The Outstanding Blogger Award Leighton Travels
Source: Leighton Travels

Hello, there!

About three months ago, Leighton from Leighton Travels nominated me for “The Outstanding Blog Award,” which I suppose is an award for those who are outstanding bloggers (“duh, Rebecca,” you might say). But there’s no question that I am an outstanding blogger– after all, I was nominated for this, wasn’t I? 😉

I kid, I kid. I’m flattered that Leighton chose me for this award, and I’m always happy to accept nominations from all of you. It amazes me that many of you enjoy reading my posts, so thank you for all of your support. 🙂 Without further ado, let’s get to the prompt:

Rules

  1. Provide a link to the creator’s original award post.
  2. Answer the questions provided.
  3. Create 7 unique questions.
  4. Nominate up to 10 bloggers.
  5. Ensure that they are aware of their nomination.

Questions

1. What’s the best accommodation you’ve ever stayed in? Did you have to pay an arm and a leg for it?

That’s a hard question. Most places I’ve stayed in during my solo travels have been utilitarian in their way, i.e. hostels, low-budget hotels, but I do remember staying in a beautiful BnB in Cambria, California in the spring of 2015. Lots of natural light, a lovely, yet homey feel (think of those staged photos in home catalogs), and just 10 minutes from the beach. I’m pretty sure that it wasn’t cheap, but being that I was with my parents, they paid for it! 😉

2. What’s the worst joint you’ve ever stayed in? All the grimy details please.

I don’t remember the name of the hostel, but it was just outside of Glasgow center in the winter of 2015. My Couchsurfing host had unceremoniously cancelled my last night stay, and I had to scramble to find a place. Lo and behold, I found this hostel for 11£ (~12€/$15USD). The lobby was dim and shady-looking and the hostel-goers were seedy, too; my dorm room had a couple of Italian men, and one of them was yelling on the phone with his girlfriend as I entered the room. The bunks were creaky, the sheets absolutely filthy, and there were several used tissues scattered on the floor. You best bet I did not get a good night’s sleep, and I was glad that it was only for one night before I left Glasgow.

3. Which of your articles holds the most special place in your heart? Why?

One post that stands out to me is “A Decade of Travel: My Experiences” (January 21, 2020). It is a cumulation post of the travels I’d done throughout the 2010s, from my teenage years to young adulthood. Writing the post gave me plenty of time to reflect on the many adventures I’d done in those 10 years, as well as to see just how much I’ve grown through all of it. It’s one of my favorite posts I’ve written on this blog, and I have it to fondly look back on in the years to come.

4. If you could share a secluded desert island beach with just one person, dead or alive, who would it be? And why?

It would have to be N, an old friend whom I met during my time in France. Besides sharing my love for travel, N is also a brilliantly-resourceful young woman who enjoys hikes and exploring the fauna and flora around her. I’m sure her knowledge of nature would be an asset to surviving desert island life, as I’m utterly useless when it comes to that!

5. If you won the lottery tomorrow and could build your dream house anywhere in the world, where would you go?

The Southwest of France, no doubt. After visiting it countless of times throughout my years abroad, I’ve fallen in love with the sunny weather, warm people, and the idleness of the countryside. It’s a region of France which is home to plenty of hidden treasures, from stunning quaint villages to rock formations unlike anything else in the rest of the country. I can see myself retiring there decades down the line, or at least to live there for part of the time!

6. What does the WordPress blogging community mean to you?

After blogging for over seven years, I’d say that the WordPress community is all about positivity and encouragement, as I’ve seen nothing but tons of support from blogger to blogger, especially those who are just starting out their blogging journey. It doesn’t matter which particular niche you’re in (e.g. travel, politics, humor), as there are many people who stop by to Like, comment, and otherwise engage in helping each other gain traction in the community. It honestly brightens my day whenever I log in to see new posts from the bloggers I follow, along with support from my blog!

7. What are your personal hopes and plans for 2021? Any blogging goals?

I can honestly anticipate 2021 to be somewhat of a quiet year, as we’re still in a global pandemic, and I’ve yet to pass my job’s probationary period to even consider traveling again. That said, I hope to continue learning at my job, and to hopefully have the option to work from home (I currently have to go into the office every day). I also hope to establish and maintain relationships with my friends, family, and peers, as I know that I sometimes struggle with that.

Blogging-wise, I still aim to publish posts once a week, as well as to continue engaging with the bloggers I follow. As I haven’t traveled in almost two years, I haven’t had many destination posts to put out, but I intend to publish a few in July and August from my old trips during my teenage years. I’ll have to dig up the photos and itineraries for them, so do look out for them soon…

Thanks for reading! I won’t nominate anyone in particular to do this post, but feel free to answer the questions I pose below:

Questions for you

1. What is your ideal breakfast?

2. Give me your best pick-up line.

3. Are you more of a savory or sweet person?

4. What do you look for in a friendship?

5. Tell me the craziest travel story that’s happened to you.

6. Where do you hope to visit once the pandemic subsides?

7. Name the country that you had zero expectations going in, but ended up blowing you away.

Thanks again– take care, folks!

— Rebecca

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Published by Rebecca

Blogger, world traveler, poet, foodie, part-time penguin. Welcome!

43 thoughts on “The Outstanding Blogger Award 2”

  8. Congratulations on your award, Rebecca and hats off to you for blogging for seven years! I loved reading your answers, and I hope you get to go back to the South of France one day once the pandemic is over. Have a good day. Aiva 🙂

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    1. Yes, it’s been a long time blogging in this community; I feel right at home here! I probably won’t return to France anytime soon (even when the pandemic’s over), but I’ll definitely be back in this lifetime! Have a good day, too, Aiva. 😊

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  10. Congrats on the award! I enjoyed reading your responses. I hope you get to work from home soon. I did it for two 2-month stints during the height of the pandemic – something I never dreamed I’d do as a teacher – and boy was it convenient!

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    Reply

    1. Thank you! Time will tell if I get to work from home or not soon…I estimate probably at the end of this year at the earliest, but we’ll have to see. It’d be nice to go to work in pajamas!

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  14. Congrats for the award! You absolutely deserve it! 😊 That night in Glasgow sounded awful!! The Southwest of France is indeed beautiful, even though I don’t know it very well. My preference goes for the South East, but the South in general is absolutely beautiful 😊

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  23. Pingback: The Outstanding Blogger Award 3 – Rebecca Goes Rendezvous

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