travel – MEGAN BETTIS

DFW | Jenny Lewis

April 13, 2019June 28, 2019Leave a comment

After going through a brief bout of “WTF?!?” after my break-up in late December, I quickly found myself itching to surround myself with the things that bring me joy – yoga classes, hiking, friends, group dinners – oh, and the arts! Theatre, live music, visual art – you name it. Basically all the things I hold nearest and dearest to my heart that had been but on the back-burner during my relationship.

When I found out that Jenny Lewis (one of my all time favorites/spirit animal) was dropping a new album and stopping in Dallas on tour, I immediately bought tickets and asked a girlfriend if she’d be interested in joining.

It turned into one of the best weekends I’ve had in forever. Music, laughter, friends, art, tacos x3, yoga… perfection. I could try to write how much fun we had, but sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. Here is our weekend in images.

Jenny Lewis at Canton Hall.

An afternoon at The Modern in Ft. Worth.

Before dinner at El Bolero.

What I learned leading a yoga retreat.

March 7, 2017May 31, 2018Leave a comment

As soon as I finished my RYT 200 I knew I wanted to lead a yoga retreat. Preferably on the Greek island of Corfu after I had an epic 30th birthday adventure. I mean, a paid vacation seems like a no-brainer, right? Fast forward a few years, and I discovered a few things while leading my first yoga retreat in Paamul, Mexico last month:

Leading a yoga retreat is not exactly a paid vacation. Theoretically, on a vacation you aren’t working. To lead a yoga retreat, you will work. Hard. Before announcing the retreat, you’re dealing with logistics. Who, what, when, where, how long, how much? After announcing the retreat, you’re hustling with word of mouth advertising, paid advertising, flyers, and endless plugs online. Not to mention, you’re planning classes, themes, etc. Once you’re there, you’re leading, you’re mingling, you’re assisting in any issues or problems that may arise. You are always on call. There really isn’t that much downtime.
Be clear about what the retreat entails. Is the yoga practice going to be for yogis of all levels? Is it for more advanced practitioners with emphasis on inversions, etc? A more physically demanding vinyasa practice, or more relaxing with yin and restorative? Will you be staying at an all inclusive luxury resort and spa, or a charming jungle beachfront home? Camping among the redwoods, or sleeping in a cabin? These details are important! I love the outdoors, but tent life is not for me. I want a hot, indoor shower after my 5 mile hike. Make sure your guests know what they’re signing up for.
Arrive earlier than your guests. Get to the venue early enough that you have time to do a run through. Check guest rooms to ensure cleanliness and to make sure they have all the things they need (towels, toilet paper, soap, shampoo, gift bags, etc.).
Hire a private chef. This was by far the most successful part of the retreat. Delicious menus designed to meet each guest’s individual dietary needs. Everyone was happy with every single meal. Chef Shawn was by far the most popular human at the entire retreat.
You can’t please everyone. People attend yoga retreats for a myriad of reasons. Some people go for physical or emotional healing, some go to further their practice, to make new friends, to visit new places, or because their friend talked them into it. Everyone’s yoga journey is different. Everyone’s needs will be different. As a teacher, all you can do is bring your very best to the mat each practice. It’s their job to take what they need from it.
Make a schedule. Stick to it. If you’ve ever experienced group travel, you know it feels very much like herding cats. In theory, having a “go with the flow” island mentality is great, but you won’t get anything accomplished. Including yoga. You’ll have those who want to sleep in, those who want to welcome the rising sun. If a yogi doesn’t want to wake up early, they miss morning practice. If they don’t make it to the van at 4:30pm, they miss the trip to the cenote. You are doing your part by making a schedule. It is their decision to show up.
Sunrise practice is the best part of the day. Well rested yogis with sleepy eyes and open hearts, snuggled up in hoodies with hot coffee looking out at the ocean in complete awe of such perfect, natural beauty. That was by far my most favorite part of each day. Leading practice on the rooftop terrace with the sound of waves crashing against the shore and the ocean breeze dancing through our hair was a surreal and spiritual experience.
Set personal boundaries. This was the hardest part for me knowing that these yogis traveled to another country and paid good money to do yoga with me. I was the first to rise each morning, and felt obligated to stay up until everyone had retired to their room. Unnecessary. Get lots of sleep, drink tons of water, and make sure to schedule time for your own practice and meditation. I generally chose meditation time prior to sunrise yoga, and practiced before sunset yoga while everyone was getting ready. Although the rituals that keep you grounded may have to be altered to fit a new schedule and setting, make sure that you’re still meeting your own needs. To be the best you can be for others, you have to take care of yourself first.
Enjoy every minute. You are in a magical place with miraculous souls. Be present. Enjoy every single minute. Things might get a little chaotic at times, but ultimately you have the opportunity of leading yoga in paradise at your very own retreat! That in itself is a privilege and a huge accomplishment. Don’t forget it.

I had such a wonderful time at my first retreat, that I already have a Women’s Full Moon Retreat scheduled for early June. This one is different as I’m building it from the ground up instead of going with an establishment that specializes in retreats. In the upcoming weeks I’ll be documenting the process and my experiences. Stay tuned!

Welcome 2015 | San Francisco, CA

January 19, 2015April 12, 20161 Comment

In recent years, I’ve lost at least half a dozen close friends to San Francisco. It is no wonder that each time I have a long weekend, I wind up there. This year I was fortunate enough to welcome 2015 with friends, Champagne, and caviar with a rather ridiculous (and awesome) hip hop soundtrack. The weekend was packed with fantastic food, long walks and window shopping, quick visits to Bernal Heights and Twin Peaks, a sunset by the ocean, and a day trip to wine country.

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself. -Neil Gaiman

Happy New Year, ya’ll. xx

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Hiking in Bogotá

September 13, 2014September 12, 2014Leave a comment

Bogtoá is nestled in a valley, which makes weekday morning hikes accessible to city residents. We hiked one of my brother’s favorite trails on a Monday morning. Since it was a work day, we only passed one other person on the trail.

The hike was a tad steep in some places, and the altitude definitely made it a challenge. I like to think I’m in fairly good shape, but this was a humbling experience. My (exceptionally patient) brother and I somehow we managed to make it to the top.

After a few false starts (i.e. we got lost), we made it down the mountain in record time. Unfortunately, record time was exactly 6 minutes after the trail closed. Thus, yours truly has officially jumped a 10 foot barbed wire fence. How’s that for a city girl?

Bogotá, Colombia

September 12, 2014September 12, 2014Leave a comment

At the beginning of the year, my younger brother and cousin moved to Bogotá where they accepted positions teaching English through one of Colombia’s government sanctioned schools, SENA. After months of tracking their progress and adventures through Facebook and Skype, I couldn’t take it anymore and booked a flight.

We spent our time together exploring the city. There were Peruvian feasts in the trendy neighborhood of La Macarena, people watching in the historic Plaza de Bolivar and during Cyclovía, perusing the Usaquen Flea Market and wandering the halls of the Botero Museum.

It was fantastic to have my own personal tour guides! I’m so happy to see how well the boys have acclimated to life in Bogotá. Their Spanish is fluent, and they’ve grown as individuals. I’m so proud of them.

Lake Tahoe | Truckee, CA

July 25, 2014July 25, 20143 Comments

When people hear “Tahoe,” they probably think of the lake (one of the US’s largest, and second deepest behind Crater Lake) or skiing and other winter sports. Truth be told, it’s a fantastic summer destination with mountains to hike, bike paths to shred, roller skating, fly fishing, kayaking, and just about any other outdoor activity suitable for a sunny 75 degrees. We spent the weekend on the North Shore in Truckee, CA which is a 15 minute drive from the lake. While I didn’t make it to the water, there were gondola rides, a little hiking, and wildlife watching in what little time we had between wedding festivities. Beautiful ceremony, beautiful weather, beautiful friends.

Biking Through Copenhagen

June 1, 2014June 1, 2014Leave a comment

I decided to make the trek to Copenhagen because it’s listed as one of the happiest cities in the world. Thus, we decided to do like the Danes do and bike throughout Copenhagen. On Sunday, our game plan was to start at the hotel and cycle 40km along the coast to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.

First stop was the harbor for people watching and lunch on Restaurant Skagen‘s patio. Cheeseburgers and coffee are an excellent combination. Trust me.

The view was so spectacular that I insisted we stop (on several occasions) to document. The water was so clear!

This is the Kusama Installation, “Gleaming Lights of the Soul.” It’s a tiny 4×4 mirror-lined room filled with tiny lamps hanging from the ceiling. You stand on a small platform surrounded by water and the lamps slowly change color, the reflections on the water and mirrors intensifying the experience. Only two people are permitted to enter the room, so it’s very intimate and calm.

Here are some shots from around Copenhagen. It’s truly a beautiful city.

Copenhagen, Denmark

May 31, 2014June 1, 2014Leave a comment

As the plane begins to descend, I peer out the window fascinated by the tiny white dots of offshore windmills and the Øresund Bridge which connects Denmark to Sweden through an underwater tunnel. From the sky, it looks as if the toy-sized cars are driving off the bridge into the depths of the ocean. Impressive stuff. I already like this place.

The airport is easy. No custom lines (also no passport stamps). I walk out, following the signs to the metro and hoping I make it in one piece. This is my first time navigating through Europe alone, and while B has assured me I will be 100% fine, I have my doubts. With a little help from a friendly transportation worker, I manage to get to Nørreport where I walk to the apartment where I’ve rented a room in someone’s flat for the night.

The weather is divine in Copenhagen! Clear and bright, 65 degrees. I find the apartment without a problem, unload my things and set out to explore.

So. Much. Walking.

Into the King’s Park and to see Rosenborg Palace which has a copper roof and houses the Danish Royal Jewels. I’ve read that they haven’t installed electricity for security reasons, so the guards are armed. Rosenborg looks more like a mansion than a palace, which is actually the case. It was built as a summer home for the Danish Royal Family. The surrounding grounds are fabulous – bursting with vegetation. I stroll through, admiring the gigantic lemon trees lining paths and beautiful flowers of all shapes, sizes and colors. Tons of college students from the nearby university are laying in the grass soaking up the sun.

I continue towards the Langelinie promenade to see the iconic The Little Mermaid statue. Hans Christian Anderson, known best for his fairytales, is Danish and buried in Copenhagen. Tons of cruise ships (which make the massive yachts look like babies in comparison) clutter the harbor along with a bazillion tourists and apathetic tour guides who loiter about looking bored and holding up numbers so their “group” can reconvene. As I’m taking a panoramic view of the water, I notice a group of people clustered together. Bingo! The Little Mermaid. She is small. Barely life-sized.

After a quick lunch in Nørrebro, I find a shady spot on the grassy bank of the river and sit for at least an hour gazing at the water. This day is perfect. No agenda, no travel partners to consult. I am anonymous in a city filled with beautiful Danish people going about their business on bikes. This moment is perfection.

Neuschwanstein Castle | Germany

May 31, 2014July 25, 20141 Comment

The Sleeping Beauty is hands down my favorite ballet of all time. The story, Petipa’s choreography, the ornate costumes, the elaborate sets… the music? Well, it was good enough for Disney filmmakers to use for the melodies for ballads and background music in the 1959 animated film. Once I found out that Walt Disney based Princess Aurora’s iconic pad on Neuschwanstein Caste, there was no doubt in my mind (much to B’s dismay), that I must see it.

There is a bit of scandal surrounding the castle commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria’s. Ultimately, it is where he was forcibly taken into custody which led to his mysterious death only a day later. You can read more about Ludwig’s drama here.

There are guided tours through the unfinished castle which is furnished. Tiny servant quarters are accessible to view. Elaborate carvings are almost overwhelming in detail. The mosaic floor in the throne room (sans throne) boasts over 2 million pieces! Murals of Richard Wagner’s operas adorn the walls and tons of gleaming copper pots line the kitchen. Talk about a chef’s fantasy.

The day was beautiful and cool enough to make the walk (which is easy enough to do in slightly wedged boots) comfortable, so after viewing the castle, we hiked to Marienbrücke (Queen Marie’s Bridge) for a truly spectacular view. It was like a fairytale.

Lindau, Germany

May 31, 2014June 1, 2014Leave a comment

I had never heard of Lindau until B insisted we take a day trip from Heidelberg to see it. Lindau is a Bavarian town/island on the freshwater lake Bodensee. It almost borders Austria and is across the water from Switzerland.

After a beautiful afternoon driving through the bright yellow-green German countryside, we arrived on the island at dusk. It’s a sleepy tourist town and there wasn’t much going on that Sunday evening, but we managed to find a fabulous little Greek restaurant, Akropolis, after a short peep on Yelp.com and stroll through town.

Monday morning we walked to their main attraction, the harbor and lighthouse, for a quick coffee and ice cream before heading off to Neuschwanstein which I’ve been dying to see since I learned of its existence. With such a joyous café au lait, how can you not adore this charming town?