The World is a Book

Trip Planning

2008-03-24T16:01:00.002-05:00

While I am busy writing my library blog at http://www.livelylibrarian.blogspot.com/ almost daily and finishing the grad school projects before graduation in May, I am still thinking about my next trip.
I'm planning my July trip to Ireland and September trip to Germany. So far the itinerary includes learning to surf off the coast of Galway in Ireland and planning sidetrips around Oktoberfest. I'm already working on my St. Pauli beer girl costume...

Door County

2008-02-11T20:32:00.000-06:00

So our friends Thom and Kathy invited us to Door County Wisconsin this past weekend to tour their vacation farm and to participate in Winter Fest 2008. I've never been to Door County, and while a cold winter weekend may not be the best time of year to enjoy a penisula, it was a great Wisconsin style getaway.

A couple of firsts for me:
Using a gas station bathroom (I didn't pull a Britney, I am just more of a rest stop or restaurant kind of girl)
Cheese curds (I don't really know how to explain this experience, but they are yummy)
Wisconsin Wineries (sweet wine often made from cherries and apples, friendly people)
$57 a night hotel (half naked hairy men eating breakfast in the lobby...)
The Hashbrown Breakfast Contest of Champions (The perfect cholesterol food when hung over, 3 winners, not me, see picture of John "Pedro", Tom and I)

Outdoor Bowling (I bowled a 9!)
Cherry Pit Spitting Contest (I rocked at this, 23 feet! All those years of spitting gum paid off, see picture)

Thanks Thom and Kathy, it was a great weekend, can't wait for next year!

Favorite

2007-12-01T18:22:00.000-06:00

At a party in my home last night friends and I were discussing travel. With the weather turning cold in Chicago I am busy planning trips that will take me to warmer climates. Next Friday I fly to Las Vegas and am thinking perhaps Nashville or New Orleans in February.
As friends and I discussed upcoming vacations, we exchanged thoughts on favorite trips we've taken in the past. Where we went, who we traveled with, best hotels and restaurants....It got me thinking about my favorites.
For me, it's not only where I've been but who I've been with. Friends, family, strangers, lovers...
There was one trip, my birthday, a church at midnight, a guitar. Or another, an island at the end of the world, dancing, treehouses. Another, Elvis and Greyhound. And another, an Irish castle and a simple meal in front of a fireplace.
It's not all sunsets and beaches or cabins in the mountains.
My favorite trips have been the ones where strangers become friends and memories were made after dark.

Back from Icky Italy

2007-11-15T22:35:00.000-06:00

No excuse really for why I haven't posted since I returned from Italy other than I really wasn't in a rush to rehash the trip. Italy was breathtakingly beautiful, the food was delicious and the wine is as good as you would expect. Italy also tops my list of places I have no intention of returning too. Why I didn't like Italy: 1) many of the Italian people we met were shockingly rude 2) absolutely the most expensive country to travel in that I have ever been too
On the flip side, Italy also has lovely cultural traditions and fantastic restaurants, hotels, churches and art. The highlight of the trip was seeing the Leonardo Da Vinci masterpiece The Last Supper in the church Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. Standing in front of that painting was absolutely one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Another highlight was visiting the Portofino Coast of the Italian Riviera, mainly the cities of Camogli and Portofino. I will dedicate a blog to this part of Italy and the wonderful seaside hotel we stayed at. I will also blog about Milan and the Lake Como area and post some pictures.

Leaving for Italy

2007-10-04T12:18:00.000-05:00

I leave in 24 hours and will be back in mid October.
I'll post pictures when I return!
Ciao!

From LA to Milan

2007-09-06T16:48:00.000-05:00

So I am just back from another trip to Los Angeles. Explored the area around 3rd and Fairfax, West Hollywood, Pacific Palisades and the beach at PCH and Topanga. I really love LA, but HATE the over crowding and people who can only talk about the "biz". May elaborate later on my favorite past times while there, shopping and house hunting.
I am now planning my trip to Italy, I have 1 month to finalize plans before I fly out on October 6th. Seriously, planning this trip has been the most difficult of my travels. So far the plan is Milan, then Bellagio on Lake Como and then the Italian Riviera.

London calling

2007-05-10T12:47:00.000-05:00

London. In a past life, I was English. In this life I am a committed anglophile. As far back as I can remember, I have loved everything English and it seems as though I have waited all my life to live there. On my first trip over a decade ago, I fell in love with the city, like someone might fall in love with a lover. Passionately. When I first stepped off the plane, I cried, seriously it was pathetic.
In 2004 I took my son to London and enjoyed the city even more by showing it to someone I had talked about it with for his entire life. He loved it almost as much as I did. I had waited 12 years for him to be old enough to remember and to appreciate the trip.

So what is "my London". Well it's the sections of the city that I love. It's the history, the language, the tradition, all the silly things really that Americans love that we don't have here in the US. Where do I stay? Well I have stayed in the big hotels and the small B&B's, in the homes of friends and in small charming townhomes. The worst by far was a small hotel, near Victoria Station. I honestly don't remember the name, but I remember the place. Tiny, entrance was under the street and the room...god, it was awful. The bathroom was so small, that to shower, you sat on the toilet and water poured through a hole in the ceiling. Where the water came from I have no idea. That was when I traveled in my 20's, I no longer have the patience or the desire to "rough" it while backpacking.

One of the best places to stay, is a lovely little hotel called the Luna & Simone on Belgrave Road, SW1V. The location is terrific, the #24 bus stops right in front of the hotel and takes you to Victoria Station, Westminster, Leicester Square and more. The price can't be beat, the rooms are clean and the breakfast is delicious. The staff is very friendly and helpful and make you feel at home. The room I stayed at in 2004 was large, 2 beds, 1 tucked in an alcove, and a nice bathroom.

Other delights in London, the food. I have had excellent sushi, Indian and African food in the capital and could dedicate an entire post just to the gastronomical delights. Wanna spend a fun hour looking at food delights, then visit Harrod's. What a treat, and food I have never seen before or since.

For a few hours a day, I can enjoy visiting the tourist sections of London, the Tower, the Dungeon, the museums, the bridges, Big Ben, Parliament, Kensington etc. Westminster Abbey is amazing, and the audio tour is well worth the time and the donation. When I was there in 2001, my mother, sister and I nearly ran into the Queen's husband Prince Phillip. I have a funny picture that was snapped in a rush as he stepped into his private car.

How do I enjoy an afternoon? Tea, shopping, Highgate Cemetery, Hampstead Heath, Kew Bridge, Tate Modern, and pubs. A weekend, shopping in Notting Hill, house hunting in Highgate Hill, boats at St. Catherine's Dock, Kensington Roof Gardens, St. Martin in the Fields, and then dinner at a chanced upon pub.

I think I will blog soon about my time in London during the week after Princess Diana's funeral. Surreal and absolutely unforgettable. The flower tributes, the sadness, the candles, the utter loss the people felt, it was overwhelming.

Chicago Clubs

2007-03-07T13:23:00.000-06:00

Thought I would blog about something from the past. Chicago clubs.
In the late 80's and early to mid 90's I was a vapid club goer, and spent most nights (when home from college) at a variety of city dance clubs. When I was in my 20's, my club tastes and the scene changed, but my love of dancing did not.
In the late 80's the club I was a regular at was the now long gone, Medusa's. This club was legendary and home was a 3 story building on Sheffield Avenue. Dj's had names like Psycho Bitch and spun music until the wee hours of the morning. My friends and I would dance to bands like Ministry and Nitzer Ebb and while we never drank inside, we were always sneaking out on the fire escapes, or standing under the 'L' tracks to drink cheap Boone's or warm beer. The lines were long to get in, the bouncers were jerks, but once you were inside, it was a dark labyrinth of fun. The main floor of dancing had tall podiums on the sides, and if you were lucky enough to get a spot, you could dance above the crowds for everyone to see. Upstairs were dark hallways, sitting areas and another dance floor, that at various times through the years served as a VIP area and a bar. When Medusa's closed in the mid nineties, a generation of us mourned.
After the demise of Medusa's and the gentrification of the location, (which they turned into high priced condos), we moved on to Club 950 located at the intersection of Lincoln, Sheffield and Wrightwood Avenues. Named after it's address, this "alternative" club was one of the best. You couldn't miss the building, one outside wall had a mural of a dancing couple and Humphrey Bogart that was visible from multiple streets and the 'L' Line than ran behind it. The dance floor was large and the cover was cheap, and we would dance to Joy Divison, New Order and Depeche Mode to name just a few. (One memorable night we met 3 members of Depeche Mode when they partied at 950 after their concert) There were 2 large rooms in the club and each room would often feature different music nightly. The smaller room was eventually converted into a pool room and upscale VIP bar, and the main dance room underwent numerous remodeling over the years.
Other Chicago Clubs in those days included the Liar's Club, Excalibur, Berlin, Shelter, Ka-Boom!, China Club, Exit, Crobar and Delilah's, but nothing is remembered like Medusa's and Club 950. Once in a blue moon I go dancing, but these days I head to Neo and enjoy the nostalgia.

Chicago-North Side

2007-03-07T13:01:00.000-06:00

I think it is time that I started to write a few things about my home town. With all the traveling I do, there is no place like home and Chicago is absolutely one of the coolest cities in the world. The Windy city is a large sprawling metropolis that is a collection of vastly different neighborhoods. Some defined by ethnicity and some by income.
There is really nothing like knowing a city so well, that you can always find your favorite restaurant, museum, 24 hour diner, hotel, niteclub, resale shop, or even your favorite park bench. I have experienced so much of my life in Chicago that I love when I can find my way almost anywhere, even when the expressways are so crowded you have to take side streets. I used to boost I could get anywhere in Chicago, even during rush hour within 45 minutes. But those days are long gone. The traffic in this city is so bad, and the construction so unrelenting, that it now takes almost 1.5 hours to get anywhere within Chicago city limits from the suburbs.
I have lived in various locations within Chicago and the suburbs and if I had my choice I would prefer to live in the city than the 'burbs. Throughout my 20's, I lived in 4 different homes, within 3 Chicago neighborhoods. I loved them all, but some neighborhoods I fell in love with. I lived the longest in the Jefferson Park area, located at the junction of the Kennedy and Edens Expressways. Easy accesibility was the charm of Jefferson Park, the Metra Train, bus station and Blue Line on the "L", made this neighborhood easy to get to from the suburbs and Ohare Airport. I lived in 2 beautiful homes, both had been converted into 3 flats, and with sprawling parks and small fenced yards, the area was safe and a perfect place to raise kids in the city. Many of my neighbors were Polish and a large group of residents were Chicago firefighters and policeman.
I also lived briefly in the Lake View neighborhood and the Lincoln Park area, both of those sections of Chicago will need their own posts.

Kilkenny, Ireland

2007-01-20T15:17:00.000-06:00

This beautiful medieval city may be my favorite place in Ireland. On my first visit 10 years ago, I fell in love with the narrow winding streets, the river valleys and Kilkenny Castle. On my most recent visit a few months ago, I spent time walking the quiet streets, exploring the churchyards and drinking and dining at local restaurants. I seriously wondered how I could relocate my family to live there for a few months a year. Alas, family commitments keep me in Chicago, but it's Kilkenny that I dream of.
Kilkenny is a popular weekend destination for Dubliners who want to escape the big city for a small village with a thriving social scene. The nightlife in Kilkenny is well known and well deserved. The winding streets are lined with pubs featuring nightly music and entertainment. If you are not interested in visiting Kilkenny for the night life, then come for the food. Surprisingly, my favorite Italian restaurant (probably until I visit Italy in 2007), is located in Kilkenny. Ristorante Rinuccini is located across the street from the Castle at 1 The Parade. This excellent restaurant is on the first floor of a charming townhome and proprietors Antonio and Marion Cavaliere also rent luxury rooms above the restaurant. The service is top notch and personal and the food was unforgettable.
When in Kilkenny, a visit to Kilkenny Castle is a must. The castle is operated by the OPW (Office of Public Works) and tickets for castle tours must be bought the day of the tour. Weekends sell out quickly, mostly by tour bus visitors, but if you arrive before the castle office opens, you can queue up for tickets. The castle is beautifully restored and the 45 minute tour is a glimpse inside a past time. While waiting for your appointed tour time, explore the castle grounds which are immense and give an excellent view of the castle and the river is sits upon. When inside, you'll see the Long Gallery, an amazing vaulted room covered from floor to ceiling in portraits and tapestries. On a cozier scale is the Library and Drawing Room, beautifully restored with gold fabric walls, red brocade drapes and sitting areas centered around large windows, fireplaces and bookshelves. The neatest feature...the fabric wall coverings cover horse hair stuffed walls which insulated the rooms but also created a major fire hazard.
Shopping in Kilkenny is excellent and half the fun is stumbling upon shops as you walk the curvy lanes. Both my husband and I bought coats here and a few trinkets for our home. After a day of shopping, the fun of Kilkenny is the nightlife. My favorite place is the infamous Kyteler's Inn, a rustic and charming historic pub with a shocking history and a resident ghost. The best Irish music we heard on our trip was in this pub. And a must for dinner or a drink is Langton House, an unbelievable place which accommodates a hotel and 2 bars with gorgeous private courtyards and a ballroom, all secretly located behind an unassuming brick storefront. Absolutely one of the most amazing locations for a destination wedding I can think of.
Accommodations are varied and most are within walking distance of the center of town. We stayed at the Kilkenny River Court hotel, located across the River Nore from Kilkenny Castle. The rooms were cheaply decorated, but the inner private courtyard parking and views of the Castle made this hotel a nice 1 night stay.

Madrid

2007-01-08T12:40:00.000-06:00

I visited Spain in November 2005 and hope to return within the next year. Easily a country I could see living in permanently. The people know how to live, when to work, when to relax and how to eat.
I spent a few days in Madrid and while it was definitely not one of my favorite destinations, I did find certain aspects of the city wonderful. The Prado Museum is breathtaking and worth an entire day. The great Spanish painters, Velazquez and Goya are prominent as are an amazing collection of nudes by Ruben, Titian and others. The audioguide is well worth the money and a fun way to learn about the art.
The nightlife in Madrid is legendary and well worth the reputation. Try the areas around the Plaza de Santa Barbara or Paseo de la Castellana. The hardest adjustment at the beginning of my stay, was adapting to the late, late nights. Restaurants don't even open until 8 or 9 in the evening and leaving for a dinner reservation at 11:00 p.m. was the norm. The food is more than tapas, beer is local and the wine, well I can't say enough about the wine. After dinner, strolling the cobblestone streets at 1 or 2 in the morning, with thousands of people, families and tourists is really an experience.
Avoid the public transportation, pickpockets are rampant. Cabs are easy to hail but walking is the best way to see Madrid.
Another memorable experience, a massage in my hotel room. Definitely not like in America. Full body and totally naked. And EVERYTHING was massaged. My husband loves that story.

Florida

2007-01-05T11:00:00.000-06:00

I just returned from a few days visiting family in Florida. From my experiences with travelers, people either love Florida or they hate it. I am a Florida fan. While growing up, my parents had homes in Florida and Colorado and when my sister and I were not in school in Illinois, we were growing up on the beaches of Florida or the ski hills of Colorado. I had a large group of friends in the small town of Gulfport Florida were we lived and have kept in touch with many of them during the last 25 years.
I had a lot more freedom as a teenager in Florida than in Illinois, maybe it was the freedom of a lifestyle lived on the beach where your main concern of the day was trying to fit in a swim before the afternoon rains.
As an adult living in the Chicago area we often have 4 seasons in 1 day so about this time of year I start craving Florida, clear warm nights, the smell of salt water and the boardwalk of Gulfport.
My parents currently live in Punta Gorda, which was heavily damaged by a hurricane a few years ago. They live on a waterway in a lovely home with a warm pool. The community where they live is a maze of streets, all backed by waterways or golf courses. The small town feel of where I grew up in Gulfport is absent, mainly because Punta Gorda is a newer planned community and because so many buildings were blown away in the hurricane.
During my previous visit last winter, I was able to spend a day driving up the coast to the St. Pete Beach area and visiting Gulfport. My grandparents home is still standing on Beach Blvd, but is sadly neglected since it was sold a few years ago. Gulfport under went a transformation in the late 90's and early 2000's when it was discovered as the quaint sleepy bay town it is. Many of the small storefronts were bought and the waterfront downtown area was transformed into a artist community and gay friendly place to life. Gulfport is tiny, but along the beach there are numerous restaurants and bars that throw their french doors open so you can mingle in between strolls on the beach. The Casino is also a favorite place, especially with the Seniors on dance nights. There are no decent hotels in Gulfport, but there are a few charming B&B's near the beach. Across the bay you can see the buildings on St. Pete Beach which is only a 15 minutes drive.
St. Pete Beach and Pass-a-Grille Beach, home of the famous Don CeSar Hotel (pink castle), is a favorite spring break destination. I grew up pool hopping, sunbathing and skim boarding with friends on this beach and know every restaurant and bar for miles. It is still my favorite place in the world to go and relax. If you happen to be in the area, don't miss The Hurricane Restaurant. The roof top bar is the best place for a grouper sandwich, a beer, a game of pool and the perfect view of a Florida sunset.

Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland

2007-01-04T10:03:00.000-06:00

While driving through Ireland on my most recent visit, I visited Kinsale, a small coastal village on the south-west coast. Kinsale is a culinary and scenic treasure and well worth a visit when visiting the Emerald Isle. I stayed at Harbour Lodge, owned and operated by a friendly local man named Peter. The accommodations were superior and meals were prepared by request using locally grown food. My room had a small balcony with breathtaking views of the harbour and there is simply no comparison to waking up to the sounds of the marina and Irish fisherman.
Next door to the Harbour Lodge is the Spinnacker Pub, a cozy place which is perfect for a pint on a rainy night. Next to the Spinnacker is the Harbour Bar, absolutely the most eccentric establishment I have ever stepped into. A waterfront house where the owner operates a pub out of his living room, is cozy, cluttered and bizarre. He lives upstairs and comes down to serve a pint to visitors. He'll gladly start a fire for you and tell you stories of his life and his visitors. Why this place is worth a visit, the beer selection is amazing and you'll never find a stranger place for a drink in Ireland.
While in Kinsale, don't miss a visit to Charles Fort, a star shaped fortress built in the 17th century with cliff tops views of the harbour it protects. A short walk from the Fort is The Bulman, a charming waterfront pub where you can sample a pint or two in front of one of their roaring fireplaces.
For great local music, try the The Spaniard, also exceptional for a meal. And for unforgettable fish, a meal at Fishy Fishy is a must. Visitors come from all over the world to sample their food and you won't be disappointed.

New Orleans

2006-11-17T14:38:00.000-06:00

Okay, I have to write it, even though it might not be nice. In my opinion, New Orlean's has lost its magic. I flew in recently for a weekend visit and left thinking it would be awhile before I returned.
I have always loved the Crescent City. I visited the first time as a child, and many times in the 90's at the height of the Gothic renaissance when you truly believed vampires walked the alleys. But alas, those times are gone, rather tragic.
What I love about NO: the food, the history and the shabby chic faded glamour that makes you believe that nothing ever really dies or is forgotten, but that everything is still there behind a thin veil. Now NO to me is just trying too hard to build back up, to replenish it's lost souls and fill the Boubon Street traps with tourists and conventioners. Even my favorite bar, the charming and scary Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop has been redone and lost it's old world charm.
One place that has survived the Hurricane and the rebuilding is Fritzel's, the BEST place for jazz in NO. Located far down Bourbon Street, this place is special and the music and the jazz lovers make this place magic. Another favorite is The Bombay Club, absolutely my favorite place to hang out in NO. The martini's, the music, the calamari, the oysters. I usually start and end each evening at this beautiful club. Also not to be missed, ACME, for the oysters. Yes, it's crowded and full of tourists, but the oysters are ice cold, the service is great, the beer is fast to arrive and the hush puppies are the best anywhere.
Other honorable mentions, Petunia's on St. Louis has the best breakfast in NO. And Bayona on Rue Dauphine is the only place for a romantic dinner. Situated in a 200 year old Creole cottage, the atmosphere, the service and the food is absolutely fantastic.
Also, don't miss hearing Steamboat Willie play in the French Quarter. New Orleans famous jazz musician is a great friend who plays nightly at various bars and outdoor venues in NO. After the hurricane, my husband and I flew Willie to Chicago to attend a benefit concert and to play at our wedding. His shows are not to be missed. Music is truly the heart of New Orleans.

Dublin

2006-11-02T12:45:00.000-06:00

So here are my thoughts on Dublin. It is a city for the young. I enjoyed visiting Dublin much more in my 20's than I did in my mid 30's. I do think that my most recent visit to Dublin (October 2006), will be my last.
The city is charming and a must see if in Ireland for the first time, but I found my most recent visit too similar to other stops in a major metropolis. A highlight to be sure (at least for this traveled librarian), is Trinity College and the Long Room in the main chamber of the Old Library. The most spectacular library I have ever seen. This part of the library is included on your tour to see The Book of Kells. On my first trip to Ireland almost a decade ago, I truly enjoyed seeing the pages of The Book. However, in the time since my last visit, the "exhibit" is more like a Disney attraction, with a long line through the bookstore (for maximum sales effect), and a large room full of larger than life panels on the history of The Book. Fascinating to be sure, but not as magical as seeing it before it became the tourist trap it is now. However, it is worth the visit just for the access to the Long Room at the end of the tour.
Other highlights in Dublin, the churches. They are breathtaking especially my favorite, St. Patrick's Cathedral. Fascinating place and the resting place of the author of Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift, he is buried next to his beloved Esther.Well worth a stop if you are on the tour buses or a short walk from Dame Street.
Don't miss fish and chips at Leo Burdock's on Werburgh Street, no longer served wrapped in newspaper, but still the best. And for a wonderful meal with the best service in Dublin, eat at Thornton's in the Fitzwilliam Hotel across from St. Stephan's Green. This is a dining experience not to be missed.

Los Angeles

2006-10-30T14:30:00.000-06:00

Thought I would share some thoughts about LA. I love LA, which surprises even me. For years I had a tainted view of the infamous West Coast capital, but after repeated visits, I am a fan, a BIG fan. Realistically, I might see this insanely vibrant city different if I was a resident, but as a visitor, it's become one of my favorite places. A dear friend of mine from college, "Miller", is a successful actor and business woman in LA and has graciously opened her various homes to me over the years. After a recent 5 day stay in September, I simply cannot get enough of this city.
Some of my personal favorites, the Korean Olympic Spa where the full treatment in their spa, was one of the best things I have ever done for my body. And for $100, a bargain. Resale shopping in Topanga Canyon was funky and eccentric. And I loved the cemeteries. Larger than life legends, buried in grandeur and sometimes in poverty. Fascinating slice of film history in cemeteries.
What I HATE about LA, Malibu. Seriously, what a joke. The traffic, the paparazzi, the neglected and abandoned store fronts on the way into Malibu and the sheer overcrowded beachfront was shocking. The beach if you could get to it was nice, but this has got to be the most overrated place on the planet. Also, Robertson Blvd, home to Kitson's and the restaurant the Ivy. Again, just a laugh it's so ridiculously puffed up.
I might post some pics soon, gotta get the ok from some people in them.

Michigan

2006-09-27T08:15:00.000-05:00

Our home away from home is a small beach community about a 3 hour drive from Chicago. We spent the weekend at the Scanlan beach house in Holland Michigan this past weekend and had a beautiful Indian summer day on Sunday. We woke up to the sound of crashing waves and left to drive home after a beautiful red sunset. The boat will be out of the water in 3 weeks and another season of fun at the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club will be over.
www.mbyc.com
Below is a picture of my boy, tired after an afternoon of "sand surfing" and Tom with Bubba.

Welcome to my blog

2006-09-26T10:49:00.000-05:00

After returning from Los Angeles last week and while preparing to leave for Europe next week, I thought it was time to have a permanent place online for my travel blogs. Multiple e-mails were getting tedious and I needed a place to collect travel stories and photographs. So this is my new online home.
Future blogs will be stories, tips, lessons, and laughs about my travels. Trips within the last few years have included weekend jaunts to US locations including: New York, Boston, Seattle, Florida, San Diego, Los Angeles, Michigan, Ohio, Phoenix and New Orleans. Recent European trips have included: London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Mallorca, the British Virgin Islands and next week, Ireland.
I hope you enjoy reading my travel adventures as much as I enjoy writing them.