Lili on the Loose - Lili on the Loose: On Life and Getting Lost

4 11, 2015

This Day in History: First Steps towards Tutankhamun’s Tomb

By Lili|November 4th, 2015|Categories: Currently Traveling, History, Travel|Tags: Africa, Cairo, Egypt, Luxor, Middle East, Tomb, Travel Thursday, Tutankhamun, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valley of the Kings|0 Comments

Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon at the entrance of the tomb. 1922. “At last [I] have made wonderful discovery in Valley; a magnificent tomb with seals intact; re-covered same for your arrival; congratulations.” Howard Carter's cable to Lord Carnarvon on November 5th, 1922. The day before, on November 4th, Carter's team found the first step of a sunken stairway and then on the 5th they reached the sealed doorway to the tomb. A few weeks later Carter and Carnarvon would open Tutankhamun's tomb and entrance the world with their findings. Today I'm sadly leaving Luxor to head back to

2 11, 2015

Museum Monday: Aquamarine Tiara

By Lili|November 2nd, 2015|Categories: Museums, Travel|Tags: aquamarine, Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th Century, cartier, Colorado, DAM, Denver, Denver Art Museum, diamonds, museum, North America, platinum, tiara, USA|0 Comments

The Denver Art Museum had an exhibit called Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th Century which I was lucky enough to see in its last few days. There were many beautiful tiaras at the Cartier exhibit. While I loved the early tiaras for their ornate garland style, this beautiful aquamarine is also timeless. The Hesketh Aquamarine Tiara Museum Monday is an every other week series about museum news, objects, and reviews.

31 10, 2015

Souvenir Saturday: Ravenclaw Robes

By Lili|October 31st, 2015|Categories: Geek, Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2012, Book, clothes, cosplay, costume, Florida, Halloween, Harry Potter, Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, Islands of Adventure, Movie, North America, Orlando, Orlando Adventure 2012, Pottermore, Ravenclaw, Robes, Sorted, Sorting, ties, Time Turner, Universal Studios, USA, Wand, Witches, Wizarding World, Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Wizards|0 Comments

A few years ago I fulfilled a childhood dream of going to Hogwarts. I had already learned from Pottermore that I was sorted into Ravenclaw. For years I had thought myself Gryffindor but realized my mistake and found my home in the Claws. So I dutifully got myself my House gear when I went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Here I am dressed in my Ravenclaw robes, sweater, and tie for Halloween 2012 I'm your typical Ravenclaw student, I love learning so much I have a Time Turner! Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on

31 10, 2015

Happy Halloween!

By Lili|October 31st, 2015|Categories: Currently Traveling, Geek, Pop Culture, Travel|Tags: 2015, Africa, Archeologist, cosplay, costume, Egypt, Geek, Indiana Jones, Middle East, Movie, Mummy, Raiders of the Lost Ark|0 Comments

Happy Halloween! When I was little, I wanted to be an Archeologist. This probably stemmed from watching Indiana Jones movies over and over again. So last year I created my own Raider's version of Indiana Jones complete with the Headpiece to the Staff of Ra. I thought it was a pretty awesome costume. But we had a work Halloween party where their kids were invited: Kid 1: Are you a cowgirl? Me: No I'm Indiana Jones. Both Kids *Blank Stare* Kid 2: What is India Jones? Me: ....a Archeologist. Both Kids *Blank Stare* Me: ... I dig up

27 10, 2015

Local Character: Headless Horseman of Gunbarrel, Colorado

By Lili|October 27th, 2015|Categories: Events, Local, Travel|Tags: Boulder, Colorado, Gunbarrel, Halloween, Headless Horseman, North America|4 Comments

The elusive Headless Horseman of Gunbarrel / Boulder, Colorado 2011. A few years back I lived very close to my office. So close that I would go home at lunch to walk my dog. One Halloween day, I was driving back into work when I saw it! I had heard rumors of the elusive Headless Horseman of Gunbarrel / Boulder, Colorado but didn't believe the stories. But here he was! Trotting down Jay & 63rd street! I quickly spun a U-turn, and hopped out of my car. The Headless Horseman is a friendly type, and paused to let

26 10, 2015

Travel Missteps: Following the Fall Leaves on the Freedom Trail

By Lili|October 26th, 2015|Categories: Travel, Travel Missteps|Tags: 2014, Boston, fall, ghost, ghost story, Halloween, haunted, Haunted in Boston, leaves, Massachusetts, North America, trolley, USA|0 Comments

One of the best sounds in life is that crisp crunch sound when stepping on fall leaves. At my old condo, the wind would blow all the leaves in this grassy ditch behind the parking lot. The pile would get huge, up to my waist. My dog would join me as I jumped and kicked up the leaves. Then again, my dog’s main goal was to eat as many fall leaves as she cool, like they were potato chips. I still miss that home just for those fall leaves. So when I had just a single brief afternoon in Boston

22 10, 2015

Sun Festival at Abu Simbel

By Lili|October 22nd, 2015|Categories: Events, History, Travel|Tags: Abu Simbel, Africa, Amun, Egypt, Middle East, Ptah, Ra, Rameses II, Ramses, Sun Festival, Travel Thursday, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site|0 Comments

Today is Rameses II birthday! Each year on this day (and February 22nd, the day of his coronation) the morning light pierces into the dark chamber of his temple at Abu Simbel, shining on the statues of Ramses, Ra and Amun. They are 3 out of 4 statues in the central chamber, the last one Ptah the God of Darkness, which remains in the shadows. Source Red more here. I'm excited to be heading to Abu Simbel during my trip to Egypt!

21 10, 2015

Back To the Future Day!

By Lili|October 21st, 2015|Categories: Geek, Pop Culture|Tags: 2015, Back to the Future, BTTF, BTTF 2, Egypt, Geek, Movie, Time Travel|0 Comments

Today's the day! Its Back to the Future Day! On this date, Marty McFly and Doc Brown came to the future to change it, and in the process fucked things up. How do we know? Because we were set back in our technological timeline! We were supposed to have flying cars, hover-boards, Mr. Fusion...and much much more. Then again, maybe Marty & Doc saved us from the fate of horrible fashion faux pas. Ah who am I kidding. That looks pretty bad ass. (C) Universal Pictures For more reading, see what experts are saying on what was Right

19 10, 2015

Museum Monday: Guidebook to the Egyptian Museum

By Lili|October 19th, 2015|Categories: Museums, Travel, Travel Tips|Tags: Africa, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, Egyptian Museum, Guidebook, Middle East, Zahi Hawass|0 Comments

Reading any guidebook to Egypt and they will say that the Egyptian Museum is a little disorganized, with no labeling, and bursting to the brims with so many ancient objects that it can be overwhelming. They will also advise that you get "Illustrated Guide to the Egyptian Museum" by Zahi Hawass so you can easily understand what you'll be seeing. However, this book is out of print, and so the prices on Amazon and Ebay move wildly. (A few months ago the book went over $100 on Amazon.) One tip I figured out, was that that book and "Treasures of

17 10, 2015

Souvenir Saturday: Dia De Los Muertos Skull

By Lili|October 17th, 2015|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2013, Central America, Dia De Los Muertos, Latin America, magnet, Mayan Encounter 2013, Mexico, Playa Del Carmen, purple, Skull|0 Comments

I use to have a list of items I collected from each vacation, postcards, shot glasses, art, music, snow globes, and finally magnets. I've since paired down my collections, but one of my favorite items I got in Mexico is a Dia De Los Muertos style Skull magnet. Its purple (my favorite color) and made of clay or ceramic and is pretty hefty for a magnet. On one side a Male rests. On the other a woman dances. And the top has a scene of birds, cactuses, and the sun. Souvenir Saturday is an