Mostar is a city located in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina close to the Croatian border. The city was characterized by an old Ottoman styled bridge spanning a deep, green river. Lanky, local men in Speedo swimsuits took turns seeking money from the gawking crowds while others leaped from the bridge into the moving … Continue reading Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bridging Cultures
The bus ride to Sarajevo wound through a mountainous region of Bosnia & Herzegovina. The sheer rocky cliff sides starkly contrasted with the dense forests around it. The image reminded me of scenes from the movie Avatar. It was breathtaking and almost fictional. Our bus carefully navigated the endless switchbacks before eventually moseying down into … Continue reading Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Pain the World Forgot
Within minutes of exiting the worn threadbare seats of the ancient shuttle bus from the airport, we stepped out into the hot Serbian sunshine. The familiar smells and sounds of the Balkans immediately assaulted our senses. Cars espoused black thick emissions while “antique” trams with rust and peeling paint rumbled past. Much like Greece and … Continue reading Belgrade, Serbia: Beauty in Dysfunction
Day 20: Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) It must be a pattern that I disclose my initial skepticism to my readers. Last year, Hannah, once again, caroused me into another of her shows: Downton Abbey. I rushed headlong into it, though. The show was so incredibly well done and raptly drew my attention that we binge … Continue reading UK Road Trip Week 3: Part 2 High Tea at Downton Abbey and Butterbeer at Hogwarts
Day 14: Isle of Skye and Highland Games The Isle of Skye came highly recommended; the island and the entire journey to it did not disappoint. I have often heard Ireland called the “Emerald Isle” but Scotland could very well have it beat. As valleys rose to mountains at sharp angles, my mind took me … Continue reading UK Roadtrip: Week 3 Part 1
Day 7 & 8: Cotswolds & Gloucester Our adventures through the Cotswolds began with rain and occasional pockets of fog permeating the forest floor. The drive was continuously harrowing as one lane roads at time looked like walking paths. Walls of grey stacked stones paralleled the narrow roads as we careened down them at 50 … Continue reading UK Roadtrip Week 2
After Ireland we spent three weeks back in the UK with a rental car. Having a car was a first for us on this trip; it gave us freedom to explore hard to reach places but also stressed us out way more than any bus, train, or plane we've been on. But all's well that … Continue reading UK Roadtrip Week 1
There are occasional times when moving cities that we must check out early or cannot check in until late. These times are a blunt reminder of the vulnerability that we take on at times during this year abroad. It can be rainy, sunny, developed, or desolate. Cafes may be closed and parks may be dangerous. … Continue reading Guinness and a Prairie Dog: Dublin, Ireland
Hannah and I took advantage of some down time in Galway for planning, relaxing, and getting to know our Airbnb hosts. Their names were Antonin and Sandra. They were a young French couple working in Ireland who had never met prior to their time in the country. Several evenings were spent discussing past or future … Continue reading La Cuisine Française: Galway, Ireland
A small two lane main street adorned with colored cottages and grey stoned square buildings greeted us when we arrived in Dingle. The downtown area had approximately a dozen restaurants and perhaps half as many shops. Some were devoted to run of the mill souveniers, others sold locally sourced Irish wool sweaters and garb. Kayaks, … Continue reading Wool you bleat me up the hill? Cycling in Dingle, Ireland
It's A Ritch Life 