Anna Maria Island is a lovely seven mile stretch of land off the western coast of Florida. The island is shared by the cities Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach. It’s white, sandy beaches and relaxed atmosphere have made the island an increasingly popular vacation destination over the years. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Anna Maria Island is close to several theme parks including Busch Gardens Tampa, Universal Studios Florida, and Walt Disney World. I’ve had a special […]
Year: 2017
Diagnosis Number Three: Lupus.
Lupus? Are you kidding me? I thought it was never lupus. In November of 2015 I began suffering from debilitating pain while living in Germany. This pain, along with other symptoms, has made it very difficult for me to function normally. Going to the doctor in Germany (several doctors, actually) turned out to be less than helpful, and so I’ve looked forward to the start of this year when I’d be back in the United States and my health insurance deductible would reset. So far, […]
A Day at Kolmården Wildlife Park in Sweden.
Kolmården Wildlife Park is a large zoo in Sweden that opened an incredible wooden roller coaster last year. Paradoxically, the park boasts 370 acres of property, 600 animals from all over the world, and now three roller coasters. It’s an unusual combination, but one that we enjoyed greatly. Over 50 years old, Kolmården is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Scandinavia. It’s located south of Stockholm near Norrköping and is home to the first Scandinavian dolphinarium, the worlds […]
City Break in Vianden, Luxembourg.
Vianden is a small city in Luxembourg located only a few minutes’ drive from the German border of Rhineland-Palatinate. Despite its small size and inhabitance, Vianden is a popular tourist attraction thanks in part to the recently restored Vianden Castle. Large and beautiful, the towering castle has a checkered history but can now be toured as a museum. We visited in late September on our second to last weekend as expats in Germany; it was a farewell tour of sorts. […]
Missing Germany: 50 Things I Miss the Most.
During my year in Germany I often pined for things from the USA. Now the reverse is true; I’ve been home for three months and I’m missing Germany fiercely. To make matters worse, I have no timeline for when I might get to return – just a long list of reasons why I’d like to. Missing Germany: 50 Things I Miss the Most. 1. Schnitzel. 2. Brötchen 3. Schnitzel in Brötchen. 4. Rittersport chocolate. 5. Nürnberger bratwurst. 6. Christmas […]
100 Days Back Home.
I never thought I’d be so deeply dissatisfied after returning home. I thought that transitioning from expat to repat would be difficult but overwhelmingly positive. I was wrong. Mr. Meena and I were gone from the United States for 13 continuous months. As we neared the end of our time in Germany I was rather desperate to be reacquainted with my family, certain luxuries from home, and my native language (not that I was ever successful at learning German beyond ordering coffee). Yet, […]
Glamping NC: Staying at the Sky Ridge Yurts near Bryson City.
The Sky Ridge Yurts are perched on a mountain and provide an incredible experience for glamping in North Carolina. These yurts overlook the Nantahala River Gorge from their vantage point near the Smokey Mountains. While the view is reason enough to book your trip, other persuasive factors include the luxurious amenities in the yurts and seemingly limiteless options of things to do nearby. Wait – what is a yurt? A yurt is a round tent traditionally used as a nomadic dwelling in […]