Cologne, Germany Christmas Markets

I am still with my friend’s family at their home in Idstein. Earlier this week I spent 48 hours in Cologne. In this city in 1709 Giovanni Maria Farina, an Italian perfume maker, created a fragrance he named after his new home. He described to his brother the concoction called Eau de Cologne: “I have found a fragrance that reminds me of an Italian…

In Cologne but Never Alone: Reminded by Christmas to Fear Not

  Christmas is charged with nostalgia. I’m in bed looking out my window at the Market of the Elves in Cologne, Germany. Under tents and trees all lit up, replicas of funny bearded men beckon below. Elf statues are more numerous here than in pictures of Santa’s workshop in the book Mama Lou read to my sister and me when we were kids. I…

In Marrakech Locals and Expats Gather at Kosybar

I spent a perfect Marrakesh afternoon recently with Brigitte, owner of Kosybar and Dar Beija, with Andrena, her longtime friend. Andrena and I were off from work for Moroccan Independence Day so we were thrilled to enjoy lunch in the sunshine. Later we walked it off through the  newly refurbished Jewish Quarter to Brigitte’s beautiful boutique hotel. Day or night the three-story restaurant is…

Paradis Plage Perfect for Solo Travel on Morocco’s Atlantic Coast

Here guests ride waves, climb camels, salute the sun as it rises…then watch it set from private homes with terraces opening to the sea.

Sofitel Agadir Offers Solo Travelers Beauty and Bliss

  Recently  I stayed at 5-star Sofitel Agadir Thalassa Sea & Spa,  just named continental winner of  “Luxury Wedding Destination in Africa” by the 2015 Luxury Hotel Awards.  My time there was perfection.  Though I endorse travel for all, I especially encourage single women waiting for a prince to live happily-after-after to find your bliss now at places that will make your dreams come true.  At the…

Happy Halloween From Morocco

Teaching in an international K-12 school has more advantages than academic growth. It creates a community– of students and teachers–of all ages. Those little ones made us smile. Those juniors–sometimes characters when it’s not Halloween–make me smile, too. Seeing how gently and kindly they treated the younger children made me happy.

Worldwide Photo Walk

Last Saturday over 21k people were involved in a worldwide shooting.  From my home in Nashville to my residence in Marrakech, participants grabbed cameras and celebrated life on photo walks in 1000 locations.  To learn more about Scott Kelby’s Photo Walks go here. Ours was scheduled in the medina to begin at 9:30 at the Café de FRANCE on Jemma El Fna square.  Jon–a friend, pro…

Essaouira…When Goats Fly

I spent my second Eid al-Adha, “Festival of Sacrifice,” in Morocco perched again in my favorite holiday nest above Essaouira. I love Jack’s Apartments–especially numbers 6 and 7–positioned above the medina and wall hailed by history, Hollywood, and HBO.   From the balcony all I see is sea. All I hear are seagull shrieks slicing through blue sky and roaring winds, waves crashing into…

Riad Hikaya…Balm of Beauty

Owner John Pittaway of Riad Hikaya says it is “very, very difficult to feel sad for long in Morocco” because you are surrounded by beauty. Working five years with Marrakech artisans, he has, no doubt, created a feast for the eyes and balm for the soul.

My Marrakech: One Year Here

All we know about the future is that it will be different… So we must celebrate the changes. Because, as someone once said, everything will be all right in the end. And if it’s not all right, then trust me, it’s not yet the end. — Dame Judi Dench as Evelyn, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel  I’d said goodbyes. Hard ones. The kind that make…

St. John’s Eve in Vigo: Midsummer Night’s Dream

He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.–Isaiah 61:3 Trust your heart if the seas catch fire; live by love though the stars walk backward.—E. E. Cummings Someday, after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love, and then, for a second…

Discovering Costa Brava, Spain’s Medieval Coast: Part I

Adventure, beauty, relationship…basic human desires. All were met recently exploring Spain’s Costa Brava (Wild Coast). Between Barcelona and Jimmy Buffett’s Coast of Marseilles, I snorkeled in open waters, biked through Medieval hill towns, and laughed over meals and a pottery wheel with bloggers from Canada, the US, and Europe. I’m a romantic. I’ve always loved the Middle Ages and the sea. My first fling…