This FAQ is more like “occasionally asked questions + questions that people haven't asked but I like to volunteer information so here goes”

Why The Name "á La Pearl"?

In first grade, my class got brownies á la mode for being well-behaved. I’m very fond of that memory, and very fond of food, so I figured á la pearl was an appropriate name to encompass the mishmosh of themes that I've got going on here. Other blog name candidates include (but are not limited to) "The Adventures of Non-Alcoholic Pearl” (courtesy of my friend Andrea) and "Pearl's World". If you've better ideas, shoot me a message! 

When did you first start traveling?

My mom likes to tell a story about how I went on my first international family vacation to the Philippines when I was two, and everyone got sick except for me. Hooray for my stellar infant immune system. 
 

How many countries have you been to?

36!! You can see all the countries I've visited on this nifty map. I am very very fortunate to have grown up with parents that love to travel and have the means to do so. I've picked up other opportunities to travel through school and saving up. Perhaps I'll hit 50 by 50!