The table across from me holds three characters. A woman clad in an off the shoulder turquoise top fans herself as her face seems to glisten. The woman seated next to her reads a magazine with black-rimmed glasses on the very tip of her nose. The man at the table appears relaxed, transfixed on the woman in turquoise. Then, another colorful character enters the picture, a woman dressed in gathered leather pants. Probably well into her sixties, she dances to the “cha cha” truly as if no one is watching her. This group sits and dances to my diagonal right in a loud bar in Porto. Potentially the Continue Reading
The Gracia Neighborhood of Barcelona Wishes You Were Here
The streets of the Gracia neighborhood in uptown Barcelona cannot be confused with any other city or town toward the end of August. The Fiesta de Gracia zaps the laid back neighborhood with bands, fireworks, drinks, bocadillos, and decorations you truly must see to believe. The residents of each street meet to decide their theme. The best-decorated street in the neighborhood goes home with a prize. The decorations turn into dream-like visions. Wooden planks form a giant arch down one as little old ladies scramble to write their name and message as others have done before them. As I sign my Continue Reading
The Work In Progress Traveler At La Sagrada Familia
As I eagerly climb the metro stairs up to bright Barcelona daylight, I expect to walk up to one of the city’s most pictured attractions, La Sagrada Familia. However, a Disney line met me, snaking around the Gaudi structure as though an exhilarating ride was on the other end. I hesitated. Is it really worth it to go in? Then, reason kicked in and I recognize I’m not sure I will be back here or see this under construction church actually completed. Twelve euros later, I enter the work in progress church. Construction on La Sagrada Familia began March 19, 1882. Just one year later, famed Continue Reading
Copenhagen, Denmark Wishes You Were Here
Copenhagen is a city I almost hated because I was so envious of just how pretty and perfect it seemed. Strangely modern architecture and the old styles fit as though they were all part of the city's grand puzzle. Strolling through the streets and waterways of Copenhagen, you are bound to see some aspect of the city's beautiful mix of young and old. Even with a truck blocking the way, this building grabbed me. I guess if you don't have a flower box on your place of residence, you can always create one, Copenhagen style. Would you like to have your photo featured here? Email me at suzy [at] Continue Reading
Castel del Monte in Italy Wishes You Were Here
Driving through olive groves and sun scorched plains, on top of a hill, a fortress breaks up the landscape of Italy’s heel. In the middle of nowhere in the Puglia region of Italy, a lone castle waits, elevated from the common man or woman. This castle is unlike most in Italy, enough that UNSECO gave it its stamp of approval. Castel del Monte makes you work to reach her. A 20-minute walk in the hot Italian sun up to the Castle’s feet doesn’t go without reward. Fredrick II had the castle constructed in 1240. The strange octagonal shape alludes to the idea that the castle could have been some Continue Reading
Medieval Soiree In Silves, Portugal
Prickly straw pokes my bare skin as I taste God only knows what while sipping Sangria out of a handmade ceramic mug. Little did I know, today was not the day for shorts or a weak stomach. Pushy Portuguese crowd my dinner table. Communal, crowded yet colorful, Portugal still manages to muster up medieval times in a modern world. While in the Algarve region of Portugal, with high-rise hotels, resorts and drones of beach bums crowding every inch of sand, for me, it wasn’t time to park my pasty self on a towel and bake in the sun, but rather find the only patch of shade no one seemed to want. Continue Reading
The Sahara Desert in Morocco Wishes You Were Here
Today's "Wish You Were Here" photographs come from Karin of the World On My Doorstep. Both photos are taken in the Sahara Desert, Morocco, where we boarded a camel safari from Merzouga into Erg Chebbi. The rolling sand dunes were breathtaking to see. Camels have traditionally always been the desert nomads' livelihood, and we saw this reflected in how they would treat their animals with so much care and love. Be sure to check out Karin's travel site, World On My Doorstep. Would you like to have your photo featured here? Email me at suzy [at] suzyguese [dot] com. Continue Reading