Architreks

Travel...Life...Unpredictable-ness

2011-10-22T22:11:00.000-07:00

"Travel is an unpredictable endeavor. A relationship is subject to the same fluctuations; both begin with high hopes for personal fulfillment, the chance to connect with other people, and unnecessary luggage. If we are lucky, we learn to shed the items that weigh us down and open ourselves to possibilities."

~Zeglan

Photo Friday

2011-06-03T06:28:00.000-07:00

Taken from a drive-by;

practicing Hula in front of Diamond Head 5/30/11

Palm Beach Bike Ride

2011-06-02T04:30:00.000-07:00

Sunny Palm Beach day...

What is that peeking over the hedge?

Oh, Hello Richard Meier!

a serious game of croquet

Bethesda-By-The-Sea

Palm Beach Synagogue

Wine by Design

2011-05-31T12:26:00.000-07:00

The San Francisco MOMA had an exhibition this spring that was right up my alley: "How Wine Became Modern: Design + Wine 1976 to Now." Since I just so happened to be in San Francisco visiting some girl friends (remember, I arrived via Amtrak and we went cycling through the vineyards), we took the afternoon to hit the MOMA for some culture!

The "Label Wall"

The exhibit explored the visual and material culture of wine over the last three decades. It was created and curated closely with artists and architects, and helps explain the role that design has had in wine's transformation.

"heart" carafe

Adrienne checking the glassware

From the SFMOMA press release:

"The story begins in 1976, the year of the now-famous Judgment of Paris. There, in a blind taste test, nine French wine experts pronounced a number of Northern California wines superior to esteemed French vintages. However apt the decision, which was later criticized and repeatedly restaged, the event released shock waves across the globe as it gave the nascent California wine industry, as well as winemakers in many other parts of the world, new confidence, credibility, and visibility. This, in turn, had multiple effects including the expansion of wine markets, growing popular awareness of wine, the birth of wine criticism, vineyard tourism, and a host of other manifestations. From this moment forward, the culture of wine began to accommodate and valorize new priorities such as innovation, diversification, globalization, marketing, and accessibility."

"In many ways," Urbach claims, "wine has become 'modern' as it has reimagined its own representation and joined itself to other forms of culture," including architecture, graphic and industrial design, visual arts, performing arts, and film. And it is here, he adds, "at this particular intersection between nature and contemporary culture, that the social meanings of wine reveal key issues of our moment, including the status of place and authenticity in a world increasingly structured by dematerialized, virtual experience."

Of course, my favorite part of the exhibit was "Architecture and Tourism." Many prolific architects are designing wineries and wine-related buildings, thus bridging the gap between wine tourism and architecture tourism. I find it the perfect marriage; wine + architecture...stimulated taste buds + stimulated sense of place. Wouldn't you rather sip wine in an interesting building that is designed to showcase the wine and region?

Michael Grave's Clos Pegase Winery From the SFMOMA Press release:

"Clos Pegase marks the starting point for more subsequent developments. In 1984, soon after founding its Department of Architecture and Design, SFMOMA sponsored a competition for the design of a winery (the first time a museum organized a competition for a building other than its own): Clos Pegase (1987), located near St. Helena in the Napa Valley. The winning architect-artist team, Michael Graves and Edward Schmidt, designed the winery at the height of American postmodernism as a faux-Pompeian compound."

Herzog & de Muron's Dominus Estate From the SFMOMA press release:

"...Dominus asserts a strong and certain link between the building and the land; its gabion structure articulates a nearly invisible building that, among other qualities, establishes direct visual contact with the vines below."

Bodegas Biagorri Winery, Spain. From the SFMOMA press release:

"Bodegas Baigorri (2003) by Iñaki Aspiazu Iza articulates a sophisticated approach to its site, the demands of wine production, and the visitor experience. A stark, nearly empty glass pavilion rests elegantly upon a mesa as, hidden from view, a subterranean interior of raw concrete and steel descends six stories to organize the production sequence with respect to gravity. A passageway alongside permits visitors to observe the action as they descend towards a tasting lounge and restaurant."

It is no surprise that the king architect of museums and concert halls has jumped on the winery design bandwagon. Frank Gehry's Hotel Marqués de Riscal is a luxury hotel in Spain's Rioja wine region.

models of the Hotel Marqués de Riscal

Photo Friday

2011-05-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

Look at this face!

This is the little creature that has been taking up all of our time lately. Her name is Shoyu, and she is 10 weeks old. I am totally smitten. :)

Photo Friday - One Year Ago...

2011-05-20T12:14:00.000-07:00

On May 19, 2010 we ate our favorite last breakfast (Acai bowl at Bogart's!), took some cheesy pictures, packed the jeep with our luggage, took one last load of our belongings up to Mike & Julie's house to store for the duration, and then Katie took us to the airport...

Look at the excitement on E's face! That is definitely an "I don't know what we're getting in to, but I'm READY for it" look! I'm so grateful and humbled by all that we got do do, see, experience, taste, smell and face in the last 365 days. Now that we are settling back in to "regular" life (whatever that is), I will use this blog to update you guys on all of the stories/pictures that still have not made it on the internet! Believe it or no, we are terrible at making the time to write posts, and a LOT more happened than we had time to write about. :) Recaps are coming!

Happy 1-Year Travel Anniversary to the best travel partner a lady could ask for!

Photo Friday

2011-05-06T08:36:00.000-07:00

NASCAR, baby!

Richmond International Raceway and Melanie, 4/29/11

Cumberland Furnace, TN

2011-04-27T17:50:00.000-07:00

Last week was National Architecture Week, as deemed by the AIA, and I actually got to get out and enjoy a bit of the local, historical architecture around Middle Tennessee. I visited Downtown Architectural District of Clarksville, Tennessee and was very impressed! I hadn't been to Clarksville since I was in...High School? And I had never seen the cute downtown blocks.

I also visited one of my favorite little communities, Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee. I married my love in Cumberland Furnace, so it's a pretty special little place to me.

the train depot

the old company store

St. James Episcopal Church

National Register of Historic Places - This Place Matters!

Ethan and I said "I Do" under these Dogwood branches :)

Photo Friday

2011-04-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

Katie posing in Sonoma Valley, California

I got to spend President's Day weekend 2011 with two awesome friends...and lots of bike-riding and wine. Thanks, George and Abe!

Tornado Alley, Tennessee

2011-04-18T06:43:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago a crazy storm system hit the Southeast. I was on the phone with Ethan, and found myself wondering why the sky went dark, then running for the basement as branches started to fly and the windows & doors started to rattle. It was a little intense. I have not been in TN during "tornado season" in...years. I had forgotten the power of Mother Nature in these parts! Apparently a tornado just skipped down my parent's street!

Next door neighbor's house

Grandparent's house

The large, beautiful Oak I used to make mud pies under :(

I am starting to get the hint, Mother Nature. (Tsunami's hit Hawaii when we are there, Tornadoes hit Tennessee when I am here...)

Pho-to Friday

2011-04-15T06:25:00.000-07:00

Ethan eating Pho...get it? :)

I can't wait to join Ethan in Hawaii soon...for several reasons...good Pho being one of them!

Photo(s) Friday

2011-03-25T06:10:00.000-07:00

It's okay to pretend you are Irish on Saint Patrick's Day, right?

I mean...we pretend to be good at Christmas! ;)

Saint Patrick's Day festivities in Honolulu, Hawaii this year:

looking up Nu'uanu Ave...

looking down Nu'uanu Ave...

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

2011-03-24T06:05:00.000-07:00

When on Oahu, visiting Pearl Harbor is one of my favorite touristy things to do. I have probably been a dozen times with different visiting friends and family. To me, it never gets old. (And being FREE doesn't hurt)

looking across the harbor at the Arizona Memorial

And now, they have built a brand new Visitors Center and exhibition space, and it's pretty nice!

model of Oahu showing significant locations. Pearl Harbor is at the center, bottom

The "Mighty Mo" - Battleship Missouri can also be toured

one of the best "features" - getting to meet Pearl Harbor survivors!

Mr. Weatherwax is from Honolulu

Mr. Dyga was stationed at Schofield Base when the attack happened. He told me that he saw the Japanese planes as they flew low & undetected (until too late) through the Kolekole pass. If you have ever visited us in Hawaii and we took you to the North Shore...we probably pointed out the Kolekole pass to you, across from Dole.

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One Year Ago Today

2011-03-22T06:10:00.000-07:00

I got my current cell phone in February of last year. Today I was looking through all of the random pictures I have takeover the course of one year; It is a pretty interesting "snapshot" of the year in review. Here is what our day looked like on 3/22/2010...

Ethan and Darren on the ski lift - Northstar Tahoe, California!

Danka and Martin riding up

strapping up to ride down...

some of my favorite ski partners! Danka and Martin

the reward after a long day on the slopes

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Hilo Farmers Market

2011-03-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

The Hilo Farmers Market is seriously the best farmers market anywhere!

Where else can you get gorgeous flowers, home-made tamales, smoothies, malasadas, organic veggies, Kona coffee, orand original jewlery and clothing...all in one stop? If you are ever in Hilo side on the Big Island on a Wednesday or Saturday, you have to stop by!

the coconut guy. He will machete a coconut for you to drink. Yum!

Rambutan

Kona Coffee fresh from the source!

mmmm buttery avocados...

Mangoes & Mangosteen. What is a mangosteen? Why, I'm so glad you asked.

breadfruit, a staple of the Pacific Islanders

home-made tamales and doughnuts on a stick! So Ono!

Photo Friday

2011-03-18T07:56:00.000-07:00

Wow...so much to catch up on! I promise it's coming soon.

But first...this:

Yes, this place really exists.

No, you have not died and gone to heaven.

And it can be yours for the nightly rental of ~$250/night.

Not a bad price for paradise.

Photo Friday

2011-03-11T05:56:00.000-08:00

Crested Butte, Colorado sunset

We had the great pleasure to ski with family in Colorado this past week...my first time in Colorado. The light bouncing off the mountains and snow was magical...

Miami Quiceanera

2011-03-08T05:03:00.000-08:00

When we were visiting the historic mansion Vizcaya in Miami in February, we noticed that there seemed to be a lot of ladies taking bridal portraits in the gardens. Then I noticed that these "brides" were young...and had multi-colored dresses. Hmmm...

Do you see the poofy dresses in this picture? (click to enlarge)

There is is! Two of them!

giving attitude

more covert picture-taking

So then we had some wine with lunch, and brainstormed this poofy dress phenomenon...

could it be....Quinceanera photos?!

Quincineara is like a coming-of-age party for Latin American ladies when they turn 15.

Apparently we had stumbled upon the best place in Miami to take photos! Never ones to waste such an opportunity, and knowing that my birthday was coming up, we promptly scouted locations for my "Treinta y uno" photos. Behold:

bashful

confident

regal

What do you think?

Ventura Farmers Market

2011-03-04T09:31:00.001-08:00

pies!

the best strawberries I've ever had!

agave!

asparagus

Saturday Farmers Market friends

live local music

dancing time

Haka boy

.....all this leads to...

delicious lunch!

Serenity atop the Andes

2011-02-21T17:30:00.000-08:00

Looking down on Machu Picchu. Huayna Picchu is the peak across the valley than can also be climbed for a view

Machu Picchu turned out to be different than I imagined it would be, in so many ways. It was the one thing I was most excited about seeing...as it is for most people visiting Peru. I did not take the time to do much research before we left for Peru, wanting instead to have a completely "in-the-moment" experience (and not plan out every day, like my type-A personality usually wants to do).

I was first struck, sadly, by how commercialized and touristy the experience is. I'm sure it wasn't always this way, and I understand the local's need to make a buck off of us tourists. But the town at the base of MP (called Machu Picchu town, or Aguas Calientes) gave me such a headache. It is row after row of overpriced mediocre restaurants, stalls of the same wares to be sold, and cheap backpacker hostels. It is set in such a gorgeous place...at the base of the Andes on a rushing river, but those things are overshadowed by the haphazardly thrown-together tourist town (it actually is an ancient town, but tourism is the new industry replacing farming).

The scene at the top of the mountain is not much better. There is a super-expensive hotel at the top of Machu Picchu and more people selling wares. You have to pay to use the restrooms, pay for a guide, etc. While this is certainly not abnormal in tourist destinations (I would love to know how much I've paid to pee in the past 9 months!), it still starts to take away from the spiritual MP experience.

Once inside the gates, and around the bend, Machu Picchu spreads out before you like a green maze dotted with people in raincoats. Our guide toured us all over the town, explaining where the commoners lived, the royalty lived, and where the farming happened. It was supremely amazing, but I never really felt like I was in Machu Picchu. It just didn't look like I had pictured...and there were tourists EVERYWHERE!

Not until we climbed to the top of the agriculture terraces, and escaped from the masses to a semi-secluded terrace on the side, did we look down and feel like we finally were in Machu Picchu. Sitting and staring and feeling the energy and excitement of the space was something I will never forget. It was humbling and awesome. If you go, I suggest going in the off/rainy season. I can't imagine what the crowds would be like if tourist season was in full swing!

PS, I have also heard that if you stay at the hotel at the top, or come in via the Inca Trail (3-5 day hike), you have the opportunity to be the first ones or last ones in the park for the day...and therefore have the place more or less to yourself. Next time!

Photo Friday

2011-02-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

a postcard from San Francisco

Amtrak Architrekkin

2011-02-17T08:34:00.001-08:00

The Portland, OR Union Station

train tracks

Monica

The Arcade!

It is 10:22 pm, and I am somewhere in snowy south Oregon on the Coast Starlight train. We have right at twelve hours to go until we land in San Francisco, and I've already eaten through my snacks...this isn't good.

This is my first time riding Amtrak since '98 when my family took this same line north to Vancouver. I don't remember much because we had a sleeping room and I slept...no such luxuries on this trip! I'm in a Coach seat (and there are outlet plugs at every seat and free WiFi!). However, I don't think I'll be getting much sleep judging by the crowded car, some babies, and a crew that looks/sounds like they are ready for a party.

I have been in Portland for several days visiting friends and checking out the city. I do love Portland, but I definitely feel like you need to have a dog on a leash, or a baby stroller to fit in. And if I lived there I would probably shop too much because all the shops are so cute and eclectic. :)

I am headed to San Francisco to visit two Hawaii friends and am really looking forward to the city by the bay! But until then, I'm enjoying this laid back train traveling!

Update: The ride went well, I think I got more sleep than I ever do on redeye airplane flights! If we ever settle back on the mainland, hopefully it will be near an Amtrak line. Tennessee is a void of Amtrak...so sad!

We Go To Miami and Hang Out in a Parking Garage

2011-02-15T07:07:00.000-08:00

Herzog & de Meuron's 11 11 Lincoln Road is a mixed-use development recently completed near the pedestrian shopping street of Lincold Road. Take the elevator to the top of the parking garage and get some great views of Miami Beach! Of course, only archi-dorks like ourselves will hang out in a parking garage and think it's awesome...

Cole and Ethan checking the views, the columns, and their phones

The top floor parking deck that also double as event space (someone even got married there). The wood-wrapped stairs connect to the owner/developer's penthouse on the roof.

Obama's Thoughts on Marriage

2011-02-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

In honor of Valentine's Day and love:

“Sometimes, when we’re lying together, I look at her and I feel dizzy with the realization that here is another distinct person from me, who has memories, origins, thoughts, feelings that are different from my own. That tension between familiarity and mystery meshes something strong between us. Even if one builds a life together based on trust, attentiveness and mutual support, I think that it’s important that a partner continues to surprise." --Barack Obama

(via MELODYEH$ANI)

Photo Friday

2011-02-11T07:02:00.000-08:00

The welcome sign to Dahab, Egypt. That is Mubarek waving at us in the center...and as of today, he's waving goodbye! Congratulations to the Egyptian people who fought for their freedom!

click here for the news story

Happy Birthday to my Hubs!

2011-01-30T20:12:00.001-08:00

Ethan turns 31 on the 31st! (Isn't that supposed to be your lucky birthday?) We had an awesome weekend with a party at Jon & Trish's house, a day of bike riding and margaritas, and today we are kayaking spring-fed crystal-clear rivers. I'd say that's a lucky bday!

Happy birthday handsome! :)

Photo Friday

2011-01-28T07:57:00.001-08:00

Putting the snow to good use... (nothing says "classy" like Sutter Home in a bucket!)

Photo Friday

2011-01-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

Backpackers; A different breed. Here is a funny tongue-in-cheek article about some backpacker stereotypes one is likely to encounter on the road. This picture shows some new friends in Arequipa representing #2, #3, #6, and #8 (of course we fit the bill of #1-The American Backpacker). Ha!

Photo Friday

2011-01-14T06:48:00.001-08:00

Raw whole chickens being loaded in to a bicycle cart, Puno, Peru.

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Arequipa Hostels, Casa Sillar

2011-01-13T06:21:00.001-08:00

Breakfasts in this courtyard dining room was included with our 60 S ($20) per night room!

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Sunset over Arequipa - Plaza de Armas

2011-01-13T06:11:00.001-08:00

The Cathedral

Plaza de Armas

Misti Volcano overlooking the city

We love Arequipa!

Poncho's...the original Snuggie

hot wine! genius!

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Rosca de Reyes

2011-01-06T19:45:00.001-08:00

Today is Epiphany for the Christians, and let me tell you there ain't no Epiphany party like a Latin American Epiphany party!

The horns, parades, costumes and fireworks have been going strong all day. Never ones to miss out, we even sat in on the first part of an 8:00 am mass this morning at La Merced in Cusco.

The most interesting part of the celebration includes the rows of local ladies that have set up shop outside each church. They are all selling various plastic baby dolls (most a little creepy) and a wide array of outfits, accessories, and baskets for the dolls to sit in. Once your doll is properly outfitted, you bring it to church with you.(!) Young and old alike all do this, and it was quite a sight to see these dolls being carried to and from church all over town today.

setting up shop outside of La Merced

so many options! This was at 7:30 am

Baby Jesus in baskets, and an array of clothing options

I am assuming (and someone who knows more please correct me if I'm wrong) that these are meant to symbolize baby Jesus. Some celebrate Epiphany as either the day the 3 magi visited, and some celebrate it as the day Jesus was baptized.

According to Wikipedia: "Peru shares Epiphany customs with Spain and the rest of Latin America. Peruvian national lore holds that Francisco Pizarro was the first to call Lima"Ciudad de los Reyes" (City of the Kings) because the date of the Epiphany coincided with the day he and his two companions searched for, and found, an ideal location for a new capital. Even more popular in Peru than gift giving is the custom of the "Bajada de Reyes" when parties are held in honor of the taking down of family and public nativity scenes, and carefully putting them away until the next year."

Later today, we found ourselves in another city, Puno, on the banks of Lake Titicaca. The Rosca de Reyes celebrations were going strong there too! There was dancing in the streets, and an extremely long line to get in to the church.

The line to get in to the church

Do you see that? There was even a man selling cotton candy!

Have I said how much I love Latin America?!

Street Scenes from Around Cuzco

2011-01-05T18:50:00.001-08:00

shoe shine in Plaza del Regocijo

Plaza del Regocijo. The rainbow flag flying above the Municipal building on the rights is the flag of the Inca Nation

street repairs

taking the Alpaca for a walk

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Oropesa, "Land of the bread"

2011-01-04T15:14:00.001-08:00

Patrick with the pan grande

We drove through this tiny town en route to Tipon today. Oropesa is about 30 minutes from Cuzco and famous for its bread, which most all of the villagers participate in the baking of in their 300-year-old ovens.

When our car slowed down on the side of the main street, a flock of bread-sellers surrounded the windows. As you can see from the picture, we held out for the biggest loaf. This monster was lunch for 5 people, and was light & fluffy with raisins sprinkled in.

5 Fun Facts About Peru

2011-01-01T06:01:00.001-08:00

Ethan taking it all in at Machu Picchu

1. Peru has the longest left wave in the world (for surfing).

2. Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish conquistador, founded Lima. Lima was the home of the Spanish inquisition for two centuries.

3. Lima is home to the largest Chinatown in South America.

4. Machu Picchu remained hidden from the world for more than four centuries, until American Hiram Bingham discovered it in 1911.

5. Lima is the second largest capital city in the world located in a desert, after Cairo, Egypt. (how random that we have visited both cities in the last 6 months)

The Lima coastline

2010-12-28T06:03:00.001-08:00

Lima is one of few shorefront capitals worldwide, and is actually situated in a desert. It sure makes for awesome sunsets!

Patrick over the Pacific Ocean

The city of Lima

cantilevered restaurant

The window wall behind the toilet in the restaurant bano!

Sunset over Peru's capital city, 12/27/10.

There's Such a Lot of World to See

2010-12-26T10:13:00.001-08:00

(married)

"Two drifters, off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see."

-Moon River

It's the day after Christmas, and we woke up to a winter wonderland in middle Tennessee! We are bummed to not be able to get in some sledding action, but that's okay because we are going to PERU today! (Where it is Summer)!

The airport is surprisingly calm, and we sit here in disbelief that it's time to the road again. We have been so spoiled at our family's houses these past 2 months, but had a much needed visit and low-key holidays.

Now hopefully this blog can return to it's normally-scheduled program.
We'll see you on the other side of the Equator!

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Photo Friday

2010-12-24T05:50:00.000-08:00

It's a tiny bit of a white Christmas here in Tennessee...but it was really snowy on Monday a few weeks back! Ethan and I were, of course, enthralled with it and went for a walk.

My parent's house in the snow - 2010

Mele Kalikimaka!

Feliz Cumpleanos a mi Mama!

2010-12-19T08:16:00.000-08:00

Today is my beautiful mother's birthday! We have had a celebratory weekend, fitting for such an awesome lady. I am SO happy we were able to be here to celebrate with her! I normally miss her birthday because we can't fly in until the day before Christmas.

My Dad and Mom at the UT game this year

And today I am exactly half her age. That is kind of blowing my mind...the fact that she's now known me half her life, but she had an entire other life exactly the length of my current life before I was born. Ha, confused yet? Woah... Maybe I need more coffee.

Happy Birthday Ma!

Photo Friday

2010-12-17T05:20:00.000-08:00

catching Jacks in Nicaragua

Photo(s) Friday

2010-12-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

Today we are taking our 7th and final exam in the series of Architecture License Exams...this is what our world has looked like for the past 3+ weeks (above). We have been working on these exams for the past 2 years, and are SO READY to put this painfulness behind us (and to be licensed architects already)! If anyone reads this blog (hello, anyone?) then please cross your fingers and say a little prayer today.

Ethan is over it!

Photo Friday

2010-12-03T06:07:00.000-08:00

Granada, Nicaragua

Gwyneth in Glee

2010-11-26T21:32:00.000-08:00

I'm kind of super-in-love with this song lately! Have y'all seen any of the show "Glee"? It's an inspiration for the wanna-be singer/performer in all of us. :)

Egypt: Video from Queen Nefertiti's Temple

2010-11-26T20:33:00.000-08:00

Queen Nefertiti's Temple at Abu Simbel

Inside the temple...

Photo Friday

2010-11-25T06:56:00.000-08:00

A little insight in to how the locals in San Igancio, Belize feel about the police...

Photo Friday

2010-11-19T18:49:00.000-08:00

sunset beers over Highlands, NC

Photo Friday

2010-11-12T07:18:00.000-08:00

An overgrown and unkempt Parque; Granada, Nicaragua

Photo Friday

2010-11-05T07:44:00.000-07:00

My Dad won his election this year...whew (that's him on the left)!
I am so proud of him!

11/2/10 @ the Dem. Headquarters

Fall Colors Over a Two-Week Span

2010-11-03T15:34:00.000-07:00

We wanted to share with you the fall colors from Highlands, North Carolina. These were taken a week apart; incredible! Happy Fall Y'all!

10/8/10

10/15/10

10/21/10

Photo Friday

2010-10-29T08:24:00.000-07:00

Great friends gather for the Tennessee-Alabama

football game, 10/23/10

Photo Friday

2010-10-22T10:13:00.000-07:00

Fall on the square in Burnsville, North Carolina

Would You Ditch Everything to go Travel?

2010-10-20T20:20:00.000-07:00

This article is in today's New York Times newspaper. Here is an excerpt:

"It's a dream anyone with a passport fantasizes about once in a while: ditching everything to travel the world for a year, or at least long enough to forget about office life. Acting out that fantasy tends to be reserved for retirees and recent college graduates, but some midcareer globe-trotters hope to show that anyone can hop off the treadmill and go travel."

Ethan and I are certainly not retirees, recent college graduates, or in mid-career. However, this article touches on some of the obstacles we encountered while planning our "career break"; One of the biggest being "Expect Resistance." You may not believe this, but the people we felt the biggest resistance from was ourselves. It felt (still feels) absolutely nuts to leave our beautiful island, awesome friends, and wonderful job to venture out with no paychecks, and no exact plan.

However, one surprising thing we found while researching career breaks, is that a lot of people are doing it...

So that's the million-dollar question; Would you ditch everything (at least temporarily) to go travel? What are your fears in doing so?

My grandparents

2010-10-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

Patricia and M.O. Shepard at the Dickson Country Club - it had to have been the 70's!

This summer has been an emotional one. My family lost the matriarch and patriarch of the Shepard clan, within 8 weeks of each other. My grandparents were so special to me; they helped to instill the love for travel. They were always on the go somewhere! Now I imagine they are exploring some far off place together, hand in hand.

I have enjoyed visiting with them in between jaunts this summer and sharing pictures from the pyramids, and stories from Central America. My Nana's eyes lit up at the pictures I showed her, and she proudly told the other ladies at the Nursing Home that "her granddaughter was going to England!" before we left for the start of our trip. I am so thankful for them, and for the fact that Ethan and I were able to spend time with them both.

Time. Is. Invaluable.

If I ever doubt our decision to take a career break and travel, with all the trials and tribulations that have come with it, I then think about time that you can't get back, and realize we made the right decision. I am so grateful.

September 2008 at our wedding!

My grandparents Shep

I love you!

Photo Friday

2010-10-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

Ethan hiding out...

Patrick Dougherty has one of his stick-and-sapling installations on display at the Bascom in Highlands, NC. Ethan's dad, along with other volunteers, got to help the artist construct the piece over several weeks in June.

Chandler Mountain, Alabama

2010-09-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

I am sitting on a hammock overlooking Chandler Mountain, in northern Alabama. I have a glass of wine, a sweet dog at my feet, and there's a little hint of fall breeze in the air. Could life be any better at this moment? Oh! And I celebrate two years married to my love this weekend. :)

We are here for a family reunion tomorrow, and decided to make the most of it by bringing our bikes and renting a cabin here from the Nature Conservancy for a little weekend/anniversary getaway. My grandmother grew up on this mountain raising cotton and running wild through the hills and creeks. And today I showed Ethan all of the hot spots like the swimming hole, Horse Pens 40, and the scenic overlooks.

After all of the sights of Egypt, Central America, and the big cities we have explored, it feels right to slow down for a weekend in the South and soak up some of our roots (and fall weather, oh how I've missed Fall!).

I love:
...the feel of tired legs after a day of hiking and biking.
...finding fossils in the dry creek bed.
...showing Ethan my Alabama...and bonus! It's even more awesome than I remember up here on the mountain.

the namesake for this place; Bonsai Point

Nicaragua

2010-09-18T09:57:00.000-07:00

I love: the crazy lighting and heat lightning, the farmers and workers in their black rubber boots, the cow herds on the beach, the cute pigs in every yard, the horses on the beach, the acid-trip sunsets, hammocks as the primary form of lanai furniture, the surfer boys, the pretty Nica girls, colorful Granada town, and Espanol!

sunset on our beach

heat lighting over the Pacific Ocean

shrimp farm and flamingos

in search of surf!

sunset, Popoyo region

horses on the beach!

Granada tile

Granada Town

Sleepy Little Granada Town

2010-09-15T05:03:00.003-07:00

If you study a map a Nicaragua, the geographical feature that you won't miss, is Lago de Nicaragua. Near the southwest coast and nestled between towering volcanic mountains, Lago de Nicaragua is enormous!

With 8,264 sqkm of surface area, this body of water is so large, that it has significant impact on the climate of the region.

Sitting comfortably on the lake's northwestern bank is the historic city of Granada.

Settled in 1552, Granada has been the subject of many invasions. Always coveted for its access to ports on the Atlantic Ocean and resulting economic successes.

Steeped in a tradition of art and literature, Granada is rich with Central American and European culture. This was exemplified well by Casa De los Tres Mundos. A community outreach organization powered by art, music and education.

Courtyard mosaic at Casa de los Tres Mundos

One of the most distinct features of this charming town, is the playful kaleidoscope of bright colors, patterns and textures.

I quickly shot this picture over my shoulder as a woman passed

I don't know what kind of car this is, but its sweet!

I'm not sure if I should be scared or laugh...

One of the guides from Surfari Charters gave us a peek at his Moon Guide to Nicaragua a great book that, among other things provides lodging information organized by price range. So, if your looking for something a little above "shoe string," you can find it. After a quick reed, we decided on Casa San Francisco. Blocks from the central square, this little gem was one of Granada's first boutique hotels.

Created from a colonial courtyard house, Casa San Francisco, flawlessly set the tone for our stay in Granada.

Cozy room with small lanai over looking the front courtyard

The rear courtyard has a plunge pool. Irresistible after a long day of sight-seeing.

The mostly bilingual staff, was a big plus after a long day exercising the Spanglish region of our brains.

To top it all off, breakfasts was included!

A visit to la barbaria was another opportunity that couldn't be passed up. For 3 USD, this guayabera wearing gentlman gave me a strait razor shave, cleaned me up around the ears and gave me a face massage!

This is living!

Boots 'n All

2010-09-14T08:45:00.000-07:00

One website that has been very helpful to us in researching and planning our travels is BootsnAll. They have ticket deals, suggested itineraries, and best of all, lots of articles written by travelers who have been there and done that!

Check out their Round-The-World page for all things global. They have monthly postings of some very inexpensive RTW ticket deals...like this one, for instance, which is currently enticing me! What a deal...I have paid $1200 before just for a round-trip flight home from Hawaii to Tennessee!

Come on A Surfari With Me...

2010-09-11T07:32:00.001-07:00

It may seem backwards for two people who live in Hawaii to pay to go somewhere else to go surfing (something we can do for free in our own backyard). But that's just what we did in the latest installment of "Ethan & Stacey flit around the world in search of architecture, culture, cheap flights, and friends."

Ever since we began planning our sabbatical, we knew we wanted to include a trip with Ethan's brother and his girlfriend. Since we were already in Central America (Belize in July), for simplicity sake, the trip with them lent itself to be elsewhere in Central America. Ari's internet skills quickly tracked down a few surf options in Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. Ultimately, none of us had the time to put together the logistics of a surf trip with such varying skill level among us (my level being pretty sucky), so we chose something new to all of us: an all-inclusive surf camp in Nicaragua. The catch being that all logistics, transport, FOOD, accommodations (beach front house with hammocks!) is taken care of. We get uncrowded waves, knowledgable surf guides to get us to all the spots (saving us hours of driving-around-dirt-roads-dodging-pigs frustration), and even a fishing boat and captain to take us out when we need a break from surfing! Heck yeah!

It. Was. Awesome. None of is knew what to expect, but let me tell you...Surfari Charters is top notch. Lance and Kristen (who we sadly didn't get to meet because she was stateside visiting fam) have put together an awesome Camp in the Popoyo region of southern Nica. They have a fun, professional crew of surf and fishing guides.

Zach, our dance-party surf guide

Ari and Ethan going for a body surf

checking the waves

They have a superb chef making sure you are fed frequently...and fed well! Surfing is tiring business, and I think we averaged 4-5 meals a day.

They have a sweet beachfront house for you to stay in complete with hammocks, psychadellic sunsets, and cows on the beach.

Ethan resting on our front porch

sunset

herd of cows cruising the beach!

They have an open-air bar/gathering spot that will serve you as many Tona's and rum drinks as you can handle.

They have a boat and will take you to surf spots, beaches, and fishing! We caught Jacks, Mackerells, and a huge Rooster Fish (a sport fish that people travel the world over to catch)! And pulling up to a surf spot via boat is like having VIP service; not having to paddle out with the schmucks is pretty sweet. ;)

Rooster Fish!

Steph and I with our Jacks!

paddling in from the boat

West Coast cruisin

2010-09-07T22:29:00.001-07:00

Well, as you can see we have been too busy to write much lately. We are sitting in LAX waiting on a red-eye clear across our great country to Baltimore. Hopefully there we can relax, reflect, and write some catch-up posts.

In the meantime, say hello to Mr. Turtle. He lives in Malibu.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.8

Grateful

2010-08-20T07:40:00.001-07:00

We are once again sitting in an airport waiting to board a flight that will take us off on a new adventure.
We made an unscheduled detour to Nashville two weeks ago to be with my family, and the word that keeps coming to my mind is grateful.

I am so grateful that we have this time in flux, and that we can change plans, re-route, and be somewhere in a moments' notice (relatively). This is not possible when tethered to a desk. Even though we'll be back at our desks soon enough, I am grateful for this chance to travel, learn a bit about the world, and for the chance to spend the last week of my grandpa's life by his side. I feel pretty blessed to have had such a kind, loving, and supportive grandfather, and am so grateful that I got to be with my family to toast him and his life!

Now...off to Nicaragua! Grandpa Shep would insist!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.3.1

Belize: Palapa Bar (aka the greatest place on earth)

2010-08-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

Our awesome friend Cesar tipped us off to the greatest little slice of heaven, the Palapa Bar. This gem is located on the island of Ambergris Caye, a little north of San Pedro town. It was about a 20 minute bike ride for us and totally worth it!

The Palapa Bar

Yes, it's picturesque and on the water, but that's not even the greatest part. Did you read the sign carefully? "...Float in our inner tubes & get drinks by the bucket". Say What?!

This place will let you sit in one of the inner tubes that are tethered to the posts around the bar, and they will LOWER YOU BUCKETS OF BEER to drink while you are floating. I am not even kidding. I think it's the greatest invention since the wheel.

pic stolen from their website

We took the opportunity to leave our mark on the bar, just like everyone before us:

The blue-green Caribbean sea, as seen through the floor boards on the lower platform

Happy Wedding Day, K + D!

2010-08-01T10:10:00.000-07:00

Today our good friends got married in Hawaii. We are so sad we could not be there.

Congratulations, Katie & Darren!
Happy beginnings to your life of love and adventure!

Hana Relay 2009

Diamond Head Brunch 2010

Don't Stop Belize-in

2010-07-31T09:36:00.000-07:00

To be sung to the tune of Journey: "Don't stop Belize-in...hold on to the feee-e-eelin"

Belize! So much diversity! So many mosquitoes! So much free Wifi!

I am sitting outside of a cafe in San Pedro watching the local kids play in the water. What a place to be a kid!

We have been here on Ambergris Caye for nearly a week and the days are flying by! We have gone for runs on the beach every morning, and spent the rest of our time in search of free wifi, riding our rental bikes, snorkeling, and talking to the locals. Boy, everyone here likes to talk!

going snorkeling with nurse sharks and sting rays

Still not sure where we are going next...we are supposed to leave Friday to continue southward through Central America to eventually meet Ari and Steph, but I'd just as soon stay here a bit longer. It's a free place to stay (thanks to a family friend) and our rental bikes are only $5 a day. Can't beat that!

our wonderful hostess, Consuelo!

horse shoes with the expats and Belikin Beer

You Betta Belize It

2010-07-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

sorry I couln't help myself with the corny title...and you can be sure there will be more to come :)

San Pedro, Ambergris Cay, Belize

We are hiding out in San Pedro, Belize this week trying to get some work done. For Ethan this means actual work, and for me this means updating the blog! Rough work week.

It has been quite difficult to find the trifecta work environment: reliable wifi, an electrical outlet, and a view. One or two is usually good, but the wifi thing has really been difficult to come by. At this very moment we are in the back room of a hostel that we are not staying at, mooching off of their air-conditioning and wifi, and listening to a bar full of backpackers playing trivia. It works. They have Belikin.

We have been here on Ambergris Caye for a week, and were on mainland Belize for 2 weeks before that. Belize is amazing. I honestly didn't know much about the country except for the fact that our two wonderful friends from Hawaii are from here (and are the nicest peeps), and that my parents have been coming every year for 7 years now to do a medical mission trip. I always figured Belize must be great to keep pulling them back...and now I see for myself that it is.

Belizians are the happiest people. The country is diverse and beautiful with tropical rainforests, jungles, white sand beaches, caribbean isles, monkeys, toucans, jaguars, Mayan ruins, a barrier reef, cosmopolitan cities, and a very laid back attitude. I am in love.

I am trying to go back and fill in the missing pieces of our travels up until now. I will post-date them to keep everything in the correct timeline, so you may notice some "old" unread unread blog posts pop up here and there. Hopefully I can catch up soon. Thanks for reading!

Belize: Maskal Village

2010-07-13T08:04:00.000-07:00

the snakeman in front of his house

Two days in and I already feel at home here. Maybe it’s the similar flora and fauna to Hawaii. Maybe it’s the similar crickets, critters, and snakes to Tennessee (although I am quite glad we do not have Jaguars in TN…), or maybe it’s just the fact that Belizean people are so dang nice. And happy! Every single person we have encountered has embraced us with open, trusting arms and it truly feels awesome.

Miss Mary wakes up early to cook our breakfast and walk the mile down the lane to catch the bus to bring it to us. All of the village (and some from the next village) parents send their kids from down bumpy lanes, through jungle groves, across streams to come spend the morning with us…and then trust that we will get them back safely at some point. The people of King’s College trust that we will do more help for them than harm in our renovation project. J And so far we have.

We had a fender bender today when returning from dropping off the last kid. We were slowing to make a left turn in the van, and a car hit us while trying to hurry around. All of the locals came trickling of the weather-worn houses that dotted the street. All were trying to help and offer services in the no-service cell zone. I followed one man on a bicycle back to his 2-room house where he and his wife and kids sat with me while we attempted to call the police. They used their phone card to dial 2 different police stations, trying to get us some help. Finally they called collect to reach a third police station and someone picked up! I can’t get past this man’s generosity to help a stranger by offering his personal phone card; it’s obviously not as simple as picking up a phone and dialing 9-1-1.

The first day having the kids yesterday was stressful; 79 kids and me having to quickly learn how to be a teacher and leader. However, today went a thousand times better. The kids are teaching me that I don’t have to have every single thing planned. They have fun no matter how organized I am, and no matter what we are doing. They exude joy in just being. The kids are so sweet and respectful to each other. Each of them knows every other one (91 kids today), and they look out for each other. It’s really an amazing lesson in community and I hope to find a place with such a sense of community to raise my kids one day.

bikes against the side of the school

the kids eat lunch

cuties

Kitzie instructing

My mom and new friends

holding caterpillars that will turn in to butterfly

NYC: In Pictures

2010-07-05T09:31:00.000-07:00

walking across the Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge

sun setting across Manhattan - from Brooklyn

This was as close as we got to Lady Liberty

Carrie and James' awesome Brooklyn apt

site model of the 9/11 World Trade Center memorial. The two squares will be massive water features in the footprints of the two towers

9/11 memorabilia

We just happened to stumble across the building where the American Institute of Architects was founded! On my birthday! An omen?

AIA founded here

Wall Street - nothing really to see

in Madison Square there were figures perched on most of the building tops

the Flatiron Building, considered to be one of the first skyscrapers ever built

another figure

The New Museum

inside the Prada store, interiors by Rem Koolhaas

the IAC building by Frank Gehry, as seen from the High Line

the High Line

The High Line

Shigeru Ban's Metal Shutter House + Gehry's IAC Building

Jean Nouvel's new tower, Chelsea

Jean Nouvel

model of Metal Shutter House - front

model of Metal Shutter Houses - back

Shigeru Ban's Metal Shutter House

so this is why all of those ominous figures on the roof tops

glass stairs, Apple Stores

renovation to existing hotel, Handel Architects

The Cooper Union school

since the Cooper Union front desk security dude would not let us inside, we are exposing this lawsuit waiting to happen - peeling metal trim

peeling trim can be seen here - for shame!

The Cooper Union

40 Bond luxury residences, by Herzog & de Meuron

40 Bond

our future home, Park Avenue

The Guggenheim peeking out from behind the row houses

The Gugg

interior of the Gugg

kids in the Gugg

our other future home overlooking Central Park

Turtle Pond, Central Park

Central Park

checking out the Juilliard School

grass roof at Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center

a local architect - making Lincoln Center look good

The Frying Pan

synagogue

"When there's something strange in your neighborhood...who you gonna call?"

inside the Tribecca Issey Miyake store; designed by Frank Gehry

dress

Manhattan looking South from the top of Rockefeller Center

Manhattan look North from the top of the Rock

a couple tying the knot on top of the Rock

the American Folk Art Museum, designed by Billie Tsien and Todd Williams

American Folk Art Museum

the Apple Cube

They'll give just anyone the Key to the City these days...

2010-07-04T03:54:00.000-07:00

We were lucky enough to arrive in NYC on the last day of the "Key to the City" public art project. After a 6 am landing from Cairo, getting through customs, 9 am yoga class in Brooklyn with James and Carrie, and breakfast...we hit Times Square to get our keys!

The Project
One to one, one at a time, all of the time, thousands of keys will be bestowed by thousands of people on thousands of citizens for thousands of reasons that deserve to be recognized. Keys to cities are traditionally given by a mayor to a hero or dignitary, symbolizing that they can have free entrance to the city. This new Key to the City belongs to us, and it is awarded among ourselves. We will give each other the key to our city for private reasons that exist outside of history. Instead of being acknowledged for landing a plane in a river, we are awarded the key for perfect attendance in school. Instead of receiving an honor for winning the World Series, we receive the key because of the kindness we showed at the hospital. And with this new key, we gain an opportunity to step back and reflect on common space in the city. For not only does the key open up specific sites, but it can also make us aware that the city is a series of spaces that are locked or unlocked.

A public art project to encourage New Yorkers to visit some of the lesser-visited spots in all five boroughs...

The project was conceived/designed by contemporary artist Paul Ramirez Jonas and presented by Creative Time.

We waited in line and, in pairs or two, we received and presented our keys to each other.

James and Carrie sign the book

woohoo! Have keys!

pit stop for nourishment first

a light pole in Bryant Park

We found the first lock on a light post in Bryant Park. Ethan did the honors. Inside it had notes and trinkets left by other people with keys to the city. I think at night your key turned the light on, but we were there during the day.

Trinity Church

A few days later Ethan and I found the second lock on a gate beside Trinity Church in lower Manhattan. The locked gate let us in to the graveyard where we found, among other things, Alexander Hamilton's grave. Pretty neat.

unlocking the gate @ Trinity Church

And a few days later we found our third lock inside one of the galleries at the Brooklyn Museum. It was probably the coolest one we found because it opened a semi-hidden flat panel door between two paintings. Inside was a small exhibit with some tiny faberge pieces...that only we could see!

In the end we only found 3 of the 30-or-so locks around the city before we had to leave. However, if you have a key or can borrow one from someone, the locks are active until the end of September.

NYC: Where we ate/drank

2010-07-03T14:05:00.000-07:00

Grimaldi's Pizza.

The line here is a mile long, so the trick is to grab some friends, take turns waiting in line while the others cruise the waterfront, order 2 pies to go, and take them to the park to watch the sunset. Perfecto!

Sun set over the East River

The Milk Bar, Brooklyn
Delicious breakfast!

Big Gay Ice Cream Truck, Union Square-ish
Ha! This was a chance encounter. I actually read about this ice cream truck in the Delta in-flight magazine during the flight from Cairo to NYC. The ice cream is delish and very creative. Ever heard of bacon in your ice cream sandwich? Or how about curried coconut shavings on your soft serve (pictured below)?

Yonah Schimmel's Knishery
Thanks to Ari for the recommendation; the oldest Knishery in the city! We tried the sweet potato. (If you don't know what a Knish is, read here.)

Delish knish!

The Frying Pan
Thanks to Tommy for the recommendation. The Frying Pan is a bar on a boat...a rusty boat. A rusty boat that seems ready to sink overflowing with the after work crowd drinking buckets of Corona while watching the sun set over Jersey. We loved it!

Ethan doing his best Jersey Shore fist pump

Bubby's, Tribeca

You HAVE to try the mac 'n cheese!

Katz's Delicatessen

Another Ari recommendation; bagel sandwiches at their best!

NYC: Video from Brooklyn Bridge Park

2010-07-02T20:13:00.000-07:00

taken with the Flip cam!

A Commentary on some foreigner’s perception of our president(s)

2010-07-02T17:07:00.000-07:00

In 2002 I spent a semester studying abroad at the Bauhaus; 6 months after the 9/11 attacks. Weimar was/is a small university town nestled in the rolling countryside of middle Germany. The cobblestoned streets are populated by architectural historians, older German tourists (Goethe, Schiller lived there), and university students who are looking for a fine arts/technical design education. I felt like I was in a very open-minded, worldly place with some of the best and brightest European minds (boy, did I ever not fit in!)

One evening at one of the 3 bars in town, I got a chair thrown at me. My assailant was an Iranian student and he was so angry at me for being an American, for the wars in his country, for our president…that he couldn’t look at me without being enraged. He was quickly restrained and I was whisked to safety behind a locked door. The police had to come and take him away. In the midst of the confusion and activity I was surprised that I never actually felt threatened. I could see the anger and hurt in his eyes, and hear him yelling. He wasn’t angry at me; he was angry at the situation. He was angry at our president. That was not the first time or the last that I would be told that semester how much someone hated our president. Not a single foreign person I talked to told me that they liked our then-president. No matter where my political thoughts were, it really opened my eyes to see how much passion our actions as a county invoke, and how the whole world is watching us. I could see it one boy’s eyes in a bar in Weimar.

Fast forward 8 years to Egypt this summer. We have a new president, but the same war. This time I was in an Arab country; the people who are supposedly our “enemies.” However, I have never heard such unwavering support and respect for our current president. They love him and told me so at every opportunity. Again, no matter what my political thoughts are, it is a good and settled feeling to know that some of the rest of the world approves, and we aren’t out pissing everyone off. I consider myself very lucky be an American, and I am grateful for the opportunity to step outside of the bubble and learn about how the rest of the world views us.

Egypt: Video from Abu Simbel

2010-06-30T17:55:00.000-07:00

Inside King Ramses II's temple at Abu Simbel (shhhh!)

Egypt: Aboard the M.S. Sherry Boat

2010-06-30T03:48:00.000-07:00

The best way to see the temples and sites in Southern "Upper" Egypt is on a cruise ship from the Nile. We booked our Nile cruise with “Thomas Cook” at the advice of our friends Laura and Joe who live in Cairo. Unknowingly we had made reservations with one of the first travel agents ever established in Egypt. Established in the 1880’s Cook Ltd. can be credited with establishing the first commercial infrastructure for Nile cruises.

We are cruising South, against the current for 4 Days. (Itinerary here)

I sit on the open air deck of our boat watching the landscape pass by like a film strip. I can’t help but feel like I’m a character in some sepia toned silent film who’s story reveals the exotic antiquities of ancient Egypt.

Sounds and smells from activity on the riverbank waft in helping me to recognize that this is, indeed, real!

We arrive at the Esna lock to a que of 20 or more cruisers. This number would balloon nearly 300 in the high season. The 60m hulks restlessly jockey for position like a giant game of Tetris. All the while, small row boats piloted by traditionally dressed men squeeze between the floating hotels in a haphazard effort to sell their wares to the curies guests far above.

Children swimming next to trash...and water buffalo

The sun sets over the west bank of the Nile.

This experience makes the sharp contrast between worlds strikingly palpable. Day by day, ships arrive carrying hordes of overfed tourists who spill out anxiously ready to take in the sites. They engage with the culture only superficially. One man dons a Galobaya while another enjoys the novelty of haggling for low prices with a street vender.

Cruise Ships in front of Kom Ombo Temple

One can only hope that the presence of tourism has resulted in a net positive for the culture, economy and environment.

I have my doubts.

Nubian Dancers

Ten Films Set in Egypt

2010-06-30T03:24:00.000-07:00

List taken from Eyewitness Travel “Top 10 Cairo & The Nile”

Have you seen/read any of these?

1. The Spy Who Loved Me
In this 1977 James Bond adventure the requisite foreign exoticism appears in the scenes at the Pyramids and Karnak temple. The magnificent temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel becomes the fictional field headquarters of M16 containing M’s office, conference rooms, and Q’s laboratory.

2. Ruby Cairo
Largely ignored by cinema audiences, this 1993 film has “Four Weddings and a Funeral” star Andie McDowell investigating the mystery of her husband’s death and enlisting the aid of dashing aid worker Liam Neeson. But, the real star is Cairo, where much of the action takes place.

3. Lawrence of Arabia
David Lean’s 1962 epic has many scenes that are set in Egypt, which is where the real-time Lawrence worked for a time, at British Army HQ in Cairo.

4. Cleopatra
As famous for the on-set romance between it’s two stars, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burtin, as for the on-screen story, the 1963 “most expensive movie ever made” almost bankrupted 20th Century Fox. It used 79 sets, 26,000 costumes and 1,000 crew members, and Taylor was paid then a record-breaking million-dollar fee.

5. The Mummy
The ancient Egyptian dead can’t seem to stay still, judging by the incredible number of mummy movies. The best is still the poignant 1932 original with Boris Karloff in the title role. It was released just a decade after the opening of King Tut’s tomb supposedly unleashed the “curse of the pharaoh.”

6. The English Patient
Much of the action in the 1996 multi-Oscar-winning film is set in Cairo and Egypt’s Western Desert, which was shot in Venice and Tunisia, respectively. The central character of Count Laszlo de Almasy is based on a read character, a Hungarian desert explorer and spy for Germany during World War II.

7. The Yacoubian Building
Few Egyptian films ever get an interntainal release, but after being the biggest box office hit of 2006 in Egypt, The Yacoubian Building screened around the world. This is a fabulous tale of the intersecting lives of the residents of an apartment block in Downtown Cairo that doubles as a deft and often scathing critique of life in Egypt today.

8. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
The first, and best, of the Indiana Jones films, released in 1981, sees the whip-weilding archaeologist on the trail of the Ark of the Covenant, which is discovered at the remains of Tanis, an ancient Egyptian capital in the Delta region of Egypt. However, as often happens, all of the scenes set in Egypt were actually shot in the studio or in Tunisia.

9. Death on the Nile
The 1978 big-screen adaptation of Agatha Christie’s murder mystery didn’t stint on the budget, flying cast and crew to Egypt to fild at Karnak, Abu Simbel, the Pyramids, and the Old Cataract hotel in Aswan. It looks luscious, with an all-star cast headed by Peter Ustinov struggling not to be overshadowed by the scenery.

10. OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies
A hit French comedy that screened worldwide in 2008 featuring OSS 117, a Gallic super-spy, who is a cross between 007 and Austin Powers. Set in 1955, OS 117 is dispatched to Egypt with a simple mission: “Make the Middle East safe.” Joyous nonsense ensues.

Egypt: Dahab

2010-06-29T09:12:00.000-07:00

I can see Saudi Arabia from my lounge chair at the hotel pool! Insane.

That is Saudi Arabia, across the Red Sea from the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt

It is a bit surreal to be here, so near to where all of the fighting and turmoil is. However, I do feel like I can understand Arab people and culture a little better by being here, seeing the mountains and the desert that they come from. Everything here in Egypt is so interesting....the juxtaposition between ancient Egyptian history, Biblical history, and current events is blowing my little mind.

I do feel weird and guilty for being at a "resort" on the beach, while there is so much poverty and trash abundant.

Laura and Susannah lounging poolside

Dahab is known for being a world-class snorkeling/diving destination, and it is a welcome divergence to be able to get in the water and cool off, and to not have to be so covered up from the sun and heat. We went snorkeling today and saw giant clams, lion fish, and amazing coral!

The Red Sea

Egypt: A Brief History of the Pyramids

2010-06-28T16:43:00.000-07:00

Starting around the First Dynasty, Egyptians buried their dead in an undeground chamber, and covered it with a mastaba. A mastaba is a low structure, rectangular in plan, with inward-sloping walls and a flat roof.

a mastaba, source

Sometime around the Third Dynasty, King Zoser decided he wanted something different to mark his tomb. He hired the architect Imhotep to design him something good, and Imhotep delivered (back then, architects were the designer and the actual builder... I'm sure glad things have changed.) Imhotep decided to take the mastaba a step further and stack them towards the heavens. In doing so, he created the first pyramidal shape in the 6-tiered Step Pyramid at Saqqara.

King Zoser's Step Pyramid

6 mastabas make up the Step Pyramid

As the first king of the Fourth Dynasty, King Sneferu saw what Zoser had done and wanted to improve it by filling in the "steps" and making the first attempt at the classic pyramidal shape. His architects set to work...however they had the angle calculated wrong. They realized when they were a good ways up that the angle couldn't support itself and the structure would fail. Too late to turn back, they just changed the angle midway and continued on. Thus we have the Bent Pyramid at Darshur.

The Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid

The Bent Pyramid

The Bent Pyramid still has much of it's outer limestone casing

Building on the construction knowledge learned from the Step and Bent Pyramids, King Snefuru decided to try one more time...and this time succeeded in building the first successful true pyramid; the Red Pyramid. The Red Pyramid is 341 feet high and is likely called the "red" pyramid because of it's reddish limestone interiors.

The Red Pyramid

The Red Pyramid - third time's a charm

King Khufu, the son of Sneferu learned from his father's eventual success, moved the royal acropolis to Giza, and created the Great Pyramid for himself. The Great Pyramid is 481 feet tall, and is the largest pyramid ever built!

The Pyramids at Giza - the Great Pyramid is far left

King Khufu used the best stone in the quarry for his pyramid

The Great Pyramid

Khufu's son, King Kahfre also built his pyramid at the Giza acropolis near his father's. Kahfre's pyramid is smaller, but he built it on a higher elevation and also added the Great Sphinx. Some of the limestone casing is still visible on this pyramid.

Pyramid of Khafre with the Sphinx

Smaller still is Kahfre's son's pyramid, the Pyramid of Menkaure, the last of the three Great Pyramids at Giza. Maybe the quarry was out of limestone, or maybe they just ran out of time, but Menkaure's Pyramid is only 213 feet high.

The Pyramid of Menkaure with the city of Cairo in the distance

A Northumberland Wedding

2010-06-28T15:21:00.000-07:00

When we found out that our good friend from Hawaii would be getting married in England this summer, we figured we would swing by since we’d be “in the area.” (“in the area” meaning on that side of the pond.) After the stag party shenanigans in Manchester, we set off driving north through rolling farmland and sheep country. We arrived at the Northumberland coast to balmy weather, rocky coasts, castles, and cute little fishing villages.

The wedding was the next day at St. Ebba’s Chapel in Beadnell. We scooted in to town just in time for the wedding, so the first glimpse we had of Jesse was him standing at the front of the church!

St. Ebba’s Chapel

the getaway van

lovely Susie!

On the ride to the reception we passed Bamburgh Castle

A church and graveyard with an ocean view

The reception was at Budle Bay House – a country estate on a hillside overlooking Budle Bay.

how very British...wellies lined up by the front door

happy groom and family

the inside of the house...kind of reminds me of where we got married

The tent adorned with hand-made fabric bunting

love this suit! And Jesse's mom looks beautiful in her hat

chandeliers and bunting

our awesome tablemates

After dinner we snuck out for a stroll through the gardens

some happy horses

We ran in to some more friends also out for a stroll; however the stroll was cut short by the “Ha-ha”!

This is an ha-ha. See, I was paying attention in Professor Dodd’s Histories & Theories class back in the day…

an "ah-ha"

And then back inside to dance the night away! Congratulations Susie & Jesse!

the dance floor - note the kilt on the right!

A Manchester “Stag” Party

2010-06-27T14:16:00.000-07:00

Just like afternoon tea and driving on the left side of the road, attending a British “stag” party is a cultural experience not to be missed! Luckily our host’s good friend was going to be getting married mere weeks after we were there, and the entire crew came south for a rowdy weekend in Manchester to celebrate. The blokes were nice enough to let Ethan and I tag along… (yes, they let a girl come along on a boy’s night... I promised not to post any pics that would get anyone in trouble).

Here we are at our first stop of the evening…something feels oddly familiar.

Ethan and Jon making up for lost time

Several bar stops later and the groom-to-be loses his shirt.

See that opened wooden chest on the table in the center of the crowd? That was a beverage container…that we all drank out of with straws.

We all pile in a couple Hummer taxi cabs…clearly “click it or ticket” is not in effect in the GB.

Late night acrobatics and guitar playing finish up the eve.

Day 2 of the Stag Weekend: Attending a Cricket game at Old Trafford Field. The crew all dressed up as farm animals…? It makes no sense and I love it!

Jon the turkey

Sam the pig

Ethan chatting up a half-dressed cow

Jolly England taking on Bangladesh in test #1 of a 5-test stretch.

Cricket! I don’t understand it!

Really it’s just an excuse to drink beer in the hot sun with your best mates wearing an animal costume. Brilliant!

Three things America needs to adopt from the Brits:

2010-06-27T03:21:00.000-07:00

1. The word ‘Fantastic.”

2. Roundabouts. No joke! They take some (okay, a lot) getting used to, but they are so much more efficient than traffic lights. No waiting on long lights, plus the center roundabout can be planted with greenery and trees. Bonus for the planet and beautification!

3. Afternoon tea. I don’t care who you are, everyone needs a pick-me-up in the mid afternoon. Why not celebrate it and make it a social event?! With biscuits!

Ft. Lauderdale - a little history with a Tennessee connection

2010-06-26T20:57:00.000-07:00

So... Andrew Jackson really had an issue with the Native Americans (yes he was a little judgemental back in the day). The Seminole tribe were concentrated in the area of present-day Ft. Lauderdale and Gen. Jackson wanted them gone. He decided to call on his trusted friend, Captain William Lauderdale from Sumner County, TN, to come take care of the issue.

Captain Lauderdale and 400 mounted horsemen rode down from Tennessee and fought the Native Americans for the land. They built a small fort in the area. The fort not only survived later wars, but the area around it began to grow and flourish and came to be known as the town of Ft. Lauderdale.

Today Ft. Lauderdale and Davie, FL look like this:

Ethan and Rob throwing the disc

Nice beaches, no evidence of any wars. And the town of Ft. Lauderdale still bears a Tennesseean's name! Woot woot!

Ft. Lauderdale - Bonnet House

2010-06-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

Having an afternoon to kill, we decided to check out one of Fort Lauderdale's Historic Places: The Bonnet House. This turned out to be an awesome lesson in history, architecture, and Florida coastal development patterns. I think I read about it on a blog somewhere...so glad that I have wasted so many hours reading blogs!

The Bonnet house sits on a coastal barrier island, with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west. It is a pristine wooded property smack dab in the middle of high-rises and restaurants in present-day Fort Lauderdale, FL. The Bonnet House estate is one of the only significant remants of the coastal wilderness in Broward County.

The front gates of the estate - looking out onto the development that has sprung up since the 1930's

The driveway

(sorry this is so fuzzy) This is Ft Lauderdale beach - taken from the fence of the estate. The A1A highway came through and took a strip of the property

Ethan and Ron patiently waiting for our tour to begin

The property was first purchased by Hugh Taylor Birch, a wealthy lawyer from Chicago. He loved to escape the hectic city life and visit south Florida on his boat; anchoring off-shore from the property he owned. In 1920 he gifted the land to his daughter, Helen, for her wedding.

The slough - the house can be seen through the palms on the left

Helen Birch married American artist Frederic Clay Bartlett, who was an up-and-coming star on the art scene. Together they built the Bonnet house in a cozy, mediterranean, eclectic style. While other grand Florida homes being built at the time were more formal, Italian style (check out Miami's Vizcaya), Frederic and Helen chose understated whimsy.

The entrance to the house - between the "obelisks"

The courtyard. The walkway wraps around three sides with the main house on the fourth side.

The pathway paving and exterior wall cladding is coral block.

Some of Frederic and Evelyn's collected artwork

Our awesome tour guide, Mr. John Burns. He was beside himself with excitement when I told him the school of medicine in Hawaii is named after him. The breezeway we are standing in is decorated with some of Eveylyn's shell collection.

The shell-decorated breezeway

outdoor living space off of the courtyard

The main house from the outside

After Helen's death in 1925, Frederic married Evelyn Fortune Lily, and they continued to build the house and grounds that remain today. In 1983 Evelyn gifted the Bonnet House to the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, and it is open for all to enjoy!

This place matters!

...and Bagels

2010-06-26T03:19:00.000-07:00

Breakfast in Boca (or anywhere in South Florida) consist of: smoked fish, dried fish, kippered fish and…bagels! The Jewish delis have the familiar vibe of your corner mom & pop diner, with a distinctly different menu. You won’t find bacon and eggs here! Once you can accept the idea of fish for breakfast, it really is pretty awesome!

Boca, Bar Mitzvahs...

2010-06-26T02:07:00.000-07:00

To understand a Bar Mitzvah in Boca Raton, one has to first understand the familial bond forged when a culture is transplanted. My dad grew up in a tight-knit Jewish community in Brooklyn, NY. On his block and in his small apartment building, he grew up surrounded by family and friends; most of whom had recently emigrated from Eastern Europe. Like so many other families like mine, these relationships stood the test of time and, of course, the move to Florida.

I don’t know what number or how many times removed Michael and I are, but that technicality is moot. Put a bunch of Jews in a room and we are all family!

Arlene and Stacey

Let me set the stage for this experience: Imagine generations of strong traditionalism crossed with the flash of south Florida panache ala Will Smith’s “Welcome to Miami” video. . .

The brothers Levine

Jews + Hip Hop = “White Hot”

This was the theme of the Bar Mitzvah party thrown by our hosts, my cousins, the Myers! The party in the evening was awesome, to say the least. I vaguely remember having a Bar Mitzvah of my own, but I can tell you with absolutely clarity that I didn’t have simulcast video projections of the dance floor, I didn’t have fly girls, and I didn’t have a pimp ass white suit!

The Bar Mitzvah makes his paparazzi entrance!

Ethan and Steph gettin' down

Attention to detail is an understatement. I mean, my cousin has a white hot art deco inspired Logo! If Michael wanted to launch his own men’s clothing line or fragrance, his brand has been established!

Even though the party was awesome, let’s not forget that we were celebrating a coming of age (actually called “becoming a Bar Mitzvah”). Diligent study of the Torah and a personal commitment to tradition are a necessary step towards becoming a Bar Mitzvah. The party is the icing on the cake.

PKWA Aloha Party

2010-06-11T11:49:00.000-07:00

I don’t know if I’ve ever told you before, but the people I work with at Philip White Architects are awesome. Seriously. If I were to write a manual about how to run a respectful, successful, fun-yet- hard-working architectural practice, I would be writing about the folks at PKWA. I can’t say enough good about Pip, Terine, Laura, Michelle, Craig, Jane, and Cheryl.

They threw the nicest party ever. I am so grateful for the love and support…and for all that I learned along the way…and the knowledge that I have a lifetime of learning yet to come. I miss you guys!

THANK YOU to the PKWA crew. And here, a bit of the shenanigans that the “Aloha Party” included: