Man, it seems like Minneapolis is getting all of the sporting events because of their fancy new stadium. Of course, the NCAA tourney will be played there on Monday, April 8th. For those of you heading to the game this upcoming week, here’s a little Minnesota refresher.
you’re gonna make it after all…
I know, it’s not for a few more days. But since St. Patty’s falls on a Sunday this year, take some time to start planning your weekend. There are celebrations all over the US (Chicago’s green river is a perennial favorite of mine), but it would be a dream (and possibly a little bit of a nightmare) to celebrate it on the Emerald Isle itself. Here’s a throwback to my day in Dublin…
Get your green on! Continue reading
Warsaw, Poland is a wonderful European capital city, with bustling markets, turbulent history, gorgeous architecture and amazing food and culture. It is a patchwork quilt of a place, its architecture reflecting a storied history: Gothic churches, medieval squares and Soviet bloc gray cube buildings. It has survived countless invasions and bombings and continues to thrive with its lively, vibrant urban-yet-traditional population.
Any visit to the city must include a trip to its beautiful Old Town. The heart of Warsaw, this area was bombed by the Germans during WWII, and restored to its former glory after the war ended. There are lots of outdoor cafes and restaurants in the square now, and you’ll find hordes of locals and tourists alike wandering about. To really experience Poland, you gotta snack on pierogies throughout the day. Locals don’t really eat them in restaurants, because they’ve got Polish grandmothers, but for the rest of us, we have to go to town…Old Town that is. Gosciniec Polskie Pierogi is one of the more well known spots, no frills, really good authentic style dumplings.
This is a city with lots of monuments and statues commemorating the many historical events that have occurred. The Warsaw Uprising Monument memorializes an uprising from the Polish underground resistance against the Nazis in 1944, who had been occupying the city for the 5 years prior. Of course, the Germans weren’t so happy about the uprising, so they basically torched 90% of the city in the years thereafter. This memorial sits in Krasinski Square, right in front of the supreme court of Poland. Very symbolic.
A short walk away is the Royal Castle, which is grand on its own, but one of the most notable attractions actually sits in front of it, the Castle Square. This may be the most charming cobblestone square in all of Europe, with its perfect pastel colored townhomes and the large King Sigismund topped column at the center (see first photo).
When traveling in Eastern Europe, there is a plethora of cathedrals and churches to see, if you’re budgeted for time, pick either St. John’s Arch Cathedral or St. Anne’s Church. Both are walking distance from the Royal Castle.
To cap off your day, head over (by car or bus) to Lazienki Park, Warsaw’s answer to Hyde Park or Central Park. This large greenspace houses manmade lake, a beautiful palace, villas, and monuments.
Possibly one of the most famous monuments in the city, there is a bronze statue dedicated to one of Warsaw’s favorite sons, Frederic Chopin.
Nocturne No. 2 is one of my all time favorites (I’m basic, what can I say?) and this statue is one of my favorite monuments, for its weeping willow canopy connecting through his body, into his hands and onto the piano.
It’s pierogi time again, and surprisingly, chain Zapiecek is actually pretty decent if you want some homestyle eats in a stylized cozy Polish setting. Or you can opt for any number of traditional folk dinners, enjoying kielbasa and Golabki (cabbage rolls) and sauerkraut. Wash it all down with vodka, you deserve it!
There are 14 cities named Greenville in the US, with the one located in South Carolina arguably the most famous. So, yeah that Greenville, as the saying goes.
Recently, I had the chance to briefly visit some friends in this area, and having no frame of reference to the area before, I can say it is a very nice place to live and raise a family. It’s a real up and comer as I would say. Lots of large suburban gated communities, which warms my suburb raised heart, yet there’s also a decently sized, vibrant, and young downtown.
so yeah, come visit that Greenville
Having grown up a stone’s throw from Disneyland, the house of mouse has somewhat lost its luster on me as an adult. I know, I know, I bet a lot of you are appalled.
For the rest of you sane lot, I just can’t reconcile spending a car payment for a day standing in lines around hordes of strangers (read: I’m old and apparently too sensible to have any fun). And living so close to Disneyland, I can hear and sometimes see the fireworks from my house every night at 9:30 PM, so I get to reap the benefits without having to withstand the hassle. I haven’t been since I was 18. And trust me, that was a LONG time ago.
That being said, I get it. People love going to Disneyland…they don’t call it the happiest place on earth for nothing. It’s a place where whimsy and magic exists, for patrons of all ages. A microcosm where you can forget the outside for a moment and just have fun. And if you have kids? It’s definitely a fantastic experience for them. Who doesn’t want to give their kids the world?
And even though I may be biased as a born and bred Anaheim native, I can still admit that Disneyworld beats our original Disneyland handily. First of all, there’s 6 parks to our 2. Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. You do have to travel to Orlando though, so I guess that’s the trade off 😉
Disneyworld is an actual a world of its own with hotels, transportation, lakes, security, grocery stores, etc. I think it’s has its own government (obviously Mr. Mouse is a despot). And although it is a resort…lest you think you’ll be having a relaxing vacation, you are sorely mistaken. More a rat race, these trips are a whirlwind of multiple parks, characters and Mickey themed everything. It’s a mousetrap! And it is basically a rite of passage for all families these days (youtube disneyworld trip reveals and then hate yourself afterwards). Yay gross consumerism!
M-I-C…see ya real soon
Nashville is one of the best places I’ve ever lived, and I’m lucky that I still have friends that live in town to visit. Literally, I will visit at the drop of a cowboy hat. Nashville is a lot like LA, except smaller, more easily navigable, and of course, musically inclined. I know it’s known for its music, but can we just talk about the food in Nashville? It’s spectacular.
This city is growing at an unbelievable pace, it seems like every time you turn around, there’s a new high rise or apartment complex. My old neighborhood in the West End (don’t think this was a coincidence, I love the Pet Shop Boys)/Charlotte is now the gateway to up and coming Nations and Sylvan Park.
I love you, Nashville.
Happy Lunar New Year! Yes, it’s not only Chinese people who celebrate the lunisolar calendar, so show a little love to your friends who are celebrating the start of year of the pig/boar today!
In Vietnam, the new year celebration is called Tet, and it is HUGE. Lots of festivals, lion dancing, fireworks, fashion, bestowing of li xi or lucky red envelopes, and feasting. If you’re ever looking for nonstop partying this time of year, book your trip to Asia to join the revelry.
A throwback to my favorite city in Vietnam today, happy new year!
Where the players play and we ride on them things like ever-y-day. How awesome was Atlanta hiphop in the early 2000s? They were so fresh, so clean clean. Usher was confessing. There were hoes in different area codes (RIP Nate Dogg). And who could forget Lil Jon’s thinly veiled euphemism to the window…to the wall…you know what I mean, Peaches and Cream?
The Super Bowl is this weekend, and while I am disappointed that my favored Chiefs didn’t make it, I am even more disappointed that the Saints didn’t. NFL is fixed, I tell you! Anyway, the big game will be played at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in ATL (not to be confused with the Mercedes-Benz Superdome of New Orleans, who did not make the Super Bowl…still salty), so get your dirty bird, dirty south on!
Atlanta is an interesting city with a lot of different personalities and there’s no shortage of entertainment to fill up these days around the Super Bowl. There’s some of the biggest companies in the world based there (Coca-cola and Turner broadcasting), one of the pre-eminent aquariums in the US, a robust entertainment industry (umm, hello Donald Glover and Walking Dead), many feisty housewives, a huge medical industry (home of the American Cancer Society and the CDC), and it’s in the deep South. And oh yeah, it hosted the Olympics!
So, be like the devil and head down to Georgia…
THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IS GOING TO BE PLAYED AT ARROWHEAD! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!
For the first time EVER, Kansas City hosts the AFC Championship game on Sunday and I am STOKED to say the least. It’s gonna be hella cold, but I know Chiefs Kingdom is going to show up. Unfortunately, I’ll be watching from Vegas (poor me, right?) but for those who are visiting KC, welcome to the loudest stadium in the NFL!
If you’ve read this blog, you may know that I lived in Kansas City just shy of a dozen years (and write about my visits) and I LOVE coming back. It will forever be my second home, and the Midwest is very dear to my heart. The trips have become fewer and far between as I am now an Adult (capital A) with a “job,” but recently I had the chance to go back for a little bit of work and a lot of play.
The changes that have occurred in this city since I left 4 years ago are astounding and numerous, and I guess in some ways I am lucky all of these cool, trendy places weren’t around when I was living there, or else I’d be broke and/or very large. I’m even luckier that many of my pals still reside here, and I get personal tours every time I return.
I visited some old favorites and found some new ones, and of course, got to spend time with people I love…which is the best reason to travel.
Going back to Kansas City!
Happy New Year! Wishing you a healthy, happy and successful 2019 filled with lots of travel! I’ve already got plans for a few trips this year, for both work (boo, just kidding these trips have to get financed somehow) and play…because the wanderlust ain’t going to feed itself, y’all.
a colossal travel year
For some reason, I had a real proclivity for countries that start with I in 2018. My travels took me to Italy, Ireland and Iceland (and my compadres added Indonesia).
all is quiet on new year’s day — booyah, another u2 reference!
I also journeyed to the UK, Kansas City, Nashville, Las Vegas, Delaware, Chicago, Baltimore and Greenville, South Carolina. Delaware was SUPER important as it marks only 4 states left for me to hit all 50! I’m coming for you next Alaska, Maine, West Virginia and North Dakota! Seriously, I already have plans to visit one this summer 😉
steppin into 2019
If the “I”s had it in 2018, then the “C”s are gonna have it this year. Hint, I’ll be cruisin’ for the first time since I was 16 :o. This means I am both old and heading to an area not otherwise easily reached by plane. Not a huge fan of open water or endless buffets, so we’ll see how that goes! It’s always an adventure, isn’t it?
may your 2019 be as relaxing as a dip in the blue lagoon
Thank you for traveling and reading along. May your travels be safe and filled with joy, good company and no lost luggage.
Traveling docs 