In [No]r[way] should I have left.

July 20, 2019 by Sarah Prezioso in Travel Suggestions, Story Time

If you haven’t experienced Norway or the Sognefjords you really should add it to your list of places to visit. It’s a natural wonder that literally will make you, well, wonder.

It’s hard to describe in words Norway’s longest fjord; fjord being the Old Norse word for long, narrow, deep inlets of the sea between high cliffs. Honestly, this experience was more of a sonic one for me more than anything. Between the stillness of the water as the ferry made its way through miles of waterway, to the sounds of the “7 Sisters” conversing with the “Suitor”, the wind trying to impart stories of the past, and an epic playlist; it all made leaving that ferry difficult. If I worked remotely, I would have no complaints living in that part of Norway. But in order to get there, I had to get to my access city of Bergen.

Although the fjords of Norway were at the top of my list to see, Bergen was not the first city I was able to see them from. Due to plane delays and mishaps with airlines (KLM -- I’m watching you >.<), and staff that was less than accommodating, I ended up routed more north than I was supposed to be… a day and half later… without luggage that didn’t arrive till two days later. Although I was rather irritated by the whole thing, the minute I looked out of my airplane window before landing at the Ålesund Airport in Vigra, magic became tangible. That first birds eye view out of my airplane window gave me a glimpse of a world where the line between imagination and reality was finely walked. I found myself beginning to understand how the beauty of nature could , in fact, be something unfathomable.

Although the stay was just long enough — oh about 4 hours — to venture out of its tiny, but quaint, airport, for a quick jaunt around the island, it made it to my list of “must returns.” It definitely deserves more of my attention. I mean come on, look at how inviting it is. In all honesty, I find it be one of the most beautiful cities in this country. Which says a lot, because I really, really like Bergen too.

The flight to Bergen was 45 minutes of pure fjord views. I don’t think my neck has recovered yet and it’s been almost a year since I’ve visited.

After finally arriving to Bergen, checking into the hotel, showering, and putting on the outfit from two days before — pro tip always carry a spare outfit in your carry on— I was ready to walk around this charming city. My hotel was located just 10 minutes from the wharf where the famous view of the Bryggen, or the dock, could perfectly be enjoyed. The Byrggen features colorful wooden houses that was once the center of the commercial trading in Norway. It is a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, and the city itself is a designated World Heritage City. Hidden just behind the iconic facades is a passage that leads to small shops, galleries and artist studios. It’s very reminiscent of a medieval village where once the old store rooms held salted cod and other goods shipped to and from Norway, you can now find an art and design community with goods created by local artists. The passages and houses at Bryggen are all have unique names - Holmedalsgården, Bellgården, Jacobfjorden, Bredsgården and Bugården - and they create a great backdrop for photo ops.

While in Bergen, besides visiting the fjords, I also suggest venturing to Mt. Ulriken. If you like stellar views and are an adrenaline junkie, it’s the best place for you. Zip lining, parasailing, hiking trails, and views. There’s not much more one could ask for……... a million dollars….a handsome Norwegian of my own… to be able to just travel all the time… eat all the food with no weight repercussions …. ANNNNDDDD I digress.

You should also venture through their fish market and enjoy some fresh seafood or the catch of the day right there on the dock. Strike up conversations with locals while you’re there, I swear Norway has the friendliest people.

Now, in order to get to the fjords you need to catch a ride to the train station, hop on a train, and then take a bus that drives you through the most insanely beautiful valley with waterfalls everywhere you turn, finally arriving at the dock where you are to board your ferry. There are many tour companies that have this adventure set up and I highly suggest doing research on this. Fortunately for me this was already designed and all I had to do was follow directions along side the travel mates that I met up with. It’s an entire days worth of adventure that becomes filled with so many picturesque moments, having cameras installed in our eyes would be worth whatever the pain would be to have it.

Once you board the ferry, definitely head for the front and make yourself cozy once you’ve walked made your rounds. Make sure to bring a jacket as the wind will make it a little chilly no matter what time of year you’re visiting. Remember to bring your head phones too. If you’re anything like me, background music to emotional landscapes are key. So I found the perfect vantage spot, right below the captains window and popped in my headphones. I’m usually not one to be anti social on trips and adventures but sometimes it can be beneficial to sit alone. Or at least until you have a friend decide to come enjoy the view with you. Shout out to you Kyle. You know friends are good ones when you can sit in silence, listen to music, and just enjoy the scenery.

Oh.. I can’t mention Kyle without talking about Kristin. If I thought I had flight issues, this girl takes THE cake. Long story short, she made it just in time to board the train at the station — tears in tow along with my luggage, I’m sure seeing my wonderful face after terrible travel days made it all worth it. (Well at least I’m 50% sure).

The fjords are utterly gorgeous. There’s something about being that far north, in the crisp clean air, with the sun shining. I’m afraid I will never be able to accurately convey my feelings while riding that ferry. I know I keep saying it was magical, and I really cannot describe it more clearly than that. I’ll just leave you here with these images that are unjustly captured. Also, if you feel like it, I’ve linked to a playlist here with a few of the songs I was listening to.

Kyle and I sitting in front of the captains window.

I really hope at this point you’re ready to catch a flight to Bergen.

On our journey through the Sognefjord ended in Aurlandsfjord where we were able to catch the train on the Flåm Rail line from Flåm to Myrdal and then another train from Myrdal to Bergen. It’s a ride that takes around two hours to descend 866 metres and runs through the mountainous Flåmsdalen valley, over flowing with views of trickling waterfalls, little wooden farmhouses and rugged peaks. The Flåmsbana line does a great job of mixing Norwegian culture with entertainment. During the ride, you’re given a history lesson while enjoying gorgeous views. Waterfalls are in abundance in this area and unless you’re hiking, you rarely come within 100 feet of one. However one of highlights of taking this train is that you’ve given is close look at the Kjosfossen waterfall. As the train arrives to this viewing platform, passengers are allowed to disembark for a short break. While enjoying this up close view all of a sudden music begins to play and then a mysterious woman with long hair and a red dress emerges from the forest, dancing to the Norwegian folk song. Then it hit me, the timing of this stop followed the trains history lesson on local folklore. Duh, this is the Huldra, an elusive forest spirit from Norse mythology. According to the folklore, the Huldra has often been described as a typical dairymaid wearing the clothes of a regular farm girl, although somewhat more dazzling than most girls and known to appear from out of the rain and mist, friendly and enticing to the point that no man can resist her charm. But men, you should be wary, for if she manages to lure you into the forest she’ll suck the life out of you!…. an cue the witty comments… lol.

After our brief stop we re-boarded and made our way to Myrdal, where we were greeted with news of a train delay for our next leg of our return journey. In order to pass the time we ended up exploring the area around the train station for a little while. There is not much in the area besides a few homes. It’s essentially a large valley where the temptation for hiking never falters. No matter the direction you turned there were mountains that were calling. If you crossed the tracks to the footpath just beyond the fence that led to the homes, you came across a little river that was ice cold. It was just beautiful, especially as the sun began to set.

Rick Riordan said it best, “Pretty didn't do it justice. I felt like we'd sailed into a world meant for much larger beings, a place where gods and monsters roamed freely.” Norway’s beauty is unsurpassed in my book. Every traveler exchanges pieces of themselves with the places they explore. We find new meanings, old memories, we release the tension that we carry on our shoulders, we find ourselves, we feel like ourselves again, we recharge. I regret leaving Norway, but I look fjord to my return.

Perhaps, they'll listen now: Van Gogh

March 20, 2019 by Sarah Prezioso in Travel Suggestions, Museums

There has never been a museum going experience for me, like my time at the Van Gogh Museum.
It moved me to tears.

but first… the back story

I’ve always known who Van Gogh was from his Sunflowers and Starry Night to Don Mclean’s Vincent. However, about two years ago I happened upon the movie Loving Vincent while I was on a flight to somewhere overseas, for what seemed like the millionth time that year. It was the worlds first fully painted feature film (65,000 pieces of art in total), that animated his artwork to tell the story of his last weeks through interviews with characters from his life. It blended truths with a story line that introduces viewers to Van Gogh’s work, giving them a new life in this unusual kind of biopic. The protagonist of the film, Armand Roulin, is charged with delivering Vincent’s final letter to his beloved brother, Theo. Through the course of the film Armand finds a new respect for Vincent as he talks with those who knew Vincent during his last six weeks. Armand was trying to piece together exactly what had happened. Trying to understand his state of mind, how he was feeling, who his enemies were, and what secrets he had. Ultimately, it is left up to the viewer to form their own conclusions about what transpired in the time leading to his death. Armand’s character simply lays out for the viewer the kinds of relationships Van Gogh had in his last weeks. The movie provided me a new appreciation for his artwork as well as created interest in his life. Like I said, I knew who he was, but nothing much about him. After watching this movie I started reading what I could about him, watching documentaries, and finding love in his artworks.

In my consumption of all things Van Gogh, I began to fall in love with his view of the world, the way he expressed himself in writing, and in the way he loved. Sure, it’s hard to avoid the cliche reasoning as to why I and many others love his work. He was a tortured soul, but he was more complicated than that. He was educated, was well-read, fluent in multiple languages, and his photographic memory allowed him to vibrantly recall the details of a Rembrandt he’d seen years earlier. His devotion to his art speaks of a man who was not afraid to take risks. His artistic choices were thought out, deliberate. He never wanted to conform or copy the trend. He was true to himself despite the odds and carried on even if he couldn’t sell his art. Posthumously being known as the Father of Expressionism is not difficult to understand when looking at his colors, brushwork, and designs. He sold more than just what you saw visually. He sold the emotion, the connection to what he was seeing through the lens of his pain and difficulties. His uniqueness was what made him brilliant. He was stubborn and selfish yet possessed tenderness and compassion. He had his demons and he had his rays of hope.

In the last minutes of the Doctor Who episode “Vincent and the Doctor” the Doctor and Amy brought Vincent to a modern day exhibit of his work at the Muse D’Orsay in Paris, where he overhears Dr. Black give his thoughts on his artwork, thoughts that resonated with me.

“His command of color, the most magnificent. He transformed the pain of his tormented life into ecstatic beauty. Pain is easy to portray, but to use your passion and pain to portray the ecstasy and joy and magnificence of our world. No one had ever done it before. Perhaps no one ever will again. To my mind, that strange, wild man who roamed the fields of Provence was not only the world's greatest artist, but also one of the greatest men who ever lived.”
- Dr. Black, Doctor Who, Episode 10

I will never know Vincent Van Gogh, but I feel like I do.

The Museum…

On one of my many adventures to Europe, I was finally able to spend time in Amsterdam where my number one bucket list item for the city was to visit the Van Gogh Museum. I was lucky enough to get a ticket during my stay, as they tend to sell out (or so I had been told by friends). *Pro-tip, purchase your tickets online before you go.*

Entering the museum was just like any other time, until I walked into gallery on the first floor.
I was struck instantly by the eyes of Van Gogh.

Self Portrait in Felt Hat, 1887 . Collection of the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam. — *Self Portrait in Felt Hat*, 1887 . Collection of the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam.

As I set foot in the gallery the first work I stopped at was Self Portrait with Pipe, Spring 1886. I had seen a few of his portraits in books and on internet searches but they’re so flat, so one dimensional, that when you see the piece in person you realize what you’d been missing. Van Gogh had painted many self portraits throughout the years, playing with colors and textures, forms, and expressions. When you walk through a room lined with his many portraits it’s easy to see. Moving from one portrait to the next I kept getting stopped by his eyes. It was just an art piece, it’s inanimate… yet the life that he was able to be express was hauntingly beautiful. The age old expression that the eyes are a window to the soul, never felt so real as it did in those moments. We were given glimpses into his head space and his emotions. We might not ever fully comprehend the story behind the art but, it’s there for us to see if we just pay attention. Maybe he was trying to get us to understand that point — if we just paid attention more, maybe we could understand more.

Self Portrait with Pipe, 1886. Collection of the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam. — *Self Portrait with Pipe*, 1886. Collection of the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam.

The other amazing thing that stood out to me while walking through the gallery was that the shape of his eyes. The were kept consistent despite technique. Each portrait added to the printed timeline on the wall, allowing us to visually see the correlation between period and style. I also couldn’t help humming to myself the Don Mclean song. So like the softy that I am, I put my headphones in and listened to the Josh Groban version of the song a few times… ok maybe I had it on repeat… and maybe I was listening to it while walking through the whole museum. I also decided to sit for a moment in the gallery, in front of Self Portrait in Front of the Easel, 1888 and decided to people watch. It was a sight to see, so many people wandering from piece to piece. Some giving due diligence, but the majority of them just wandering from piece to piece. Everyone goes through museums differently, I get that. Not everyone is interested in the same things. But, it was just amazing to watch people glance, and then go about their day.

While sitting on the bench I had a moment where II flashed back to the Doctor Who episode and imagined what Van Gogh’s reaction would be if he was sitting there next to me, watching the people go by. On the one hand, I imagine that he would be elated having a museum dedicated just to him and having people fawn over his life’s work. On the other, I imagine him being confounded by the people who spared less than a minute at artworks that took hours to complete, yet they paid to just glimpse them. But that’s neither here nor there as it’s something that will never happen . Unless there happens to be a time machine laying around — anyone know the 1-800 number for the Tardis?

As I continued floor by floor of the museum, I became engrossed in the story that was unfolding. I think I aimlessly wondered from room to room and sometimes wound up back in the same places I had just walked from. I remember passing certain people time and time again. I must have looked dazed. The second floor of the museum covers his life as a peasant, his changing perspectives, his time in Paris and who he made friends with while there, and the Japanese influence he fell in love with. Japan is one of my favorite places so I can understand his draw to it. It was there on the second floor that I was finally able to see many of the works displayed in books and in the documentaries, up close. Sunflowers, The Yellow House (the Street), The Bedroom, Irises, The Potato Eaters, Almond Blossom, and Pollard Birches - all pieces with details that I’ve missed. The more that I looked at each work the more the color and the brushstrokes spoke. He used his color choices to define space, like how he illustrated the climate in The Yellow House with the sun directly shining on the facade facing you contrasting the greens in the shadows and the blue sky.

It wasn’t until I came to The Window in the Studio which was painted in October of 1889, that the tears came. In May of 1889 Van Gogh admitted himself as a patient to the Saint Paul de Mausole asylum in Saint Rémy de Provence until the following year. There were a series of events that culminated in his voluntary admission. Starting with his relationship with painter Paul Gauguin who moved to Arles to work with Van Gogh. One of Van Gogh’s dreams was to create an artist colony in Arles and he thought with Gauguin moving in, his dream would become a reality. However, their relationship soon deteriorated as tensions over how art should be created rose. Van Gogh believed that working from reality was the way to go and Gauguin believed that imagination was more important. One argument lead to another until one night just before Christmas in 1889, Van Gogh was left so distraught from their arguing that he cut off his left ear. According to the doctor that treated Van Gogh, when asked what drove him to cutting his ear off, Van Gogh’s reply was that it was personal matter.

The Yellow House (The Street), 1888. Collection of the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands. — *The Yellow House (The Street),* 1888. Collection of the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Window in the Studio, 1889. Collection of the Vincent Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands. — *Window in the Studio*, 1889. Collection of the Vincent Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

In a letter to his brother, Theo, Van Gogh wrote “I well knew that one could break one’s arms and legs before, and that then afterwards that could get better but I didn’t know that one could break one’s brain and that afterwards that got better too.” After coming to his senses while hospitalized he soon found himself readmitted due to new breakdowns. These episodes Van Gogh experienced often left him confused, scrambling to pick up the pieces of life in between them. Life for him did not get better as his neighbors in Arles had become afraid of him and wanted him out of his apartment in the Yellow House. In April, he admitted himself to the asylum in Saint Rémy. After May 1890 he moved to a village near Paris called Auvers in order to be closer to his brother. Despite painting consistently in his final months, he never recovered… he lost hope… and eventually took his own life.

Standing in front of The Window in the Studio, all of that kind of slammed into me and tears welled up. Coupled with Josh Groban singly sweetly in my ear about Vincent. During his stay at the asylum he threw himself into his art, hating idleness. He enlivened his studio with color using dark colors for outlines rather than letting he colors define the space like he did in The Yellow House. I interpret this painting a little differently, Vincent might have just been painting what he was looking at, but to me it’s a commentary on his mindset. Outside his window was a world vibrant and clear, full of beauty. The color he chose for the sky is the first thing my eye is drawn to. Inside his room, which was more like his mind, was still vivd in color but was muddy and muted. Remember my reference to windows and souls? Here it’s literal. The window is his how he looks out on the world, but the room is his mind trying to compute and cope with the world in the midst of his mental breakdowns. It’s a very fascinating thought. To me, this artwork represents more than just the room he stayed. It represents his mindset. Then when you think about the story of his life, his relationships and the emotions he was processing, it’s hard for this to not be one of my favorites, actually it is my favorite work of his.

Do you have a favorite Van Gogh piece? If so, what it is and why! I’m always interested in hearing other peoples thoughts.

P.S.

The whole reason I even started this blog post, was because the Houston Museum of Fine Arts just opened an exhibit Vincent van Gogh: His Life in Art which will showcase his evolution as an artist. It is the only venue that will house this exhibit of 50 masterworks and I’m SO excited to go see it. The show runs until June 27th and I’ll be there to see it in April. From what I’ve been able to read about the exhibit and the few clips on it, there are some interactive areas where they’ve blown up images or recreated the scenes for you to be a part of. I’m hoping to have a moment with my window once again and visit with some of my other friends.

Weekend Warrior: Denver Part 2

March 20, 2019 by Sarah Prezioso in Travel Suggestions, Weekend Warrior

There’s nothing better than getting a text from a friend that says,
“Denver. My birthday weekend. Let’s go.”

Shortly after having planned the weekend trip with Dominic to Denver, which you can read here, my travel bestie Kristin and I were talking about how we are always constantly going places each month. Or at least we make it a point to be somewhere different once a month. She wanted to go somewhere for her birthday which is in February and when she found out Denver was in the works with Dominic she decided that was the place she wanted to go. Especially to see the snow covered mountains. So, three weeks after my initial trip to Denver, I was darkening Kyle’s doorstep once more, along with Dominic to accompany Kristin for her birthday.

After seeing photos and snaps from my previous trip to Denver, Kristin became more and more excited about seeing the “snow covered mountains.” So a thought crossed my mind; let’s just rent a cabin for a night. Between Dominic’s “oohs” and “ahhs” the last time around, I figured we could all just use a mountain escape. So after consulting with Kyle, our Denver expert, we decided on a place to rent for the Saturday night of our trip. Since we were only going to have the one night there I thought it would be fun to just bond, play games, have a few drinks, and just enjoy being in the mountains. Kyle, obviously, would take care of the sight seeing aspect since he did such a good job the last time around.
During one of our planning phone calls Kyle and I were trying to decide if Kristin’s reactions to the scenery would beat Dominic’s…. well… while Kristin was as equally excited she was NOT hanging out of windows to get photos and wasn’t as surprised by mountain wildlife. Therefore, Dominic definitely can keep his “Such a Tourist” award safe and sound. Lmao.

And the weekend arrives…

Kristin and I planned our flights to arrive pretty much at the same time to make it convenient for Kyle to pick us up together. Although we made it easier for Kyle, I ended up having to wait for her for almost an hour due to delays. Side note: at some point in this blog of mine I’ll have to dedicate a post to how much “bad juju” Kristin (and I) have had in the past 8 months with flights. Once she arrived our gracious host picked us up and took us to enjoy a much needed dinner. Where did we go you my ask? Fat Burger. Knowing my penchant for burger ending up at a burger place is not too far of a stretch. It was decent, had nothing on In-and-Out or even my favorite burger place in the UK - which you can read about here. After dinner we headed back to the house where we stayed up talking and catching up until Kyle, like the old man that he is, went to bed.

The next morning we got up, went a grabbed some much needed coffee, and picked up Dominic at the airport. My initial thought once Dominic was in the car was… YES! now Kristin can be my witness to the bromance between the guys. It was so nice to have another female around. Especially during the moments where the guys were being guys and checking out their “views” — cue eye roll. We then headed to breakfast at the Moonlight Diner, where I can’t remember what I ordered but I sure do remember how much Kristin enjoyed her blueberry pancakes. Once breakfast was done Kyle, Kristin, and I headed back to the house for a little while as Dominic met up with a friend. To kill time we revisited our pre-teen/teen years and enjoyed some rounds of Mario Kart. Which proved to be entertaining as the level of competitiveness began to rise. Mainly between Kyle and Kristin… much to Kyle’s dismay Kristin proved a challenge, though he won’t admit it. After an hour or two we finally headed out to pick up Dominic… once again…. and head towards to the cabin. We made a pit stop at Apple Jacks and the grocery store to pick up alcohol and food for the night. By this time, we were all a little hungry so Kyle readjusted our route and made the decision to stop at Tommyknockers for a few beers and appetizers. The drive there gave Kristin a taste of the mountain range, which was pretty still as impressive as it was the first time we drove through there. With her sweet DJing skills and hilarious conversation with everyone the ride to Tommyknocker didn’t see that long. Obviously though our stop just for a “few” beers turned into actual meals. So by the time we made it to the cabin food was the furthest thing from our minds. I was kind of bummed we missed the views on the drive to the cabin, since it was already dark. But it was still nice, in a “this could have been a horror film” kind of way. Driving on unpaved roads in the middle of trees, thank the Lord for GPS. Once we got to the cabin we unloaded the car, which gave us flat landers a taste of the elevation difference. Going up and down the steps from the deck to the guest cabin made us all — except Kyle — feel out of shape. Comfy clothes called our names once we recovered and then we spent the night laughing, drinking, playing card games [aka everyone gang up on Kristin and make the birthday girl drunk], and getting serenaded by each other as the music playing brought us back to our high school days.

Being the eve of Kristin’s birthday, making it to midnight was key. However, we barely managed to do that. The guys passed out prior to, so Kristin and I stayed up talking until one… I think then went to bed because we had all talked about getting up early to watch the sun rise from the deck of our cabin.

I’m actually proud of us, we got up and enjoyed the sunrise. Well… us meaning everyone but Kyle. Then grill master Dominic whipped up the food we had intended to use for dinner, as breakfast. I can honestly say that burgers (seasoned to perfection by moi), brats, eggs, and bacon never tasted so good.

After we packed up and drove back down the mountain, we took detours for different views — or as Kyle calls it, not getting lost. But that made the drive that much more interesting. The Colorado mountains are majestic. We were also got suckered into hiking. Not that I don’t love hiking, but I wasn’t prepared and then you have to factor in the elevation change. For us low landers (although El Paso does have some elevation) it can be a trek uphill as our lungs aren’t used to it. Plus it was cold. Plus it was windy. But, we got to meet many dogs along the way.

Monday while Kyle was at work the three of us ventured to Snooze for breakfast followed by a venture to the zoo. Which, I’m sure would have been great if it wasn’t freezing and half of the animal exhibits were closed for construction. The saving grace of the trip though was spending time with the gorillas. I was having a total Dian Fossey moment with one of the male gorillas until the larger, more dominate male showed up. Then the two just antagonized each other.

After the Zoo we hit a Korean BBQ place that I had wanted to try since the last visit (Korean food is probably in my top 3 kinds of food). It was Kristin’s first time eating Korean food and I’m pretty sure we converted her — at least for the grilled meats and the buchimgae (pancake). Regrettably after lunch we had to head back to the house as Dominic and I had to catch our flights.

This trip was all about relaxing and just enjoying each others company. I’m happy to have friends who are always down to an adventure. Friends that are down for you inviting yourself and adding to the fun. I would call this birthday trip a success and I hope Kristin enjoyed her weekend just as much as I did! Love you friend!!

Weekend Warrior: Riverbend Hot Springs

January 29, 2019 by Sarah Prezioso in Travel Suggestions, Weekend Warrior

Welcome to
Relaxation Station!

“Long considered sacred by the Apache and Mimbres tribes of southern New Mexico, the natural, mineral rich water of Riverbend Hot Springs has been relaxing and rejuvenating warriors and peace-seekers alike, for centuries.

Weekend getaways are always my favorite. Especially after a long week at work, “me time” is desperately calling. Riverbend Hot Springs has become a favorite hideaway for a few of my close friends and I. So much so that we try to make it out once every few months to just recharge, catch up, and ultimately relax. It’s the place we go to when we’re having rough patches, want to celebrate moments, or just appreciate nature.

I was first introduced to this place via my old coworkers who have became family. We’ve been friends for over 10 years despite our lives changing, going in different directions, moving, coming back, break ups, new relationships, etc. We’ve been there for each other, despite it all. They’re the kinds of people that are rare these days. The people that can pick up right where you left off despite any length of time. Each personality, strengths, and weaknesses perfectly balancing each other.

After driving about an hour north of Las Cruces, New Mexico on I-25 take exit 79 into Truth or Consequences and turn right on to S. Broadway. About a mile or so down you’ll turn onto Austin and follow that road to this hidden oasis. T or C used be known as Hot Springs, NM and is better known for its outdoor recreation. If you’re a fan of camping Elephant Butte Lake State Park is not that far away. It’s a small town off the main highway that is easily missed while driving through to Albuquerque or El Paso. You’d stop to fill up your tank, possibly find some food, and go about your day getting to wherever you were going.

It’s not a place that many make their final destination unless you know people there, are fans of the hot springs, or are camping. At least, that’s my opinion.

Riverbend is an open-air hot spring that sits on the banks of the Rio Grande River allowing you to take in the fresh air and enjoy the views of Turtleback mountain. The moment you get out of the car you can just sense the relaxation that’s about to happen. Or it might be the soothing music that they play greeting your ears. With an enforced WHISPER policy throughout the area you know they take relaxing seriously.

There’s something to be said about getting out of your hometown even it’s an hour or two away. Taking that time to drive away and leave things behind does wonders for the soul. You become a new person to new people with a clean slate, even its temporary. Sometimes that alone is reason enough to escape. To breathe!

Uploaded by Sarah Prezioso on 2019-01-29.

Now, on any given trip to the mineral rich hot springs, you can choose to bath in the common pools (swimsuits required!) for $12 an hour or you can book a private pool (swimsuits optional!) ahead for $15 an hour. The I highly recommend doing a private pool especially if you need your me time. In my case, it’s always girl time. They have 7 different private rooms that you can choose from which you can view here and the temperatures range from 100-108 degrees Fahrenheit. We are partial to the Navajo room as it’s the largest private pool. However the other rooms are just as nice and have the same beautiful view of the Rio Grande and mountains.

Most of the time we drive up and spend a few hours however you also have the option to stay over night in one of their cabins (just be sure to book in advance!). The next time we plan a girls weekend that will be our intent.

Cucumber, strawberry, mint, blueberries, and lemon.

Now, being that these are private pools you’re not allowed to bring in glass or food. It’s all about helping keep clean the environment. But you can bring in water in an ice chest (you could even bring in a little something stronger to drink as they rarely check… HOWEVER, you’re bathing in 100+ degree water… staying hydrated is what’s important. Follow our lead and make some fruit infused water the night before... or bring along some orange juice and champagne in non glass bottles.

On this excursion we booked a back to back session in a private pool. I believe you can only do three sessions in a row or if you feel like you want more time you can always take a dip in the common areas. They request that you arrive 20-30 mins before your scheduled session as you’ll need time to check in, pay up, and shower before entering your designated pool.

Once you’re pool ready you’re asked to wait by the gazebo and an attendant will come get you when your pool is ready. When you arrive to your private pool, which isn’t that long of walk between the office, shower area, and gazebo, you’re reminded to lock the door behind you. Private areas are clothing optional and you also don’t want people walking in and out of your booked room. Ten minutes before your session is up they’ll quietly knock on the door alerting you your time is almost up and to vacate the area. The pools have shower heads above them that’ll let cold water fall if you get over heated.

Other than the pool rules and not overheating, you’re set to relax.

You can’t go wrong with an outing at Riverbend Hot Springs.
But don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself!!!

I AM WATER
by anchormysoul14

I want to be like water,
flowing freely with the current.

I want to be like water,
infiltrating Life into the seeds buried deep.

I want to be like water,
forcefully falling down then peacefully swaying to the tune of the serenity sea.

I want to be like water,
rushing and relaxing when need be.

I want to be like water,
making its way through the cracks even when the barrier’s concrete.

I want to be like water,
riding with the tide and tumbling over rocks.

I want to be like water,
quenching the thirst of the dryest areas on earth.

I want to be like water,
rippling the influence of the Rock’s first splash.

I want to be like water,
reflecting the beauty of a sunset that ignites every eye.

I want to be water,
resourceful for all.

I want to be water,
cleansing out impurities from within.

I want to be water,
sometimes uncontrollable sometimes in control.

I want to be like water,
connecting the world from distances too far.

I want to be like water,
flowing wherever You are.

I want to be like water,
transforming in motion yet ever the same.

I am like water.
I am free.
I am love.

I am,
Life

I ever flow....

Weekend Warrior: Denver Edition Part 1

January 28, 2019 by Sarah Prezioso in Travel Suggestions, Food, Weekend Warrior

Kyle and I on his visit in December. Ain’t he cute?

Have you ever had one of those friends or family members that always want to travel new places but can never find the time outside of work? Well, that’s how this trip came about. My cousin Dominic messaged me one Saturday morning in December and said “where you off to next and can I go?” After realizing the majority of my upcoming international trips were coming up too quickly he made he suggestion of Denver, as our other cousin lived just outside the city. His suggestion couldn’t have come at a better time as my friend Kyle (whom I had met in Scandinavia just a few months before) was coming to visit me. Kyle, was the gateway to Denver — aka he lived there. So after talking with him and securing our housing situation, flights were booked and Denver was on the books for MLK weekend in January.

It was like Christmas, Dominic wanted to travel with me. But then… I almost had to cancel! Almost. On my latest trip to Scotland I ended up with a terrible upper respiratory infection that included a double ear infection. I couldn’t hear out of either ear well and my ears wouldn’t pop. After a trip to an ENT and resting for a week with medicine, my ears finally decided to cooperate and I was cleared to fly.

The weekend arrived…

It was a short flight from my home in Texas to Denver and I was greeted by Kyle’s smiling face and then most importantly…. food. I took a late afternoon flight right after work so I was on the verge of needing snickers. Dominic arrived later in the evening as he was flying in from Georgia. The rest of the evening was spent just chit chatting and catching up on things we thought we already talked about. I swear the older I get the more I can’t remember who I’ve told what. I’m sure you have moments like that too.

Saturday proved to be an adventure by Kyle’s design. Dominic and I really didn’t have a plan and are extremely go with the flow. Granted, I had a few places on my list I wanted to venture to and he wanted to eat all the foods being the foodie that he is. So we started the day with breakfast at Apple Ridge Cafe where the cinnamon rolls are as big as your face. I think the frosting sealed the deal on the blooming bromance that was taking place in front of my eyes. If it wasn’t the frosting, it was definitely the drive through the Colorado mountains that had had fresh snow fall the night (or two nights) before.

I don’t think I will come across another person who was as excited to see snow in mountain passes like Dominic. I give him props for the viewing commitment, crawling out of windows to get full views. “Wow", “Oh my God,” “that’s beautiful,” and all the different awe-inspired expletives were a chorus from the passenger seat of the truck. I don’t know what I enjoyed better, Dominic’s sheer joy or the reactions that were given by Kyle and I to Dominic. It was the first time I had ever seen him so excited over weather.

On the way back down the mountain Kyle brought us to a brewery in Idaho Springs called Tommyknocker Brewery where we enjoyed a few beers (some of which I didn’t but good thing the guys didn’t let it go to waste) and shared some bomb pulled pork nachos. We didn’t want to over do it because our dinner spot required some room in our stomachs.

Continuing the drive Kyle made another detour to give us another beautiful this time of the city. This man is seriously full of surprises. Between the banter from both guys, the laughs, and the beautiful views, it was a fabulous day topped off with another stellar restaurant.

As an Italian, I tend to enjoy good pasta. Hence, Kyle’s dinner choice Cafe Jordano, a family owned Italian restaurant. The decor was modern but it felt homey as the old family photographs lining the walls gave you glimpse into their family history. Vodka penne, chicken parm, and pasta with salmon … all dishes that were pleasing to the eye and pallet.

The following day Dominic and I were left to our own devices for the morning so we got up and headed into the downtown area. I wanted to walk through their art museum while I had the chance. So we found a breakfast place (Dozens) within walking distance and enjoyed our morning meal and cups of coffee. After stuffing ourselves we walked through Civic Center Park to kill some time before heading to the museum.

Now I love museum going, however the Denver Museum of Art would not make it on my list of well done museums. I just think I couldn’t connect to any of the exhibits because of the design of the building and flow of the floors. Not my favorite place — or Dominic’s for that matter.

Due to the disappointment we needed a drink and not just any drink. We needed a scorpion shot from Retro Room.. Much to my dismay, Dominic was dead set on this haphazard suggestion from Kyle. However, it’s family. If one suffers we, we all suffer….. right?……… It wasn’t too bad until it came to swallowing the baby scorpion. That was rough. I’m not going to lie I almost threw it back up. Should have had a few shots of one of their infused vodka’s prior to. Might have helped.

Later that day we ventured out to Ft. Collins to visit our cousin and her finance. We had a wonderful home cooked meal and then we headed out for drinks in Old Town. They took us to Social, an underground cocktail bar that I would have missed if wasn’t for the street clock marking the stairwell you had to descend to enter. For all intents and purposes, it’s a modern day speakeasy. From the decor to the music to the cocktail and beverage choices, we felt right at home. The guys were even able to try absinthe for the first time.

Monday I was left to wander by myself as Dominic headed back to Georgia and Kyle had to work. So I got up and took myself to Snooze and had the Chili Verde Benedict. My love of green chile has no bounds, I think it’s a Southwest thing. The location I chose was close to the RiNo Arts District which consists of four historic neighborhoods in Denver; Five Points, Cole, Globeville and Elryia/Swansea. It’s an area (Blake St, Walnut, Larimer St) that has so much public street art that in the three hours I walked around to enjoy all of it, I doubt I saw it all. If you haven’t had a chance to do so I highly suggest it. It was a great way to spend the last day on this edition of Denver: Weekend Warrior.

"It's part of me, Scotland....

January 23, 2019 by Sarah Prezioso in Travel Suggestions

….I'm still immersed it, even if I'm not there.”

- Irvine Welsh

Each time I took a walk through the streets of Scotland, no matter the city, I felt as though I was leaving pieces of myself behind. By giving myself up to the movement of the streets I was able to escape the need to think which brought moments of peace. It’s a country that has become one of my favorites in the world, as if every moment spent in its body my veins became affixed with its essence. It’s a place full of such natural beauty and many man made wonders that I feel like it would take me a lifetime to explore and fully appreciate it.

Scotland’s picturesque landscapes, towns, derelict fortresses, villages, castles, ‘monstrous’ lochs, and mountains have been inspiring writers, poets, travelers, and artists for centuries. With a history that stretches back 10,000 years it’s a country that continuously moves forward. It survived the Roman Invasion, the Wars of Independence, the Protestant Reformation, both World Wars, and it’ll make to the other side of the Brexit situation. Along with its fascinating history you can find ancient and mysterious standing stones, tales of ghosts, magic and witches, mythical creatures, fairies, and unsolved mysteries. A combination that beckons you to walk its footpaths.

There are too many reasons for my love of Scotland that it’s impossible to narrow down. I simply love it… no, I love it intensely. It’s more than the history and folklore. It’s the people and the feeling you get just walking down street. The friendly faces and smiles that greet you no matter where you roam. There’s always laughter in the air and a feeling of home. Its unique appeal includes the ease in which one can travel from bustling pavements of the city center lined with cafes, restaurants, bars, historic sites, and art to isolation in stark contrast with open countryside. It’s a place where you could can travel at ease and you can hear more than just the English language while walking the streets… just enough to make you feel like you are truly some place else.

On this latest trip, as I’ve mentioned in my previous posts, I was able to travel with two of the best travel mates around. They had never been to Scotland and I was eager to light the flame in their hearts for the place I love so dearly.

Mission accomplished.
Honestly, I didn’t have to do much convincing.

As they were first timers to Edinburgh of course we needed to hit the sights, a walk down memory lane. I’m also happy to report that a map was not needed to maneuver the city. It also helped that we stayed not even 3 minutes from the Royal Mile.

While I’ll not fully detail our trip, I will provide for you places that you should go and things you should do when you visit the country in hopes that you’ll fall in love just as much as we have.

In Edinburgh…

Edinburgh Castle

To control the castle was to hold the keys to the kingdom. The castle fortress dominates the skyline of the city from its position on the Castle Rock, which is the plug of an extinct volcano estimated to have risen about 350 million years ago. Its home to some of the most fascinating history like housing the oldest surviving building in Scotland, aka St Margaret’s Chapel established in 1070, or that witches were burnt at the stake or that the Scottish jewels were lost inside the castle for over 100 years until someone found them in a chest in 1818. The castle provides an almost 360 degree view of the city and is one of my favorites.

St. Giles Cathedral

Also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, has been a key place of worship for almost 900 years. Sitting on the Royal Mile. On this past trip we were able to catch the end of a choir practice, the acoustics in the church are amazing.

Greyfriars Kirkyard

Was founded in 1561 and takes its name from the Franciscan friars who wore grey robes. This is also the graveyard where you can find the inspiration for some of the names in the Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowling would often wander through the graveyard while she was writing the books.

The kirkyard is also associated with Bobby, a terrier who became famous in the 19th-century for spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner, John Gray, until he died himself in January of 1872. The dog's statue sits opposite the graveyard's gate, at the junction of George IV Bridge and Candlemaker Row, in front of Greyfriars Bobby, a local pub, and its nose has began to turn colors from people rubbing it over the years.

Dean Village

Just northwest of the city centre you’ll find the lesser traveled Dean Village, home to some of the most scenic residential spots. Emphasis on residential, so be respectful while walking around. It is known as the "Water of Leith Village" it was a successful grain milling area for more than 800 years. You feel like you’re walking in a fairy tale, waiting for a Disney song to start out of no where. Or you could just break out into song yourself.

Princes Street Gardens & the Scott Monument

Lying in the shadow of the castle are two adjacent public parks in the city centre. The gardens run along the south side of Princes Street and are divided by The Mound, where the National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy are located. On days with good weather you can find people of all ages just hanging out on the grass and enjoying the sunshine and good company of friends. It’s also a great spot to people watch or curl up with a good book.

While walking through the garden I’m sure you won’t miss the the Victorian Gothic tower that sits 200 feet 6 inches high. It’s a tribute to Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott aka the Scott Monument. If you’ve seen Vampire Hunter D, it looks like the spaceship that Count Lee escapes on with Doris at the end. You’re able to walk up its 288 steps, aka narrow spiral staircases, to a series of viewing platforms giving panoramic views of central Edinburgh and its surroundings.

Mary King’s Close

Old Town’s grid system consisted originally of the main street, now known as the Royal Mile, and small alleyways/courtyards aka closes, that led off it to the north and south. Remember that the castle sits on atop a rock formation making this alleyways slope down which created the impression of a herring-bone pattern formed by the main street and side streets which is easy to see when looking at old maps of the city. Each of these closes, alleyways, usually took their names from a memorable occupant of one of the apartments. This particular close took its name from Mary King, a merchant burgess who resided on the Close in the 17th century.

Granted that Mary King’s Close is a touristy thing to do in the city, I actually really like it as it gives you more of a sense of the history and how people lived in the city in the 17th century. Plus you get to go underground into historic sites. (You can read more about it here or here)

Calton Hill

Located just beyond the east end of Princes Street you’ll find the headquarters of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament Building and other notable buildings such as Holyrood Palace. It is also the site of iconic monuments and buildings: the National Monument, the Nelson Monument, the Dugald Stewart Monument, the old Royal High School, the Robert Burns Monument, the Political Martyrs' Monument and the City Observatory. However, you can also call it the hill of useless things because.. well.. they don’t do anything! You do get a fantastic view of the city and of the castle from up there though.

Underground Vaults

The South Bridge in Edinburgh consists of a series of chambers formed in the nineteen arches that was completed in 1788. For around 30 years, the vaults were used to house taverns, workshops, and storage space for merchants. In the mid 1800s, the vaults were a hotspot for the homeless and criminal activity like illegal gambling, illegal whisky distilling and, according to rumour, bodysnatchers stored corpses there overnight. The only way you have access to the vaults is to take a tour, whether you believe in ghosts or like paranormal stuff, it’s still a pretty cool area to discover.

Arthur’s Seat

Arthur's Seat is the largest of the three parts of the volcano site in Edinburgh, the other parts being Calton Hill and the Castle Rock. It’s a hotspot for outdoor activity and if you love hiking this is the place for you. It sits 251 m above sea level giving excellent view of the city, because we all know that you’ve got to experience the VIEWS in new cities. Just make sure to wear the right shoes and bring your camera.

Helix Park

The Home of the Kelpies - the largest equine sculptures in the world staring 100 feet tall and weighing more that 300 tons each. They are a magical man-made wonder created by artist Andy Scott who used Clydesdale horses Duke and Baron as models. The Kelpies represent the history of the horses of Scottish industry and economy that pulled wagons, ploughs, barges, and coal ships as well as reflecting the mythological transforming beasts that possess the strength and endurance of 100 horses. They jut out of the water giving the illusion that their bodies lie just beneath the surface.

Helix Park is also another outdoor activity area linked by two National Cycle Routes as well as the new John Muir Trail.

Stirling Castle

Located in the city often called the “Gateway to the Highlands" Stirling Castle is known to many as that place Mel Gibson fought for in Braveheart. It was the home for Mary, Queen of Scots and where she was crowned. The oldest football in the world was discovered here and it belonged to Queen Mary, as she was a lover of the sport. The ball was made from an inflated pig’s bladder, wrapped with cow’s hide and is around half the size of footballs today. It was the place where flight was first attempted in Scotland. It’s grounds are haunted by the bloody murder of William, 8th Earl of Douglas in February 1452, where he was stabbed 26 times and then was flung from a castle window down into the gardens.

Doune Castle

If you go just 8 miles north of Stirling Castle you’ll find this medieval stronghold. If you’ve seen Outlander, this is Castle Leoch. Sitting on the River Teith, you can hear the babbling sounds of the water while walking the rooms.

Loch Lomond

Another place to wander through the great outdoors of Scotland. It is a lake in southern Scotland that is part of the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. Enjoy some hiking, wander through old grave yards, and enjoy an ice cream at one of the eateries at the base of the park.

Glasgow

Although I only spent a few hours in this city, there seems to be plenty to do, especially if you like to shop and eat. I do suggest you find the Equestrian Statue of the Duke of Wellington. You might find something odd …

You can read here about how it happened.

You also need to venture to Glasgow Cathedral and walk through its accompanying necropolis. It doesn’t disappoint and you’ll find some color crypt doors.

Inverness

Pro tip: travel here by train. You get a perfect view of the Scottish Highlands on the 3 hour ride from Edinburgh. You can easily find your way from the lovely River Ness to historic Inverness Castle to St. Andrews Cathedral. At Inverness Castle you’ll be able to get a great view of the city and two rivers that run through the city.

Have you ventured to other places in Scotland?

Where have you gone?

I’m always looking for more adventures!!

My Heart's In The Highlands
by Robert Burns

Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,
The birth-place of Valour, the country of Worth;
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.

My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here;
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer;
A-chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe,
My heart's in the Highlands wherever I go.

Farewell to the mountains high covered with snow;
Farewell to the straths and green valleys below;
Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods;
Farewell to the torrents and loud-pouring floods.

My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here;
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer;
A-chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe,
My heart's in the Highlands wherever I go.

EDINBURGH_SKYLINE-landscape-detail-by-susie-wright-at-the-red-door-gallery.jpg

Burgers Abroad?

December 18, 2018 by Sarah Prezioso in Travel Suggestions, Food

Since I’ll be venturing off in a week or so to Ireland and Scotland — paired with the fact that I’m a foodie at heart — I figured I would follow the food train from last week and focus on the two burger places I thoroughly enjoy in each country. I know, I know. Burgers? Can I get anymore American? YUP. However, you can’t blame me for trying these places out when locals and other seasoned travelers point them out.

“But, Sarah, it’s a burger: meat, cheese, condiments, etc. They’re all the same” FALSE.
If you believe that, then you truly have not experienced an amazing burger.

Byron in Edinburgh, Scotland

With a mission to “do one thing, and do it properly,” what could go wrong? After wandering the Royal Mile one afternoon my friend and I decided a to pop into Byron. A couple of travelers staying in the same hostel as we were mentioned it and I wanted to give it a go. The Byron off Royal Mile has great atmosphere and the waiter was pretty fun to chat with as he was pretty sassy and I loved it. After giving us some suggestions on what to order, since there were quite a few options including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free, our waiter sauntered away. [Side note, they are also extremely accommodating if there are other allergens in your repertoire and their website gives allergen info based on burger choice]. Frequently their menu will include a new specialty burger that, like all their specials, went towards One Feeds Two an organization that uses hunger to provide meals to school children living in poverty. Since connecting with the organization, as per their website, Byron has been able to provide over 750,000 meals to children. So naturally, I wanted to participate, even more so because the burger had a Korean flare to it and I LOVE Korean food.

The Kimcheese, as they called it, was a “6oz hamburger with a Korean BBQ glaze, bacon, Freddar cheese, crispy onions and kimchi cucumbers. Gochuchang sauce - a staple Korean condiment, which we mix with garlic, ginger, sesame and soy to make this umami-rich sweet and spicy sauce - as well as some spicy Ssamjang mayo.” I ordered it cooked medium and since I was already on the path to mouth watery goodness I also ordered the Gangnam Fries which were topped with Freddar cheese sauce, jalapenos and Gochuchang sauce. Let me tell you… I can STILL taste that burger even a year later. [If you’re wondering how I remember all of this, I take photos and write things down!!] It was really juicy, not fatty and the sauces tasted authentic! Although the cucumber kimchi wasn’t as spicy as I would have liked, I had to remember I was in the UK where spicy foods are an outlier on the spectrum. Overall, I was super impressed with this burger. It was an amazing food fusion, bringing that Seoul to the UK, and the prices weren’t bad for the generous portions received; £11 for the burger and £4.25 for the fries.

I’m quite sad that this won’t be on the menu when I return. But, that doesn’t mean I won’t love the next thing I try!

Bunsen in Dublin, Ireland

Catty corner from Temple Bar you’ll find this little burger joint called Bunsen. It’s famous for it’s limited menu with food that lacks absolutely nothing. Your menu is literally the size of a business card. However, much like Byron, having that small menu means that they focus on the quality/taste rather than producing sub par food. On their menu you have exactly four options while dining here; a hamburger, a double hamburger, a cheeseburger, or a double cheeseburger. With your choice of any of the following condiments: pickle, onion, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, mayo, and the tough decision of hand cut, shoestring, or sweet potato fries. It’s a pretty basic menu but that place was hard to get into! We waited almost a full hour before we could be sat… which makes its location near Temple Bar ideal so you can have a pint... or a few… prior to your meal.

What makes this place so special and helps them achieve being “known as having the best burger in Dublin” is the fact that they source selected cuts of the best Black Aberdeen Angus beef and essentially use artisan baking for their bread. For this tasting expedition I chose the double cheeseburger and the sweet potato fries. Which, did not disappoint. It was reminiscent of In-and-Out but the beef patties were heartier and seared to perfection. It was definitely worth the wait and if you prefer to take it to you. It’ll come out in a nice brown paper bag for you.

If you asked me which of the two I prefer more I would definitely go with Byron. I like experimental foods that surprise me. However, they are both great places to try a burger and I highly suggest you do and then we can compare notes!

I’ll be dragging my friends along to both places once more in a week or so and I’ll have to come back with an update to see which they preferred, if at all. If you’re reading this…. YES you’ll be eating a burger while we’re abroad. Or at least you’ll be in the vicinity so I can. 😜

The man [and the place] that started it all...

December 03, 2018 by Sarah Prezioso in Travel Suggestions

L’appréciation est une chose merveilleuse. Cela fait que ce qui est excellent chez les autres nous appartient également.
- Voltaire

My father is one of the biggest attributes to my life in both work ethic and love of travel. If it wasn’t for him always talking about far off places and conjuring picturesque views of the place he grew up, things might have been a little different.

Born on August 1, 1955 in Grenoble, a city in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France, my dads childhood was spent roaming château's, playing in fields where Napoleon Bonaparte crossed, fishing, eating apples in orchards, ice skating on one of the three frozen lakes in the area, and getting into trouble with his best friend Yves. Despite being born in and growing up in France, both of my grandparents were Italian through and through. Hailing from the Bari/Naples regions in southern Italy (I guess ‘south’ is a trend in my family, as I live south as well). In 1966 though, his family made the decision to move to the United States, ending up in Niles, Ohio. A move that I’m forever grateful for despite the uncertainty it caused and the heartaches that I’m sure they went through.

Fast forwarding to my childhood in the 1990’s and being the last of three kids AND the only one who was brought up in the states since birth — eventually my dad had joined the military and my sisters were brought up in Germany and Holland for their formative years — dreaming of far off places was a common occurrence. Especially when bedtime stories consisted of exotic places. It wasn’t until my high school years that I was able to finally visit my dads hometown and let me tell you, it was just as magical as I had envisioned.

Grenoble

Known as the “capital of the Alps” by locals, Grenoble is often missed by first-time travelers to France. While the Eiffel Tower is more iconic, the majesty of the Alps that literally surround the city give you a Sound of Music “hills are alive” moment. It’s a city that holds over 2,000 years of history, starting from its inception as a a Gallic village (aka the Iron Age) through the collapse of the Roman Empire and into the 11th century when the Counts of Albon chose the city from several of their territories in the region and made it the capital. Mostly because of its fortified location at the meeting of the Drac and Isére rivers and proximity to the Alps.

One of the more interesting historical facts about the city is that it was the location of one of the first disturbances that set the scene for the French Revolution. Obviously, like the rest of France, Grenoble was facing financial hardship from the economic crises, however this was the city that sparked the fires of revolution. The solution the royal government came up with was more monetary reforms…. aka taxes. They wanted to enact a tax to deal with debt…. does anyone else see the irony in that? Well luckily the parlements (think of them as various local branches of governance that held judicial powers) did, making them the Robinhood to King John, if you get what I mean. So, the royal government tried to circumvent the lack of support from these local governing agencies by forcing through laws that effectively diminished their power despite the declaration that these laws were illegal. Anyone hear Jean Valjean singing yet?

As tensions continued to rise and the stress of poor harvests and high costs of bread, made worse by the refusal to relinquish any financial burdens on the poor, things weren’t looking good in Grenoble. In June of 1788, a group of 300-400 men and women armed with weapons, from stones to axes, rushed the city gates as the royal government ordered the local army to banish the magistrates within the local parlements. Literal alarm bells were rung as the riot ensued until they seized control of the city from the army. This day is referred to as the “Day of the Tiles,” and shortly after this incident the French Revolution would start. Allowing Grenoble to claim itself as the ‘cradle of the revolution'.

My Visit

A vast majority of the time spent in my dads hometown was visiting relatives in the surrounding areas. However, there are a few distinct places that I want to call attention to that I feel anyone who is looking for an “other than Paris” destination while venturing in France would appreciate. They are also the places that made me fall in love with Southern France.

Vielle Ville (Old Town)

On the bank of the Isère river you’ll find the old town which, like most old towns, can be explored by foot. Of the many restaurants and old buildings you’ll see the Place Grenette, the Grande Rue, the Place St-André, with the Ancien Palais du Parlement du Dauphiné, or the former parliamentary palace for the region. There’s the Halles Ste-Claire and the Place aux Herbes which are market areas and if you’re in any foreign country, their markets are a must. They’re the places you can people watch or feel part of the economy the most. Nothing like watching tourists haggle (or not haggle depending on where you’re at).

If you’re like me and love looking at architecture in the places you travel, in Vielle Ville you’ll find many interesting churches whose structures throw you back to the 13th century.

La Bastille

For those that love getting that unique view of the city from above, this is the place for it. Even though it’s one of the most visited tourist sites, because come on, views are everything, it provides one of my favorites; you get both the town and the surrounding mountains. You literally feel enveloped in the Alps. The Bastille, or fort, dates back to the Middle Ages, remember the Counts of Albon? To that time period. It’s location was important as it’s where the French Alpine frontier and the Kingdom of the Savoy (Italy) met.

There are two ways to get to the top, one requires great outdoor shoes and the other just a short ride via cable car. If you choose the cable car you’ll enjoy a 180° view of the town and the Isère river. Installed in 1875 for freight movement from the quarry below, the cable cars didn’t become a tourist thing until 1934 when the rock quarry was officially abandoned. To get to the top you ride in what locals call les bulles aka bubbles. Once at the top you’ll be able to walk through temporary exhibits, venture through the small military museum, walk the viewing deck, and pay respects to mountain troops of old. There are also two restaurants at the top where you can enjoy a nice beer at a higher altitude. [Side note for the foodies: restaurant du Téléférique, is great and has an overhanging terrace and Le Pèr’Gras – treat yourself to something sweet!]

If you venture up by foot, it takes about 30-45 mins at a leisurely pace to walk up the hill. There are two ways for the climb, divided by a footpath, making up the 205m of vertical ascent. If you’re really an outdoorsy kind of person the second portion is more challenging and might require some equipment. It’s easily one of the best recreational areas and the view you get from any angle is amazing.

La Salette and Château des Herbeys

If it wasn’t for my dads best friend Yves, I would have never known about either these two places. On one of our visits with him he asked for a full day to be set aside. He wanted to take us up to the second sanctioned apparition site in France. Now regardless of you being religious or not, it was a religious experience. Both in the miracle of living and for the views. I say the miracle of living though because to get up to La Salette you have to take many… and I mean many… hair pin curves/turns on a road that is only big enough for one car with two way traffic. I don’t get car sick or even motion sickness. That day, I was as white as the background you’re reading off of. I was ghostly. When we finally got to the top, I got out of the car and sat on the ground wishing it would hug me back. Luckily, Yves had brought soda with him (it’s not pop, I’m from the south y’all) and I was able to recover with a quick sugar boost. I will forever remember that day and have never NOT driven when it comes to windy roads since.

At just an hour and half outside of Grenoble and at an altitude of about 6,000 feet, you’ll find a church. With nothing else around but mountains. To the left of the church you’ll find a statue of the Virgin Mary and two children; a depiction of the Marian apparition. If you want to know more about the story you can read it here. The church itself is simple but has some amazing stained glass.

After we walked around the outdoor area, venturing in and out of the church, we made our way back down. I fared better as I sat in the front, but not by much.

Yves knew how much I loved trying new cuisine so he made a surprise stop at Château des Herbeys that came with a five course gastronomic meal. The château was built in the 17th century and is listed as an historic monument. You can walk around the grounds and enjoy the landscape and deer in the surrounding areas. It was also converted into a hotel so if you choose, you can stay and also enjoy the many outdoor activities the place as to offer.

Château de Vizzile

If you venture south of the city 20 minutes you’ll find yourself in the town of Vizille where you will find more revolution history. It’s the home to the Musée de la Révolution Française that displays rare materials devoted to the revolution. The museum lives in the château that was once the grandest in the area and was built in the 17th century by François de Bonne, duc de Lesdiguières, the last Connétable de France. The château is surround by a hundred hectares (250 acres) of greens, sheets of water and canals, and a hunting park. In July 1788, just a month after the famed “Day of the Tiles” the Assemblée des notables gathered in the salle du jeu de paume, where their discussions led to the new vision of France. This is where opposition to absolutist monarchy finally came out into the open (again cue Les Mis and entre Enjolras).

This was my image of a fairy tale castle. I have always said I wanted to get married here, or at least take some pretty epic photos. My dad used to play in the gardens and often feed the ducks and swans that the pond sees during the warm months.

The Prairie of the Meeting/Laffrey & La Mure

Think of Grenoble as the circular part of a laddle and to get to the handle you venture up the neck and at the top you’ll reach the small towns of La Mure (where their open air market is one of my favorites) and Ponsonnas (where my great uncle/aunt live). However to get there you have to pass through the famed “Prairie of the Meeting,” which is a great spot for picnic or to take in one of the three lakes along the road.

Travel Legacy

With how much I love this place you would think I venture back often. But, I don’t… even though I really should.

The places that my dad ventured when he was a kid shine in my memory much like the sun does in the sky. It’s a place that no one can touch or talk me out of. It’s a place whereI learned to breathe and take in everything around me. It’s a place that allowed me to connect to a part of my dad that was only a figment of my imagination. When he came to the US, it seemed like his connection to the “old world” was severed. It was like when you found out that Santa wasn’t as real as you thought he was, and the magic disappeared. But we keep the magic of that jolly man in a red suit by telling the stories and reliving the feelings. So when those stories of apple eating in lavender fields and flying kites by Napoleon’s head were told, that magic reignited.

Without those stories and that connection, my love of experiencing all the “new” the world has to offer would not be as strong. The newness of the old and the wonder that I feel while wandering is because of the man that loved me first. It’s because of the place I loved first.

“Be the things you loved most about the people who are gone. ”

— Unknown