Morning sunrise with Delphi, Antibes Carnival in Nice Soon I will leave Antibes and return to Virginia. This morning I am back on the ramparts, early sun stretching across the Mediterranean, the Alps faint and snow covered in the distance. Waves move rhythmically against the rocks below the old stone walls. It feels now familiar and surreal at the same time. Lasting impressions Living here has been a long imagined dream. Over these weeks I settled into quiet rituals, sunrise

Eze I wanted to know what it would feel like to do something completely different for an extended time in another country. I have always wanted to learn a little French, so I committed to one month of language school in Antibes. I started at Level 0, débutant, and finished at Pre A1. Am I fluent? Not even close. I still struggle to blurt out simple sentences. But I learned a great deal, kept up in class, and challenged my brain in a way I have not in years. That alone feels l

Week four our French class was moved to a historic building just around the corner from our Airbnb. The kind of place with thick stone walls, tall shutters, and a marble plaque outside noting that a Marshal of France was born there in the late 1700s. Suddenly, class was no longer something I traveled to. It was part of the neighborhood. Since class was now so close, I added another routine to my day: I set out to find a beautiful sunrise every morning. I knew I was only five

Le Nomade, Jaume Plensa, port of Antibes Bonjour! Welcome to Antibes, France on the French Riviera (Côte d'Azur) between Nice and Cannes. I've already been here two weeks and am torn between wanting to experience everything  on the French Riviera and wanting to stay put and savor Antibes.  Right now, I’m sitting in yet another coffee shop in Antibes, thinking about how far-fetched this once seemed. Years ago, I casually said (half joking, half dreaming) One day I’m going to

Perched on a cliff high above the Paro Valley, Taktsang Monastery was the primary reason for my visit to Bhutan, and it exceeded my...

Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery: Children having fun with the prayer wheel Nuns having debates in school. Beautiful location and so...

This lady was selling woven scarves and giving away dried yak cheese along the hike - no, it was not too tasty, and almost impossible to...

Over twenty years ago, I saw a photo of a mystical monastery clinging to the side of a cliff. I didn’t know where it was, but I instantly...

Locals celebrating the New Year Another highlight was our time near Chitwan National Park, where we stayed at a luxurious resort tucked...

Bhaktapur: Ancient City Playground Just outside of Kathmandu is Bhaktapur, a beautifully preserved ancient city (14th century) often...

I climbed Mt. Everest - Nah - just kidding! Nepal had long been on my travel wishlist, though I knew I probably wouldn’t be hiking to...

I spent three unforgettable days exploring Cartagena’s historic walled city, a vibrant blend of colonial charm, rich history, and modern...

High on top of the Nutibara Hill, Pueblito Paisa provided us a glimpse into traditional Colombian village life, all while overlooking the...

I had always been comforted by the soothing motion of a rocking chair or swing, which might have explained why I felt so at ease riding...

My impressions of Antarctica are complex, and I’m still processing the remoteness, the harsh environment, the wildlife, and the profound...