DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Why Spending Christmas in Seville Was Better Than We Expected Posted on November 26, 2015August 22, 2026 We spent 4 days and Christmas in Seville. We were told we would be closed. However, we were pleasantly surprised and delighted to find they were wrong during Christmas in Seville. Initially, we were warned that many establishments would be closed during the holiday period. However, to our pleasant surprise,… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Christmas in Spain: The Magic of Granada and the Alhambra Posted on November 26, 2015August 22, 2026 I’ve spent Christmas in a lot of places, but Granada stands out. From the start, it felt different—lively streets, beautiful views, and so much history all around us. Things didn’t go exactly as planned. We missed our flight, lost our tickets, and ran into a few surprises. But that’s what… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Why Missing Our Flight to Granada Made Our Christmas in Spain Even Better Posted on November 26, 2015September 10, 2026 Road Trip in Spain I made the amateurish error of packing late into the night before travel and incorrectly setting the alarm for 5 p.m. instead of 5 a.m. I woke up in a panic at 6:30 for a 7:30 flight. It would cost us an additional $400 and a… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Everything You Need to Know About a Dinner Cruise in Tokyo Posted on October 29, 2015August 22, 2026 5 days exploring the quirky neighborhoods of Tokyo culminates on a sunset dinner cruise around Tokyo Bay with delicious food, awesome service and amenities, and a great picture window to see the Tokyo skyline. Read more
MILITARY LIFE & TRAVEL Baumholder Military Life: What Made Our German Apartment So Special Posted on October 15, 2015December 30, 2025 Don’t get me wrong, I loved our little apartment in Baumholder, but that town was well-known for its contrary weather. We fondly and not so fondly referred to it as the rock. We lived in an old stone mansion that had been renovated into four large apartments. We shared the second floor with a retired German officer. The first floor was split between a US Major and his wife. Across the hall was a 90+ year old German widow. Read more
WELLNESS ON THE ROAD The Best of Both Worlds: Military Support and Korean Experiences Posted on September 30, 2015September 2, 2026 I once referred to myself as an expat. But during a recent dinner party at my home, we welcomed “real” American Expats to a long promised and much appreciated home cooked meal. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES Why Peking Duck at Quanjude Is the Best Way to End a Trip to China Posted on September 9, 2015May 3, 2026 This blog explores the iconic Peking Duck experience in Beijing, from the legendary Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant to the art of preparing and eating the dish. It reveals why cooking it at home is nearly impossible and shares the rich cultural tradition behind every crispy bite of this beloved Chinese delicacy. Read more
SLOW TRAVEL & LIVING ABROAD The Truth About Moving Abroad: When Unpacking Turns Into Job Hunting Posted on September 3, 2015December 27, 2025 Steps for Applying for a Federal Job My apartment is set up. Everything I do from now on will be tweaking how I use the small but beautiful space. Our VPN is working, and I can stream videos and order from JCPenney’s. I met a few of my neighbors, even… Read more