Greece

July 30 - August 20, 2009

An incredible, unbelievable adventure through the Cyclades.

Santorini. Only the start of Vespas! An archipelago of volcanic islands. Black sand beaches in Perissa. Burning my feet on small pebbles trying to reach the water. Sharing the small passageways in Fira with donkeys. Discovering the heightened colors of Ia. Mud baths for the skin. Tasting local wine at the vineyards. An introduction to a culture I've often wondered most about.

Milos. They say Milos is for lovers. But they also say all couples visiting Milos end shortly after. Sailing around the island on a pristine, beautiful catamaran. Discovering the untouched coves of the island. Snorkeling around rusted ships just beyond the smooth white rock formations. Taking in the spectrum of creatures living under the Aegean. Having faith. Enjoying Greek mass with typical, black-clothed women. Sharing ouzo afterwards. Overlooking the harbor lights.

Naxos. A meeting place of unforeseen, genuine friendship. A sandy beach only a step from the balcony. Wind and kite surfers' paradise. Rock climbing for a better photo op. Fresh caught octupi on strings outside restaurants. Greek wine beginnings followed by dancing to all the Greek hits. Discovery of THE unique, metal working artist.

Amorgos. Lengthy ferry adventure full of French campers anticipating the site of The Big Blue. Arriving into Katapola. Watching the best sunset and scenery on the ride to Aigiali, the smaller port. Seven males in a house with the best sunset-watching balcony in Greece was our home. Watching the meteor shower on the beach. Touring the tiny monastery overlooking the breathtaking cove, Agia Anna. Located just around the bend from tiny, charming Chora. Taking the path to a more secluded, rocky cove. Swimming in the crisp, clear water. Becoming family with the ones you only just met. The end of the Raki bottle went into my glass. Meaning I will have a great marriage. The whole restaurant cheered! Celebrating into the night, into the morning, until my ferry left. The island stole my heart.

Tinos. The winds picked up. Not a fun ferry ride. Walking without being blown over was difficult. Riding on the back of a vespa was the best solution. Finding the best fig trees for picking the ripened fruit. Women on their knees crawling 800 meters to the Panagia Evangelistria at the top of the hill. Virgin Mary. Marble artists flock to the island. Their works grasping everyone's eyes. Sharing my final night with Greek loves.

You can’t count on your ferry to arrive on time. Or even come at all. You can’t count on quick service. You can't count on the internet. Or phones. But you can find the freshest seafood. Cheese. Tomatoes. Peaches. Nectarines. Watermelon. Figs. The nicest, most generous people EVER. Endless flow of Raki and Ouzo. Continuous, incredible hospitality. Lax minds and lifestyle. Refreshing, salty water. Remarkable sunsets. And sunrises. The best scooter adventures. Unparalleled architecture. Discovery of the undiscovered. Faith. And love.

Switzerland

July 14-20, 2009

Bern. Hometown to my cousins, Pascal & Philip. Growing up across the world but relatable in every way. Strolling along stone streets through the capital passing clock towers, churches and numerous statues. Catching up on life. Climbing to the hillside rose garden to overlook neutrality. Relaxing at the local 'beach' while sharing stories of the past years. Raclette with pickled onions! Watching local Swiss to big name bands at the Gurtenfestival. Starting as a beautiful, warm day turned to cold, pouring rainstorm. Standing underneath covered tents listening to the combination of rain and live music. Unreal. Fresh pastries from the bakery just as it opens.

Luzern. My cousin, Jill's home. A clear, magnificent sight to Mount Pilatus. Sipping on the locally brewed beer of the small town with the best of company. Looking out on the beauty from the wall of watch towers. Reading Rousseau in his home country. Made me smile. Crossing the bridges over the Reuss river. A home cooked Swiss meal ending with freshly picked blueberries with cold milk and sugar.

A drive through this country's many cantons will make you gasp at the environmental wonders our world holds. The high alps sprinkled with snow, the flat fields filled with vegetation, crisp, vast lakes and giant glaciers. All create endless picturesque views. Bicyclists are intermittently dispersed along the road every rally racer and car aficionado dream to drive on. Watching the old steam train climb the steep pass. Crossing over open bridges trying to conquer my cousin’s fears. Enjoying meringue! Watching the endless number of parasailers jump from the high peaks. Precisely choosing from the best chocolate.

Paris

July 11-14, 2009

Along with the Notre Dame and Sacre Couer is a desolate, yet welcoming park bench in a rose garden perfect for enjoying a novel. Or quaint French cafe to sip espresso and taste delicate pastries. Noticing the big intertwined with the small is what makes a city beautiful. Admiring the well thought out, dreamy fashion boutiques. Or just the people within the city. To untangle the crowd of a city into straight lines of beauty.

Seeing the historical sites. Appreciating the art of each time period. Whether you prefer it or not. From the art inside the Louvre. Or in the park outside. Or even the Louvre itself. Slight rain turns to thunder. The sun vanishes yet the city’s light is almost better seen. Everywhere you turn is another huge monument built many years in the past. Sight of the massive Arc de Triomphe, busy Champ Elysees and distinguished Eiffel Tower from my balcony. A true gift.

Experiencing Bastille Day. Watching the parade. Streets lined with artillery. Uniformed military representing their country. Some say a symbol of the modern nation. Flights overhead of numerous jets, planes and helicopters, different sizes and formations. Red, white and blue. It made up for missing the fourth in the USA. Fireworks!

the Netherlands slash Holland

July 8-11, 2009

Eindhoven. Small, neat and clean airport. Futuristic looking city buses. That was my entire experience. Fortunately or unfortunately, I can’t say.

Amsterdam. Bicycles. Bicycles. Bicycles. If you’re not on one, you’re cautious of being hit by one. ‘Coffeeshops’ are filled with youngsters. Cafes and pubs are filled with young professionals and hipsters.

Stroll through Vondelpark. A Bohemian’s paradise. Cruise on the canals. Or walk alongside them. Shop for vintage treasures amongst the long stalls of the many markets. Smell the fresh flowers and purchase next season’s tulip bulbs in the Bloemenmarkt. See Van Gogh’s brilliance at the museum. Admire the innovative architecture of the city. Discovering the beauty in this capital is easily possible.

Finding the hidden gems takes the help of a local eye and mind. A veteran, wooden-clog craftsman’s workshop. Canal boat graveyard turned independent art exhibit. Picnic atop the Rijksmuseum roof. Great fashion designer windows next to the ladies 'offices' in the Red Light DIstrict. Chess tips from one of the homeless, barely standing players. Bicycle street races in the Oud Zuid neighborhood. Authentic Italian cuisine in a packed basement pizza parlor. Destructed homes from the new underground being built.

Belgium

July 3-8, 2009

A country known for an extensive list of local brews, delicious waffles and exquisite chocolates. Sipped walls of beers, light and dark included. Ate sugary waffles, street vendor and fancy restaurant included. Tasted the delicate chocolates, sweet and bitter included. Belgium is KNOWN for them for good reason. Trust me.

Antwerp. A 'metropolitan' city with a small town feel. The location for my cousin’s vinyl and CD store, Recycled Records. Buy music if you’re in town. Small plug. Family love. Pubs outnumber any other store type. One bar with five hundred and fifty different bottled beers line the wall. All my favorites on tap. All smiles.

Gent. An old-world village my cousin calls home. Two churches and a bell tower make up the historic center. Canals run through the cobblestone streets lined with ancient homes. Small, adorable boutiques with fantastic, specialized goods on display can be found in the tiny side streets. Cuberdon. A traditional sweet, purple fruity candy in the shape of ‘Gent’ noses. You can only by in €4 quantities. An artistic alleyway, legal for graffiti, exemplifies the talent of colorful paint in a can.

Bruges. A romantic getaway for two. Or one in my case. Every other door is the entry to the best Belgian chocolates. A massive array of every person’s specific preferences. Walk on the pathway surrounded by green grass and large trees, cross over a few canals, walk the One main street, shop the large square market and you've seen it all. Take the side streets and discover a little more. A grammar school choir and orchestra concert heightened by the acoustic sounds of the vaulted ceiling cathedral. Four course fresh seafood lunch at a family run, the same family since 1805, restaurant on a canal.

Hungary

June 29 - July 3, 2009

Combine the hilly, green right bank of Buda with the metropolitan, bustling left bank of Pest and voilà, Budapest. The boardwalk along the Danube. Some days it exists, other days it doesn't. On the Buda side, the Castle district and Gellert Hill stand. Holding the impressive Matthias Church, originally built in 1015, under construction now. Fisherman's bastion providing shade for the starving musicians. Citadella park for the locals to picnic. All overlook the Pest side.

The Parliament. A giant building seen from most of the ten, soon to eleven, bridges in Budapest. Walk Andrássy Avenue and find the luxury shops, the outstanding Opera House and the best local, cheap Gulyás, often mispronounced goulash and Fozelék, thick vegetable stew, joint in town. Visit the ever-changing, soon to be all modern, Jewish quarter and find the Great Synagogue. Largest in Eurasia. Second largest in the world.

Széchenyi Medicinal Bath. Largest bath in Europe. A typical day in the Turkish baths. Different degree saunas, steam rooms and mineral baths. The local pros wearing small cloths and swim caps. I played a game of chess while submerged in the outdoor, perfectly tempered pool. Our languages differed, but our facial expressions, chess moves and hand gestures were enough. The intimidating eye of a seventy and some odd year old, Hungarian man was perfection.

Markets. Központi Vásárcsarnok, my favorite, for the building and the goods. A large three story market. All the local cuisine brought in for the chefs and women to choose. Some stands with a long queue. Others with no customers. Easily telling what is best. PAPRIKA! They put it in everything. Gyümölcs leves, cold fruit soup, often sour cherry. I surprisingly enjoyed this. Túró Rudi, a chocolate coated cheese candy only found in Hungary. I surprisingly didn't like this. Somlói Galuska, spongy cake, with rum and chocolate. I loved this. Chefs hate to make it.

And in the night...Abandoned homes and bus stations turned into bars and hangouts coupled with indie, underground Hungarian bands and djs make the nightlife scene unlike any other.

Poland

June 24-28, 2009

Krakow. Once Poland's capital. A true gem in my book. Young nightlife galore. I preferred Kazimierz, the old Jewish neighborhood. A more artsy, creative crowd. Pure fun, in a dark cellar or terrace dance floor. Beautiful architecture sporatically throughout the city, from the post office to the corner cafe. Alleyways full of original works of art, from the homeless to the known. A grand square with hourly church bells and trumpet playing surrounded by horse-drawn carriages. And golf carts, for the lazy tourists. Wawel hill holds the royal castle and cathedral. A true microcosm for the Polish. Or so they say. Great views of the Vistula river and the bridges crossing it.

I suggest to get lost in the countryside. I did, though not purposely. See the lengthy green fields with yellow-flowered patches. Find the smallest, most elaborate music store. Small towns with locals carrying baskets shopping the fresh markets. Discover a wedding. Everyone from town in attendance. An accidental discovery of true Polish beauty, at its finest.

Wieliczka. Old salt mines lie here. Ancient mining techniques displayed. Old tales hidden in the deep crevices. There are multiple churches built underneath. The grandest cathedral decorated with chandeliers and paintings, all made of salt. You can actually marry there. 135 meters below ground.

Auschwitz. Five years of history all should know, see and learn from. To save one life is as if you have saved the world.

Czech Republic

June 20-24, 2009

Prague. The city breathes history. The combination of architectural styles blends perfectly to create a city of peerless beauty. Each colored structure producing a pastel palette. The untouched exterior of the city exceptionally masks the tragic past of the people within. The Vltava river running through with the distinguishable bridges connecting each side. Charles being most prominent.

The Jewish quarter uniquely holds the most history, upscale shops and great dining, fine and local included. Layered fallen corpses lie but sanctuaries of prayer surround them. The astronomical clock strikes. Kafka literature dominates. Ballerinas excel. Opera is paramount. Pork, in every form, overtakes the menus. I prefer the knuckle. The castle’s height looks as if it extends farther than the clouds.

Day one was filled with listening to the Prague music festival on a small river dock, watching the sun set behind the city, followed by traditional, delicious Czech food and wine, later followed by dancing in a basement nightclub. Unreal.

Croatia

June 12-21, 2009

Dubrovnik. Descent begins. Sun shining on gorgeous water with few boats. Clear a cliff and land in a small valley of greenery. This place speaks vacation. The ultimate relaxing destination. Speedy, law breaking taxi drivers. Huge fortress walls surround the old city. Walk like guards once did and see the small city within. Marble grounds. Prominent churches. Sailboats navigate around. Ships moored within.

Hvar. Six hour ferry ride to a small idyllic island paradise. Two days turned into seven. The Croatian life captured me. The refreshing, crisp sea surrounds you. Relax in private coves. Unwind on a neighboring secluded island. Swim and become one with fish. Sail the south winds on prodigious boats. Discover the near islands by kayak. Taste the sweet homemade, honey liqueur. Smell the vast lavender fields. Wakeboard the Adriatic. Savor the fresh, incredible Mediterranean cuisine. Seafood of the day, everyday. Explore the untouched land by scooter. Hear the hourly church bells. Admire the striped, maritime attire. Immediate, worldly friendships were formed. Complete acceptance. Knowing everyone on the island by day three, tourists and locals combined. A dream of reality.

Portugal

June 3-11, 2009

Lisbon. Small cobblestone winding streets. Ornate, colorful tiles decorate exterior walls. Antique, yellow trolley cars run up and down the steep hills. Expansive city and river views atop each of them. Locals sip espresso and eat small pastries at high counter bars.

Darkness falls and all the young emerge. Buy drinks inside one of the numerous wall to wall bars and socialize outside on the charming, diverse streets. Music heard from every way, luring those listening with rhythmic noise.

Neighborhood square festivals thriving. A black and white film later turns into a concert of electronic beats played by two djs combined with eight eclectically-styled drummers. An intimate indie rap show at a modern art exhibition in an abandoned warehouse. Fado in a dark, smokey bar. Local jazz band entertaining a small crowd. Outdoor barbeque celebrating Sant Antoni at the Museo Arquelogico. Two man band playing a packed, historic bar with an extensive antique radio collection.

Sant Jorge castle exemplifies how expansive the city actually is. Inside the city, a hidden botanical garden and butterfly atrium. A personal tour made me scream. Their wings tickling my bare skin. Seeing them at each life stage. Unique within a screened home.

Sintra. A small village outside Lisbon. Tiny pedestrian streets contain tinier shops of authentic crafts and cuisine. Walking through the parks you seem worlds away from any city. An extensive array of flowers and fauna. Giant moss covered rocks. Huge trees with long roots to swing on. As if they are out of a story book. You reach the Moorish castle guarding the palace of royalty. A site of beauty.

Porto. A short train ride north along the coast to the home of the renown wine. Far below the city center lies the river. Antique ships once used for Port wine transports anchored. Wine cellars encasing the bottled perfection of the Duoro region.

Cristal Palace and the park within shows the city’s entirety. Loud peacocks roaming with the pedestrians. Two bridges to connect each side. The mouth of the river where it reaches the ocean.

Casa da Musica houses every musician's dream room in one uniquely modern monument. An after-hour tour from a sound engineer made even more of the beauty and hidden secrets come to life. One's imaginations become real.

Matosinhos. Small fishing village just outside the city. Each person full of happiness and life no matter their age. A long lunch overlooking the ocean with rain pouring down tasting the Portuguese cuisine at its best. Every local dish, dessert and drink are crafted with passion. A few of my favorites. Bacalhau. Their cod fish cooked numerous ways. Francesinha. A Porto originating sandwich. Fresh sardines. Homemade caramel custard.

Istanbul, Turkey

May 16-23, 2009

Waiting for my flight a gentleman asked me if I was a journalist, since I was typing on my computer. I told him I was not, but enjoyed writing about my adventures. He said in one day alone you will write five pages about Turkey. I smiled, but with doubt. Staring out the window during the drive into the city from the airport I began to believe this man.

Istanbul. The only city to lie on two continents, Europe and Asia. A city with high admiration for Atatürk, the once great leader and first president of their country, and strong pride for their culture. On almost every building hangs their bright red flag with the white moon and star distinctly showing.

Walking the streets you hear music from all cultures and see both locals, old and young, sipping tea contemplating their next moves in backgammon and homeless cats warming in the sunspots on the cobblestone roads. Eye level will deceive you of the city, for most of the treasurable places sit on the upper levels or terraces.

Six times a day the ezan is chanted. From anywhere in Istanbul you can hear the chant projected from mosque loudspeakers. Although the voice itself was not beautiful to my ear, the sound and meaning of it was heartening. Every time.

Topkapi Palace and the Harem exist within a beautiful park overlooking the sea. Built for the fallen Ottoman Sultans, holding treasures and secrets that were buried with them. Both built beyond their means and equally extraordinary to explore, although their ways with women were repulsive.

Cruised to Büyükada, the largest of the Princes’ islands, on the Sea of Marmara. Motorized vehicles are prohibited, leaving horse-drawn carriages, bicycles and your own legs as the modes of transportation. We rode bicycles up and down hills, exploring the lush, picturesque island. Passing through forested parks and neighborhoods filled with sumptuous estates. Finally reaching a local seaside vacation spot. Sunbathed listening to young, vibrant Turkish music watching the calm sea.

Hagia Sophia. A mosque, now museum, I had seen pictures of since a child in history books. The pictures do no justice. Walking through the gigantic doors my breath was taken away by the sole size of the building. Architecturally beautiful, beyond massive, and utterly outstanding.

The Blue Mosque. Six minarets show it’s distinctness. Tradition, even for turists, for women to cover their heads, and all to dress conservatively and remove their shoes prior to entering. Cleanliness. Two separate praying areas exist for each gender. The simplicity within the walls moved me.

A cruise up the Bosporus took us to Sariyer. Then a local bus on the scenic route to Kilyos. A small beach town where you can see oil tankers while sunbathing on the white sand. A bit odd, yet enjoyable.

And oh the food. And coffee. Turkish coffee. Small dose, great satisfaction. Köfte. A delicious meatball. Kebabs and şiş. Desserts. Pistachio and fig galore. Erik. A mini apple looking tart fruit. Street vendor grilled corn and roasted chestnuts. The language barrier couldn’t hinder my tasting. Luckily when it comes to food you can just point.

Mallorca

May 9-13, 2009

Mallorca. An island simply found. Just a hop from Barcelona. Yet it hides the utmost beauty. Endearing, friendly people. Pristine, jeweled beaches. Charming, quaint villages. Windmills can be seen from the plane. Standing tall along side the turquoise blue ocean. Transportation is run by gorgeous Mallorcan men. Buses. Trains. Trolleys. Boats. Yachts are run by Kiwis and Aussies.

Palma, the main city, is filled with lavish shops, outdoor eateries and boats galore. The labyrinth of streets hides the magnificent Catedral de Mallorca and remarkable Bellver Castle. To celebrate mothers I shared beers and great food in Virtual Club Bistrot, a restaurant built into a cliff at the beach, Illetas. Utter perfection.


An antique train ride took me through the vines of oranges, lemons and olives. Gliding through mountains reaching a village of charm and beauty, Sóller.


A festival of triumph began the day I arrived. El Firó. Their history of constant war being mimicked. I had an unanticipated discovery of friendship. An international bond existed between these men and I found it’s heart.

I was so quickly welcomed with open arms and invited to a lunch of true locality. Snails, mussels, calamari followed by paella containing the sea. Preparation begins. We transform into Moros by blackening our skin and covering our heads. The journey to battle the Christians begins. Any skin seen bare will be blackened. Guns fire and cannons blare. The town metamorphosed. Festivities through the whole night. Into the morning. In one day this town captured me, forever.

The plane back to Barcelona I feel like it all was a dream. Five days of an experience unparalleled.

Barcelona Wins!

May 6, 2009

Barcelona v Chelsea in the semi-finals. Chelsea is winning 1-0. In the 93rd minute, Barcelona scores to tie the game at 1-1. which means Barcelona is going to the finals! The city went crazy! Cheers and chants yelled loud. The excitement. The happiness. The insane comradery. Go Barca!


And then I wake up to the news of the Lakers winning Game 2! Woo!

Diversity

Language barriers. People’s intolerance for diversity. The frustration I get for the ignorance people show. Open your ears. Open your eyes. The world is not just your own. Be a part of it. Embrace it. For everything it offers. Rather than miss it.

My first night in London I met people from around the world. From Germany, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Cyprus, Italy, Mauritius, Somalia, St. Lucia, England, Philippines, Australia, Spain, Brazil, France and Turkey. Conversations held were the most extraordinary. Each of us from different walks of life. Being able to share the experiences of our lives. All intertwined. However some unrelatable.

Who do I have to become to be accepted by you? A stranger. There is always a place that prefers the other. The opposite. There’s no right or wrong. Just be. Accept every person met. Learn from each of them.

London

April 23-29, 2009

London. A city of diversity. Filled with culture and art of the world. Double decker buses rule the surface, the tube trains rule the underground, and pedestrians have no rights.

A reunion with a friend I’ve known for thirteen years brought me to this city. A great week of adventurous times and amazing hospitality was the perfect beginning. Eating fish & chips along the Thames. Watching a typical day of reason at the House of Commons. Tasting the worldly cuisines of India, Japan & China with a London twist. Changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. Drinking the locally brewed ales in dark, yet lively pubs. Staying out until the sun comes up with old & new friends.

Just walking the streets of London. Beauty is found. Little Venice, Camden, Regents Park, Hyde Park, Kensington, Notting Hill, Soho, St. James Park, Chelsea, Carnaby Street.

Listening to the languages being spoken. Hearing all the different accents. All of them creating harmonious sound drowning out the traffic noise. Tourists crowd the sidewalks and suits crowd the parks. Locals fill the pubs and restaurants daily, creating a city life with no equal.


Discovering all the art in London could take a lifetime. A few of my favorites this time... A small Banksy exhibit in South Kensington, Gerhard Richter photography and a Jason Brooks portrait at the National Portrait Gallery, Picasso at the National Gallery, Pollock at the Tate Modern


and Middle Eastern contemporary art at the Saatchi Gallery. All of them intriguing, each of them distant from each other on the art spectrum.

New York City

New York City. Five boroughs. Numerous neighborhoods. Which one do I prefer? I could never choose just one. For me, it’s like politics. I like each candidate for something different. This trip I covered a lot of ground, visiting friends and family. From Queens to Park Slope, Brooklyn to each village, West, East and Greenwich included, to the Upper West & East Side.



Throughout the whole city, all the trees and flowers are blossoming. The prominent, yellow daffodils and clean, brightening tulips line the streets. The cherry blossoms create arches over the streets and parks, enveloping the gems of the city, framing the structures that have been in this city for years. A few gorgeous days & nights of weather brought out the city. In Central Park. Along the Hudson. Down, up and across the streets.

I could visit the MOMA every week, if not everyday. Each time a new thought is provoked. Looking at works of art, I continue to wonder what was going through the minds of each artist when they painted, drew, constructed or sculpted their works. I have true appreciation and respect for art. Creativity makes life more brilliant.
The people in New York are more than intriguing. Each person has a story waiting to be told. Aged faces easily seen as great history. The more weathered, the more deepening the story. The subway is something I find so serene. Creating and imagining my own story of where the man sitting across from me has been in his life. How the scar above his left eyebrow happened? How long will the people asleep at the end of line will ride the train for and where in the city they will eventually wake up? Will the saxophone player, entertaining the waiting subway goers, ever be discovered for his talent?

Family

Family. Blood or not. The people you surround yourself with become your family. The ones who support you. Through it all. Less judgments. They are the people you turn to when everything else is in shambles. The ones you want to share your most exciting news with first. Each individual in your life plays a different, significant role. All of them teach you. Educate you about life. How to live it. And how to just be.

I luckily have the best family, all friends included. Each one of them I love. Everyday. The relationships I have with them are more important to me than they will ever know. I can’t begin to express how thankful I am to have them, all of them.

Life truly is about relationships. Some are lost, some are broken and the best ones are forever. The most important one being with yourself. Once you’re happy with yourself, everything else falls into place. Believe in yourself, daily.

Greg & Jess' Wedding

Saturday, April 11, 2009 Brookfield, CT.

My bonus brother's wedding. Beautiful. Two great people with amazing love for each other. Such a great time with so many good people.

Love going to weddings. Don't think I'll actually have a big one of my own.



My bonus sister and new bonus sister in law!













My bonus brother!

San Francisco

March 26-April 4, 2009

I’m in love. with this city. I could discover for years. It’s a high possibility I will live here one day. Having good weather during my entire stay definitely helped in the positive outlook I have of the city, but even without it I would have been happy.

Sitting in Alamo Square Park with friends having good conversation made me change my flight for three days later on a whim. It was the best decision I’d made in awhile.

What was discovered: An albino alligator in the Academy of Sciences. Great soup & beer at Suppenkuche. Philz coffee. Dolores Park. Great wine & a fabulous wine slinger at Bin38. BBQ goodness & good friends at Farmerjohn. Pacifica beach. Good meal with great people in a parking lot at Nonas.


Walking Golden Gate Bridge. Bridges fascinate me. Every aspect of them. Minibar for creepy Irish men & a good bartender. Mojo. Vegan Doughnuts from People's. Meggies boutique. Pizza at LittleStar. Bourbon at Alembic. Raw oysters & bread salad at Zuni Cafe. Golden Gate Park. Apparently there are bison. Drum circles in the conservatory of flowers always brings a smile to my face.


So many characters walk, bike and ride the streets of this city. Each one of them equally or more interesting than the last.



Good friends are like stars. you may not always see them but you always know they are there.

Mexico

March 21-25, 2009 Las Gaviotas, Mexico

A place I wake up happy every morning. A chance to get away from reality. A place for relaxation & fun. A real dream. I luckily have the best friend a girl could ask for. and it turns out her family has a house in Mexico. So many great times have been had here. And hopefully so many more will be had in the future.

It's a real shame so many have a fear of visiting this wonderful place. I try not to live in fear. ever. Be smart when you travel. End of story.