the people, the land, and the culture – recognizing, respecting, and learning from said differences. Upside: you’ll find common ground in the most unlikely locations no matter how “lost in translation” you feel. Just smile, be positive, and go!

10. Expect to want to return. Once the travel bug has bitten you, don’t be surprised if you’re booking a return flight or find yourself anxious to discover a new overseas venue.

Thanks for reading. I cannot wait to enjoy Andi’s Paris review!

XX Bisous
Catherine

p.s. follow her on Twitter @newnukem!
–

Part III: Investors Daily [Love edition]

Surely you’ve the saying around retirement funds – “Invest in today, invest in tomorrow.” Surprise – the same advice applies to life and love. Today’s investments, today’s loves – those are your life. No time like the present to invest your life, your love.

• Chocolate: it is good for the heart, the brain and the person you share a morsel with. Invest in it today. A high quality morsel shared with a good friend. You just made a memory, might want to snap a picture and surround yourself with what you love.
• Beer, wine and all pasta or bread-based dishes: same reasons as chocolate. These are simple investments best shared with those you love. Create a memory over sustenance – you have to eat, why not make it count? Notice a theme?
• Passion: whether it is your job, your hobby or what you share with a significant other, I live passionately and I hope this forever yields more passion. Invest passionately to love passionately. Return? A life full of love. I love snow, some might say I’m passionate about it. So, I moved to place that loves snow as much as I do – Colorado.
•  Foot rubs: without fail, if I have a foot or backrub I will be relaxed. That makes for a better tomorrow. Same goes for giving on this one.
• Puppies: no explanation needed.

Back to the inspiration for this post – Andi’s blog and the song from Mumford and Sons – “where you invest your love is where you invest your life.” Thanks for reading along as I explored my list of investing my love because it is where I want to invest my life. I should note that this changes weekly and it should! Not all investments have long-term gains, but today is a good day to start investing in love, investing in your life. How do you invest love? What are the returns for your life?

- Eliza