There is no doubt that Madrid is a powerhouse when it comes to sports in Spain and Europe, especially in football and basketball. With 2 teams in the top league in Spain in both sports, a lot of athletic talent accumulates in the city. And this year's season has proven this yet again: Real Madrid Baloncesto was the only Spanish team this season to make it to the Final Four in the Euroleague. And the football club of Real Madrid won the Copa … [Read more...]
An Affair To Remember
In the summer of 1994, I fell in love at first sight. It was a true summer romance in all its glory, white hot in intensity, and I remember every moment. Passion completely consumed me from the first glance. I was hopelessly, irretrievably -- joyously -- lost. There was so much to know, and so little time. The depth of my love transformed my life forever. And then, all too soon, it was over. The parting broke my heart. I have never … [Read more...]
Madrid, Once Upon a Time
Maybe it was a bad omen that I'd memorized Cinderella before I could read. By winter 2004, I had to accept that my life was turning to ashes. Single, living alone in Manhattan, I found myself without steady income, and few, if any employment options. My seemingly endless supply of crazy ideas to otherwise help keep me clothed and sheltered had long gone up in smoke. Factor in frequent, lengthy illnesses and my lifelong propensity for being … [Read more...]
A Bunch of Rocks: The Environmental Gutting of Malta
As you look down from the hillside onto the apparent perfection of Malta's Blue Lagoon, you struggle to imagine it in any other condition. Land embraces lagoon like a protective parent. Water shines like a molten blending of sapphires and emeralds. The perpetually cloudless sky appears hazy against such brilliance. Craggy islets guard the entrance like dorsal spines on some mythic leviathan. But you walk the Malta of the modern world, a … [Read more...]
The Perception of Time
The use of time is an important issue in understanding human behaviour. Among cultures the perception and understanding of punctuality can vary quite a bit. Where Germans are known for their strictness, accuracy and punctuality, I definitely have to register a deficit in the last category. I'm not the most punctual person. Anyways, some of my friends know me so well that they would rather tell me a different time to meet just so they wouldn't … [Read more...]
Bier Festival, Berlin
When asked about something typically German beer will be one of the most frequent responses people will give you. Germany is a beer loving nation. Internationally probably most known is the Oktoberfest where the beer consumption reaches a climax in the country. Since there is still some time to spare until the next Oktoberfest I recommend any beer lover with an extreme craving for some German beer to start looking for Berlin apartments, because … [Read more...]
The 4 Bridges Crossing the Canal Grande in Venice
The two most striking characteristics of Venice are its extremely romantic appeal and the picturesque canals that are like the unique equivalent of streets in other cities. The biggest of these canals is the Canal Grande (in Venetian referred to as Canalasso). At a length of 3800 meters it stretches through the whole city in the shape of an 's'. Curiously enough there are only four opportunities to cross the Canal Grande throughout the city, … [Read more...]
Not Everyone’s Idea of a Family Vacation
'Where are you going this time?' my dad asked as he viewed the half packed cases lying on my living room floor. 'Barcelona.' I replied. He wrinkled up his nose. 'I've been there,' he said. 'Not really a place you'd take a holiday, is it?' Isn't it? I smiled at him, but I knew what he was trying to say. The same thing most of my friends and family say when I tell them where me, my husband and my two daughters are off to next. Not really … [Read more...]
The Lovely Inishowen Peninsula and More
As our plane dipped down below the mist, patchwork fields of green came into view. Then we went in for the landing in Belfast and could see sheep in a nearby pasture. This was hard to explain, but I felt like I was entering into an ancient homeland. Maybe because my family had distant Irish ancestry. My sister-in-law met my mother, sister and I and we went by car to the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal along the coast to Moville. The … [Read more...]
Alta Moda in Rome
Although I think of Paris when thinking of European fashion capitals, as the fashion show in the French capital might be the most prestigious fashion show that exists, I can't help but notice a majority of the label names are Italian. The most important Italian cities when it comes to fashion are without a doubt Milan and Rome. I have never been to Milan, but I stayed in apartments in Rome twice. The first time I was there I went in to some … [Read more...]
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