Saint-Émilion, Home of the World’s Most Convincing Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Is nine months too late to write an overdue travel post? Last June we found ourselves in peaceful Saint-Émilion, staying in an historic farmhouse in the middle of wine country.1 We began in Bordeaux on the day of a huge wine festival,2 enjoying local wine and the best sunset of our trip. The following day, we explored Saint-Émilion, an ancient city dating back to prehistoric times. We explored Roman ruins, sampled more local wine (of course), confused a cat, and visited a nearby market town with friends. We bought homemade, herb-encrusted...
read more ->Carcassonne, a Day in Verse
Oh! Dear readers, do please accept apologies, for I have kept away too long, and long delayed more stories of our escapades.1 Imagine now an ancient city, fortified, and very pretty. Up to the walls march our young heroes. Unarmed with any sword or spear, so2 luckily equipped with minds astute, we snuck in through the tourist route. The gate was tall, the passage narrow. We tried to shoot through like an arrow but all around us, like molasses were lumpy tourists on their asses.3 (Observing these most grave offenses, we understood the strong...
read more ->Weekend in Italy
Two months ago, I ended up in Italy for a conference. (You know, my glamorous librarian lifestyle.) In a misguided effort to save money, I flew a discount airline to Bergamo, rather than straight to Milan where the conference was. And you know what? That ended up being one of my best travel decisions ever. The trip was off to an excellent start with the continuation of my favorite Madrid airport tradition. (Favorite tradition, not favorite airport. Madrid-Barajas is a soulless warehouse of an airport, with vast, fluorescent-lit hallways and...
read more ->Morocco, Weeks Fifteen and Sixteen
I’m combining weeks fifteen and sixteen into one post because the former was action-packed and full of new experiences, while the latter was uneventful and full of work. Any week that begins with Halloween is destined to go well.1 Sadly, Halloween is not a widely celebrated holiday in Morocco. Luckily for me, I work at an international school, which means I can go to work in costume and receive admiration and smiles instead of funny looks. So at precisely 7:30am, I was sitting in the library in a reasonably convincing gypsy costume,...
read more ->Morocco, Week One
Two weeks ago, I moved to Morocco. I’ve been so busy settling in, getting to know the city, and having fantastic adventures that I’m only just now getting to this post. But better late than never! Over the first few days I organized my beautiful apartment,1 met some co-workers, and even introduced myself (awkwardly) to a couple of neighbors. I went on an unsuccessful quest for basil, oregano, rosemary, and aloe vera plants. I had my first tagine.2 I explored the oldest parts of the city, enjoyed a sunset on the beach with my toes...
read more ->
Writer, illustrator, musician, rogue librarian, explorer, ill-fated baker.