Attempting culture

Growing up in America, I was taught that during thunderstorms, to seek shelter. Don’t stand under trees. Don’t stand under anything metal. In Veliko Tarnovo, that little juicy bit of warning was completely unheeded. Abby, our new Italian friend and I had learned “Carmina Burana” was being performed at the Tsarevets fortress for 15 LVContinue reading “Attempting culture”

Leaving the Black Sea

After nearly 10 days seaside, Abby and I boarded a bus to Bulgaria’s interior — the can’t-miss-town of Veliko Tarnovo. It’s not big. It’s not glitzy. But, it is breathtaking. Little stone homes line old cobblestone streets. Stairs climb up the hillside, leading people to the main street packed with stores and delicious (and inexpensive)Continue reading “Leaving the Black Sea”

The Jungle Princess joins the Adventure

The first time I met Abby was in Las Vegas about four years ago. She was an editor and I was a publicist, so we had a few lunches and swam in some of the same circles of the Las Vegas social scene. I never imagined the next time I would see her would beContinue reading “The Jungle Princess joins the Adventure”

A love affair with Air-Con

I lived in the desert for four summers. The sweltering hot, Las Vegas desert. When people would tell me it was worse on the East Coast, that at least it was not humid, I would always retort: “You may not think it is bad, but try blowing a hair dryer on your face non-stop forContinue reading “A love affair with Air-Con”

Fairytale land

Napping is a beautiful thing. When I wake-up from a nap I feel refreshed. Revived. Renewed. I woke up mid-afternoon in Goreme and quickly emerged from the damp cave to take in my surroundings. Scotty sat outside at picnic bench, working on paper work. A few minutes later, Claire emerged from her bed, too. ClaireContinue reading “Fairytale land”

The Fez night bus of discomfort

“All aboard,” Scotty said, standing outside the Fez bus as a group of 16 of us loaded ourselves in. It was 8 p.m. and we were leaving Olympos, headed to Goreme in the Cappidocia region of Turkey. The ride was going to be a long one — 10 hours — and get us in toContinue reading “The Fez night bus of discomfort”

The return of the Hair Snob

I ran my fingers through my hair. It had grown a lot since I had it cut back in January. And it felt gross. Fried. “Arlene, this is disgusting,” I moaned, tugging at my sun-damaged locks. “I need to fix this or it will drive me nuts.” Fortunately, Arlene’s pre-travel life included being a stylist.Continue reading “The return of the Hair Snob”