Essaouria, Morocco This photo was taken by Phil of Phil in the Blank and How to Draw Camels. (He inspired me to take a sketch pad and some pencils to Morocco.) Beautiful scene! Medina in Essaouira, Morocco. Phil has this to say about the photo: "Called the 'windiest city in Africa,' the walls of the …
Swiss Mountains (of chocolate!)
Zermatt, Switzerland Today's post comes, not from the sunny dunes of Morocco, but from the scenic slopes of Switzerland! (Say that 5 times fast! ;) I have not yet been to Switzerland, though I have a feeling that after reading this story by Meg, my mother may request that I organize an expedition! …
Love Note from the Sahara
Erg Chebbi, Morocco I took a nap under a palm tree yesterday. I was missing my honey, so I wrote his name in the sand and took a picture. When I woke up I spied a beetle (jokingly called "4×4"s by the locals) and snapped another photo.
Featured Photo: Morocco desert gallery
Moroccan desert These photos were taken by Frazer Waller on his trip to Morocco. He has many more, but he obligingly created a short gallery of desert dunes (and camel!) photos for me to feature while I'm away… playing in the dunes! They are gorgeous pics and are really adding to my anticipation of the …
A virtual day in Marrakech
Marrakech, Morocco Today's post is by Amanda of MarocMama. She's been answering many of my questions about Morocco both in the comments of TourAbsurd and by email. I am really grateful for all her help! This post will help you come along (in spirit) for my first visit to Marrakech. In fact, she's even included …
Featured photo: New Zealand Kea
Mount Cook, New Zealand This photo was taken by my friend, Dave, who recently visited New Zealand. He graciously gave me permission to publish it in support of the Blog4NZ event. Beautiful bird! Here's what Dave says about the photo: "Photo of a Kea (the world's only high altitude parrot) at the base …
Cork St. Patrick’s Day Parade
ps: Wrote a short article for Examiner.com – "St. Patrick's Day: Bigger, better, and greener than ever." pps: A friend of mine just hipped me to this hilarious website: Paddy, Not Patty.
Quote: …I first became aware of the outside world
Through travel I first became aware of the outside world; it was through travel that I found my own introspective way into becoming a part of it. ~ Eudora Welty
Morocco Prep 2: The New ‘Do
Cork, Ireland I let my hair get longer than usual because I was using it for insulation. Despite the weather difference, more women in Ireland have short hair than women in Italy. I prefer short, low-maintenance hair, but it had simply been too cold for that. With longer days and warmer weather making itself apparent, …
The Best Arancini in Italy
Catania, Italy I had not really intended on going anywhere for the weekend, but Dario had other plans. After a short discussion on possible destinations, we decided on Sicily. It was time to find the best arancini in Italy, and Catania was the place to do it! First view of My Mountain (Etna) from …
Quote: …the years of struggle
One day in retrospect the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful. ~ Sigmund Freud
Featured photo: Ethiopian shepherd children
Bale Mountains, Ethiopia The closest I've come to visiting Ethiopia is changing planes in Addis Ababa on my way from Italy to Tanzania. (Well, and eating at an incredible Ethiopian restaurant in Rome.) Janet from Journalist On The Run, however, actually spent some time there. When I asked if she had some photos she'd like …
Help me plan my trip to Morocco
4 March 2011 I am terribly excited about my upcoming trip to Morocco, and yet I am also nervous. I tend to over-plan things because I like to have info, know my options, make the best choices, not miss out on something extraordinary, and because I just like doing it. I enjoy the ride of …