Letters/41

Dear Clown Car, you've done it again! I'm amazed at your durability as we successfully carried half of a couch on top of you across town. What I loved even more were the looks that we got while in transit (mind you we also had to have our arms out the windows to hold onto it as we drove).

Dear God, I now understand why you make babies so cute. The other day I saw a picture of when Zeke was a kitten (because we all know pets and babies are pretty much the same right? It's all I have to compare to, stick with me) and wanted another one, completely forgetting the annoying traits that kittens can have. I'm doomed when we start having kids. 

All packed and ready to go!

Dear Charades, for the first time since living in Korea I'm really thankful I didn't have to use you the other day when my friend and I were trying to find the 'lady doctor'. I can only imagine how quickly it would have gone downhill if we tried to act that one out. Dear Goodbyes, you suck. End of story. Can't everyone just live here forever? Or at least until we leave? That'd be great, thanks. Dear Jet Plane, we're leaving on you tomorrow! I really hope these next two weeks just crawl by. Dear Blog Friends, Even though I'll be out of town for the next two weeks, I've got some great posts planned for you guys and some even better guest bloggers coming up! And since hubs and I prefer to travel old school (no phone, no computer) I won't be able to answer you're sweet comments until later, but I look forward to reading them all when we get back! Be sure to go visit the guest bloggers and give them some love!

Linking up with Ashley and Lauren

The Next Exciting Chapter!

Today is a special day, it's my 40th birthday, and as I look back on all the incredible moments that have led to this day my heart is filled with so much gratitude. Good or bad, each experience has served a greater purpose in my life and made me into the woman I am today.

I don't know what the future holds or what it will bring, but one thing is for sure, I know I will continue to share this journey of love, life, travel and discovery with all of YOU! Thank you for your constant support, caring words, encouragement and kindness. It has made the journey that much better.

Cheers to the next exciting chapter and all the great blessings that come with it!

Love & Light,

Travelista73 

Barcelona – A Culinary Wonderland

The Catalonia region of Spain has undergone a culinary revolution with its innovative molecular cuisine, so when my sister and I decided to go on an epicurean adventure we knew we had to go to Spain. It was her first time visiting this fascinating country and I was excited to share this experience with her. 

We began our journey in the seaside capital of Catalonia – Barcelona – one of the most dynamic cities in the world fusing centuries of culture with an avant-garde approach to food, style, art and architecture. One walk down the Passeig de Gràcia to look at the Modernista/Art Nouveau buildings designed by famous architects like Antoni Gaudi and you will know what I am referring to.

Barcelona has a flavor all its own. It is a foodie’s dream destination with world famous chefs like Ferran Adria, Juan Mari Arzak and Carmen Ruscalleda who have literally given new meaning to the term Culinary Arts, and while there we made sure to take full advantage of this culinary wonderland with visits to some of the cities most renowned eateries.

We began our adventure with a stroll down Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s most vibrant and lively promenade, for a delicious seafood lunch at KIOSKO UNIVERSAL (n.691) at La Boqueria Market. This famous food market is the place where Catalan people shop, eat, and embody the meaning of living-well, something the Spanish excel at. Kiosko Universal is where world famous chefs like Mario Batali come to eat when they’re in town. The fish is the freshest available and it’s cooked to perfection. Everything from exotic spices, to decadent chocolates, to fresh fruits, to homemade breads can be found at La Boqueria. It is a colorful, flavorful, and aromatic feast for the senses!  

So, how do you top that? With dinner reservations (worth their weight in gold) to Chefs Ferran and Albert Adria's new tapas bar TICKETS! Here we experienced dish after dish of culinary bliss. It is clear that these two artists know no limits to gastronomic creativity; a belief supported by our server, the lovely Maria, who passionately described each course as if explaining a science experiment, which is in fact the discipline behind Spain's revolutionary take on food. After all, award-winning chef Ferran Adria is the genius behind El Bulli fame, and Tickets has done a masterful job of applying the molecular gastronomy of El Bulli to simpler dishes with continued emphasis on freshness, colour and flavour. And though every course was simply sublime, we must give honorable mention to the razor clams, the spherical olives, the egg with truffle, and the watermelon infused with gin – phenomenal! 16 courses and 3 desserts later, my sister agrees - Spain is a paradise for your palate!

The next day we visited the city’s most renowned sites; La Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, Casa Batlló and Park Güell, as well as the medieval Jewish and Gothic Quarter located in the centre of the old city of Barcelona. La Barri Gótic as they call it in Spain is full of character and personality. I love sitting at the cafés here and people watching, especially at night when the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia takes on a mystical appearance.  

We decided to lunch at a local tapas bar bustling with energy where the selection was endless and the flavors simply delicious. Few things are as synonymous with Spanish culture as tapas and I’ve had the privilege of enjoying many during my visits to Spain. Though tapas aren’t a typical Catalan tradition, overtime it has become popular and there is a large selection of tapas restaurants in Barcelona too. Some of my favorites are: EL VASO DE ORO, MAITEA, QUIMET I QUIMET, and BAR RAMÓN.

Dinner that evening was at the 170 year old restaurant 7 PORTES located on Barcelona’s waterfront to enjoy, in my opinion, the best paella in all of Catalonia – the Paella Paralleda. This was my second visit to this classic Barcelona eatery and they did not disappoint. The food was as delicious as I remembered and the old-world ambiance was a perfect backdrop to such a classic dish.

After a long stroll through the streets of Barcelona, we ended our evening with drinks on the rooftop patio of our hotel, the HOTEL PULITZER. Their rooftop garden patio is not only beautiful with stunning views, but they also serve the most delicious Cherry Mojitos. I would like to take this opportunity to say that we loved our stay at the Hotel Pulitzer. The hotel is simply stunning with its cosmopolitan décor and professional staff. They took care of reservations, ordering cabs, anything we requested was met with a friendly smile. Keep in mind that the hotel is also located next to Plaza Cataluña, where the city's two most cosmopolitan avenues begin: Paseo de Gracia and Las Ramblas. Location! Location! Location!  

On our final day we decided to sit back and enjoy the city on board an open-top, double-decker bus. The Hop-on Hop-off Tour is located at Plaza Cataluña and is a relaxing way to explore the city. Spend as much or as little time at places of interest before jumping aboard for the next stop - the choice is yours!

I wanted our final meal in Barcelona to be a tribute to the greatness of Catalan cuisine, so I chose SENYOR PARELLADA where the food is not only delicious and fresh, but the décor a real showstopper. The restaurant boasts black & white checkered floors and lemon yellow and blue dining rooms that are in distinct contrast to the XIX Century facade. We couldn’t have been happier with our restaurant choice. What better way to end a culinary holiday than on a delectable note!  

Perspective Series-In Budapest

This week I'm happy to introduce Meryl from McLendon's in Budapest, for the next installment of the Perspective Series. This is a series about expats sharing their experience of living and traveling abroad and how it inevitably changed their outlook and perspective on life. I'm a new reader of Meryl's blog but how could you not love her and her sweet family? She blogs about her new life in Budapest (which was never on my travel wish list but after looking through her pictures, it is now!), her two mini me's, and their travels abroad. Hop on over and say hi!

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Hi there, Lost in Travels readers!  I'm Meryl and I'd like to share my corner of the world with you.  Two and a half years ago my family moved to Budapest, Hungary from Houston, Texas, where my husband and I both worked in the oil and gas industry in Texas.  When his company offered him an opportunity to work in Budapest, we jumped!  I'd like to share some of the experiences we have had and some pictures of my favorite spots. 

The moving process itself went smoothly, but adjusting to Hungarian culture proved to be a bigger transition. Hungary has a strong and proud cultural identity. Everything from its language, its food and its many, many festivals is distinctly Hungarian, with very little connection or overlap with any other country or culture. Hungarians even name their children from a defined list of nationally approved names. 

The first order of business was to attempt to learn the language. Hungarian has a 44 letter alphabet, with each noun having 17 different forms. It has no connection to any other language, although some think it sounds slightly like Finish. We started with the highest hopes and ended with the deepest of frustrations. It was a flop. We learned enough to get by and that was enough for us!

Aside from the language, adjusting to Hungarian culture meant a few changes. I (try to) cook like a Hungarian because the ingredients are more limited. I buy a few groceries every day, because our refrigerator is the size of a dorm room mini fridge. I drive like a grandma, because most of the streets here were built to accommodate golf cart sized vehicles. After countless theory and driving lessons and examinations, I still don't have a Hungarian license... and it doesn't look like I ever will. I am no longer surprised when old ladies (strangers) hug and kiss my children... they absolutely dote on children here. Sometimes I am taken aback by the cool nature of some Hungarians, but it's easy to understand when you consider that Hungary was under strict Soviet control for over fifty years, with the last of the troops leaving in 1991. Those that were around at the time will remember this as a terribly oppressive period for the Hungarian people.    

After making the much needed adjustments to Hungarian life, we were able to appreciate the physical beauty of the city, including its amazing buildings and bridges, the blue Danube splitting the city between Buda and Pest, the impressive tree-lined thoroughfares of the Pest side and the villas that dot the rolling hills of the Buda side. Hungarians love festivals. There is never a weekend without a big festival of some sort. Another fun fact about Hungarians: they absolutely love thermal spas. There are several spa houses that offer steamy hot open air baths located inside beautiful buildings I often mistake for museums. They are perfect for beating the cold, Hungarian winters. There's a lot to love about our new home.

 As for our old home, I love and miss Texas and Louisiana! My short list of things I miss includes: drive through anything (fast food, ATMs, pharmacies, etc), Target (or any one stop shop / big box store), Netflix, realistically sized parking spaces and parking lots, and the ability to buy things online. As for the people, I miss the diversity of America. After moving and travelling throughout regions where the people are more homogeneous, for lack of a better word, I realized I took for granted that America is the ultimate melting pot of culture, color and creed. This will be a welcome change when we do return.

Thanks for reading and thank you, Chelsea and Jeremy for letting me share some thoughts and pictures of our home in beautiful Budapest!   Meryl

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Thanks so much for writing Meryl! Be sure to stop by her blog and show her some love! 

If you have lived abroad and would like to be featured please email me at lostintravelsblog@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you!
You can read more of the Perspective Series here.
Linking up with Shanna and Rolled Up Pretty

Overview of Marrakech and Farewell

From the time I was a little girl I have been enchanted by tales of foreign lands, eager to immerse myself in the smells, sights and sounds of these captivating landscapes.

And after crossing oceans and deserts to arrive at North Africa’s Red City – Marrakech – I am pleased to say that it was well worth the wait. Marrakech was all I hoped it would be with her stylish riads, magical museums, theatrical restaurants, and colorful souks. It allowed me to be in a constant state of exotic intoxication and utter bliss.

Over the course of a few days I found myself in love with this city that had bewitched me body and soul, and in discovering Marrakech, I also discovered a part of myself.

Thank you Marrakech for the adventure, for all the wonderful memories, and for all the incredible people I met along the way. Until we meet again.  

Our days were spent walking through the souks and shopping at the city’s best boutiques like Al Matjar and AYA’S where the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Barbara Streisand and Julia Roberts have shopped. Of course I could not help but treat myself to some gorgeous new accessories. 

At night we enjoyed meals and drinks at some of the city’s best restaurants and lounges. My favorite was Al Fassia, in Gueliz, a restaurant run entirely by women that serves traditional Moroccan food and wine. The restaurant’s ambiance was part of the allure, elegantly decorated in rich tones, set off by crisp white cloths. The night was so warm and beautiful that we decided to dine outdoors by candle light. Our meal was a delicious mixture of salads, meats and sweets that characterized the best in Moroccan cuisine.  

The perfect place for drinks is the spectacular La Mamounia Hotel. The entire property evokes the elegance and deep romance of Moorish design. As I sat back enjoying the property and my drink, I gave cheers and thanks to dreams coming true!

If you think Marrakech lacks in night life then you’re dead wrong. The city offers an array of places to dance the night away. One of the city’s best is the restaurant-lounge-nightclub Jad Mahal filled with stylish Europeans clicking glasses of Champagne in a chic setting that blends Indian and Moroccan décor. We enjoyed a night of eating, drinking and dancing among jet-setters as guests were treated to a performance by belly dancers. What a great night and experience it turned out to be.

Thank you Marrakech for being all I hoped you would be!

Travel Tuesdays-Thailand

Just a little something to cure your wanderlust for the week.

via

If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears. -Cesare Pavese

Hammam at Riad Azoulay

After a long day of sightseeing we returned to the lovely Riad Azoulay to find two bathrobes adorned with freshly cut roses on our bed. We were instructed to change into our bathrobes and go downstairs where the talented Zaira would perform the Arab ritual of the Hammam bath.

The Hammam took place in a room of white marble that was dimly lit by candle light. A marble bench ran the full length of one wall and half of the other. I sat down onto the hot marble and listened to the sound of rushing hot water as I watched the light patterns reflect across the room. This put me into a state of total relaxation.

Zaira began by pouring warm water over the bench and floor to create a sauna like atmosphere. She then doused me in warm water and asked me to lie face down with my arms outstretched as she rubbed Moroccan black soap into my skin while stretching and massaging my muscles. The same ritual was performed on my front. I was then rinsed off with generous amounts of warm water as she washed off the soap.

As I lay back down, she again applied black soap to my body only this time she rubbed my skin vigorously with a "gome" glove. This coarse mitt removes all dead cells from your skin and stimulates your circulation, reducing the build-up of cellulite (women in North America would love this). She then repeated this on my front, but with less force.

Rhassoul clay was then applied all over my body and face, with the exception of my eyes and I then laid on the warm marble bench and cooked gently in the cleansing clay for about 5 minutes. I was then brought a glass of cooling water to sip, before the clay was rinsed off in warm water.

After this I enjoyed a wonderful 30 minute massage to complete this truly relaxing, pampering and utterly enjoyable Hamman experience!

Items for a Hammam Spa Experience:

CLAY(rhassoul, ghassoul)
This mineral clay is unique to the edge of the Middle Atlas mountain range in Morocco, where it has been used since the 13th century. Infused with floral water, it gently cleanses and softens the hair, body and face. It is also known for its efficiency absorption of toxins, impurities and normalizes excessive sebum from the skin. This coveted, 100 % natural product is an essential element of Moroccan womens beauty rituals.

DAMASK ROSE BUDS (Rosa damascena)
Also called "the flower of One Thousand and One Nights", this fragrant rose is harvested at the base of the Atlas Mountains neat the stunning, and colourful valley of Dades. Its large buds are delicately removed from the petals and left to dry. The buds can be transformed into essential oils and other cosmetics. These exquisite rose buds will transform any bath into a sensual and fragrant experience. The Damask rose is known to tone, soften, soothe and protect the skin against cold, dryness and the sun.

ORANGE BLOSSOM AND ROSE WATERS
Distilled from plants, floral waters provide purifying, clarifying, regenerative and calming benefits to all skin types. Rose water has a delicate fragrance and is primarily used to treat wrinkles and moisturize the skin. Orange blossom water gently cleanses, soothes and restores the skin's natural balance.

KESSA GLOVE
Made from woven viscose fabric (formerly, goat hair was used), the kessa glove is a traditional tool in the exfoliation ritual. Black soap and dead skin are vigorously scrubbed and rinsed away, revealing smooth and silky skin. This process can be followed by a soothing application of argan oil or shea butter.

Yves Saint Laurent’s Majorelle Garden

The Majorelle Garden is a beautiful botanical garden in Marrakech formerly owned by designer Yves Saint Laurent. It is also the place his ashes are now scattered.

Made in the 1920s by French painter Jacques Majorelle, this lovely garden is composed and coloured like a painting. To understand its true beauty one must walk along its raised pathways, past banana trees, groves of bamboo, coconut palms and bougainvilleas.

There is also a lovely collection of Pop Art on display painted by Yves Saint Laurent himself. LOVE was his subject matter and how befitting, for love is the great emotion one feels when walking through this charming oasis.

 

 

 

An Afternoon in Dehli

Our cooking list for the day

One of my favorite parts of living overseas is all of the different cultures you cross paths with. Especially on our small island where the community of teachers and engineers is exceptionally dense and diverse, bringing people from all corners of the world. I feel like I have now experienced the true meaning of a 'melting pot'. In just our church alone, which consists of about fifty people, we represent nine countries and speak 13 different languages. It is here that I have had the privilege of getting to know two Indian families that decided to invite myself and some other girl friends into their home and teach us how to cook some authentic Indian dishes.

Rolling the chapati

The first dish that we made was chapatti, or also known as roti. When you are eating curry, this bread is used as a sort of utensil to grab and pick up food since instead of using silverware, hands are traditionally used.  

Chapatti / Roti 

(This will make approximately 6 rolls)

What you need:

.1 c. wheat flour

.1 tsp. salt

.½ c. water boiling water

What you do:

.Mix dry ingredients together and then add the boiling hot water. Mix together with a spoon until it  cools. Then use your hands to knead it. If it is sticky add 1 T of flour to dry it out a bit.

.{Optional} Take 1 tsp canola oil and add it to the mixture and knead it back in.

.Cover the dough with another bowl and let the dough rest for 30 minutes.

.Rolling – lightly flour the chapatti before rolling. Roll and turn the chapatti. Repeat this process until the chapatti is a nice circle with no bulges or bumps.

.Cook the chapatti in a non-stick pan. When the chapatti bubbles flip it over. Repeat this process until the chapatti is golden brown.

.You can refrigerate the dough for 4-5 days if needed. When rolling the refrigerated dough be sure to roll it in the flour to remove any excess moisture. 

Fresh ingredients and spices used

I was amazed at how absolutely nothing went to waste. When I cook I am extremely guilty of this. A little flour left in the bowl? Trash. Water from boiling a vegetable? Down the drain. I more so focus on a clean work space (guilty neat freak right here) rather that on keeping all excess cooking materials and preserving all nutrients from the food. For example, they boiled the spinach in water and instead of dumping that water down the drain, they used it in other recipes that called for water. Therefore, getting every last ounce of nutrients and use out of the ingredients. Here are some more tips we collected throughout the day:

.Every time you cook onion, add salt. It breaks down the onion and brings the juices out and therefore makes it tastier.

.If you cut the chili pepper ‘open’ style it will be spicier. If you cut it in circles it will be less spicy (good to know since I like the taste of peppers but am a wimp when it comes to spice) 

Making tandoori chicken

Vegetable rice

The finished products! Clockwise from top left: Basic Indian Chicken Curry, Palaak Paneer, Vegetable Rice, Tandoori Chicken

Our wonderful hosts and cooking teachers

We ended the day with a sweet yogurt drink that was to die for! It's the perfect sweet ending to a meal that can be adjusted in so many ways by just adding different fruit concentrate. 

Lassi
(makes drinks for two)

What you need:

.½ tsp. Cardamom (open the cardamom, take out the seeds and grind it)

.½ c. water

.1 cup yogurt

.¼ c. sugar

.6 ice cubes

What you do:

.put everything together in a blender, mix and serve!

This day went straight to my list of favorite experiences of Korea. I can't wait to cook these dishes again and again for family and friends in the future. Anyone up for a dinner party?

Linking up with Brooke and Molly