7 Countries, 1 concert and & 9,000 fitness minutes later! (pics)

Hello everyone!

Remember me? I promised there would be hundreds of minutes from the days of walking I have done around the world and today they have been added!

Hello from Wisconsin, post: 1 System of a Down concert (Chicago,) one day in London England, seven days traveling in Morocco, a week in Barcelona Spain, a week celebrating Bastille Day in Paris France, a day trip to Austria and two weeks traveling all around my beloved Deutschland (Germany!) What a wonderful adventure! I’ll never stop being so grateful for the ability to travel.

I am off to Armenia for five days next week before my summer holidays officially end and I am back to Russia to begin my second term of teaching at a private Kindergarten!

You might be wondering amongst other bits of my travels how my health and weight held up on the road.

I must say this: during my travels in particular in Germany and France all notions of calorie counting went away. It becomes a moot point when walking five or six hours a day and in particular in the case of the Berlin and Paris metros endless staircases to climb.

In Russia I eat only very hearty whole wheat bread but in Paris and Germany between numerous pretzels and baguettes I found myself in white flour overload. Did it make me sick or unhappy? Oh no I loved it but wondered if I was gaining any weight or messed up my blood sugar levels during that time. Spain is not such a bread intense culture but I certainly had my fill of fruit, vegetables and amazing Mexican food---HAHA---yes.

Though it was difficult to find food at points and/or unnecessary to eat during Ramadan the best food of my trip was probably in Morocco! Gorgeous vegetable tagines, couscous, mint tea and simple desserts. No single country has ‘the best’ food or ‘healthiest food’ but I felt the lightest in Morocco.

I made an effort to try some foods I would not otherwise eat at home during my travels. For myself even though I have been a dedicated vegetarian for fourteen years---I do eat a little meat when I travel. In Berlin I tried the uber promoted “Currywurst”---not bad but a heart attack waiting to happen if one ate too frequently. In France Pistachio macaroons, in Spain delectable paellas and tacos (Mexican) etc.

I have been hanging out with my family, hugging my beagle and lesson planning for the last three weeks. I am also soaking up those bits of life here that I miss in Russia like certain (not always so healthy) foods and tv programs. I am ashamed to say it, but I have spent plenty of time on my @ss if for no other reason preparing for the upcoming school year alone. I need to toughen up and start working out an hour a day or so to prepare for the generous amount of time I will spend on my feet in Armenia and the complete onslought that will be walking to and from work in Russia (two hours daily---I have experienced severe foot pain L )

You might be wondering, have I gained or maintained my weight? Believe it or not, even with all the sitting I am still in the 170’s which is a comfort but confusing---I believe it is because I am eating a calorie controlled diet right now.

In the next couple of days I’ll post my new workout dvd collection---I would love your imput about that!

Sincerely,

Samantha


Paris, France