Machu Picchu has been the top of my travel list for a while now. It's a destination full of so much history and mystery, I can't wait to get there someday! And when I get there, I'd want to stay here...The Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. Can you image having this view when you wake up in the morning? Priceless...
Our paella cooking class was a soaring success. Unfortunately I was so wrapped up in cooking I forgot to take pictures, so I opted for a delicious looking paella image via google. 
World Cup 2010 kicks off today in South Africa! Can't wait to wake up at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning, bloody Mary in hand, and watch some soccer! Any soccer fans out there? If so, who are you rooting for?
What is your favorite flower? I've decided my fave flower changes seasonally. I'm always a fan of peonies, sunflowers, and tulips (among others) - but right now I'm ravenous for ranunculus! I just learned of the Ranunculus Fields and Festival in Carlsbad, California. Doesn't that sound gorgeous? A "spectacular sea of bright colors!"
So back to my query: if you went on a Eat, Pray, Love journey where would you go?? I think if I had 1-year to go anywhere...I would split do as she did in the book, and split my time between three very different regions. I think I would start in Europe, visiting the places I haven't been yet: Ireland, the English countryside, Sweden, Portugal, the Basque Country, and then East.
My dinner last Sunday night was a traditional Polish feast; potato and cabbage pierogis with sour cream, Polish sausage, and sauerkraut. I'd never eaten Polish food before meeting my Polish sweetie - but ever since I've come to love the comfort food of his homeland.
Isn't this amazing? A Venezuelan church has been submerged since 1985 when a hydroelectric dam was built, and was finally exposed because of a countrywide drought. This 82-foot tall church is located in Potosi, Venezuela, an Andes mountain town. While a drought is nothing to celebrate, it revealed this beautiful structure that's been hiding all these years just below the surface.
Love these pictures of Venice around Christmas time. Imagine Gondola rides in the snow, or wandering along the famous bridges with a Christmas tree in tow! 
Ideal for the architecture enthusiast...matchboxes with illustrations of different architectural styles, Renaissance, international, and Gothic. What will they think of next?
I realized I forgot to blog about a unique dining experience I had a few weeks ago. My mom and I, in an effort to be adventurous, tried out an Ethiopian restaurant, Habesha in downtown Seattle. With both of us being new to Ethiopian food, I wasn't sure what to expect. While I'd heard of "injera," spongy bread that's used as the primary eating utensil, I'd never tried it myself.
Have you seen the latest pictures from Sydney's red hued dust storm. Named one of the worst dust storms in Australia’s history, travel in and out of Sydney has essentially shut down, causing citywide chaos as many major flights redirected or canceled. The intense red has an eerie, mysterious quality, awfully reminiscent of Mars, don't you think?
I am feeling inspired to go green after watching this clip of the Dervaes family who have turned a house into the Pasadena suburbs into a little patch of Eden. Calling themselves the modern "Laura Ingalls Wilder," this family has transformed their modest 1/10 acre into a flourishing "Urban Homestead."
While in San Francisco I was the ultimate tourist, cruising many a neighborhood for various outings. My friend Lindsay and I strolled through the Mission, Castro, Marina, Pacific Heights, Presidio, North Beach, Cow Hollow, and Chinatown...and maybe some more that I was blissfully unaware of.
Arrr matey! Rally up ye buccaneers and scalleywags, the Portland Pirate Festival is almost here! Walk the plank on down to the marauder's market to loot some buried treasure Sept 20th & 21st!
Anyone want to build a sand castle? Bring your shovels and buckets and join in the festivities at the Neptune Festival for the North American Sand-Sculpting Championship, Sept. 26-28 in Virginia Beach, VA.
For the balloon enthusiast, who can't get enough hot air, hit up the Albequerque International Balloon Fiesta - October 4-12.
I've been trying to convince my friend Kostas (born and raised mostly in Greece) that many Americans celebrate Easter in similar fashion; church, followed by brunch, and perhaps then a festive event such as an Easter egg hunt.
