Italy

Things I learned about Italy while in Italy: 

They don't use toilet seats. Just a porcelain bowl - but every bathroom has a bidet. 

There are ruins in every nook and cranny of this country.

Cigarettes are still cool, but they still smell and taste awful. 

Wine is really good and really cheap. 

They cut pizza with scissors or fold an entire pizza in half and in half again to eat it. 

Italian food is only truly delicious when you are in Italy. 

Drivers don't give a fuck. 

Don't bring animal masks to the vatican during Mass unless you want your passport taken away. 

The locals are incredibly nice. 

Bambinos are treated like actual cherubs. 

The pope is the biggest celebrity in town. 

Traveling to Italy once is not nearly enough. 

 

 

 

 

 

Madrid, Spain - and the souvenir we took home with us

Madrid was a magical city. For many reasons. The history, the food, the culture, the museums, the parks, the weather, the nightlife... but most magical of all is that we left Madrid with one of the most special souvenirs of all time. A baby. Yep, while we were in Madrid, we found out we were going to be parents. 

I didn't know I was going on this trip until the day before I arrived. Rex was sent there for work, once he checked into the ME hotel in the historic Santa Ana Plaza he told me how gorgeous it was. That, topped with the offer being extended to me to tag a long, I seriously couldn't resist. Spontaneity got the best of me and I booked a flight. The next day I was off. 

It was the perfect trip, not only would I be able to keep my man company after his long days at work, I would also get to explore the sights off on my own all day. I don't think I ever walked so much. I just roamed around, never much of a destination, this is just one of the cities where things find you. With all the vibrant history it is impossible to be bored.  Previously my trips throughout Europe were spent jumping from city to city. It was so nice to just settle into one place for a whole week to get a lay of the land. By day 2 I hardly had to look at a map, the leisurely pace perfect. 

As the days went by, it seemed I couldn't quite shake the jet lag. It was real intense, I was nauseous in waves, light headed, tired most the time, and on top of that, the rich foods I was eating were not exactly agreeing with me.... all these symptoms I kept blaming on jet lag and pushing forward. Finally, 2 days before I had to leave I realized I was late for my next cycle and thought this could possibly be pregnancy symptoms. I was a little worried with all the sangria I had been drinking that I needed to get to the bottom of this before I had uno mas. 

I was on a mission to find a pregnancy test at the local Pharmacy. This was no easy task as pharmacies are not like American ones, no isles to browse, everything is behind a counter and you have to ask for what you need. Me not speaking much Spanish, I had to use interpretive dance and body language to describe what I needed... She thought it was condoms... too late for that.... Once I got what I needed I had to use google translate to find the results....Sure enough, those intense feelings I was going through were certainly not jet lag. There is indeed a tiny human growing inside of me.

I was dying to share the news with Rex once he got out of work. I wrote the exciting news on a postcard for him to read. From there forward the rest of an already incredible trip totally transformed into such a time of joy and celebration. A truly unforgettable experience. 

Looking back, I am so beyond grateful we were able to have that time together... Because who knows when we'll be able to travel across the world like that again.

The two words changed our lives forever "Esta embarazada" 

Copper Moon under the new moon

A weekend off the grid with my man in Joshua tree was the best thing after Rex's string of traveling for almost a month straight. This solar powered gem we stayed in goes by the name of copper moon, found on airbnb.  No wifi, no tv, we were sold. 

We arrived at night, the property had a great collection of books, we took the stargazers handbook outside, laid down and tried to connect the dots above. Later in the night another book the cabin helped transform me into a professional palm reader. I was set on staying up past midnight, as soon as the clock changed to 12:01, mission accomplished, lights out. Old man Rex didn't make it and was snoring by 11:50. We're so damn old, we should just retire.  

The day weather was perfect, hot but breezy. Armed with spf 70, we walked thru the desert, read our books in the sun, played games, and enjoyed not needing to care what time it was. The meals we made were simple, but couldn't have tasted better. The air chilled once the sun went down, but the heat of the fire kept us warm all night. As we passed a mug of whiskey back and forth we cooked dinner over the fire, roasted marshmallows soon followed.  The night sky was ideal, the new moon's darkness offered the brilliance of the constellations above. 

The next morning we packed a picnic and were off to Joshua Tree National Park. It was Rex's first time, I was excited to show him my favorite spots, and also discover new ones with him. We cruised the park, climbed some rocks, and hiked a few of the trails. The weekend closed with some cold beers and a heaping plate of nachos at Pappi & Harriets

It was perfect.