Roman Ruins, Italian Food, and a Museum with a Sad History in Tunis

The three of us – Adam, our friend Sarah, and I – recently shuffled across the epic mosaic floors at the Bardo National Museum in Tunis, Tunisia and gazed at the intricate tile walls depicting ghoulish sea creatures or fertile signs of the Zodiac. “Can you imagine how long this must have taken?” Adam said,Continue reading “Roman Ruins, Italian Food, and a Museum with a Sad History in Tunis”

Best of 2019

My husband, inspired by Benjamin Franklin, tracks metrics about his life performance. Everyday, he records whether or not he accomplished certain goals, like drinking fewer than x number of alcoholic drinks, exercising, meditating, and much, much more. He’s been tracking all this DAILY for more than a decade. I’m much less of a tracker. MostlyContinue reading “Best of 2019”

A Jungle-Inspired Bar Nook

When we moved into our Algiers home, I did what we always do and set to rid the place of the clunky and fancy government-provided furniture. I did, however, decide to keep a wood desk that was in the house. It wasn’t bad, especially after I switched out its shiny chrome knobs for matte blackContinue reading “A Jungle-Inspired Bar Nook”

A Desert Party from a Magazine Spread

It’s officially the holiday season here in Algiers. Our Christmas tree is up, our house is aglow in twinkle lights, we are going to lots of parties and eating our weights in decadent foods. We are preparing to host our Fourth Annual Holiday Spirit Cocktail Contest Party in just a few short days and I’mContinue reading “A Desert Party from a Magazine Spread”

Chill and Arty Marseille

You might be aware of my ongoing love affair with Paris. From the first time I stared down the endlessly beautiful streets in 2015 to my right-in-this-moment Paris visit (my ninth trip here), she just never disappoints. I’m currently in Gray Paree where, for the second time in 30 days, I’m enrolled at a languageContinue reading “Chill and Arty Marseille”

Can A Vegetarian Eat Seafood?

I was recently in Madrid where I did something life-changing. Adam and I were guiding our friends on a food tour of some of our favorite spots. We were in Casa del Abuelo, a 113-year-old brightly lit bar that specializes in sizzling shrimp in garlic and oil, the aroma of which wafts down the littleContinue reading “Can A Vegetarian Eat Seafood?”

Settling in to Life in Algiers

Hello readers! August was a slow blogging month but a fairly busy IRL month. I went home to the States for a nine-day visit with the family in Michigan, and then to Washington DC for a few days for good friend’s wedding. Adam stayed in Algiers for most of that, although he did fly toContinue reading “Settling in to Life in Algiers”

Our New Home, Algiers

Bonjour and marhaba from Algiers, our city of residence for the next two years. We arrived a little more than three weeks ago and, as in times past, I feel the urge to put off a post on our new city until my impressions are more fully formed. But that could take ages. This isContinue reading “Our New Home, Algiers”