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- Midwest
  - Iowa
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Washington DC

Top 10 Things To Do In Georgetown DC

Here’s what to do in Georgetown, DC. Love lives in cupcakes. When I first take…

by Anshula Varma April 17, 2020

Ultimate Guide To Visiting The Smithsonian Tips

Growing up in Virginia, I ended up visiting the Smithsonian Institution a lot (like for…

by Anshula Varma March 25, 2020

Best Time To Visit Washington D.C.

A NOVA local’s guide to the best time to visit Washington D.C. It’s crazy to…

by Anshula Varma January 3, 2020

About Me

Hi, I'm Anshula!

travel + lifestyle blogger

Small town obsessed, big city girl. Overcaffeinated weekend escapist. Bookworm on a mission to see cute indie bookstores in all 50 states by 2021.

I plant daily travel stories on Passport To Eden and I'm so excited that you're visiting (*reaches out for a giant bear hug*). Welcome to my garden!

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7 Reasons Why I Travel

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How To Travel As A Student 101

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Top 21 US States To Visit In 2021

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Things 2020 Has Deepened My Understanding Of:⁠⁠- Nothing Lasts Forever⁠- Everything Can Change⁠- When The World Seems Still, Time Moves⁠- Introspection⁠- Be Slow To Speak And Quick To Listen (James 1:19)⁠- Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)⁠- Forgiveness⁠- The Language Of Gratitude⁠- Life Is Always Worth Living⁠- It's Okay To Take A Break⁠- Adaptability⁠- Consistency⁠- Persistence⁠- Trust God Above All⁠⁠Sincerely,⁠Anshula⁠⁠📸 P.S. This photo was taken at the Ring Of Thanks in Thanksgiving Square June 2018. ⁠⁠P.P.S. Happy (almost) New Year! I'll see you in 2021. 😊⁠⁠

“Every person needs to take one day away. A day

“Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers, and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence. Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.”⁠― Maya Angelou, Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now⁠⁠Sincerely, ⁠Anshula⁠⁠P.S. Here's an old snap from Getaway House. This is their tiny house outpost just a short drive from Dallas. 😉⁠⁠P.P.S. This is a very staged photo and not conducive to reading IRL (my life does NOT look like this by any means - I just wanted to take a shot that was a bit more creative). ⁠⁠Side Note: this pose was an absolute ab workout (think Chloe Ting's shred challenge tough) and I happily fell down twice trying to hold it! 😂

Back when I visited Omaha (last winter), I had mor

Back when I visited Omaha (last winter), I had more cups of coffee than humanly possible (all in the name of research, of course). And after chatting with several locals and baristas (all while a little jittery), I finally settled on a few favorites.⁠⁠☕ Bike Union Coffeehouse: At heart, Bike Union is a mentoring project. The program is targeted at youth who are aging out of Nebraska’s foster care system. It’s job training – how to fix bikes, how to make good coffee. I went in one morning and ordered a hot Turtle. Bike Union’s Turtle was one of the best lattes I had in Omaha. It was smooth and sweet with a kick of hazelnut. It was so good, I wanted to hold onto it for as long as I could, taking small sips here and there. But that didn’t quite happen. By mid-morning, my cup was empty. But the memory had stayed.⁠⁠☕ Sozo Coffeehouse: Of all the coffee shops in Omaha, Sozo Coffeehouse was hands down my favorite. I visited this cafe twice whilst visiting Omaha. The coffee shop is open until midnight. And it’s located underground. Sozo’s known for its funky flavors. There’s even a Hello Kitty latte. But my favorite was the Sonshine, a banana bread inspired drink (I liked it so much, I ended up ordering a second round).⁠⁠☕ Myrtle & Cypress: Myrtle & Cypress is one of the most aesthetic coffee shops in Omaha. It’s a photogenic paradise of potted plants hanging from the ceilings, plants against the walls, plants dripping from the windowsills. The inside looks a bit like a sleek, modern jungle. All the colors, from the couches to the book covers to the coffee mugs, complement each other. They hit just the right note. It’s a soft palette that, in some ways, subdues the strong coffee. The space inside Myrtle & Cypress is a little too intimate for work, but it’s the perfect place to scoop up a bag of books and read on a rainy day!⁠⁠Sincerely,⁠Anshula⁠⁠P.S. I have more coffee shops recommendations on the blog [link in bio] 😉⁠⁠

Lakeside Park is a fairytale story – a tale punc

Lakeside Park is a fairytale story – a tale punctuated by galleries of trees, lily pads, and trails that wind through Turtle Creek. It’s a slow-moving fable, narrated through seasons.⁠⁠This waterfall is located right near Teddy Bear Park! It's usually off in the wintertime (bookmark this spot for spring and summer 😉). And it's one of my favorite picnic locations in Dallas!⁠⁠Sincerely,⁠Anshula⁠⁠P.S. Merry Christmas Eve! ⁠⁠

I arrived at Scottsdale Plaza Resort at night (it

I arrived at Scottsdale Plaza Resort at night (it was pitch dark at this point). So when I woke up in the morning I was shocked to see mini-gardens upon gardens right on the hotel property.⁠⁠The Scottsdale Plaza Hotel Gardens are a well-kept secret. The paths, squidged between diverse squares of succulents and cacti, are crafted picture-perfect. And I loved that the plants were labeled!⁠⁠Modern touch-ups. Spots of color. Colonnades of palm trees. A spacious pool. Views of Camelback Mountain. ⁠⁠I was pleasantly surprised by The Scottsdale Plaza Resort. Even though I booked it because it was the cheapest available option (no shame), I would gladly stay there again! ⁠⁠Sincerely,⁠Anshula⁠⁠P.S. I visited December 2019 so this is a throwback photo (and story). ⁠⁠P.P.S. If you're interested, I'll leave a link to the hotel details in my bio (plus a more detailed itinerary) 😊⁠

Happy Tuesday! Here's my Christmas color mood boar

Happy Tuesday! Here's my Christmas color mood board. 😉⁠⁠Sincerely,⁠Anshula⁠⁠P.S. I think the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden might be one of the most underrated spots in the US. ❤️⁠

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