December 19th, 2016
I am remembering so well when last year I went to the opening of the Christmas Markets in Berlin, Germany. It was Thanksgiving and visitors were a little apprehensive after the tragedy in Paris. Berlin was well guarded. It is a beautiful city and it transforms itself into a living Christmas. There were about 60 markets around the city. Buildings, shops, restaurants were all decorated with real trees and thousands of lights.
And today, once again another tragedy happened. It was at the market called City Weihaachtsmarkt. I remember telling my children that if someone wanted to do damage these Christmas markets would be perfect targets. The first photo above is right across from where today’s tragedy occured. And, the second one is of that particular market, as well. This West Berlin street called Tauentzienstrasse is very upscale; sort of like the the Fifth Ave of Berlin. Our hotel was 2 blocks away.
Residents of Berlin were comfortable with the fact that so many refugees were being accepted. They have had no problems with others that have assimilated the culture. But, they did say that if something did happen things would start change very quickly. So, here we are.
Getting into the Christmas Spirit was easy in Berlin. You could not help it! Some of the Christmas Markets are bigger than others, and some are more family oriented. The food was amazing.
All markets are laden with traditional food, drinks and crafts.
The tradition of these markets go back to the Middle Ages. I would go back again because there is still so much that I did not see. Discovering the world is a must. It is getting much smaller and definitely more dangerous. If you are traveling abroad you can enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It is a way of staying connected through these uncertain times. If you enroll, they will send you travel alerts, weather surprises, uprisings in any particular country, so please visit https://step.state.gov/step.
Until next time I remain. Merry Christmas!
September 6th, 2016
“Don’t be afraid that something happens to you. Be afraid that nothing happens to you. Nothing noteworthy or exciting or breathtaking. I’m more afraid of a life where nothing extraordinary ever happens. I am more afraid of putting my dreams on a shelf and later realizing that I am too jaded or to tired to live them.” we are sole sisters
Yes, it has been some time since I put my thoughts and my photos on this blog. But here I am. I was telling a friend not long ago that seizing those special moments is something we should all aspire to. Hey, you never know what is around the corner. So I have decided that once a month I Want To Go Somewhere! It does not necessarily have to be taking off on a plane. It could be a day trip with friends, a new museum. I don’t want to be stuck in a rut.
When my friends called me last April or so to tell me that they had planned a trip to Italy and were thinking if…..I am In, I said. I don’t think I let them even finish the sentence. LOL
My friends are the perfect traveling partners. Italy is home to them. Italian they do speak. I can manage with my Spanish. So off we went to an adventure. Guess what? It was a #girlswannahavefun kind of trip. We got along, we were on time when required, more so at 7:15, for drinks, a nightly ritual, we laughed and we were all 20 years apart.
Traveling is exhausting and you have to be patient. Meeting my friends from Boston to Rome I was supposed to be on that plane, but I won’t bored with the details, my plane was canceled from BWI to Boston so I got to Rome a day late and another expensive plane ticket in order to get there.
Our first stop was the seaside town of Terracina, located about 47 miles southeast from Rome; between Rome and Naples. Sandy beaches attract summer visitors and it is the perfect beach get away since it is only about an hour from Rome and Naples.
Our hotel was Albergo Mediterraneo, located on Via Veneto, 2, 04019 Terracina Lt. Website? www.albergo-mediterraneo.it. The hotels in Terracina are comfortable and simple. Visitors come mainly for the main attractions which are the beaches, bars, and restaurants.
Every town we visited had either fireworks or some sort of festival. Seafood for the evening with family friends.
The beaches were wide. Wide enough that right on the sand are clubs you can pay a fee and enjoy more of an upscale service. Plenty of music on the beach, as well. You can walk from one beach club to another choosing the perfect one for you and your family. No boardwalk here but the sidewalks and bike lanes were very well defined.
If you just wanted to sit on the beach, there was plenty of space to do that. The clubs just attracted my attention since we do not have that type of set up here in our Delaware resorts.
Beach vendors pass you on the beach. You could have bought beach toys to evening wear. And if you forgot your swimwear….hey, they had that too.
Judith, my friend, and I took off walking early. Terracina is a seaside town and fresh seafood abounds. The crates of fresh fish arriving daily. And the vegetables stands were simple and beautiful, showing us that eating fresh and local is so amazing.
By the bridge overlooking the canal and then my first fig tree showing up. After that I saw fig trees everywhere. I was in heaven!
Like many towns there was the new section of town; modern and then the historic sites where you could appreciate the ruins of the time and the old cathedral and the Piazza del Municipio. This piazza is the ancient Roman forum.
While in Italy we ate a lot, but lucky that portions are not super size like we have here in the U.S. Plus the fact that we walked and climbed steps. Boy did we ever!
While in Terracina a trip to the Temple of Jupiter Anxur is a must. You will be able to get a breathtaking and scenic view from that advantage point. This temple has towered over the city since the second century A.D.
During the Middle Ages there was a Benedictine Monastery dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel.
In the year 2000 the Temple of Jupiter Anxur was recognized as a National Monument.
And in 2008 it became part of the Natural Regional Park of the Ausoni Mounts and the Lake of Fondi.
It was 9 p.m. in Terracina and a delicacy called the Bomba Calda is a nightly ritual for many. It is like a stuffed doughnut with Nutella cream and Panna cream. There are other flavors but the best are these. Down the beach road we went by the hotel and here it was.
Nobody twisted my arm to have the Bomba Calda…..I needed that like a hole in the head. But, in Terracina you follow others. haha
In most parts of Italy, if you are thirsty drink from the fountains in town. Perfectly safe. Next is the Amalfi Coast.
November 27th, 2015
Arriving at the Brandenburg Tor (Gate) in the evening it is so impressive. It was quiet too. But still there were a few like us, new in the city, checking the most important sites to see. It is Berlin’s landmark and it represents important turning points within German history. At the end of WWII it remained the only gate to the city still intact.
This is East Berlin. After the construction of the Berlin Wall, Branderburg Tor was right within the restricted area and because of that it was not accessible neither from the West nor from the East. And when the Berlin Wall came down, it actually became a symbol for a reunited Germany and Europe.
As you cross the gate, then look up….
Brandenburg Gate’s most prominent statue is the Quadriga. This is the statue of the goddess of peace, Eirene. Also known as the goddess of victory..riding into the city on a chariot drawn by four horses. This is a copy of the original, which was destroyed in WWII.
During the day Brandenburg Gate’s is full of people. Also, this is a very important place for peaceful demonstrations. Many tours originate at the Gate.
The American Embassy is located here. During our visit it was heavily protected.
Across the street from the American Embassy you will find the French Embassy. Due to the recent tragic developments a memorial could be also found in front of it.
Right on this square is also the Adlon Hotel. Believe it or not this is the hotel where Michael Jackson dangled his baby. I kid you not, they mentioned that on the tour. You can have tea in the afternoons at the hotel.
Living statues…
On week-ends just like in any other city, the visitors come out to explore and catch tours. We took a great free tour by New Europe Tours. Our tour guide, Sam, was so well informed, entertaining and so friendly. These tour guides are self employed. More info? Please visit http://www.neweuropetours.eu.
Sam took us on the Free Tour from Brandenburg Gate to Site of Hitler’s bunker, Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, SS Headquarters, The Berlin Wall, TV Towr, Pariser Platz…it was cold but we made it.
And, Georgia took us on an Alternative City Tour…12 Euros. We explored Berlin’s underground in all its grit and graffiti.
Was it cold in Berlin this time of the year? Yest it was.
The week went fast and now I can show you some of the things we did…..stayed tuned.
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