5 08, 2017

Souvenir Saturday: Resplendent Quetzal

By |August 5th, 2017|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , |0 Comments

While exploring the small island of Flores, Guatemala I spied this large wooden painting featuring Guatemala's state bird, the Resplendent Quetzal. As I had a smaller wooden painting from Costa Rica, I thought this would be a good addition to my collection! Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on the items that represent travel memories.

4 02, 2017

Souvenir Saturday: Mini Painting of Antigua

By |February 4th, 2017|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: , , , , , |0 Comments

This is a miniature painting on an easel that shows Antigua's streets with the volcano lit up in the background by the moon. I really wanted a small painting like this to sit at my desk at work. And although this was a common souvenir it took me ages to track down. The problem was that either the work would be very poorly done or the prices would be outrageous. For example one store told me a small painting like this would be $80 USD. This was in a store that only sold various sizes of touristy paintings. I was the

29 12, 2016

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

By |December 29th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

"Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration." - UNESCO There are thousands of world heritage sites. I've been to 30 of them: Salzburg Austria Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg A turtle in Belize Belize Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System Ramses Temple at Abu Simbel Egypt Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis Historic Cairo Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to

10 12, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Christmas Pyramid

By |December 10th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

I've seen ancient pyramids in Egypt, Guatemala, & Mexico. But while traveling in Germany I frequently saw larger than life Christmas Pyramids at the Christmas Markets. A glowing Pyramid in Munich Christmas Pyramids originated in Erzgebirge aka Ore Mountains of Germany (like the Nutcracker) and is rumored to be a predecessor to the Christmas Tree. It is designed more like a tiered carousel which often depicted Christian scenes like angles or mangers, while others might feature forests or everyday life. The spinning motion at the top was often achieved by candles whose rising heat would help spin the propeller.

1 10, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Hand-Crafted Chocolate

By |October 1st, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

As I wrote before, Making Chocolate in Antigua, Guatemala was one of my favorite activities. However, making chocolate during a heat wave, and then staying at a budget hotel with no AC meant that my handcrafted chocolates were not long for the world. So I decided to give pieces of chocolate to the people in my tour group! My chocolate before it set. Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on the items that represent travel memories.

22 09, 2016

Antigua Ruins: Santiago Cathedral

By |September 22nd, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

Catedral de San José Antigua means Ancient in Spanish. While not as old as the Mayan settlements, the city was founded in the mid 1500’s the city served as a capital of the kingdom of Guatemala. However in the 1700’s a series of earthquakes rocked the city until it was abandoned and the capital was moved to Guatemala City. It is amazing to look up and see the sky, framed by the walls. Slowly in the 20th century people started to return to the city, but rebuilding was limited. Today you can still see many of

23 07, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Clay Shot Glass

By |July 23rd, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , |0 Comments

I use to be a little obsessed when souvenir hunting. I had a mental checklist of items I needed to add to my collection. Which is why I searched high and low for a unique shot glass in Guatemala. I shopped in El Mercado for hours but not finding anything. I was being too picky. And then I saw this little clay shot glass, small and dirty and for some reason I thought it was perfect. And so I bought it! And then a few stores down I found the actual perfect shot glass...but I had spent all my money!

4 06, 2016

May 2016 Recap

By |June 4th, 2016|Categories: Blog Recaps and Roundups|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |1 Comment

Its finally the start of summer! This month was also fun that my company Wayin acquired another company (Engage Sciences) and so its been great to meet all my new co-workers! Travel Santa Fe, NM This month I went on a quick road trip to Santa Fe, NM. I had been back in the 90's as a child, but didn't remember much of it. I didn't plan anything for this trip so I mainly just walked around the main square and shopped. It reminded me a lot like the square in Antigua, Guatemala, and I had fun shopping for rough

28 03, 2016

Travel Missteps: The Best Bar That I Never Went To

By |March 28th, 2016|Categories: Travel, Travel Missteps|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

After my strange “tour” of the Santa Clara ruins, I met a member of my G Adventures group, Tony. I relayed to him what had happened, and he offered to come with me as we went to find something to do that night. I really wanted to check out a bar that someone had recommended called Café No Sé. It is supposed to be a great ex-pat bar where all the travelers go. It was described as a bit bohemian with live music, and so sounded like a lot of fun. So we set off. I pride myself on my

24 03, 2016

Alfombras during Semana Santa in Antigua, Guatemala

By |March 24th, 2016|Categories: Events, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

Visiting Antigua, Guatemala right before Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week) was great. I got to see the floats being made, as well as the unique tradition of Alfombras, colored sawdust carpets! These are made on the streets and pathways that will be taken when the models of Jesus and the stations of the cross are performed.This one was in the main Antigua Guatemala Cathedral and featured a beautiful fuchsia sawdust Alfombras in front of a statue of Jesus. In addition offerings of mangos, cantaloupe, corn, oranges, and pineapple helped to complete the display. And then fresh flowers lined the walkway. Some will be made