a NOLA girl in a Big world

2024 Sabbatical
Spain and Italy

  • K’s are the GREAT teachers

    I’ve never run a distance race alone. I’ve always had someone run all or at least 80% of a race with me. That’s intentional. I don’t like being with my thoughts for that long, doing something repetitive. I also don’t train alone. So, I knew this race was going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Because I was running alone. Well. Physically alone. 

    You might be thinking, “hasn’t she run a marathon before? Why would this be any different?” Well, my friend, it is. 14k more is ALOT of distance to add, to an already difficult distance. 42k is tough, as is. It’s just long enough to be doable while being incredibly challenging. It’s why only 1% of the world run marathons. Now, add 14k to the mix and it’s a completely different race. 

    (Americans 1 mile ‎ = 1.6k) 

    With every race, I prep the night before. This race required a 0345 hotel departure, with a 0520 start. Needless to say, I did not sleep. I had yet to acclimate to the time zone and the pre-race nerves just never settled. I did get some “rest” but no sleep.

    The start line was electric. Tens of thousands of people. I took it all in. Surrounded by friends and strangers, feelings all the excitement and nerves. The escape crew ran the first 1.5k together. It was a core memory to run the streets of the Cape Town as a group, that had already done so much. This was merely the culmination and celebration of the work.

    Escape // 2 Oceans Marathon

    As everyone started to settle into their stride, I made it a point to stay grounded and trust the process. I had my plan and I didn’t want to get caught in the excitement of everyone else. And I’m proud to say I did just that. 

    The first 10k felt really good. It was DARK. VERY DARK. The nerves kind of settled and I had remained consistent in my pace. Then the next 10k happened and the realization that I was alone – HIT ME. I got to the 21k mark, felt physically strong but mentally, I knew what was coming and started to get in my head a bit. I know that the 25-30k’s are my hardest. Even in training. My body tends to feel it, while simultaneously knowing there is still so much more to go, dread can set in. And not shocking to anyone, I panicked. In the middle of a beautiful neighborhood, I had genuinely thought I wouldn’t finish this race. I knew I had 2 insane hills to climb and I wasn’t inclined trained. So, I made a phone call to a dear friend and was reminded that I can do hard things and that my “serial killer walk” would get me through the hills. It was the pep talk I needed. 

    For the next 7k I buckled down and did all I could to stay the course until I got to Chapman’s Peak – the 1st of 2 climbs. 

    This climb extends from 28k to 34k. It’s a STUNNING BEAUTIFUL part of the course but a challenge. I tweaked my time cadence to a 1:1 run/walk ratio for the first 3k, then serial killer walked the last 3k. If I’m being honest, this was all mental. The negotiations made with myself during this 6k stretch, were WILD. If you are a runner, you know what I’m talking about. This is where being alone during this type of section, can make or break. Yes, there were people around. But, no one I could rely on to share the intrusive thoughts or even the motivating moments. IYKYK, running with someone makes it easier. But I finally made it to the down hill section and LOVED IT. I let my legs just go and took advantage of gravity letting me feel “fast.” 

    For the next 8k, I got my groove back. I got back to 3:1 run/walk plan and I didn’t feel terrible. I was a bit tired and the sun was coming out in FULL force but it wasn’t the worst I’ve felt in a run. Until …

    Constantia Nek: 42k – 47k

    A 5k that made me cry. A 5k where I saw grown men cry. A 5k that slapped me in the face and said “who the hell do you think you are!?” 

    This climb, while shorter than Chapman’s Peak, was double the elevation gain and incline. It was BRUTAL. 

    And at the back end of the race!? Who made this course!? I’d like to speak with them. 

    Y’all. This 5k will be something I never forget. The way I felt. The way I was challenged. The way I didn’t stop. (I saw at least 10 people call it quits at this point in the race.) This 5k made me proud of the runner I am. 

    Oh and did I mention, the road had a gradient!? Think NASCAR slanted roads, the entire 56k. My watch said I ran a 58k because I was trying to stay on the “FLATS,” rather than run slanted. 

    The rest of the race was a bit of a blur. I started to talk and motivate the runners around me. I feel myself when I’m encouraging others, which in turn motivates me. We bonded over how “dumb” this all was. The things we do for a medal. I appreciated my pack of folks during the last 5k. 

    When I got to the cheer zone at 55k and saw my friends – I didn’t know what to feel. I was TIRED. I was HOT. I was PROUD. I was CRYING. Then Mike Obrey put his arm around me and ran with me for a moment, letting me vent about how hard this was and I was struggling and he validated my feelings and ended it by saying “and you are doing it.” 

    With 1k left – UP A DAMN HILL – I had in fact DONE IT. 

    There was a lot of math going on in my head while on the course, to ensure I made the cut off time and to know I didn’t make it under the 7 hour mark, kind of hurt. 

    But ya know what – I be damned if I let someone tell me that missing the cut off by a few minutes, negates my race. Sure, if I were to run this race again, my 2025 time wouldn’t be “official.” But guess what!? 

    I’m NEVER running that race again. 

    The 2 Oceans Marathon was epic. I learned alot about myself between those 56k’s. I’m more capable than I give myself credit for and I’m my best when I can help and support others. And now I know, I can run alone … but I will happily choose not to. 

    What a life I live. The gratitude is immense. 

    Running truly is the greatest gift I’ve given myself. 

    A video recap

  • Home Stretch … support your people

    Being a support crew isn’t easy. You are tasked with shifting the energy, keeping the vibes high and ensuring the work that has already been done, finishes on a high note. 

    It’s also hard to enter an environment that folks have been in for 3 days. They are tired. They are on a different level of energy. There is a fine line of being excited and over stimulation. And the Home Stretch crew was given the responsibility of helping close out Escape in a powerful way. 

    It was fun to see old friends and make new friends. 30 runners from all over the global joined together to get our friends to the 5k with the Run 4 School children and the Escape Finish Line. 

    I knew my approach – run with a friend, run with someone new and run the 5k. The goal was to get roughly 15 miles. I still had the ultra to run and I was concerned about running at a faster cadence than I am used to, would tire my legs. And I was committed to doing the task at hand – no questions. 

    So when we had the opportunity to sign up for legs, I knew Liz & Marge were the 2 ladies I wanted to join. 

    Liz and I met on Escape to Chicago. Our first Escapes. We were both nervous. We ended up breaking up some of our longer length runs and tackled them together. We bonded on our love for Bad Bunny (she understands him, I don’t), our love of building community and being able to have real and open conversations about life and careers. It wasn’t until a few years later at Escape to Boston when my friendship with Liz grew into admiration. Liz grew out of the hesitation that we both had in Chicago, I hadn’t. She approached running each leg with a confidence and determination, that inspired me. She ended up running over 50 miles that Escape. It was a feat that was incredible and one that was celebrated. So when I saw her name on the Full Distance for Escape South Africa I was thrilled. I was ready to drop the hesitation and join her on one of her hardest legs of the trip. 8.8k UP A MOUNTAIN. It was tough. But it was worth it, to spend time with her, to share with her what she has meant to me and what seeing her run escape has done for me as a runner. I love Liz. From Chicago, to Boston and now South Africa – I’d run any number of miles with her if she asked. 

    Prep for Leg 1

    Leg 1 was done. Leg 2 up next. 

    Marge, is a “new-ish” friend. The world of social media allows us to connect with folks in our outer friend circles, without ever meeting in person and to be honest, I don’t hate it. I’ve been following Marge on social media for a few years now, and seeing her run Escape to Paris and her other running and life adventures, I knew she was someone I wanted to join on a night leg. A 9k at 1am seemed like the best leg to join. Oh and it was DOWN HILL WITH WIND. Such a joy. It was her last leg of the journey and to see how strong and composed she was, allowed those of us running with her to settle in and coast down the mountain. It was like old friends connecting and being grateful for this opportunity underneath the millions of stars somewhere along the coast of South Africa. A little foreshadowing, but I ran near Marge for the first 15k of the ultra (I don’t think she saw me) and she was the same strong and composed runner on that course as she was going down that mountain – it was motivating to see. I thought of her often during those 34 miles. She finished strong and she was one of the last people I saw as I was finishing – she gave me a high five and words of encouragement and I’m grateful to have shared miles with her and can say she is now a real life friend. 

    Leg 2 crew

    Running, really is the greatest connector. 

    My legs of Escape were done. I got to finally catch up on sleep and Ted Lasso and relax for a bit until we got to Mitchell’s Plain to run with the 5k with the kids from Run 4 Schools. 

    This entire adventures was to raise money to build an athletic track for a neighborhood outside of Capetown that is extremely under served. Over a million people live in this small town. It was an emotional day for me and a conflicted experience if I’m being honest. To see the conditions these people live in, while having paid a lot of money to run across South Africa with my friends, really threw my privilege in my face. I’m not unaware of my privilege. In fact, I actively try to be as self aware as I can in my daily life, as to who I am in this world and how I am perceived and given certain access and benefits that others are not. And while, I have helped raise money for this amazing organization and this town – it was an incredible reminder that this world is simply unfair and a HUGE determination of our life’s outcomes are simply the luck of the draw – or lack there of – to where we grow up and who we are born to. Mitchell’s Plain, is full of people with potential and gifts that can change the world – they just need access and the ability to create impact. And I hope, the building of the athletic track, provides a catalyst for kids to see and experience the benefits running and movement can provide, in hopes to create a fulfilling and prosperous life. 

    Run 4 Schools

    Those kids I ran with, have a special place in my heart. I will continue to find ways to support that community for the rest of my life. It’s a promise I made to myself as I ran through the town, trying to keep up with the kids and being greeted with the biggest of smiles from the community. 

    Escape was done a few hours later. A lot more happened, but the 2 legs with Liz and Marge and the 5k with the kids – were the highlights of Home Stretch. 

    Being a support crew isn’t easy – but it’s necessary. Everyone needs support in this world. 

    Life is hard, supporting your people is easy. 

    So be ACTIVE in your support. 

    Seek it out. 

    I promise it’s worth it. 

    Please continue to donate, as this adventure isn’t over.

    Donate here

    And be sure to follow Erin Goodman – the incredible photographer, who captured all of these photos.

  • Runners … UNITE

    The wind really messed up the morning plans. No Table Mountain for me. But when you go on adventures, you have to be agile – go with the flow. So, breakfast with the Escape to Boston friends was the move. Adomo & Amanda are such lovely humans. Hailing from Montreal, Quebec – these two greeted me like life long friends. That’s what running 4 days from Toronto to Boston does to you. Shared running experiences bring you closer together in a short period of time, that bond lasts. And this escape will be no different. 

    Cape Town

    We caught up, added some friends from Chicago, NYC, Toronto and Amsterdam and had a wonderful morning of chatting and friendship. We made our way to a few stores – it doesn’t hurt that the dollar is STRONG here. Everything is “cheap.” Naturally, I copped a new hat from SelfLife and had lunch at Clarkes, went to the grocery, picked up snacks and headed back to the hotel to get our gear and pack for the epic adventure to come. What a lovely Wednesday.

    Not the first full day I wanted, but the first day that was needed. 

    ShelfLife

    Now, to why we are here – 

    The Full Distance team has been running for 3 days and 3 nights. Roughly 400 miles, and that’s where WE come in … the Home Stretch Crew. 30 runners from around the globe, descending on South Africa to bring the Full Distance crew to the finish line with vibes, styles and miles. 

    It’s a team effort out here and everyone will have a role to play. 

    I can’t wait to see my friends and tell them how proud I am of the work they have put in – Escape is hard – but if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. 

  • Escape … this is not a race

    When Q sends a text with a 🤫 emoji, you respond with, YES. No questions asked. That’s the usual response. This time, it was, “I’m 90% in. It’s just the timing.” He patiently waited. And when I got my work affairs in order, I asked – “does the offer still stand?” and without hesitation, he said “I’ve been waiting for you.”

    Escape, isn’t a race. It’s a global journey of connection and adventure built around community and giving back. It uses running as the catalyst to bring folks together, to ACTIVELY achieve what it means to be in community.

    This will be my 4th escape and I am grateful, every time I get the opportunity to join my running family to bring about positive impact.

    A week galavanting in South Africa is going to be a once in a lifetime experience. I’ll be doing something, I never thought I could do – run an Ultra Marathon (56k), after a few days of running in country with my friends. It’s going to be hard, but we can do hard things.

    I’m ready to share this journey with you all and can’t wait for you to follow along.

    But first, we go to Atlanta, then 13 hours to Cape Town. Time alone, to reflect, mentally prepare and clear my nerves, in order to hit the ground running.

    In the mean time, please consider donating to Run4Schools, the organization we are running for in order to build an athletic track in Cape Town.

    Donate here

    If you want to experience what escape is all about … watch the documentary for Escape to Chicago

  • Solo in the Nations Capital

    Solo in the Nations Capital

    5 weeks of country hopping and spending some much needed time with the people I love, was EXACTLY what my soul needed. My social battery was filled and my heart was over flowing with love and gratitude. And even with all the appreciation I have for my family and friends – who made this sabbatical magical – time alone was necessary.

    I knew I wanted to go to a place that was familiar and I wouldn’t feel the need to GO, GO, GO. and that place for me … Washington D.C.

    I’ve spent enough time, to have my “spots” and to not have to think to much about what to do or where to go. I went to my favorite places for breakfast – Busboys and Poets – and my favorite places for dinner – Founding Farms and Dog Haus. They aren’t fancy. But they are good and what I know.

    I spent HOURS in the Smithsonian’s. HOURS. I spent HOURS in art museums. I spent HOURS in bed, watching women’s basketball. I spent 4 full days alone. It was needed.

    Extroverts thrive in chaos and with people. I fall into that category. And I can honestly say, alone time was NOT easy. But like I said before, necessary. My body needed a bit of a reset. A bit of a come to Jesus moment if you will.

    On the last day, I saw a group of girls taking photos by the cherry blossoms, so I asked if they wouldn’t mind snapping a photo of me. Being that it’s the year of women, they said yes and we had a laugh about getting the perfect angle and about how more strangers should help those around them, make memories for a lifetime.

    I got my cherry blossom shot. I got to wander in my second favorite city. I got to be with myself.

    I’m heading home. And I’m thrilled to spend my last week of sabbatical, in New Orleans. To get back into routine. To get back to being with my family and friends. To get back, to being a bit different. A bit better.

    AND, if given the opportunity, I would do it all over again. My heart, my body, my head and my SOUL, needed these 7 weeks. It thrived during these 7 weeks. I’m a better person because of these 7 weeks.

    So my advice – SAY YES – to any and all opportunities that allow you to step away, recharge, and reconnect to what makes you – YOU.

  • Take care of yourself.

    Take care of yourself.

    If you would have asked 15 year old Lindsey, if she wanted to go on a vacation with her older sister for a week, ALONE, she would have laughed then immediately have said hell no.

    But 23 years ago, my relationship with Alyce was like most sister relationships. We were close enough in age to be kind of alike, but far enough apart that we didn’t really do things together. I was also the 2nd child, to a sister who was ungodly good at everything she did. She never got into trouble. She was incredibly smart and naturally gifted at sports. I was more of a ‘free spirit’ if you will. I was smart but rather succeed in the social aspects of life. I was good at sports. But I didn’t “care.” I was there for the social aspect. I did get into trouble, but mostly due to being in the social aspects. We didn’t really enjoy each other. Our relationship was just different then.

    Then I got to college, she entered the real world, then went back to school for post grab. My grandma died, then Katrina happened and that’s when I started to notice the shift in our relationship. I began to see her as a friend and not my sister.

    She graduated 2 more times – eye roll. Got married and had kids. At each new milestone she reached, I was proud. There was no envy in her accomplishments. It was just love and admiration for all the hard work she had put into her life.

    I did some things and Alyce was my biggest fan through all of it. And still is and so much more. She’s my person. To be so lucky, to have someone in my corner – no matter what. To support, encourage and also challenge and inspire – is a pretty incredible relationship to have.

    So when the time came to go on a sabbatical, I knew just who I wanted to spend a week with … ALYCE.

    We have never gone on a vacation alone together. It was going to be new and fun for us, but also incredibly easy. Life can’t be bad on a beach in paradise. And the beach was intentional.

    The Dominican Republic was spectacular. picture perfect. No notes. 10 out of 10.

    Choosing to go to DR, was on purpose. Alyce deserved a week to recharge and take care of herself. She does and does for everyone, so why not eat good food, enjoy great weather and relax on a beach for 6 days?!? I’m just glad I was able to be there to witness her sleep until 8am, read 3 books, master archery and enjoy a glass of wine every night.

    There is a quote she and I have used to describe our relationship over the years, “our relationship is fiercely competitive but with deep loyalty.” I think we’ve shifted into just the “deep loyalty” part.

    So when you ask me in a year, 5 years or in 23 years from now, if I want to go on a vacation with my sister, the answer will always be HELL YES.

  • Last day best day

    Last day best day

    The last day in Portugal was extraordinary. It was the perfect way to end the 3rd stop on this 7 week adventure.

    We still had the rental and there was 1 last site we needed to see in Lisbon before heading into the country and onto to the coast. It was the Jerónimos Monastery. One of the largest active monastery’s in the world. It also just so happened to be located next to the world famous Portugese bakery that served the best pastel de nata or egg tart.

    Pastéis de belém

    Y’all. I’m sorry. I do not understand the hype. I finally can understand (but don’t agree at all) how non New Orleanians feel about beignets. I love beignets. It’s the perfect sweet treat. It’s simple. It does the job. AND I also have “history” tied to it. I have photos as a child, covered in powdered sugar. It’s a right of passage. So there is love and nostalgia. However, when I’ve shared a beignet with visitors, they like it. But they mostly certainly are confused by the hype. That’s how I felt about the pastel de nata. It tasted like a sweet egg. It wasn’t terrible with the cinnamon and powdered sugar, but the fact that the line to get in later in the morning, was down the street was WILD. But, I ate it. I snapped a photo. I did my Lisbon travel duty.

    So this monastery. It was beautiful. It was big. It was impressive to see the architecture. But, when you’ve seen one monastery, you’ve seen them all. I tried to get a rosary for my mother. But they didn’t have any. So, I did the next best thing, I lit a her a candle. (It’s a Catholic thing.)

    Having said a prayer for Diane, we got into the car and headed north, to Sintra. Sintra is known to have iconic palaces and some historical sites. Having the car, made it so that we didn’t have to rely on transit times and go with the wind and see what we wanted. So our first stop was to hit up The Pena Palace. It’s stunning. A massive structure at the top of a Mountain, painted red and yellow. It’s an impressive site to see, even from afar.

    So driving there. The roads are NARROW. Truthfully, the narrowest roads I’ve ever seen. And WHINDY. At least 3 chicanes … I felt like I was an F1 driver racing in Monaco, just driving slowly. It was a tad nerve wracking.

    It was a 40 minute drive up a mountain to see this palace. We finally made it to a parking lot, because the Apple Maps was incorrect and there was no way to DRIVE up to the palace. But we decided to park and explore. We went on a 30 minute hike, where we found a stunning outlook of Lisbon, an old church and our favorite Irish Couple, The O’Briens, from the day before. How random!? On a trail. In the woods. On a mountain. We collided with Sean and Siobhan. It was then, that Sean broke the news – the wait to get into the Palace was LONG. Remember when I shared that Philippa and I didn’t really have set plans? That also meant we didn’t have tickets for anything. So, we realized that seeing the palace, probably wasn’t going to happen. We had so many other stops that we wanted to see, that we didn’t want the palace to occupy the most time. So we said our goodbyes to The O’Briens and chose another spot on our map to explore. We chose a town called Peniha and along the way, we knew there was a pretty botanical garden that was said to be something to see. So we stopped. And let me tell ya – it was 100x better than anything we could have expected.

    View from the outlook

    I’m not going to lie we were bummed about not going to see Peña Palace. It was a reminder of why we both like to plan things. Not being able to see the palace up close definitely shifted the mood a bit that morning. However, sometimes you just have to let go and trust that the universe is going to give you what you need, when you need it. And the universe gave us The Monserrate Palace, instead.

    The history behind the grounds of Monserrate Palace could be multiple blog post. It was fascinating to learn. But the structure itself and the surrounding landscape felt other worldly. Every room was stunning. Every detail was thought through. To think, people lived here! I’ve seen some stunning historical homes on my travels – but this was different. It was magnificent, without being OVERLY GRAND. It was warm and welcoming, while also being opulent, but in the best way.

    Front porch view
    The grounds

    We spent over 3 hours at Monserrate and it wasn’t enough. Anyone traveling to Portugal- this is a MUST SEE.

    We then took out the map and saw the most West Point of Europe and decided to end the day on the coast. It was unreal. With our feet in the water – at the edge of Portugal – we stood in gratitude.

    Grateful …

    to have bodies that have the ability to hike, adventure, and travel.

    For jobs that allow us to live a well traveled life.

    For community support back home to allow for time away.

    To friendship that SAYS YES.

    For life.

    Portugal was a dream. It was exactly what I needed and Philippa, was the person I needed to experience it with.

    The universe knows what we need, when we allow it to move how it needs to move.

  • PSA: rent a car in foreign countries

    PSA: rent a car in foreign countries

    Full disclosure: I’ve been sick on this trip. Since day one, I haven’t felt great. And I owe it to myself and Philippa to still have the best time that I can. So, I went to local pharmacy, spoke someone and they gave me meds. All the meds. They worked. And right in time for our road trip to start.

    The weather in Lisbon hasn’t been great. We haven’t had a truly “magical” day in Lisbon. Many magical moments but they were booked with rain. So, when the weather looked promising we took it as a sign to go on an adventure.

    Fun fact: I love driving in foreign countries. It provides the opportunity to explore on your own terms and see parts of the world that maybe a tour guide, local transit or a book can’t show you.

    Driving in KMs is always a blast, get to drive 120 … and be the slowest person on the highway. It’s wild.

    Car packed for a day trip and we set out west, to Cascais. [note: however you think you pronounce that word, is NOT how you pronounce that word.]

    This. Town. Is. A. Dream.

    Pastel color buildings. Narrow streets. Flowers everywhere. Tile street and sidewalks. Palaces. Castles. The water. The sand. The luxury coastal town vibes. But warm and welcoming.

    Close your eyes (after this next sentence). Think of the most perfect day you’ve experienced. (Close them and think, I’ll wait)

    Well, on Monday, March 11, 2024, I experienced the most perfect day. The weather, the town, the food, the people. it was 67 degrees. Sunny with a light breeze. Minimal clouds. Clear water. Clean beaches. And parks, trees and flowers galore.

    We took the opportunity to explore side streets and shops. Cafes and snack shops. Oh and we took all the photos. I’m not a “let’s take photos in front of things” kinda gal. But when your travel companion is and gets excited about snapping pics, you join in and embrace the memory creation. I’ve also gotten really good at taking photos because of Philippa.

    Picture Blooper

    After hours of strolling and taking in the vibes of Cascais, we decided to walk down a side street and found a little Italian spot. The owner and chef was there. He sat us. He assumed we spoke Portuguese … initial thought, “do I look Portuguese!? Could I pass for a local!?!?”

    Philippa is a foodie. She travels the world and looks to explore cultures by food. I am on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. I’ll try some local cuisine, but I’m a sucker for the things I like. But we’ve made it work.

    While, Italian isn’t a local delicacy, it was one of the best Italian meals we’ve both had. Having both spent time in Italy and P being a New Yorker, we have a bit of a basis to go off of and this place was it. Gnocchi made in house. The owners Nona was certainly in the kitchen making the sauces from scratch.

    We met Sean and Siobhan O’Brien from Cork, Ireland. A 50 to 60 year old couple, of 4 grown children, who travel and enjoy the world. They were lovely. We chatted like old friends. In moments when I meet new friends while traveling, I’m reminded that I am Roy and Diane’s daughter. They both have an ability to disarm people with their kindness and genuine want to learn about and meet people. It’s not surprising they have made friends/connections on every trip they’ve made.

    Siobhan and Sean

    I want and will go back to Cascais. It was spectacular. The pictures don’t do it justice. (But be sure to look at the Gallery that’s posted.)

    I’ve really enjoyed not having a planned trip. Taking each day as we go. I think we’ve been able to see part of Lisbon and Cascais, that maybe we wouldn’t have been able to see, if we’d had a planned.

    A great reminder to BE PRESENT. To do what feels right. To do what brings JOY.

    And Cascais was right. Cascais was joy.

  • The vibrant hills

    The vibrant hills

    Lisbon is stunning. It’s vibrant and colorful. It’s ungodly hilly. Thankful to have had a few days rest prior to arrival, because I don’t know if my legs would have survived.

    We started our adventure with the National Tile Museum. Lisbon is full of tile. The sidewalks, the streets, the buildings – are made of tile. Not ALL, but 70%. It makes every street you turn on, unique and beautiful. It’s picturesque.

    The tile museum was wildly informative. Starting with how original tiles were hand carved and painted, to today using machines. The old tiling work is impressive. The skill and patience needed to create beautiful works of art on 4 x 4 squares is baffling. I could never.

    And to see the entire city filled with tile, puts in perspective how painstakingly long it took to build. But I’m grateful for the colors of the tile in the city because this weather needs it.

    Handmade tile

    Being a coastal city really has the weather all over the place. It’s sunny and hot, then cold and rainy. All in the matter of 30 minutes. Then it starts all over again. But when it rains – it’s gloomy, so the colors are needed. I’m a sucker for a colored door or window sill and thankfully there is no shortage here.

    Door and tile

    We walked and saw all the different town squares and popped into so many cafes. I’ve had more coffee the past 2 days, than I’ve had all year.

    Oh and the tarts. These folks love their egg tarts. There is an egg tart cafe on every corner. How they all remain open, is a conundrum to me. Egg tarts aren’t my thing, so I don’t have a photo for you – but the desserts here are MAD GOOD. Not overly sweet like in the states and perfect size proportions.

    Tea and lemon tart

    Our plan for Lisbon is to go neighborhood by neighborhood and so far we have done Alfama, Baixa and Avenida.

    This trip is about wandering. We have no plans and it’s been lovely. It’s a very different way to vacation – for the both of us. Philippa is a PLANNER, as am I, and it’s been nice to just go with the flow.

    To … take the left when we see a pretty yellow street car.

    Elevador

    To … enter a hole in the wall cafe that opens up to a stunning view

    Hole in the wall cafe

    To … stumble upon a pink street and watch the locals gather around a TV to watch a champions league soccer match and yell and scream because their favorite team was losing.

    Pink Street

    Wandering has been good to us the past 2 days. Tomorrow, we head north, to wander and discover more.

  • The next stop … Lisbon, Portugal

    The next stop … Lisbon, Portugal

    2 days at home isn’t enough. And there ain’t no rest for the wicked.

    So, why Lisbon? Well, why not a Lisbon? I had a week of sabbatical not accounted for and I knew I wanted to go to Europe. I knew I wanted to travel alone and to a city I’ve never been. Well, the alone travel changed, but the new city … was achieved.

    2 months ago, I reached out to my friend Phillipa and asked her to join me in this trip. She and I met in 2017, in DC at a BTG event and have been friend ever since. We’ve stayed at each other’s homes and have been talking about going on a trip together for years. I asked her where she’d like to visit and Lisbon was on her list. It seemed serendipitous that we both wanted to visit. We booked our flights that week.

    I’m excited to visit Lisbon and have time with my friend, it’s something I think we all should do. spend time with your people. Quality time. Wandering. Learning. Building connection.

    Lisbon, Portugal