Nature v. Nurture: On Noise and Dancing
After a year and a half of Peace Corps service in Barranquilla, Colombia, I think I’m closing in on about as “integrated” as I will be. Two things I still find astonishing, however, are the love of noise and dancing abilities of everyone on the coast of Colombia. As a Midwesterner from a small, farm-bordered [...]
Barranquilla Carnaval, 2nd Time Around
It’s not everywhere in the world where months of raucous, citywide, business-paralyzing parties are not only permitted, but heavily encouraged. As the home of the second biggest Carnaval in the world, Barranquilla, Colombia happens to be one of those places. And since the city is also my Peace Corps site, entering my second year serving [...]
Barranquilla’s Carnaval: To live it is to enjoy it!
From the moment I arrived in Barranquilla, Colombia this past October, up until Ash Wednesday, Carnaval was the word on every person’s lips. As a new member of the United States Peace Corps, the last thing I’d expected was to be posted in the most urban setting in which I’ve ever lived—I was even more [...]
California Girl
I spent my Fourth of July weekend in California, my dream state. I am an ex-New Yorker, with a Latina bent, making me the perfect California dreamer. I live in the Midwest, so when it is hot it is usually humid, whereas in California, the sunshine is usually comfortably dry. My friend since I was [...]
Madrid
It was 2004 when I first visited Madrid. I was on a high school trip with the French/Spanish club and our adventure happened to land just weeks after the train bombings that killed 191 commuters on their way to work. Every where we went in the city, security was tight. There was a barricade around [...]
Ahead of Myself
Some weeks just get ahead of me, and this was one of them. There are just too many wonderful adventures to be had in Chicago, and I am enjoying filling each corner of my day with friends, dancing, home done sushi, and plenty of music to share. I am looking forward to sharing more adventures [...]
Clubbing with Mom
A very common Friday night in Barcelona might look a little something like this: Friends together eating dinner and drinking a little sangria (or whatever tasty beverage can be thrown together) around 10pm. Midnight rolls around and discussion turns to which club it would be nice to visit. 1.30am and you are out the door, [...]
 around 10pm. Midnight rolls around and discussion turns to which club it would be nice to visit. 1.30am and you are out the door, [...] "Pin It")
