“The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown effectively portrays the physically and mentally all-consuming experience of rowing competitively. The entire team must be in sync to win a race. An errant thought or sneeze could prevent a team of eight rowers directed by a single coxswain from winning a race. Inspired, Christie Solomon of Elevate Next interviewed Briana Gallo, a former coxswain, to compare her competitive crew experience at Rollins College with that of Joe Rantz in “The Boys in the Boat.”
Read MoreMeet Briana Gallo | International Photographer/Travel Guide→
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What makes Driftwood Adventure Treks different? We are a very small boutique travel company. The group size is 8 people max. Our trips are a variety of experiences from trekking Nepal, photo tours and cultural immersion with the Tribes of Ethiopia or learning from and working with local artisans in Oaxaca, Mexico. We have local partners in the countries in which we travel. Our goal is to give our clients a personal experience from the minute they sign up.
Read MoreCANVAS REBEL - Meet Briana Gallo, Owner of Driftwood Adventure treks
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The name Driftwood symbolizes “go where life takes you”. I feel like my business embodies that. There are many parts to Driftwood, which makes it actually very hard to brand. I am an international photographer as well as a pilates instructor and summer camp director, those are a lot of different hats! My mission is “courage is the power to let go of the familiar”, which is why there are so many different aspects of Driftwood Adventure Treks. Life is an adventure. Whether you are stepping out of your comfort zone to try a Pilates class here locally in San Diego or you are booking a trip abroad with me you will find yourself challenged in a way that you grow as a person because you chose to take a step out of your familiar and try something new.
Read MoreExplore the World with Driftwood Adventure Treks’ Personalized and Transformative Travels→
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The Driftwood Adventure Treks Community
Driftwood Adventure Treks is a specialized boutique enterprise that prides itself on offering exceptional travel experiences. What sets them apart from others is their strong relationships with local partners in the destinations they visit, which allows for an authentic connection with the culture and its people. From the moment a traveler enrolls, they can expect personalized care and expert guidance.
Read MoreBold Journey Interview→
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Hi Briana, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I believe confidence and self-esteem is developed naturally when you are able to do something you love. I have been fortunate in life to be able to follow my passion. I wear many hats when it comes to my profession. I am an international photographer, I lead local retreats here in CA and cultural immersion experiences in Nepal, Ethiopia, Japan and Oaxaca, and I am a pilates instructor. Every hat I put on requires a quiet strength so that I can empower those around me. It doesn’t matter if I’m on a photo shoot or in the pilates studio, I use my passion for what I do to make people comfortable and relaxed. Do I have moments where I’m dying and I feel my self esteem running away, of course. When this happens I take a deep breath and remind myself that those around me are probably way more nervous than I am so I channel my nerves into helping them feel confident. With a gentle smile and some encouraging words I can move forward with confidence. Over half the time the encouraging words I share with others are really geared toward my inner self.
Explore Oaxaca
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Oaxaca is a spell-casting city with a red-hot culinary scene, incredible local arts, boutique hotels, and a colonial atmosphere. But even more magic comes from the surrounding valleys and mountains, which are home to Indigenous pueblos continuing centuries-old artistic traditions, massive regional markets, and amazing hikes.
Read MoreWhat does Wanderlust mean?
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Traveling helps you grow. Every trip you take makes you feel like an adventurer – you feel more confident and become more independent because you face and solve problems on your own. When you find yourself dealing with unusual situations, you learn more about yourself. This alone can help you be more aware of not only who you are but who you want to be.
Read More5 Intriguing Facts About Ethiopia You Never Knew
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Home to more than half of Africa’s mountains: Well, if you’re yearning to plan a Northern Ethiopia trek but afraid there aren’t many mountains, think again. Apart from embodying a rich cultural and historical significance, Ethiopia abounds in splendid natural beauty. The country boasts of gorgeous volcanic plateaus, wonderful low desserts and beautiful mountains
Read MoreWhat Makes Ethiopia an Amazing Trekking Destination?
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Ethiopia is renowned for its ethnic diversity, splendid natural beauty & exquisite cuisine. So, book Northern Ethiopia trek and tick it off your bucket list!
Read More4 Best Reasons to Do Annapurna Base Camp Trek in 2021
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Annapurna Base Camp Trek (ABC) is one of the great options for you! Thousands of trekkers around the globe visit the Annapurna Base Camp every year and there are many reasons for that. Trekking the base camp of Mount Annapurna is an amazing journey abounding in glimpses of natural beauty and a distinct mountain Sherpa culture.
COVID-19 Update: Can We Go Adventure in Nepal in 2021?
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The Nepalese government announced in October that the Everest will be open to trained mountaineers and trekkers as well as trekking agencies and is issuing licenses for the spring season!
Read MoreTrekking in Ethiopia
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When one thinks of trekking they don’t usually think of Ethiopia. Ethiopia is like nowhere I have ever traveled. It is a beautiful country full of history, incredible wildlife and some of Africa’s most soulful and generous people.
Read MoreWhy is NOW the Time to Book Travel?
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Odds are that you like to travel as I do. You may have cancelled a trip or two because of the pandemic and its associated risks. Going into summer I was like, “I got this”, and I did make it through the summer months, yet not much has changed.
Read MoreTreks of Hope
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We have always been a small Boutique company that loves immersing ourselves in the cultures in which we travel. Because of this, the communities we visit and stay with are like family. Right now, our family in Nepal is in distress. Due to COVID, their income has been extremely affected. In the beginning, there was hope that tourism could resume in the fall. Here we are, at the end of August and the hope for any sort of mountaineering tourism is fading fast.
Read MorePost Pandemic Travel to Nepal Update
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If you are going stir-crazy and can’t wait to resume traveling, you probably check CDC travel guidelines often. As we see softening of travel restrictions domestically in the US, we hope for soft re-opening of international travel. How long would it take for things to get back to normal and when can we travel to Nepal? What will be the top changes that are to be seen?
Read MorePandemic in Nepal
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The novel corona-virus has caused a severe impact to every part of the world including Nepal. Nepal, being a neighboring country to China and at a greater risk, took action early in the year when the first cases appeared.
Read MoreWhat Does it Mean to Trek?
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For most of us it means going on an adventure. Maybe to an exotic land or it could just be local. Wherever your adventure, you will meetinteresting people and learn about a new culture.
Read MoreMake Way for the Ultimate Fall Trek to the Everest Base Camp
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In the wake of the global pandemic, the world has come to a standstill. While self-isolation has become a normfor us now, we are looking forward towards the light in this tunnel in the form of a trek to the Everest Base Camp this fall. We are anticipating this global scare to be under control and what better way is to break free from these months of isolation than going straight to one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring pristine nature of the Himalayas.
Read MoreWhat is Your Song?
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Do you ever wake up and have a hard time starting your day? Maybe you aren’t inspired about what’s next? What’s the song that you play in your head? What song do you know will help you feel energized and get fired up? Sometimes the song is not a song you listen to all the time. It’s that song you may have only heard once or twice - but when you do it brings the life out of you and prepares you for whatever the day has to offer…. My song is Hold My Hand by Jess Glynne. What’s yours?
For me driving is a great time to listen to music. It’s just me zipping past cars on the highway as the beat of my music surrounds you. For others it’s not the music you think. It’s the sounds of nature, the chirping and singing of the birds, bubbling rivers or the wind rustling through the tops of the trees.
Read MoreWhat is Travel Photography?
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It is the feeling of a time and place. Some images remain timeless, others reflect the moment in which it was taken, portraying the land and its people. Whether you’re a regular traveler or just heading out on your first adventure unique travel photography can excite, motivate and inspire you.
Travel photography is the best souvenir you can bring home from a trip. Here are a few tips to help if you are thinking about trying Travel Photography, there are even a few tips in here that will help the experienced travel photographer.
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