Travel
Travel Log: Notre-Dame de Paris
News came yesterday of the terrible fire at the Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris and I immediately thought back to my visit to the city in November of 2011. I had arrived from Firenze, via an overnight train, to meet a jazz musician friend there on tour. I was nearing the end of a three […]
MoreTravel Log: Real Jardin Botanico Madrid
In September 2011, I traveled to Madrid on a one way ticket, alone, with a backpack of clothes, a small laptop, and some toiletries…no phone, no itinerary. I had a rough “plan”, however…I had sketched a path along the Mediterranean coast, then maybe head north, and at some point, I would go home. I had […]
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Quote of the Day: Pico Iyer
Travel is like love, mostly because it’s a heightened state of awareness in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity, ready to be transformed. That is why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end. – Pico Iyer
MoreConcert Review from Paris
On Thursday, I had the pleasure of attending an exceptional performance by the Orcheste de Paris conducted by Paarvo Jarvi, with a special guest, virtuoso violinist from Japan, Akiko Suwanai. The performance was held at the Salle Pleyel, located at 252 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, in the business district of Paris. The pairing of Grammy Award winning conductor Jarvi with […]
MoreEuropean Extravaganza Wrap-Up
I cried several times on my flight back to the US (I guess once you open the flood gates it is hard to close them again huh?), appreciative of the gift of travelling to so many amazing places that I have been able to enjoy (along with the help and generosity of many others – namely my mom […]
MoreLeaving from London
I will start off by admitting (ugh another confession you say? Yes!) that I am a bit of a Negative Nelly today, for I have determined that the Brits are the most perturbing of all of the people I have encountered along my journey. Now this could be due to the fact that they are way too similar […]
MoreAu revoir, Paris!
I am leaving this morning to jump on the Chunnel from Paris to London – it is a super high speed train that goes under the Puget Sound and takes 2-1/2 hours from point A to B (can we get one of these in the US please?!) My time in Paris was just long enough to enjoy the beauty […]
MoreI love me some dead people!
After I posted pictures of the cemetery I visited in Nice, a friend of mine recommended that I visit the Pere Lachaise cemetery during my visit to Paris – seeing as how I enjoy hanging out with dead people and all. At least the dead people aren’t rude, something that the Parisians, who are alive and wreaking havoc on […]
MoreOrchestre de Paris
Today began with an excellent start – I had a REAL breakfast consisting of an omelet, bacon, 2 cappuccinos, and 3 croissants. I am so excited to be back in the land of delicious, buttery bread (and maybe on just a touch of a sugar high right now)! I have a full schedule today, so it […]
MoreBonjour de Paris
I took an overnight train from Florence to Paris last night and was lucky enough to have a Couchette all to myself – another indication that the tourist season is over. I was extremely grateful that the conductor saved me from having to sharing a couchette with this old, rude French woman and her vile smelling dog (the dogs smell […]
MoreFinal Days in Firenze (again!)
The number of tourists invading Toscana has dramatically decreased now that it is nearing the end of autumn. I gauge that the high season has come to an end not only by the drop in numbers, but prices have thankfully eased up as well. Thank goodness because I am too tired to keep track of my budget any longer. […]
MoreOpera for One
Last night, I was able to attend the Opera at St. Mark’s Church. St. Mark’s is one of the few Anglican churches in Florence – maybe in Italy – it is the first and only one I have seen since I have been here, come to think of it. Anyway, for the past 8 years, they have been performing […]
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