Looking down over the twinkling city lights and the purple-velvet hills, I sat puzzled. I had seen people do this before, but, for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong. Clare tried it, too, but had as much luck as me. So, I did the only thing I could
The water sparkles. The clouds twinkle. The birds sing. The trees whisper. The mountains tower. The roofs welcome. I’ve discovered paradise, and it’s a called Lake Como. I don’t think I’ve ever been somewhere where it seems like the whole world has just stopped at a standstill. Where visitors are invited to pause to take
Today, my mouth had a religious experience. I had the most chocolatey, melt-in-your-mouth, cone of amazingness, which is known to normal folk as dark chocolate gelato. Why the heck don’t they make this stuff back home? I wanted to order a whole carton of the stuff and bring it back with me, but as I
Two days before our grandpa passed away, Clare and I were in the early stages of planning our trip. Because we knew our grandfather had limited time left — although, at the time, we didn’t know quite how limited — and because he had traveled quite a bit (especially after being stationed in Germany after
Today’s travel day from Barcelona to Milan was supposed to be relaxing and a nice change of pace in a travel schedule centered on the word “go.” On this trip, it sometimes feels like Clare and I never stop moving — and never have the chance to catch up on sleep. (At least I’m not
Growing up, the Mad Hatter from “Alice in Wonderland” was one of my favorite characters. The guy was certifiably nuts. But he was also a genius. That’s kind of how I feel about Antoni Gaudí. His style is so strange, so different, so out-of-place that it feels like he should have been confined within the
Today’s post is in memory of my trusty pair of sandals that drew compliments everywhere and were responsible for some very weird tan lines. The shoes finally just couldn’t make it another day, so when a strap broke after two years, it was time to throw them away. You will be missed, my beautiful sandals.
“Finally, from so little sleeping and so much reading, his brain dried up and he went completely out of his mind.” — Miguel de Cervantes, “Don Quixote de la Mancha” I’ve always identified with this quote, partially because I think it describes what will inevitably happen to me someday. Books become so much a part of
I’ve decided I’m in love with Spain. Spaniards wake up late, go to bed late and take a nap in the middle of the day. (Seriously, most of the shops are closed from about 2-5 p.m.) Emily and Dionisio better watch out, or they’re going to find they have a permanent houseguest. After the authentic
I’m really starting to feel like this trip should be called “Shannon trying to justify her five on the AP Art History exam.” (#humblebrag?) Seriously, every place we go makes me think that maybe I should just be an Art History major instead of a Latin American History one. I love seeing so much artwork
Well, I almost got detained by a security guard today. Well, it was all in jest, but because we’re in Spain and he spoke Spanish, I UNDERSTOOD HIM! I’m so happy I get to put my Spanish-speaking abilities to use! I woke up with a terrible crick in my neck — our night of sleep
I really, really, really don’t like incompetent people. I just don’t think it shouldn’t be that hard to do something efficiently and quickly. So, I figured getting our Eurail tickets from France to Spain would be a breeze. Man alive was I wrong. The day started off so well, with a delicious breakfast (more bread!)
shannonigans 