Hey there!
I’m Ara, a traveler fueled by stubborn determination, a love for new experiences, and a service industry paycheck to make it all happen. My journey isn’t glamorous, effortless, or always Instagram-perfect—it’s built on years of saving, sacrifice, and the constant tug-of-war between wanting to see the world and needing to pay rent.
This blog is about making travel happen when it feels impossible. The long hours, the setbacks, the moments where the goal seems too far away—I’ve been through it all. What worked for me might not work for everyone, but if you’re hustling toward a dream of your own, I hope my story helps you see that it is possible.
I don’t have all the answers (I’ll probably be clocking in the day after my funeral), but I do know this: if you keep pushing forward, you just might find yourself somewhere incredible. Even if that is just through the photos and stories I share.
I will be the first to admit—I am no influencer, nor a seasoned traveler. Actually, this is my first-ever solo trip far from home. I use my phone as a camera and still jot down notes on paper before putting them here.
With that being said, welcome, my little tomatoes, to the digital Book of Babble.
* love my knock off pajamas from Hanoi