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

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

25 02, 2016

Antigua, Guatemala: Santa Catalina Arch

By |February 25th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

Santa Catalina Arch One of the most recognizable sights in Antigua, Guatemala is the Arch of Santa Catalina. This yellow-orange clocktower was built in the 17th century and connected the convent of Santa Catalina to a school, allowing nuns to pass from one build to another without leaving the confines of their convent. In the 1830’s the clocktower was added to the arch. You can find it on 5th Avenue North, and is free to see. If you are on your way to/from La Merced Church, you'll pass right underneath the arch. And

17 02, 2016

30 at 30: Best Experiences So Far

By |February 17th, 2016|Categories: Travel, Travel Memories|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |1 Comment

Today is my birthday, and I've hit the "Big 3-0". I wanted to look back at 30 of my favorite travel memories in my life, in no particular order: Fulfilling my dream of going to Egypt, seeing so many amazing tombs and temples Sitting alone in the temples of Abu Simbel and Karnak Climbing into and on top of a pyramid Wandering the Christmas Markets of Munich Seeing the castles of Germany Taking a haunted trolly/walking tour of Boston graveyards. Seeing as many museums as I could in Washington, DC Swimming with sharks in Belize Racing golf-carts on Caye Caulker Making