I spent only one day in Madrid on my way to Pamplona to meet up with my friend Theresa. I saw the sites, enjoyed the Prado, relaxed at the Buen Retiro. It was fun walking around Madrid and even finding the movie theater where my Mom, thirty years ago, watched The Godfather on her birthday. I found a fantastic avenue with outdoor book sellers that I scoured over for books in English and talking with shop owners. Finally, the perfect … →

There is a saying that the worst fate a man can have is to be blind in Granada. I’d like to add another unfortunate fate: to have no appetite for food in Sevilla. I arrived to Sevilla mid-siesta and wasn’t feeling my best, especially in the heat. After no food for nearly 36 hours, vomiting, in general having a mal cuerpo it is a huge testament to the receptionist at the hostel that I enjoyed check-in. From the second I … →

From Barcelona Sans I caught a night train to Granada. Saying goodbye to everyone was easy because my head was focused on not missing my train, but once I loaded my backpack and pulled back the train bed sheets – I realized I was alone. Three other girls later joined me in the train berth 55 but the company of strangers isn’t an air of comfort like the company of friends. As the train lunged forward and I sat in … →

One of the joys of travel is the many modes of transportation you find yourself on: airplanes, trains, busses, the back of a camel, the back of a van… On the day Marta’s father was going to pick us up from their beach house, his car unexpectedly broke. Because Casey had a plane to catch, he cleverly considered another option: using a company car. When he rolled up to Roc de Gailleta to pick us up, we looked at each other … →

As Annie, Casey and I left Maastricht en route to Spain, our best friend, Marta, was waiting to welcome us to Barcelona.  We had no idea how hysterical the journey to get to Marta was going to be. The laughs started with our airport shuttle from Maastricht to Brugge. It was so cheap, we should’ve know there was a catch to the deal. There should have been no way that a van would bring us directly from Maastricht to the Brussels Airport … →

It has been two weeks since I’ve left Maastricht. Two weeks since I picnicked with friends under the overcast but lovable Maastricht skies, two weeks since my bicycle handlebars rattled my hands while riding on the Vrijtof cobblestone. Two weeks since I (embarrassingly) cried at the final party saying goodbye to the faces of foreign countries that had become my best friends over the 6 months I spent in Maastricht. It has been an impactful six months, and I’ve emerged … →

Short term travel can end up having a certain element of hedonism. On vacation, efforts are put into total self enjoyment. I’m in Europe for eight months, this is no short term vacation, so hedonistic travel is not going to cut it for me. I need to learn, to experience, to grow and to find fulfillment through elightening activities – which is why I was so lucky when the opportunity to visit IBM formed. My fantastic aunt Susan gave me … →

With braces, thick unruly hair and a naive impression of the world I traveled to Brugge, Belgium in 2007 with my family. I have fond memories of riding my bike through the cobblestone roads, admiring the gothic architecture from a boat ride through the canals and enjoying beglium waffles with my sisters. Time somehow manipulates fond memories to make them even fonder. This is the case with Brugge, and I booked my train ticket to the medieval village a few … →