My first memory of the Hagia Sophia goes back to when I was an adventure-starved 15-year old learning about the Byzantine Empire in history class. As we watched a video about the Hagia Sophia, I quickly became entranced with the Hagia Sophia’s age, her golden walls and her unique melange of Byzantine, Roman and Arabic … Read more
Ever since visiting the Alhambra Palace in Grenada, Spain, when I was 16, I’ve had a serious soft spot for Arabic or Moorish architecture. I find myself fawning over the horseshoe arches, the intricate, geometric patterns, the swooping Arabic calligraphy… and there’s no better place to bask in the beauty of Arabic architecture than at … Read more
On my first backpacking trip through Europe when I was 17, my travel partner and I spent a few days at a hostel villa in Tuscany. After a few weeks of city-to-city backpacking all I wanted to do was breathe, so I plucked a VHS of Serendipity from the hostel library and spent a few happy … Read more
During my stay in Turkey my cousin Suzy, who is an Istanbul expat, took me to a restaurant so good it deserves its own post- Çinaralti. Çinaralti serves affordable, tasty Turkish food in the style of Korean barbecue. But you won’t find any kimchi here- at Çinaralti it’s traditional Turkish fare all the way. We, as in Suzy, … Read more
So one unremarkable night in January, something happened that so many had told me I would never see: It snowed in Paris. And Lonely Planet would kill me, but… it was magical. I also witnessed my first Parisian déménagement, which I had no idea was such a process. I guess how else would you get all of … Read more
Hey, everyone! I hope you all have been doing great. I’ve been… well, I’ve had a tough week due to some problems with my job here. But it seems I have resolved everything so no more tears. And I’m sorry to be vague-blog but I really do think things are looking up!
So this week I barely took any photos- I think all of that Istanbul coverage (which you will see more of very soon!) wore me out photographically. Here are a few iPod-snapshots of what’s been going around in my adorable little town…
During the month of January you will see lots of crown-sporting cakes called galette des rois in the boulangerie windows in France.
And the reason behind all these blue-blooded cakes? Because for the epiphany, January 6, the French eat king cake to honor the kings who came bearing gifts for Jesus 12 days after his birth.
Ten minutes before I left for France in October, my mom insisted I buy a ticket home for Christmas- and I am ever so happy that I heeded her demand suggestion.
And as if I didn’t need any more incentive to come home to my wonderful family, Michigan really out-did itself this year with the snow.
Welcome to My Local Eats, a guest post series in which foodies from around the globe share their favorite local places to eat and drink. Today we will be learning about what to eat in New York, and so far the series has already covered Paris and Seoul. Today the series makes its foray into North America … Read more
Breizh Café – the Parisian café revered for having best Breton crepes this side of Rennes. I had heard about this place for ages from the likes of trusted Paris food bloggers such as David Lebovitz. But the best crêpe in Paris? Let’s find out.