Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune
May 17, 2022
“This pandemic has definitely shifted the meaning of vacation for me,” said Natasha López, one of the stars of the HBO series “The Time Traveler’s Wife.” “Being in New York the entire time has been tough, especially during the winter. But it gave me a new sense of adventure and spontaneity. I did road trips upstate, went apple picking and enjoyed the sights. I have enjoyed discovering different parks and taking the New York City ferry when the weather is nice and it feels like a vacay to me.” López shares photos of her work, travels and workouts on Instagram.
Q: If you had to cancel travel plans due to this pandemic, where were they to?
A: My Christmas family vacation to California and it was so sad. We had plans of doing road trips and seeing the vineyards. It was the first time that we (would have been) able to get the whole fam together for a trip in years, even pre-pandemic. I was ready to leave the cold and be with my family. I hope we can reschedule that soon.
Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: Puerto Rico! So I may be biased – I was born and raised there – but I swear every time I go, I keep finding new things to see and do. If you are staying in the San Juan area you must visit El Yunque National Forest and Old San Juan. The food is insane. If you are staying on the west side, make sure to go to Gozalandia in San Sebastian for incredible waterfalls. Also, the best beaches in Puerto Rico are on the west, in my opinion.
Q: What was the first trip you took as a child?
A: Disney World in Florida and it was life-changing. To see Mickey in person was a dream come true.
Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A: Respect culture and do your research beforehand for the best experiences.
Q: If you could only pick a casual meal at a street cart or fine dining, which would you choose?
A: I am a wine and fine dine kind of girl. I like a casual meal, but not from carts or trucks, unless it’s desserts. However, I will experience it if it’s a cultural thing.
Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A: I love a good staycation in New York, discovering different hotels and neighborhoods. Last weekend, I stayed at the Roxy Hotel New York and it was a wonderful experience, from (The Django) jazz club to the happy hour oysters in the lobby.
Q: Where is the most romantic destination?
A: I would love to be cheesy and say Paris, but I have never been. I got engaged in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, and I must say it was the best romantic destination so far for obvious reasons. I’m a simple island girl, so anywhere there is sun and the beach works for me.
Q: Do you speak any foreign languages?
A: My first language is Spanish and then English. I can pick up languages that are similar to Spanish, like Portuguese. (I) hope to learn it fully one day.
Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A: Anywhere in Europe! I have never been.
Q: What would be your dream trip?
A: After surviving another winter, I want to go to the Maldives. I’ll take a bungalow and drink by the clear waters, please.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A: That calories don’t count on vacation, especially desserts.
Q: What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A: I like to do cultural research first because I always want to be respectful anywhere I go. Then I get into what the locals are up to.
Q: What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?
A: Best would have to be between my 30th birthday in Miami on a boat with like eight of my girlfriends just dancing all day – and getting engaged in Mexico. I can’t think of a bad memory. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
© 2022 JAE-HA KIM
DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.
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