A New Perspective

 “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”–Henry Miller Sundays are delicious days.  Finally, the work-weary can feast on time.  We say of Monday, the most unpopular day of the week, we’ll “hit the ground running.” We lament that until the weekend we “won’t have time to turn around.”  But today I do.  And I did. In Nashville, Sundays began on…

Spring Fling with Andalusia

There are so many precious moments we take for granted or don’t appreciate until later. Then there are those that while IN the moment, we realize we are happy and THIS time we will never forget. I knew on April 3, 2015 I was in one of those moments. Since reading Paulo Coehlo’s The Alchemist–an inspiration for my move abroad– I’ve wanted to see Andalusia–the…

Hmmm…I had a Hammam

I did it. I bared all to be pampered like a princess and bathed like a baby. And I liked it. Marrakesh Must-dos for a Girl’s Day Out are what I call the 3 Ss–souk shopping, Jemaa el- Fnaa Square, and a scrub.   By- day the largest market in Africa hops with henna and monkeys and snakes, Oh My.  And by- night, pop up…

Congrats Marrakech for Being Named 2015 #1 Travel Destination in the World

I’m back in Marrakech where sidewalks in my neighborhood are crowded with tourists (Nashville, think CMA Music Festival Fan Fare).  And this party is just getting started!  While I was in Paris, Russia, and Prague (pics below) during Spring Break, my new city made big news.  What a perfect place for a travel blog. 🙂 Congrats, Marrakech, for being voted the #1 DESTINATION IN…

Easter in Europe

It’s good to be back on the blog and away in Spain.  I’m writing again, finally, from my balcony in Tarifa in another Cádiz– not the one beside Kentucky lake where I grew up, but in a province of Andalusia.  From here Santiago, seeker in The Alchemist, set out on his adventure. Here I’m taking a much needed break from mine. As the fog…

Royal Mansour for Regal Riads and Sunday Brunch

Elegant and beautiful.  Mysterious and still. Oh, Resplendent Respite. When I accepted an invitation to visit the Royal Mansour, I didn’t realize I’d be entering a sumptuous city handmade on command.  King Mohammed VI commissioned over 1000 artists from Marrakech, Fez, Meknes and Essaouira to use the finest materials in crafting the showcase of Moroccan splendor which opened in 2010.  Here guests are guided…

Spring Planting and a Wild Ride

At my home in Nashville, Tennessee my favorite room had no walls.  On my second-story deck my kids and pets would swing and I’d grill dinner most every night.  Every day started under the trees with coffee, a Quiet Time,  writing until heat drove me inside.  I taught three streets from my school and  Friday nights Wildcats would swing by after the game. The…

Snowbird Report from The Atlas Mountains

All winter, especially when stressed, I’ve looked to the Atlas Mountains from whence cometh my strength.  Surrounding Marrakesh the  snowy sentinels protect my heart and mind, particularly when work gets stressful.  I take my lunch and take to the hills.  Literally.  Staring at their beauty is a breather that calms my soul. Seeing pictures from home of Kentucky and Tennessee buried under record snow…

Best Beaches in Morocco: Agadir

I was the first on the bus ready to ride. I had pulled into the Marrakech train station from Casablanca the night before, and at 8 AM Ismail drove me to Supratours (located behind the trains).  I had taken the bus to Essaouira (2 hours and 15 minutes west of Marrakech) and loved that beach town for its mystery and authentic Moroccan feel.  This time I…

To Russia and Rick in Casa

“Play it again, Sam…” Like Tom Cruise I’d been sent on a mission. Anxiety, however, made me fancy myself more like Frodo. I was to go to Casablanca on a workday to the Russian Consulate to pick up a dozen passports/visas. I opted to take a Sam—my friend, Kate–in search of Russia and another Sam at Rick’s cafe on the Moroccan coast. The plan…

Cupid Crawl from Riad Mur Akush to La Maison Arabe

Each day for six months has been nothing but new. My only constant has been change. Even traditions–Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve—were celebrated in first-ever ways. St. Valentine’s Day 2015 I climbed with friends to a riad rooftop supported by 300-year-old walls. New chums encircled by the snowy Atlas Mountains, we sat sleeveless  on a sunny summit above the Marrakech Medina. Good company,…

Beauty Break at La Mamounia

“I’ve always found this a trying time of the year.  The leaves not yet out, mud everywhere you go.  Frosty mornings gone. Sunny mornings not yet come.  Give me blizzards and frozen pipes, but not this nothing time, not this waiting room of the world.” — C.S.Lewis in Shadowlands I’m so ready for spring, and last weekend I needed a Beauty Break. Badly. I’m…