This frayed and dirty extended-page passport is one of my best accomplishments in life 😃
~ LiAnn
Latest Posts
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Remembering Pop
My grandfather was a quiet man with a snarky sense of humor, but what he was more than anything was good man who cared about his family. I remember being a kid and walking around our 10 acre property with him in upstate Pennsylvania. He taught me all about the trees. I remember one that smelled like bubble gum and another that taste like root…
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Catching and Sharing the Travel Bug
I caught the travel bug long ago. There’s no cure, and I’m happy about that. I’m even more excited about how contagious the travel bug is. For many years I traveled solo—staying by myself in big cities and hopping on tours to see the countryside and waterways of the world. Now, I have a travel partner. It was this month 4 years ago that we…
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4 Top Things to Do in Lisbon
We overuse the word amazing as a descriptor, and that’s because the world is amazing! Lisbon was no exception … but it can be more aptly described as magical. The old-school trams glide up and down the hilly historic district. Narrow alleyways open up to breathtaking views of castles and cathedrals. Small shops serve the most delicious local pastries.
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Into the Dark
I always find it hard to fall asleep. As an insomniac, I know all about the bumps in the night. Sometimes they frighten me. But at the same time, the night has always inspired and energized me. I love the sounds of the night creatures. As a teenager, I loved the feel of the cold morning dew on my bare feet when I snuck back…
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Machu Picchu was just as I imagined: Beautiful. Ancient. Inspiring.
I was first introduced to Machu Picchu when I read the Celestine Prophecy nearly 20 years ago. From that point on, I wanted to visit Peru. It seemed inaccessible at the time, but that didn’t stop me from dreaming. I imagined hiking the Inca Trail and watching the sunrise over the historic site. I imagined feeling the energy of an ancient culture long since passed….
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13 course tasting at Maido in Lima
Our 13 course dinner tonight at Maido in Lima was one of the best meals of my life. The flavors were phenomenal and complex without being over the top. The service was top notch and the atmosphere was elegant, yet still comfortable and casual. This was a meal to remember. Amazing! 21-Aug-2017 Lima, Peru
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The Dying Gaul Filled My Heart with Joy
I was absolutely thrilled, as I was walking along the National Mall, to see an ad for The Dying Gaul on exhibit at the National Gallery of Art. This is the sculpture that made me fall in love with Greek art (even if it is actually a Roman replica of a bronze sculpture). The raw emotion, physical pain & beauty, and psychological defeat that are…
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New Year’s Eve in Merzouga, Moroccan Desert
We spent New Year’s Eve in Merzouga, located in the Moroccan desert about 30 miles from the Algerian border. The small village is at the edge of incredible sand dunes, thus it is frequented by travelers and truly makes you aware that you are in the Sahara desert. Our desert inn was quaint and adorable. A live local band, Moroccan feast, bonfires in the court…
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Meknes and Fez, Morocco
As we traveled north, we explored the imperial cities of Meknes and Fez, which are known for their medinas (the old quarter of an Arab city in North Africa). I enjoyed the Meknes medina more than the one in Fez because it was open and inviting with large stands full of spices, dates, figs, and olives. The Fez medina was a narrow labyrinth full of…
