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| Germany (May 2014) |
R: Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
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| Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany (May 2014) |
Focusing has been difficult the past few months, so I'm taking an alternative approach to A-Z this year: looking back at past travel, editing or re-editing images from travels before, and responding to travel-related questions. Hope you are able to join me on this journey to my past!
For Day R, I went with this awesome shot of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. I think it's been one of my favorite cities to explore there. I loved climbing up on the wall that surrounds the city to get a better view of it.
Other places I considered for this post: ???
Onward –
52. Do you prefer solo travel or with someone else?
I've never done solo travel, but I think I would always prefer to travel with someone else. Yes, I can definitely see how there would be benefits to solo travel – being forced to think on your feet, potentially trying to work out how to ask for something in a language you aren't familiar with, being able to explore whatever you want whenever you want to, having the opportunity to eat exactly what you want for dinner…
BUT.
There is an absolute beauty in traveling with other people. I'm not just talking about opening a bottle of wine for a picnic with friends while watching the sunset in Italy.
No. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the struggle you face in the planning of travel and in the execution of said travel. It's like Ryan Gosling, as Sebastian, explained in the movie La La Land: "It's conflict and it's compromise. It's new every time. It's brand new {...}. Very, very exciting!"
I love that traveling with people gives me new perspectives and challenges my way of thinking; it puts me in uncomfortable situations and forces me to deal with it.
Of course, it gets more complicated and confusing (and exciting!) when you attempt to travel with people who have a different cultural background than yourself.
In the end, I think what you learn and gain from the experience is absolutely beautiful. You have a deeper connection with the people you've traveled with, which, depending on your attitude toward the whole event, is either a good or bad thing. (Hopefully good!)
So, yeah. Groups are where I am at. Or even just trying to compromise with my husband.
Anyone have a preference for solo travel that they want to explain to me?
53. Is there anything you always do before you leave home?
Clean.
I try to make sure there are no dishes in the dishwasher, no lingering clothing that needs to be washed, no sheets and towels are left dirty, that the floor is vacuumed and mopped, that we are leaving the bathroom looking pristine, and that the trash emptied. (No one wants to come back to bugs!)
I know this sounds weird, but I am always afraid I will die while traveling and I don't want family and friends coming into my home thinking "Dang! She was messy!" 😂
54. Do you think you will stay friends with the people you've met while traveling?
Most of them, no. It's really sad because there are a lot of great people out in the world! I would love to stay in touch!
Anyone I've met while traveling that I previously knew through online connections, sure. I mean by meeting haven't we given the relationship more depth? There is knowing someone through their words alone and then knowing someone through their actions. If you've experienced both, I feel like you have the opportunity to really get to know a person on a truly deep level.
Again though, it all comes down to both parties involved, though. If, for example, I want to continue to develop my relationship with someone but that other person doesn't? It doesn't matter what I want. Both people have to want it.
So, yeah. If you can maintain friendships with people you've met while traveling, I think you totally should! It's a great way to develop character and learn more about the world. But if you can't, don't sweat it.
Have you ever experienced travel with another party? Family, friends…? Did you find beauty in compromise? Or were you ready for a break from them before your trip had even begun?! 😳
See other posts in this year's A-Z.
G: Germany
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| (May 2014) |
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| (May 2014) |
Focusing has been difficult the past few months, so I'm taking an alternative approach to A-Z this year: looking back at past travel, editing or re-editing images from travels before, and responding to travel-related questions. Hope you are able to join me on this journey to my past!
For Day G, I have a few shots from Germany. Don't ask me where; it's been too long. I wasn't good at making notes of where I was and what I was doing back then. Plus, we were visiting some friends for their wedding, so we were just kind of going with the flow and doing whatever they suggested we do. The pictures are nice even though it looks a little wet outside.
Other places I considered for this post: Georgia (the state)
Here are today's questions –
19. What's your favorite childhood travel memory?
Going to Walt Disney World when I was 6. We stayed with my cousins in Tampa and spent half of our time at the parks and half of our time at the beach. One cousin was older than me by about 10 years, and I remember driving her crazy. She was into boys and talking on the phone; I was the pesky 6-year-old following her around trying to be just like her. Her younger brother, only about 5 years older than me, was much more fun.
I remember my parents putting me to bed the night before we were to drive to Tampa, and I could not sleep. I tossed and turned with excitement. They woke me up at 2am and prayed that I would sleep the whole car ride, which I didn't. They may have gotten tired of hearing "Are we there yet?" because my dad eventually told me that we would not be "there" until it was a certain time, and he had me watch the car clock. He also tried to explain miles per hour to a six-year-old; you can imagine how well that went over.
I don't remember all that we did at the park, but I do remember getting a light-up rose which I held onto forever after the fact. My favorite parks were EPCOT and Magic Kingdom. I got hugs from Mickey and Minnie (and adorable pictures to prove it).
When we got home, I asked my parents when we would be going back. The answer? Six years.
And I did not let my parents forget that. The next trip I planned and invited my grandparents to come to. It was the longest six years ever, but totally worth the wait.
20. Do you call yourself a traveler or a tourist?
Traveler.
To me, being a traveler is getting off the beaten path, a little. It's someone who tries to take in the culture. I question tourist attractions and try to determine if they are worth visiting rather than just going mindlessly. I try new foods in the places I visit. I try to be respectful of other countrys' cultures, religions, ideas, and beliefs even if I don't understand them.
A tourist is more about getting a tour guide and seeing the world from the perspective of someone who can afford to see the world. You book the expensive hotels, make reservations at the choicest of restaurants; it's seeing the world through rose-colored glasses.
Backpackers are probably the most culturally aware of all travelers. I do believe you see more living on a shoestring budget and the charity of the people you surround yourself with while traveling than you do any other way. Only by making yourself so completely vulnerable can you truly get a feel for the place and the working class that lives there.
Tourists and travelers give themselves an out. They can retreat to a fancy hotel or afford the more expensive food a place has to offer whenever they get tired of where they are.
21. Do you prefer hot, cold, or temperate places?
Don't we all prefer temperate places? –– Of course, what is temperate? To me, I'm all for temperatures from 60-80ºF.
That aside, my next choice would be cold. I always love bundling up in sweaters. Plus, you can always put more clothes on, right?
But beaches do call my name, quite often. And I do think beaches are prettier to photograph than snow. (Anyone have any tips for me?)
Do you hear any differences in the words "traveler", "tourist", and backpacker or am I reading too much into it (as dictated by the question)? Do you think where you live influences your preferences on temperature?
See other posts in this year's A-Z.
Thoughts on Egypt/Berlin 2019 A-Z
To get a better grasp of my recent travels, I decided to write up a little overview in A-Z form. Maybe it will play a part in the upcoming April A-Z challenge? Or maybe not. Either way, this post is mostly for me, but I would love to have your thoughts too! I did include a delicious recipe for lemon with mint that I recommend you try!
A. Anxiety was the name of the game for this trip. The side of me that loves challenging myself to take on new experiences was thrilled at the prospect of a trip to Egypt. But then the side of me that hates hot weather and thinks deserts are dirty and not the prettiest place to take a picture was less than thrilled about a trip to Egypt.
And then there was Berlin. We were traveling there with friends. In the past I have fallen apart when it came to planning where exactly to travel with them in our chosen location, this time was no exception. Despite having a book on Germany, did I touch it? No. Why would I? But Visit A City and Google Maps saved the day. Visit a City gave me a list of the most interesting places to see in Berlin including several different types of history museums as well as art museums and cultural destinations. Add in a department store and bam! Trip planned. I used Google Maps to lay it all out and confirm that Visit A City was giving me the best routes to get from location to location. With the Visit A City app downloaded on my phone, both with and without internet, we were ready to go. I felt like I had contributed, even as the plans changed during our time there, and, hopefully, my friends felt like I was putting as much effort into this trip as they were.
B. I stuck to basics when planning this trip. First I booked the flights to the major cities I knew we were visiting as soon as I knew we were visiting them. Obviously. Home –> Paris (the only city I was truly excited about visiting), Paris –> Cairo (for a wedding), Cairo –> Frankfurt (to visit friends and perhaps get some relaxation in? Worked out differently than I originally anticipated, but that's ok!), and finally Frankfurt –> home. We stuck with the cheapest flights and economy seating.
Next, I booked the hotels I knew we would be staying at.
With only one day in Paris, we went with the airport hotel. The idea was that we could drop off our bags and go. The airport is an hour away from the city, so we decided we would make better use of our time not lugging around our suitcases and being within walking distance of our terminal.
For Egypt, we decided to stay at the Marriott where our friends were having their wedding reception. It was fancy and expensive, but we knew it was a safe, easy choice. I only booked two nights there, at first, and added on to our stay as our trip developed over time and our itinerary became more clear.
Because we were visiting friends in Germany, we went with their choice for Berlin. It didn't require much thinking or research, which I was all in favor of given how busy our schedule, leading up to this trip, was.
We had one extra night in Frankfurt before flying home, so we chose to stay at – what else? – the airport hotel. We got back from Berlin so late and left Frankfurt so early the next day that we didn't explore Frankfurt at all. So much for needing to research a Frankfurt dinner or breakfast restaurant!
Last minute we threw in a trip to Sharm-El-Sheikh. I chose my favorite hotel chain for our stay there, the Hyatt Regency. And boy did they not disappoint. We got upgraded to a suite for our duration there! I can't wait to blog about it! It was a fantastic New Year's Eve surprise.
And then one more airport hotel in Cairo smack dab between Sharm-El-Sheikh and Frankfurt/Berlin. Yet again, it made our travel to the airport easy and less stressful than staying in the city would have. Walk straight from the hotel to your terminal? Yes, please!
Of course, after booking flights and hotels, then it is time for activities. We relied on friends, for the most part, to dictate what we were doing and where we were eating. Visit A City was also incredibly helpful. ANNNNNNND we stumbled upon an amazing English speaking taxi driving tour guide who helped us navigate our first day in Cairo. The whole trip would have been more complicated (or confusing) without him.
C. Cairo guides –– I'm not sure how we stumbled across a good guide, but I can tell you that there are many, many bad guides in the city. Or, even if the guide isn't "bad", there are many that are less helpful than others. We found at least three of them. The fourth guide was helpful, understanding, and kind, but less-so than the one guide we stumbled across accidentally at the beginning of our trip.
So? My takeaway? You can book guides online before you travel to Egypt. It is helpful having a guide, especially if you have never been to Egypt before. A mediocre guide for the first day or two is potentially better than no guide at all. I recommend Urban Adventures for that mediocre guide, because our Urban Adventures guide was slightly above mediocre on the bad to great scale. However, I can give you the name and contact information for the guide we had that we loved. He's a bit much at first, but overall it's clear that he gets American culture better than many Egyptians and can explain Egyptian culture in such a way that, if you trust him, you will find yourself falling in love with the culture too. I truly believe that my experience in Cairo and with the Egyptian people would have been more mediocre had we not had our terrific guide, even if for just one day, while we were there.
D. The City of the Dead –– I still don't understand the City of the Dead as fully as I could, but I do know that it is not a place to fear if you are with the right guide. And perhaps it is never a place to fear? Maybe our "right guide" was misleading us, but, from what I've seen, which is limited in perspective, I would recommend visiting just to say you did.
E. EgyptAir was a pain to book with using our American credit cards. We ended up booking with our Schwab debit card, and even then got a phone call immediately from security. If you are trying to book a flight with EgyptAir, first be sure to look at the price in Egyptian pounds! It can save you a ton of money! (In our case over $100.) Next, if you are booking online and your credit card won't go through, try booking with a debit card. Ideally one that won't charge foreign exchange fees, like Charles Schwab. I've read the Paypal debit card also works. You can try calling to book, but they may charge you the American price rather than the Egyptian. As a last resort, if you still can't book in any currency, I recommend going through Indie/BootsNAll, my preferred travel agency. I used them to book our trip to Egypt before I learned how to navigate and book on the EgyptAir website. Every flight I've ever booked with them has gone well, so I will definitely consider them again, in the future, if I'm struggling to get the price or deal I want and they have a similar price that works for me. <3.
F. Fun. Spending time with friends.
G. Gold or Money. Yeah, it's a stretch. 😛
We spent way more than we intended when we bought all of the hot chocolate and tea in France on our first day abroad.
We continued the trend in Egypt where most things were cheap, though we did make some mistakes in haggling for things we wanted. Apparently American prices, while they seem reasonable, are still incredibly high for Egyptians.
Comparatively, Germany was fairly cheap with most of the attractions paid for in advance. However looking back, I'm certain we paid more for the Welcome Card than we would have if we had paid for the attractions individually. C'est la vie.
H. Hot was the temperature in Sharm-el-Sheikh, especially compared to all of the other locations we traveled to. But it was so beautiful there that it didn't matter.
I. Ill. A lot of the people we traveled with weren't prepared for the water problems in Egypt. Justin and I brought a filter for our water and managed to stay relatively healthy. Others in our tour group found themselves with stomach bugs, holed up on the tour bus after only a day or two in Egypt. Were they really sick because of the water? Did we really avoid sickness because we were filtering our water? I'll never know. I think it's better this way.
J. Jetlag. Oh my goodness. I may have slept through an entire performance of The Nutcracker in Paris just so that I would be awake later that night for raclette! (The things you do when you only have one night in Paris!)
It got a little better when we were mostly traveling in the same time zone. Paris to Cairo is a one hour difference, then we had to deal with it again when we traveled from Cairo to Berlin. Overall, I think we handled it pretty well.
K. Khan-El-Khalili was crazy and I was so scared of the market at first. Luckily our first experience there was with a seasoned guide who directed us through the many parts of the market – the tourist section, the Egyptian section, the spices, the water pipes… He told us that we didn't need to worry, with him at our side no one would bother us. <3.
The next day Justin's friend asked to meet us at the market. But messages got mixed up when, as it turned out, the friend was going to a show there and we were going to … wait on the show to finish? Hmm… I was a little angry about that. Exploring a mostly unfamiliar area alone at night that I have been told to be afraid of is not typically the best of ideas. Honestly, the story gets more complicated than I am revealing right now, but the point is we survived.
So, tips if you ever go to Cairo and visit Khan-El-Khalili:
1. Don't be afraid. Lift your head high and act like you know where you are going even if you don't.
2. Most products sold there were made in China. But if you want something particular, they probably will have it. And because the items are made in China, you can bargain for a really good price.
3. BARGAIN. Never accept the first price. One of our tour guides suggested we ask for 10% less than the initial price, but we found that you should ask for even less than that. And if you are traveling with a tour group, all bets are off; you will get a bad price.
4. Have fun. Don't worry about paying the best price for an item, because it's very likely the item is worth less in Egyptian pounds than it is in dollars. So a reasonably priced $1 postcard is probably expensive for Egyptians. It's more likely that it is 25¢ for 10 postcards. But also keep in mind that many of these people in Cairo are excruciatingly poor; if you pay a little more than the item is actually worth, you are making their lives easier. You are happy because you got a cheap (to you) price and they are happy because they made just a little bit more off of their goods.
5. Don't be afraid to say no (or "la"). They aren't going to stalk you or chase after you if you don't want their items.
6. Don't spend more time than necessary glancing at items as you walk. If you are interested, by all means, look as long as you want. But once you stop to look, they will try to sell you something.
L. Lemon with mint was one of my favorite drinks in Egypt. I was a little skeptical at first, but I am grateful to have tried it. Now we make it at home on a regular basis.
3 limes
1 lemon
sugar (to taste)
water
a handful of mint
Blend everything together including the lemon and lime rinds until it is mixed well. Strain your liquid and drink.
M. And we will follow that up with Yellow Label tea and mint leaves. You cannot visit Egypt and not have this. (Or, rather you can, but you shouldn't.)
N. I was shocked to see, at the end of The Nutcracker Ballet in Paris, everyone just sat in their seats and clapped for the longest time. It felt really strange compared to the US where everyone is racing out the door to get to their vehicles during the final scene. This felt incredibly respectful. I feel like that amount of gratitude isn't common all across Europe, but maybe I've been seeing the wrong shows. Any thoughts from Europeans? Is it normal to sit and clap for 30 minutes after a show ends?
O. Palais Garnier Opera House is a beautiful building in the heart of Paris. They offer tours in English, French, and Spanish.
P. Paris in just over 24 hours:
7am Drop luggage off at the hotel.
10am Stores open. Head right for Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. Look at the Christmas lights outside the stores, then head inside. Buy too much Angelina's hot chocolate and French Breakfast Tea. Maybe buy a strand of Christmas lights. Eat donuts with an overlook of the Eiffel Tower. Maybe grab a sandwich.
1pm Take items to DHL to ship home. Pay too much.
2pm Visit an umbrella shop and admire $1000 umbrellas.
3pm Tour Garnier la Opera. Don't remember anything from the tour because you are so tired.
5pm Apertif. Nobody is serving dinner yet. Maybe snack on a crépe.
7pm Arrive early for The Nutcracker. Try to catch a nap before the show.
8pm Continue napping into the show. 😳
10pm Take a cab to a restaurant for a late night meal of raclette. The restaurant will stay open late for you. ❤️🧀
7am Wake up early for breakfast at Angelina's.
10am More shopping. Oops.
11am Head to CDG for your flight.
Q. Quintessential things to do in Berlin:
• See the wall. Both the gallery and the memorial.
• Eat currywurst.
• DeKaWe. Great for almost anything, but I would spend the majority of your time meandering the food section.
• At least one art museum – probably the Pergamon.
• Probably one history museum. This city is rich with history.
• Adventure outside of Berlin proper to Potsdam.
R. Rain in Alexandria makes the streets incredibly muddy. While the city is definitely worth visiting any time of the year, I think the warmer months might be best.
S. Rest and relaxation is paramount when you are on vacation. The only time we really stopped was in Sharm-el-Sheikh. It was absolutely beautiful and one of my favorite places to visit during this trip.
T. Tips for surviving 8 flights:
• Be as minimalistic as you possibly can be. Start with only carry-ons. The fewer, the better.
• Ship back souvenirs. The more luggage you have, the more you have to check with airlines. You will also pay based on weight. Shipping can be more expensive than just paying the checked bag fee , but you have to consider if it is worth lugging the extra weight around.
• Distribute your bags evenly. Perhaps have one roller bag, one over-the-shoulder bag and one book bag to make your luggage easier to carry.
• Take advantage of luggage carts and airport hotels. Save your energy for more important things, like sightseeing.
• Consider buying a new piece of luggage at your destination. New clothes also make for a great souvenir!
U. Apparently some political issues are more universal than I thought. Women's rights and black rights are not just important to US citizens.
V. One of the coolest videos we got was of a muslim singing his call to prayer. The guide we used our first day in Cairo asked the muslim to do this for us. It was very kind and a special treat for us.
W. The wedding we attended in Egypt felt very similar to one we attended in Germany except that it was louder.
Egypt (on the way to the reception): A small parade in the hallway walking from the elevators to the reception hall with a band. Immediate family and close friends follow the bride and groom as they dance their way down the hall. The elderly and people not quite as close to the bride and groom are already waiting at the reception. This process of parading down the hall takes at least 30 minutes. Then, when the bride and groom get to the reception the dancing continues. Non-alcoholic drinks and small appetizers are served. It is not until two hours in that the main buffet opens. During dinner, for us at 10pm, the bride and groom disappear for some alone time and the music slows down to give everyone a chance to eat. Of course, as soon as dinner is over, the bride and groom reappear and the dancing continues. Typically the party lasts well into the night (4am was the suggested ending time), but I think there were more Americans and elderly there than is typical, so the party for us ended at 1am.
In Germany (on the way to the reception): It's a parade of cars that follow the bride and groom to the reception. They tie ribbons on the car, so that everyone knows they are in the procession, and they honk their horns the whole way. (See? So not quite as loud as the Egyptians.) It's been a while, but I seem to remember mingling, finding your seat and dinner starting at a somewhat normally expected time. The biggest difference was that there was alcohol and that the food kept coming late into the night with the goal being to keep the bride and groom up as long as possible.
So lots of similarities, especially compared to an American wedding where we quietly drive to the reception site without fanfare and party until 10pm at the latest. Or maybe I just live in a calmer part of the world.
X. I'd be eXcited to go again. While I was a bit fearful from what I had heard about Egyptians (groping women randomly on the street, catcalling, taking advantage of tourists financially), I learned that Egyptians are beautiful, wonderful, heartfelt people trying to make a living in a very difficult economy. I learned how to interact with them in such a way that haggling was fun rather than stressful; they earned extra money (though perhaps not as much as they had initially hoped for) and I got a better bargain than I would have in the states (though more than I probably should have paid had I been Egyptian). Also, whether a fluke or not, I did not experience any catcalling or random groping. One friend seemed to think my darker skin tone helped. (I have an Italian background.) Or maybe it was the wedding ring?
If you want to go to Egypt, don't let irrational fears or government warnings stop you. Try to dress conservatively (which in some cases can be as simple as a light dress, scarf draped over your shoulders and leggings), consider wearing a wedding ring or traveling with a male (or a group?) and don't be afraid to say "la" to the venders trying to make sales. They aren't trying to harass you; they are just trying to put food on their table. Be kind, considerate, and respectful, and you will probably get the same in return.
Though one note of caution: Everywhere you go there are metal detectors. EVERYWHERE. And you will probably be body checked. With women, they tend to do it a lot less than with men. Either way, be prepared. And women, be prepared to go through a separate screener from your man at the airport. It's not a big deal; I promise.
Y. Yellow vest protestors in Paris were few and far between when we were visiting Paris. We saw one shop with broken glass, but that was it. Security was high within the city, though. They used a wand to check people going into the high end department stores (where we spent the majority of our time); of course these types of checks are not unusual for department stores in France. Every time we have been to a department store in Paris (Christmas 2015, July 14th, 2017), they have checked.
Z. Berlin Zoo and Tiergarten – Did you know that the Tiergarten in Berlin is approximately half the size of Central Park in NYC? Fun fact. :)
The garden is beautiful to walk through, though a bit boring in the winter. We didn't actually visit the zoo there, so I can't comment on that. If you are visiting Berlin in warm weather though, it may be a good place to take a picnic or rest during what is otherwise a busy day. :)
As always, traveling to so many different places (and the planning for travel to so many different places) taught me a lot. I now have a better understanding of geography, history, and I learned more about cultures that are different from my own.
What I shared today is just skimming the surface of what I learned and took away from the travel experience. I might need some time to soak it all in. It is nice to get some initial thoughts to screen, though.
Having read my initial thoughts, would this have been a trip you would have enjoyed? Did you learn anything? If you've been to any of these places before (Paris, Cairo, Sharm-El-Sheikh, Berlin), did I miss anything pivotal? Share in the comments!
Wordless Wednesday #10
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| Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz (Saxon Switzerland National Park), Germany (January 2015) |
What to Eat, Where
Over the last three years, I've had the privilege and joy of traveling to a number of different places and trying food combinations that were beyond my imagination. I've learned that just because you've had a certain food or tried a certain activity in one place doesn't mean you will dislike it another. In fact, food, for me, has been a way of breaking out of the mold and learning to try things that I otherwise might pass up. Luckily, my husband is a foodie and has very little that he won't try … which inevitably spurs me on.
Below, I have listed for you the foods and food combinations I have learned about through my travels. Maybe some foods you were already aware of? Maybe there are some new ones for you? Perhaps, you are currently planning to travel to one of these locations?
Whatever the case may be, let me take you away to food paradise … one city (and in some cases, country) at a time…
1. In Hawai'i…
Get fresh fruit. Maui pineapples, passion fruit, guava, coconut, mango, apple bananas. (Yes, apple bananas are a thing.) The fruit I had in Hawai'i was some of the best I've ever had. :)
Kona coffee. Every island has a different flavor, and, according to my husband, it's all delicious.
The Mauimosa is a fun take on the more traditional mimosa. It's made with pineapple wine.
Macadamia nuts grow on multiple islands in Hawai'i. You can get them without all of the additional preservatives, so that's nice. I'm kind of in love with the Hawaiian Host chocolate covered macadamia nuts. Add a bit of caramel and … mmm mm good! :)
Banana bread. Aunty Sandy's banana bread on the Road to Hana in Maui is pretty amazing especially right out of the oven.
The "plated lunch" in Hawai'i is pretty unique. You get a meat of your choosing + macaroni salad + rice. It sounds weird and makes you wonder where the vegetables are, but it's actually really good.
And for dessert be sure to grab some shaved ice. To do it right, you need it layered with vanilla ice cream on the bottom, sweetened condensed milk on top, and a handful of mochi. With the right syrup flavors covering the ice, on a hot, sunny day at the beach, this treat is delicious!
2. In NYC, New York…
Grab an egg cream soda. It comes in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors, though not all flavors are always available at the same place. And no, you won't get sick and die from drinking raw egg, because there isn't any in the drink!
Pizza is next. Just any street vendor will do.
And some people claim the bagels are the best. Something about the New York City water?
3. In Boston, Massachusetts…
A Boston cream pie/cake is a MUST. My preference? Mike's Pastry in Little Italy. Trust me: this treat served anywhere else in the world will never be the same.
4. In Charleston, South Carolina…
Shrimp and grits are a staple. I don't eat fish, but that's what they say, anyway.
5. In Atlanta, Georgia…
Try the fried chicken. Ideally with a lot of sides. Think mac and cheese, cornbread or drop biscuits, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes with gravy, coleslaw, fried okra, baked beans, and collard greens. A new thing I've only recently been introduced to is red pepper jelly which goes great on a biscuit! The jelly is sweet and tastes nothing like you (or at least I) would expect.
For dessert, be sure to get a peach cobbler (also can be made with a variety of other fruits including blueberries, apples, and strawberries) or fried peach pie. Peaches are the Georgia state fruit.
A popular drink, one that would be served with your fried chicken at grandma's house is sweet tea. If you've never had sweet tea before, take it slow. Southerners tend to like their iced sweet tea made with ALL of the sugar. Another option is lemonade, which is almost completely different from the European style. In the US, we use still water, sugar, and (yellow) lemons. Obviously, you can substitute with (green) limes, if you want, for a completely different flavor.
6. In southern Germany…
Käsespätzle is my thing. Minus the onions.
Currywurst is also a thing; it's one I didn't come to like until my husband made it at home… It's almost sweet tasting and doesn't remind me at all of the curry flavor found in Indian food.
Maß beer is also a standout. I don't drink it, but how can you not associate those large glasses of beer (especially during Oktoberfest) with Germany?
7. In France…
You have crêpes and galettes. As much as I have tried to like savory galettes, I just don't. I prefer sweet crêpes instead.
The French omelet (not served as breakfast) is absolutely amazing and unlike any American omelette that I've ever had. It's more light and airy. And they serve it with fries!
My husband is a fan of the mussels served in a cream broth and served with fries like you find in the Brittany region of France. I dislike seafood, so … there's that. :)
Hot chocolate is a must, though. I cannot leave without having a cup of Angelina's, even in the heat of summer!
Another delicious sweet is the salted caramel found in the Brittany region of France which is also pretty amazing. I wouldn't go out of my way to get it, but if you happen to be there anyway, why not?
8. In northern Italy…
My favorite meal would be salami, a delicious baguette (I know – French!), cheese (even Parmigian Reggiano is acceptable!), and a glass of wine looking out over the ocean with friends as the sun goes down. #win! I'm also a huge fan of their balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Nothing I can buy in the states tastes anything like it!
Unfortunately, I found myself disappointed in most other foods I tried while there – gelato, pizza, spaghetti. Could it be my American taste buds interfering? … Or did we just choose all of the wrong restaurants?
9. In the Québec region of Canada…
How can you not have poutine?
I'm also a HUGE fan of Michel Jodin's iced cider in the Québec region.
Then there is the Canadian syrup which is found in almost everything … from hot drinks to candy to breakfast "sauces". While the syrup itself is very good, I have to say you haven't really tried "Canadian syrup" until you are eating it served in a mug or spread out on snow as a sticky candy to be wrapped around a stick.
10. In Prague, Czech Republic…
Trdelník, a delicious street food pastry made with cinnamon and filled with Nutella. I hear in the summer you can add ice cream to it too! How fun would that be?!
11. In Key West, Florida…
To be determined.
In a few weeks, my husband and I will be making the drive to learn more about what foods are served there. They will be hosting a key lime festival (wherein they drop key lime pies from lighthouses and the person who keeps it most intact wins?), and you can bet I will be drinking a tropical drink and soaking up the sun. Am I crazy? Well, that too is to be determined. It's possible.
What are some foods and drinks you associate with different locations? Have you ever tried a food in one place only to discover that it tastes completely different elsewhere? Are there specific foods you have to get every time you visit a specific location or place?
Share! And link-up with Top Ten Thursday!
Below, I have listed for you the foods and food combinations I have learned about through my travels. Maybe some foods you were already aware of? Maybe there are some new ones for you? Perhaps, you are currently planning to travel to one of these locations?
Whatever the case may be, let me take you away to food paradise … one city (and in some cases, country) at a time…
1. In Hawai'i…
Get fresh fruit. Maui pineapples, passion fruit, guava, coconut, mango, apple bananas. (Yes, apple bananas are a thing.) The fruit I had in Hawai'i was some of the best I've ever had. :)
Kona coffee. Every island has a different flavor, and, according to my husband, it's all delicious.
The Mauimosa is a fun take on the more traditional mimosa. It's made with pineapple wine.
Macadamia nuts grow on multiple islands in Hawai'i. You can get them without all of the additional preservatives, so that's nice. I'm kind of in love with the Hawaiian Host chocolate covered macadamia nuts. Add a bit of caramel and … mmm mm good! :)
Banana bread. Aunty Sandy's banana bread on the Road to Hana in Maui is pretty amazing especially right out of the oven.
The "plated lunch" in Hawai'i is pretty unique. You get a meat of your choosing + macaroni salad + rice. It sounds weird and makes you wonder where the vegetables are, but it's actually really good.
And for dessert be sure to grab some shaved ice. To do it right, you need it layered with vanilla ice cream on the bottom, sweetened condensed milk on top, and a handful of mochi. With the right syrup flavors covering the ice, on a hot, sunny day at the beach, this treat is delicious!
2. In NYC, New York…
Grab an egg cream soda. It comes in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors, though not all flavors are always available at the same place. And no, you won't get sick and die from drinking raw egg, because there isn't any in the drink!
Pizza is next. Just any street vendor will do.
And some people claim the bagels are the best. Something about the New York City water?
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| Photo credit: edwardkimuk via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-ND |
3. In Boston, Massachusetts…
A Boston cream pie/cake is a MUST. My preference? Mike's Pastry in Little Italy. Trust me: this treat served anywhere else in the world will never be the same.
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| Photo credit: greg.turner via Visual hunt / CC BY-NC-SA |
4. In Charleston, South Carolina…
Shrimp and grits are a staple. I don't eat fish, but that's what they say, anyway.
5. In Atlanta, Georgia…
Try the fried chicken. Ideally with a lot of sides. Think mac and cheese, cornbread or drop biscuits, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes with gravy, coleslaw, fried okra, baked beans, and collard greens. A new thing I've only recently been introduced to is red pepper jelly which goes great on a biscuit! The jelly is sweet and tastes nothing like you (or at least I) would expect.
For dessert, be sure to get a peach cobbler (also can be made with a variety of other fruits including blueberries, apples, and strawberries) or fried peach pie. Peaches are the Georgia state fruit.
A popular drink, one that would be served with your fried chicken at grandma's house is sweet tea. If you've never had sweet tea before, take it slow. Southerners tend to like their iced sweet tea made with ALL of the sugar. Another option is lemonade, which is almost completely different from the European style. In the US, we use still water, sugar, and (yellow) lemons. Obviously, you can substitute with (green) limes, if you want, for a completely different flavor.
6. In southern Germany…
Käsespätzle is my thing. Minus the onions.
Currywurst is also a thing; it's one I didn't come to like until my husband made it at home… It's almost sweet tasting and doesn't remind me at all of the curry flavor found in Indian food.
Maß beer is also a standout. I don't drink it, but how can you not associate those large glasses of beer (especially during Oktoberfest) with Germany?
7. In France…
You have crêpes and galettes. As much as I have tried to like savory galettes, I just don't. I prefer sweet crêpes instead.
The French omelet (not served as breakfast) is absolutely amazing and unlike any American omelette that I've ever had. It's more light and airy. And they serve it with fries!
My husband is a fan of the mussels served in a cream broth and served with fries like you find in the Brittany region of France. I dislike seafood, so … there's that. :)
Hot chocolate is a must, though. I cannot leave without having a cup of Angelina's, even in the heat of summer!
Another delicious sweet is the salted caramel found in the Brittany region of France which is also pretty amazing. I wouldn't go out of my way to get it, but if you happen to be there anyway, why not?
8. In northern Italy…
My favorite meal would be salami, a delicious baguette (I know – French!), cheese (even Parmigian Reggiano is acceptable!), and a glass of wine looking out over the ocean with friends as the sun goes down. #win! I'm also a huge fan of their balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Nothing I can buy in the states tastes anything like it!
Unfortunately, I found myself disappointed in most other foods I tried while there – gelato, pizza, spaghetti. Could it be my American taste buds interfering? … Or did we just choose all of the wrong restaurants?
9. In the Québec region of Canada…
How can you not have poutine?
I'm also a HUGE fan of Michel Jodin's iced cider in the Québec region.
Then there is the Canadian syrup which is found in almost everything … from hot drinks to candy to breakfast "sauces". While the syrup itself is very good, I have to say you haven't really tried "Canadian syrup" until you are eating it served in a mug or spread out on snow as a sticky candy to be wrapped around a stick.
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| Photo credit: akimapilot via VisualHunt / CC BY-ND |
10. In Prague, Czech Republic…
Trdelník, a delicious street food pastry made with cinnamon and filled with Nutella. I hear in the summer you can add ice cream to it too! How fun would that be?!
11. In Key West, Florida…
To be determined.
In a few weeks, my husband and I will be making the drive to learn more about what foods are served there. They will be hosting a key lime festival (wherein they drop key lime pies from lighthouses and the person who keeps it most intact wins?), and you can bet I will be drinking a tropical drink and soaking up the sun. Am I crazy? Well, that too is to be determined. It's possible.
What are some foods and drinks you associate with different locations? Have you ever tried a food in one place only to discover that it tastes completely different elsewhere? Are there specific foods you have to get every time you visit a specific location or place?
Share! And link-up with Top Ten Thursday!
Nine Delicious Dishes From My European Travels That You'll Want to Make
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+ crepes (France): super flat pancakes often filled and served with something on top.
+ French bread (France)
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Hohenzollern Castle
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| image courtesy of VisualHunt |
With friends located in south Germany, it was inevitable that we found ourselves exploring old castles and castle ruins while visiting with them. I mean – how could we not?
HISTORY: The Hohenzollern Castle is located between Hechingen and Bisingen on the western side of the Swabian Alps, south of Stuttgart, and sits atop the Berg (mountain) Hohenzollern. It's first known written record occurred sometime in the year 1267; we aren't sure how long before that, this castle existed. However, Hohenzollern Castle was besieged in 1423 after which, it was promptly rebuilt into a second, stronger castle in 1454. It passed between a variety of owners over the years, until the second version of this castle fell to ruin in 1798. The current Hohenzollern castle, that exists on the mountain today, was the creation of King Frederick William IV of Prussia who began construction on it in 1850 and did not complete it until 1867 under his brother the king William I's reign. Now privately owned, the Hohenzollern Castle receives more than 300,000 visit per year.
OUR VISIT to the castle began from the parking lot where we purchased bus tickets to travel up to the top of the mountain, so that we wouldn't have to hike. While our German friends (and even my husband!) are in great physical shape, I, myself, am not. Thus bus. It cost €3,10 (cheaper for one way travel) and luckily the bus was already ready and waiting for us to board. We lost no time at all getting to the top of the 2,000+ft mountain.
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| Photo credit: Matthias Wicke via Visualhunt / CC BY-NC-SA |
But as is typical with European castles, just getting to the end of the bus ride isn't enough. You still have to continue upward if you ever want to get inside the castle walls.
Once you make to the top and inside the castle walls, the view is stunning. You feel as if you are on top of the world!
(And don't even get me started on those majestic clouds!)
After exploring for a bit, we decided to take an English tour and see inside the castle walls.
(While waiting in line to go in, I snapped a shot of a Christmas tree!)
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| Photo credit: -AX- via VisualHunt / CC BY-NC |
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| Photo credit: -AX- via VisualHunt / CC BY-NC |
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| Photo credit: albedo20 via Visualhunt.com / CC BY-NC-ND |
The inside of the castle, that they allow you to tour anyway, isn't very large, and only takes about half an hour to go through, but I do recommend that you stay ahead of the tour group when possible. It can be difficult to hear what is being said if you linger behind and find yourself at the end of the line. It's also helpful to know that if you are in fact an English speaker and not a German speaker, you may notice your tour guide struggling with the English language. When the tour guide isn't sure of a word, it can make the information s/he is sharing harder to follow, so you will need to listen all the more closely to what is being said. While you can offer your assistance, be kind and understand that learning a language is incredibly difficult. You don't want to offend or humiliate your tour guide with your help. Also, keep in mind that you are in a different country and the first language is not English! Be respectful!
The tour of the castle also included a glimpse of the family treasures inside a museum. The tour guide will explain most pieces or you can explore on your own. (It's a small museum located only in one room of the castle.) There is a mixture of family collected of art pieces, formal royal attire, and even the king's precious jewels and crown.
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| St. Michael's Cathedral |
Before departing, we also managed to visit St. Michael's Cathedral (catholic), Christ's Chapel (protestant) and snuck in a meal at the local restaurant (which has the best spätzle I've ever had!) and check out the gift shop.
(And if you check out this post, we technically did Hohenzollern Castle in a different order. But that's neither here nor there for this post. 😉)
Rather than wait for the never-coming bus, we opted to "hike" our way down the mountain to the car. The hike only took about 15-20 minutes and afforded some very different views of the castle as you looked up at it. The walkways were pretty steep, all but with a flat surface (so not difficult like with rocks and such). Basically, you could comfortably (aside from your poor knees) run down the mountain. When walking at a certain speed, it almost felt as if you were running anyway!
As much as I would have loved to capture a sunset picture from atop the mountain, by sundown, we had to be on our way. We couldn't be late for a very special German dinner our friends' parents had prepared for us. ❤️
HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR PLANNING YOUR TRIP
• Entrance fee for Hohenzollern Castle is 7€/adult and 5€/child.
• A more in depth (interior) tour can be bought for 12€/adult or 6€/child.
• Parking costs 2€/day.
• Summer shuttle hours: 9-18:30 (or 6:30PM)
• Winter shuttle hours: 10-17:30 (or 5:30PM)
• Drones are prohibited.
• The castle has adjusted hours and/or is closed on Dec. 24, Dec. 31, and Jan 1.
What do you think of those views from the Hohenzollern Castle? Is this a place you would enjoy visiting? Are you familiar at all with Prussian history or more a fan of just traveling to and seeing beautiful places (like me!)? 😀
* Check out this post for even more information about the castle and see detailed images taken from the inside.
** Or go here to see the official website for Hohenzollern Castle.
Wanderful Wednesday hosts:
Lauren of Lauren on Location
Van of Snow in Tromso
Isabel of The Sunny Side of This
Marcella of What a Wonderful World
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| Click here to join the link-up! |
