From the moment summer steals it away and sends Seville crawling into winter, sevillanos anticipate the return of primavera. I’ve heard spring referred to as “Seville’s season” and it is easy to see why; flowers are blooming in bursts of lavender and fuscia, Cruzcampos are sweating in tiny street bars, and the two fiestas that sevillanos anticipate all year … Continue reading
The Galata Bridge is cluttered with fishermen as the smell of apple tobacco from local nargile cafes mingles with the day’s fresh catch and the sun melts into the mighty Bosphorous until the skyline blushes. It’s easy to see why Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city and one of the fastest growing metropolitan economic centers in the … Continue reading
The third largest city in Spain, Valencia boasts some of the most interesting architecture, delicious foods (hello, oranges and paella), and intriguing history the country has to offer. However, nothing makes the city more internationally renowned than the festival known as Las Fallas. Las Fallas (or Falles in Valenciano) is celebrated each year from March … Continue reading
During our trip to Lisbon, we were advised to take the train to Sintra, a romantic little town and UNESCO World Heritage site in the Grande Lisboa subregion of Portugal. On a whim, we hopped aboard the train and made the 40-minute journey through the countryside. On arrival, we stepped into a quaint street dotted … Continue reading
After getting our feet wet (both literally and figuratively) in Lagos, Portugal in September, we knew we had to return to unearth this country’s other hidden treasures. Our journey this time took us to Portugal’s bustling capital, Lisbon. Situated in the southwestern part of the country and boasting a population of approximately 550,000 within the … Continue reading
Today marks the six-month anniversary of our arrival in Spain and I feel mostly settled and at home in this beautiful city. Things that were shocking or difficult at first are now secondhand, almost easy. The language barrier is dissolving a bit more each day as I plow through my lessons (aside: I am now … Continue reading
Emerging from the train station into dense fog and moist air, my whole body was heavy with the place and it was just as I had been imagining it for years. London was finally resting beneath my feet and extending in every direction before my eyes. The city wrapped itself around me until my breath … Continue reading
Decorative lights line the buildings, street performers are in full force, and there are more people crowding and elbowing than you thought narrow Sevilla streets could contain: the holiday season has arrived. The material aspects of Christmas always get me a bit down as the meaning of Christmas is stripped away by the desire to … Continue reading
Stepping into the sleepy town of Gruyères, Switzerland was like emerging from the wardrobe in The Chronicles of Narnia. Despite the absence of Mr. Tumnus at the light post, the breathtaking landscape and snow-peppered roofs and awnings seemed just out of a fairy tale.As you might imagine, the most famous export from Gruyères is the world-famous … Continue reading
As fate would have it, our trip to Bern, Switzerland conveniently coincided with the Zibelemärit, or Onion Market, one of the capital’s most beloved annual festivals. Each year on the fourth Monday of November, the festival takes place in the streets of Bern’s Old Town. Beginning at 5 a.m., the city is heavy with the … Continue reading
this life is a great and terrible and short and endless thing. and it's full of love.
Best friends are the people in your life that make you laugh louder, smile brighter and live better!
life at the intersection of passion & purpose.
My Life as a Marine Corps Wife in Okinawa
Surviving on Spanglish 