Weekend Getaway: Lambertville, Antiques Capital of NJ
"We discovered this new place that I know you’ll love," Zoraya said to me. "It’s just as quaint as Cape May, with beautiful historic houses and lots of antique stores -- and a lot closer. Let’s pick a weekend and drive down to Lambertville." I had never heard of Lambertville before but she had my attention when she said quaint, historic houses and antique stores. [caption id="attachment_5743" align="aligncenter" width="706"] Train station, Lambertville[/caption] Lambertville is situated on the Delaware River in…
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Quieting My Restless Mind
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption] I spend a lot of time in my head so when I'm having one of those days, one where my brain is so stimulated, I can't write what I want, its paralyzing. I had this week all laid out. Starting today, I'd write about Paris. I was excited by the ideas that were coming, made notes, selected the photos but now that I'm to start, I haven't been able to quiet my thoughts.…
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Soulful Sundays: Susana Baca
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption] I discovered Susana Baca through the series, Blacks in Latin America, produced by Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. that aired recently on PBS. Susana, of Afro-Peruvian descent, was born in Chorillos. According to Wikipedia, she has been a prominent figure in the revival of Afro-Peruvian music within Peru. Once I heard her music, I knew I had to get a CD. Here's De los Amores from her CD, Eco de Sombras. Enjoy! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXo4AfC8HFY] If…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Red
Everyone who knows me knows (or should know) that I love red. It's my favorite color. But when I saw this week's Photo Challenge, I panicked. Do I have anything red, I wondered? I looked at my phone -- the case is red -- and thought that if I didn't find anything, I'd take a photo of it. But a quick search on my computer turned these up. Saved! [caption id="attachment_3655" align="aligncenter" width="467" caption="Coca Cola Man on Cape Town's V&…
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Re/discovering Myself Through Travel
One of the unintended benefits of traveling, for me, is discovering something new about myself or rediscovering some personal quality that time and life had made me forget. On my last trip to London, I stayed with my sister and her family. While it was a holiday for me, it wasn't for them so I knew I'd be navigating the city on my own. It wasn't like that on my first trip. I stayed with my favorite female cousin who…
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Tasty Thursdays: Fresh Strawberry Pie
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] Image by soozums via Flickr[/caption] My almost mother-in-law and second mom was a fabulous cook who hosted elaborate parties. She was a stickler for attractive food presentation. She'd always say that food should please the eyes first before it pleased the stomach. I spent a lot of time at her home the summer following our meeting, getting to know the family. I ate a lot and discovered several dishes that have become favorites. She always prepared…
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Bob Marley, 30 Years Later – Larger in Death
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption] Today marks 30 years since the death of reggae icon, Bob Marley. I remember how shocked I was when I heard the news. I had no idea he had even been sick. I saw Bob perform once, in Montreal. My boyfriend at the time and I drove from Ottawa for the mid-week concert. I don't remember who the opening act was but when Bob finally came onstage, the crowd went wild. Around midnight,…
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A Sunday Drive Through the English Countryside
When I was growing up, we'd go for long drives on Sunday afternoons. Each Sunday was a new adventure that most times involved ice cream. I still have fond memories of those times. Though the scenery was different, our Sunday drive through the English countryside it took me back to that time. [caption id="attachment_4707" align="aligncenter" width="591"] Rapeseed[/caption] Instead of the fields of sugar cane that I would have seen in the part of Jamaica I lived, I saw fields of…
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Stonehenge – Sacred Stone Circle
I don’t remember when I first learned about Stonehenge but from the beginning, I’ve wanted to see it. As soon as I knew I would be going to London, I started searching for a tour. I opted for a private tour that would take me inside the stone circle at sunset. (There are also sunrise tours and other tours that don't go inside the circle.) Once I booked, it was hard to contain my excitement. After a scenic drive through some…
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Are Airline Seat Sizes Shrinking?
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by mralan via Flickr"][/caption] Like most travelers, whenever I plan a trip, the first thing I think about is the cost of the ticket. Depending on how long my flight will be, I also think about snacks I'll take. The size of the airline seat never crosses my mind. I consider myself average in weight and size - 5'6" and approximately 165 pounds. Yet, lately, I've noticed that even on international flights, I just fit…
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