Stories about life abroad – adventures from once we arrived and were living outside the confines of our comfort zone. These escapades range from encounters in our daily life to traveling, around Italy or beyond – all of them focused on exploring, learning, growing, and enjoying our new environment.
When you are a Later Gap Traveler, living abroad and not just vacationing, you have time to explore and thoroughly enjoy your surrounding area. In fact, you have the opportunity, if you take it, to spend a lot of time in all the little towns and villages nearby. We have tried to do so. And, […]
Puglia – Checking Out the Italian Boot’s Heel Read More »
We have now been living abroad for nearly two years, enjoying our Later Gap adventures. While we have been to many places, we still have a long list of places that we “need” to see. We had just settled back into our weekly rhythm, my wonderful wife teaching school all day during the week, I
Padua (or Padova) – A Historical City with A Forward-Looking Past Read More »
After having our hopes and dreams dashed in Verona, we decided another quick foray into another of the nearby historic towns was in order. We set our sites on Bologna, the city boasting the oldest (Western) university in continuous operation (this is the library – it’s pretty incredible to stop and think of who all
Bologna – Porticos, The University, and Michelangelo Plagiarized Read More »
Spoiler Alert – everything you read, see, or hear isn’t always true. I’m not talking about fake news. Writers of all ilk take liberties to tell a richer story. I have mentioned this regarding bloggers in other posts (see Cinque Terra Part Uno and Part Due). Sometimes, when we are comfortable in our bubble, we
Verona – Myths and Realities Read More »
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose (song by Mel Torme and Bob Wells, sung by Nat King Cole). These lines evoke visions of Christmas, and one thing that Christmas brings to Europe in Christmas Markets. Smells of sausages sizzling and gluhwein wafting through the air. Wooden stands, looking like
Christmas Markets – Seeking Babbo Natale Read More »
One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do (Three Dog Night, 1969). The words ring true when you move abroad. It is all fine and dandy when pumped up on adrenaline, in the midst of action or an adventure, or when you have a traveling companion with you 24/7 (although that can get old
Looking for Friends in Faraway Places Read More »
Spring had sprung, and like a lot of Europeans, we decided a trip to an island of sand and sunshine was well deserved. Something you find out rather quickly, when you live elsewhere, is that there is a reason people embark on specific holidays at specific times for a reason. Think about it like living
Sardinia – A Little Island in the Med Read More »
Parmesan Cheese, Parma Ham (aka, prosciutto), Parmigiano-Reggiano PDO (Protected Designation of Origin – can only be made in ONE place, like Champagne or Bordeaux wines). These are the things that popped into our heads when we thought about going to Parma, Italy. Not necessarily on a bucket list if you live in the U.S. and
Parma – A Trip to Italy’s Stomach Read More »
Sometimes aimless wanderings uncover hidden gems. Before I recount Day 2, focusing on the hike from Monterosso to Riomaggiore, I return to an unresearched, unknown, and unplanned (you probably think they all are) experience we enjoyed on Day 1. During the time between checking into our lodgings and eating dinner, we found ourselves meandering up
Cinque Terre – Awesome, but…Part Due Read More »
As Styx (a band from the 70’s – “mature” folks will understand) said in their song, The Grand Illusion, “Don’t be fooled by the radio, TV, or the magazine.” Today, that translates to “…by YouTube, Tik Tok, or the latest blog.” Sometimes what you see and what you hear isn’t what you encounter. It might
Cinque Terre – Awesome, but…Part Uno Read More »