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Happy happy blog bashing, people! Today I'm feeling especially chipper, as it's my birthday, and I've consumed nothing but processed sugar products for essentially the past 24 hours. Let's see how long we can keep that up (and how chipper I remain in the...er, process)!

Today we're schmoozing about all things travelicious with Suzanne Nelson, author of Heart and Salsa, and The Sound of Munich. 


*A little bit of behind-the-scenes trivia for you re: Suzanne - we worked at Penguin Young Readers in separate divisions a bunch of years ago, and started at almost the same time. We were in the same computer orientation session, which she may not remember, but which I can't forget, as Suzanne was way quicker on the uptake than yours truly. 

True story. You heard it here first. 
But on to more sassy, scandalous vignettes, straight from Suzanne herself: 

Suzanne Nelson has written six young adult novels, including two SASS novels: The Sound of Munich and Heart and Salsa. She loves to travel, especially internationally. She believes you can never have too many stamps on your passport, read too many books, or eat too much cheesecake. She lives with her family in New Jersey.

Words to live by, Suzanne! I'll have to look into getting my hands on some cheesecake today. So, what's the most adventurous/out of character thing you've ever done while traveling?

Baiting 35-foot Great White Sharks off the coast of Capetown, South Africa, and trying to get away from a charging bull elephant in an open-air jeep while on safari in South Africa. Both were unforgettable experiences.

Holy cow! And here I thought the wallabies in Australia were scary. Do you have a horror story from a trip you've taken?

Once I was stranded in an airport for fourteen hours overnight. It was pretty horrific (and disgusting!) having to sleep on the floor of the airport terminal, but I survived to tell the tale.

Ick. That definitely belongs in a book some day.  What's your number one travel tip?

Be brave and flexible. If you miss a train or get off at the wrong station...so what? Grab some exotic food and drink, relax, and explore! Leave yourself open to adventure and spontaneity. Sometimes the best parts of the vacation are the biggest surprises! Can't-live-without travel item?
Camera!

I am neither brave NOR flexible. Oy. Do you have any souvenirs from travel that have special meaning or importance to you?

When I backpacked through Europe, I kept all of my train stubs from all the countries and cities I visited. Everytime I look at them, it brings back all my memories of the trip. My travel journals are some of my most treasured souvenirs too, because all the emotions and adventures I had are there in writing, so I'll never forget.

I keep things like ticket stubs, too, and even though I'm not crafty AT ALL, I like to put together travel scrapbooks of favorite trips. What's your dream vacation spot -- the one place you're dying to visit, and why?

Two places: Greece and Egypt. I'd love to island hop in Greece and see the pyramids in Egypt. There's so much incredible history in both of those countries. And when I go, I'm definitely going with my one and only paramour. He's the only one I'd go for a moonlight swim in the Mediterranean with!

A moonlight swim in the Mediterranean...sigh. That sounds divine. And it definitely ALSO sounds like another scene from a potential book. SASS may be over, Suzanne