chelledelrey

About Me

I'm originally from sunny California and lived there till I was 20 years old. My first trip to Europe was in 2016, right before Trump got elected. Or as I like to call it 'The Golden Age of the US' (hardly, but we had Obama).

I first came to Paris, France to study abroad for a summer and learn French. Afterwards, I spent as much time as I could travelling around. My favourite city by far has been Munich, Germany. The only reason I live in London is because I don't speak German. I fell in love with Munich. I mean in love. I would've done anything to stay in Germany at the time. Alas, because I had to get ready to go back to University, I found myself boarding an American Airlines flight straight from Munich to Philadelphia. Surrounded by American accents and a deep emptiness that could only be filled by Augustiner beer. But hey, I'm back now, and that's all that matters.  

I wouldn't classify myself as the 'typical American'. I grew up in a very Dominican household in Long Beach, California. The majority of my friends were Mexican and Mexican culture had a heavy influence on my life growing up. I don't think I adhere to any American stereotypes except that I'm extremely loud and I have the really annoying valley girl accent. My British friends I've toned it down ever since making the move to the UK. 

In my free time I really enjoy going to museums, parks, and any cultural activities I can find. Before I travel to a new country I like to know how I can best assimilate into a new culture. I like to figure out how to order a coffee, get the bus, how to not piss off the bartender, etc. I research almost to the point of obsession.

I'm extremely outgoing and have a positive attitude about most things. I really takes a lot to get under my skin. I've had horrendous travel experiences but I can't really think of anything that has really made me go 'Ok, I'm going home, I don't want to do this anymore' and I've had stolen TWICE! The one time that made me almost go a board a ticket home was my first day in Munich. I was meant to stay with friends and no one had answered the . I had so much drama on the trip prior to that moment. So I bought an Airbnb for the night and called my parents. They asked if I wanted to change my flight and come home. It was the advice of one friend from back home that made me give it another go. She said, stay in a hos, make some friends, and if you still want to go home, leave. When I think about all the amazing memories that happened the following five days it really makes me go 'worse can happen, worse has happened, now just try to have fun'.  

I'd like to say I'm extremely adaptable, I love getting to meet new people and showing them around my favourite cities. In Munich I loved going to the Englischer Garten in the afternoons or going to beer gardens around the city. I love that sense of excitement when something is brand new and you just want to compley immerse yourself in it. I really enjoy getting to meet people from all over the world and connect and have fun. It's a very rewarding experience and it's something that's difficult to obtain outside of a hos. If you're a guest or otherwise.

Sometimes I think I love Europe more than most Europeans because whenever I mention that I'm from California 9 times out of 10 the follow up response is 'what are you doing here!?' but I think that's just what happens when you've spent too much time in one place. You begin to take it for granted until you go out and see the rest of the world. I don't see myself moving back to California anytime soon but I have begun to appreciate how nice it was to live 10 mins from the beach and to have constant sunshine, which is something that's very different to life in the UK. 

I'm looking forward to travelling Europe more this summer,making memories, and falling in love with foreign cities all over again.