5 Things-To-Do Before You Visit A New Country
I love to travel. My favorite thing is to travel to a new place. Even better than that is if that new place is a country that offers me a fabulous new stamp on my passport. In the past year, I traveled to the Netherlands, Italy, the U.K., and China all for the first time. I loved exploring these new lands and indulging in the culture. In Amsterdam, I ate Dutch Pancakes and took a boat cruise along the canals. In Italy, I ate and I drank, then I ate and drank some more. In Manchester, I ate Sheppard’s Pie, Blood Pudding, and toured the city’s oldest pubs. In China,…
Adventures in La La Land: A Love Letter to Los Angeles
I’ve never written about Los Angeles and that’s always surprised me. Growing up, I felt drawn to L.A., like a sunflower to the sun, despite never visiting. Maybe it was the idea of Hollywood and my passion for films that fueled my fascination with the Southern California city. It makes sense. Last year I loved La La Land. I mean I La La Loved it. The first time I saw it in theatres I cried the entire subway ride home. The next day, my girlfriend, Rachelle, who’s also a shameless nerd, and I had an hour-long conversation about La La Land. The film isn’t just a love story between two…
Being A Tourist in New York City
The first time I came to New York City, I was 14 years old. My grandmother died the day before I left. Still, my mom urged me to go, knowing how excited my grandma had been for me to see this grand city. So, I went. I explored the city with my friends and classmates. I saw all the biggest sights the city had to offer. During that trip, I stood on top of the Twin Towers, a landmark that would be stolen from the city a mere 5 months later. The most important thing about that trip was that it changed my life forever. I wasn’t sure how I…
A Chelsea Market Adventure
Chelsea is one of the hippest areas of New York. The well-known neighborhood is filled with art history, it was, after all, the original theatre district of New York City. It was also officially founded by Clement Clarke Moore who wrote The Night Before Christmas. Moving into the 1960s and 1970s Chelsea was famed for the rock stars residing in the infamous Chelsea Hotel including Leonard Cohen, Patti Smith, and Janis Joplin among many others. Chelsea is known for being many things – gorgeous, artistic, gentrified – but mostly, Chelsea is just cool. On my recent adventure to Chelsea, I explored Chelsea Market, a hub for local artists and vendors.…
The Hostel Life: The Good, The Bad, & The Smelly
Growing up I always imagined having that grand European adventure where my only belongings were stuffed in a backpack and I’d find lodgings in local hostels along the way. But in between those daydreams life happened and my adventure never did. Then at thirty, my opportunity for a European adventure finally arose. And for a few nights in the Netherlands, I got my hostel life experience. Backpacking through Europe and staying at hostels felt like a rite of passage. It’s just one of those things you do when you’re young and hungry to see the world. While thirty might not be the age of a spring chick, I say to…
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New York City is many things. It’s a high-class culture capital; it’s the ghost of folk song past; it’s the hipster haven; a medieval moderation; it’s a city built by immigrants. New York City is all these things. The version of New York you experience depends on what neighborhood you’re standing in. Recently, I was standing on the corner of Arthur Avenue in The Bronx, ready to explore the real Little Italy of New York. A Bronx Tale If you love The Godfather Trilogy as much as I do, Arthur Avenue is the way you want to envision New York. It’s a community that thrives on the streets. Family owned…
