Purple and Cream

(not an actual Ode ) Nestled in a unique location with generous French and German influences, this lovely city is a darling to visit. Cobblestone streets and Bavarian style architecture beckons one to wander and get lost. It breathes the essence of walking right into a painting of an old charming German town. My fascination is further piqued as I observe local passersby. In such beautiful surroundings, I am simply amazed at how nonchalantly they stroll. Are they not aware of such beauty? Perhaps being inundated with such picturesque scenes becomes mundane with time. Nonetheless, this visitor is captured and absolutely mesmerized. Photos 1 & 2. General walkways lined with shops and restaurants 3. The Canal de la Marne au Rhine 4. Place Kléber is the central square of Strasbourg, France

Wow! First recipe post! Woohoo!  I LOVE to cook. Cooking for me is a very calming enterprise because very aspect of cooking evokes all the senses. When traveling, I like to keep a journal of my experiences and favorite recipes from each country. This adds naturally adds an international flair to the dishes I prepare.  Below is one of the many recipes I  will be sharing from my travel journals. You'll soon notice though, that with most of the recipes I post, I like to add a bit of a twist!  As indicated by the title, this salad is inspired by a popular salad enjoyed in Portugal. Sardines are commonly consumed in generous quantities by the Portuguese, in part, due to the sheer abundance of freshly caught Sardines.  Packed with healthy omega 3's (Your heart will thank you) and bursting with flavor, summer is the perfect season to eat this lemon herb infused salad.  Ingredients (for one salad)  2 cups of fresh baby arugula 1 Small Avocado diced  ½ can...

To say that Sardegna, Italy is beautiful would be a shameful understatement. I have officially adopted this region of Italy as my own. I fell in love the moment my eyes met the white sand beaches and crystal blue waters. I fell in love listening to the indigenous lingua Sarda. A language fittingly categorized as a romance language. My heart often swells with longing to return. To the people. The people. The people. My sweetest bonds of friendship have blossomed from this beautiful land. As the world turns in chaos, the salty mist from a crystal sea has such a therapeutic effect on your mind. Calming you. The people of Sardegna are fortunate to experience some of the earth's most riveting sights of nature at their doorstep. Such restorative calm induced by the sea encapsulates any stress felt in the moment. In solitude, I feel the wind whisper against my face and the ebb and flow of waves around my ankles, it feels as if the whole world is still. Still.

Portugal is truly Europe's best kept secret. For anyone seeking to find adventure in southern europe, eat delicious seafood, be mesmerized by calming fado music and explore castles all for a fraction of the price, Portugal should be your next stop!  The people of Portugal embody southern Europe in every sense. Kind, warm-hearted, jovial, and down to earth; it was truly a pleasure experiencing such a beautiful country in the company of such charisma.  Here are some highlights!  Food and Wine Portugal is renowned for vinho do Porto wine. What makes this wine unique is the addition of distilled grape spirits. This process results in a richer, sweeter wine.    Ginjinha, also renowned in Portugal, is a liqueur created from the combination of Ginja cherries alcohol and sugar. Oftentimes, it is served in an edible mini chocolate cup. YUM!   The preparation of seafood in Portugal is an artform. My favorite dish by far was Bacalhau. Salted cod marinated to perfectio...

  Mendoza, Argentina Memories (Part 1) Mendoza Argentina ; the heart of Argentina’s wine country. As I close my eyes to reminisce, I   see endless fields of lush green vineyards. I hear the sizzling sound of asado as a backdrop to lively chatter. I smell the dulce de leche freshly spread on a sweet roll. I taste the savory goodness of freshly made empanadas. I see the flyers advertising tango classes, friendly stray dogs running through the streets and women hanging their freshly washed linens on the clothesline. Vineyard Views The Making of Delicious Asado  Yummy Empanadas I now cast my reminiscent gaze towards the city of Mendoza. I can hear the hurried click of my heels on the cobblestone sidewalk. I don’t want to miss the bus! A few moments later I collapse into the bus seat and breathe a sigh of relief! Made it just in time!  A simple endeavor like taking the bus in a different country really opens your eyes to a unique aspect of a new culture. In Mendoz...

International travel? DO IT! :)  I highly recommend that everyone travel internationally at least once! If possible, try traveling to a country that speaks a different language. When you travel to a place different from what you're used to, it presents a unique challenge. You'll feel vulnerable and perhaps a bit awkward. But it's all part of the experience! Travel forces you to see the world from a whole new perspective. Plus, you get to eat yummy food, make great friends, and see some awesome places!  Here are some conversation do's and don'ts learned from my own experiences and that of some of my friends while traveling.  Don't - "Is it true that you guys eat/do/(verb) ---insert blanket statement here “---  DO - “Can you describe your typical cuisine? Tell me more about common activities people enjoy here. How do people here feel about?” ---  Keep the questions open-ended, and the responses you'll receive will be more detailed and thorough. Plus it...