Europe - Lili on the Loose

13 03, 2017

Travel Missteps: On the Wrong Foot

By Lili|March 13th, 2017|Categories: Travel, Travel Missteps|Tags: 2009, Abbey Tavern, at the heart of it Ireland 2009, dancing, Dublin, Europe, Ireland, jig, music|0 Comments

On our last night in Ireland we went to a tavern for "traditional" Irish music and dance. It was a long banquet hall, with tables facing the stage area. While we ate we listened to ballads and music. Then it came time to watch the dancing. They whirled and jigged about. After a few songs they then went out into the crowd and grabbed volunteers. Of course my family pushed me up. Me: klutzy and injury prone and not graceful. Everyone laughed as I struggled to keep up with the dancers. Although I felt like a fool, I played along.

10 03, 2017

Celtic Cross of Cashel

By Lili|March 10th, 2017|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Travel|Tags: 2009, at the heart of it Ireland 2009, Cashel, Celtic Cross, cemetary, CIE, County Tipperary, Europe, Ireland, Moor, Photo Friday, Rock of Cashel|0 Comments

This Celtic Cross stands on the cemetery hill near the Rock of Cashel, and commands views of the green countryside. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.

9 03, 2017

Sweet Molly Malone

By Lili|March 9th, 2017|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Travel|Tags: 2009, at the heart of it Ireland 2009, CIE, Dublin, Europe, ghost, Ireland, Irish Ballad, Molly Malone, Photo Friday, statue, The Tart with a Cart, The Trollop with the Scallops, Travel Thursday|0 Comments

The story of Molly Malone is a bit sad. 300 years ago, she may have actually been called Mary or Margaret and was a fishmonger's daughter who not only sold her catch on the streets of Dublin, but as she was such a beauty (and poor) also sold herself. She died young after contracting cholera or fever from one of her clients in 1699. (Although there is some debate on if all the facts are true or have become shrouded in legend.) It is said she still haunts the city to this day. Her story is commemorated in a famous

3 03, 2017

To the Skelligs – Monument to St. Brendan the Navigator

By Lili|March 3rd, 2017|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2009, at the heart of it Ireland 2009, Caherciveen, CIE, County Kerry, Europe, Ireland, Monks, Photo Friday, Skellig Michael, St. Brendan, statue|0 Comments

This statue by Eamon Doherty (1995) features 4 monks, including St. Brendan, on a boat elevated by 8 oars navigating their way to the monastery at Skellig Michael, an island off the coast of Ireland. You can view this statue, which overlooks the water in a park near Caherciveen, County Kerry, Ireland. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.

6 02, 2017

Museum Monday: Juno Sospita at the Vatican

By Lili|February 6th, 2017|Categories: Museums, Travel|Tags: 2005, All in the family 2005/2006, All in the family Italy 2005/2006, Europe, Italy, Juno, Juno Sospita, Middle East, Museo Pio-Clementino, Rome, statue, The Vatican, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vatican City, Vatican Museum|0 Comments

Juno "The Saviour" is a goddess that protected ancient Romans during the perilous winter month of February. She wears a goat's skin and is armed with spear and shield. This 2nd-century statue is viewable at the Vatican's Museo Pio-Clementino. Museum Monday is an every other week series about museum news, objects, and reviews.

7 01, 2017

Souvenir Saturday: Nativity Star Schwibbögen

By Lili|January 7th, 2017|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, Christmas Arch, Christmas in Germany 2011, Christmas Market, Cristkindlmarket, Europe, German Christmas Market, Germany, nativity, Schwibbögen, star, Star of Bethlehem|0 Comments

A Schwibbögen is a Christmas arch candle holder made in Germany. This one is electric and is designed to be hung in the window. It features the Star of Bethlehem with a Nativity scene within it. Its tail has little stars and flourishes. Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on the items that represent travel memories.

6 01, 2017

Trevi Fountain at Night

By Lili|January 6th, 2017|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Travel|Tags: 2006, All in the family Italy 2005/2006, Epiphany, Europe, Italy, Photo Friday, Rome, Trafalger, Trevi Fountain|0 Comments

11 years ago today, on the Epiphany, I was standing in front of the Trevi Fountain on my last day in Italy. They say the first coin you throw in the fountain grants the wish that you will return to Rome. I'm still waiting on keeping that promise. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.

29 12, 2016

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

By Lili|December 29th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Travel|Tags: Abu Simbel, Africa, Ancient, Antigua, Assisi, Aswan, Austria, Barrier Reef, Basilica of San Francesco, Bath, Belize, Cairo, Caye Caulker, Central America, Champs Elysées, Chichen-Itza, Coiba, Dahshur, Dashur, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle, Egypt, Eiffel Tower, England, Europe, Florence, France, Germany, Giza, Great Pyramids, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Guatemala, Hadrian's Wall, High Dam, Holy See, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Leanding Tower of Pisa, Loreley, Louvre, Luxor, Mayan, Memphis, Mexico, Middle East, National Park, Necropolis, North America, Notre-Dame, Nubia, Panama, Panama Viejo, Paris, Petra, Philae, Philae Temple, Piazza del Duomo, Pisa, Pompeii, Pyramids, Ramesses II, Rhine River, Rhine Valley, River Seine, Roman Walls, Rome, Rüdesheim, ruins, Sainte Chapelle, Salzburg, Saqqara, Scotland, Seine, Siena, snorkel, Thebes, Tikal, Travel Thursday, UK, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, United Kingdom, USA, Vatican City, Venice, Venice Lagoon, Verona, Wesminster Abbey, Westminster, World Heritage, Yellowstone National Park|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

24 12, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: German Porcelain Candle House

By Lili|December 24th, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, candle, ceramic, Christmas in Germany 2011, Christmas Market, clay, Europe, Frankfurt, German Christmas Market, Germany, Kastel Keramik Haus, Lichthauser, market, porcelain, Tudor|1 Comment

One souvenir that you'll see commonly at German Christmas Markets are these little ceramic, clay, or porcelain houses. (Although now you'll see all types of buildings including churches to castles.) Mine are from Kastel Keramik Haus (or they are also known as Lichthauser) and I purchased it at my first Christmas Market in Frankfurt. It was the last night of their market, and so I got some of these little houses for 50% off. They either have a hole in a the back, or separate into two pieces so you can place a candle within it. You'll see the light flickering

23 12, 2016

Antique Ornaments in Munich, Germany

By Lili|December 23rd, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2011, Christmas in Germany 2011, Europe, German Christmas Market, Germany, mangers, Munich, Ornaments, Photo Friday, Red|0 Comments

The stalls at German Christmas Markets are so beautiful. This one had antique ornaments hanging from the ceiling with mangers in the background. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.