2016: A Year in Review, RebeccaWanderlusting

Amman Day Trips

On May 24, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn International Travel, Jordan1 Comment

The following Amman Day Trips guide is brought to you by
Ms. Gracie Barrie, check her out on Instagram: @standbyflygirl

After thoroughly exploring Amman, you may feel the need to get out and explore more of the country. Jerash is about a 45 minute drive north of the city and it is worth every minute and more. Often called the Pompeii of the East, Jerash is a must-see for anyone with even the slightest interest in history. It is awe-inducing in size and preservation. Walking down the main street you practically hear the Roman vendors and merchants arguing about prices and sales. You can walk through the temple of Zeus and sit on the steps of the temple of Artemis. The best part about it is that it’s so big that you can often wander for a few moments without seeing another person, completely losing yourself in the process. The amphitheater is the most incredible part of it all. It stands in near perfect condition, its height daunting and causing legs to wobble at the top. Sometimes a group of musicians waits inside to serenade you with a song and to show you where to stand to get your voice to echo throughout the entire stadium. You will most likely encounter some men waiting inside for tourists to tell you a few facts or show you around for a second in exchange for a few dinars. Some of these guys have worthwhile facts, like the guy who will show you the hollow pillar that echoes when hit in just the right spot, but others may just be trying to sell you something. Keep your wits about you and you’ve got nothing to worry about, they won’t pester you if you politely say no. Jerash is like traveling back in time for a day, so plan for plenty of hours to spend back in the 2nd century.

Another day trip that would probably take about half the time of Jerash is a visit to Madaba. Only about 45 minutes away from Amman, Madaba is like a laid-back brother to the capital city. It is home to St. George’s Church which houses the oldest map of Palestine known to us today. The ancient mosaic was uncovered when the church was renovated, so the church itself isn’t ancient, but the mosaic is a special surprise. Madaba also has Mt. Nebo, the place where Moses was supposedly shown the Holy Land. On a clear day you can see Jerusalem from the top and a stunning view of neighboring Palestine. After seeing the sites be sure to stop at Haret Jdoudna for a life-changing meal. The restaurant is a legendary family-owned business housed in a restored 20th century Madaba house and it is almost as if you can taste the hard work and history in the food. Madaba will only take about half of your day so if you have the time it’s a great quick trip to get away from the noise of Amman.

Another day trip from the city worth your while is Bethany, or the Baptism site of Jesus Christ, yes that Jesus. This site even counts Pope Francis as one of its most recent visitors. I’m not and never have been a religious person, but I am an art history scholar and visiting the actual land that the names and faces I’ve come to know through endless art and scripture was inspiring. The baptism site on the Jordanian side of the River Jordan is a humble set of stairs leading into a reservoir fed by the river. You cannot go in the exact site but you can baptize yourself in the nearby river a few steps away. It is a beautiful and calming experience to feel the muddy ground of the river and feel the cold water. You also get a view of the Palestinian side of the river, now controlled by Israel and a brand new, very big tourist center. In my opinion, it took away from the experience to be so detached from the earth at the spot, I was glad to be on the side of the river where grass and water still rushed past your feet, not wet concrete. It is a good idea to dress respectfully and mindfully, and, if you’re a woman, perhaps wear a swimsuit under your baptism dress if you want to actually go into the water (as opposed to undergarments). You are lead through the site in groups that leave from a designated parking area and guided around the many paths that make up the area. Our visit didn’t take very long but it was a valuable experience and sure to be extremely moving if you are religious or interested in history. To think of how much the Christian faith and the figure of Jesus has affected our world since his time is overwhelming. Everything from wars and assassinations, the formation and destruction of empires and people, and hopefully a wide-spread message of love and acceptance has been influenced by the name of this one man who once walked the same land you can now walk today. It’s definitely a special experience regardless of faith (word to wise about the souvenir shop there, the prices are very high. You can likely find similar objects in a souvenir shop in Amman for much less).

From the baptism site we went to spend the evening at the Dead Sea. We visited Jordan in the winter so we had planned our time to only be an evening, but if I were to visit in the summer I would love to luxuriate there for as long as a week. To drive from the baptism site to the Marriott at the Dead Sea only took us about 30 minutes. We purchased a pass from the front entrance of the hotel for about 40 dinars each since it was off-season for access to the beach and pool for the day. We each changed into our suit in the hotel bathroom, as Caroline and I were determined to go in the sea despite the chilly weather and cloudy skies. It was definitely not what I had pictured in my mind when I envisioned going the Dead Sea, namely missing the ungodly sunny skies and tropical drinks with umbrellas in them, and maybe some reggaeton playing somewhere. But I wouldn’t trade anything for the experience we got. We began our walk down the path to the beach which was absolutely deserted. If Zara was any evidence, no Jordanian in their right mind wants to go into the Dead Sea in January (even though it was only 60 degrees! Practically tropical compared to the weather back home in Chicago). After covering ourselves in Dead Sea mud from giant clay pots on the shore we eventually convinced Zara to join us in the water, which was surprisingly warm and comfortable. A word of warning: it is nearly impossible to look graceful while walking into the Dead Sea. The shoreline is all small rocks with crystallized salt covering them. This, as you can imagine, is not the most pleasing thing to walk barefoot across, but it is worth it for the weightless feeling one gets when floating in that sea. I’ve never felt anything quite like it! It was even hard to swim properly because you cannot hold your legs down, everything just floats right to the top. Be very careful not to get any water in your eyes or mouth, the stinging sensation is very real and the taste is absolutely disgusting. After getting used to the floating sensation it is possible to take your phone or camera in the water to get some unreal and jealousy-inducing selfies. It is also wonderful to just float for a while unimpeded and let everything slip away.

It was near sunset by the time we got in the water. Despite being cloudy all day long, the sun came out for the last 20 minutes of its time in the sky and absolutely blew us away. It was just the three of us in the water and an adorable Jordanian beach attendant down on the shore. We felt like the only people in the whole sea and the only people experiencing this incredible sight. Technically you can’t stay down on the beach past sunset but it was so beautiful and we were begging our new friend to please, please let us have 5 more minutes. After we finally went with him back up the steps, he had had his friend/coworker bring around a golf cart to take us back up to the showers and hotel (it will definitely be necessary to shower after the sea, that much salt doesn’t feel too great once dry and you might not have gotten all the mud off). We chatted with him on the way up and he said what so many of the wonderful people I had met so far said before him, that he was so excited that we were American and we were visiting and enjoying Jordan. He wanted to be sure we had an incredible time and that we would be able to tell everyone back home how special this place is. I often think about all the amazing individuals who helped us in our journey and try to tell as many people as I can that my favorite part about the trip was meeting these people with such generous hearts. The hotel has plenty of lounge space for a post-swim drink and supper. After that we threw our sleepy selves in the car and headed back to Amman, about 1.5 hours away.

An Amman Travel Guide

On May 21, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn International Travel, Jordan1 Comment

The following brilliant travel guide is brought to you by
Ms. Gracie Barrie, check her out on Instagram: @standbyflygirl

My memories of Jordan are steeped in pale sunlight and the smell of fresh mint, in salt crystals and shisha smoke escaping through windows. I was lucky enough to wake up one January morning and find myself in a sprawling city of sandy colored houses and minarets marking the seven hills that make up Amman, the capital city of Jordan. The stories you hear of Arab hospitality are not myth. Everywhere I went I was welcomed with open arms and a desire to share an ancient culture. I left with that same desire instilled in me, to share the culture of a people so often misunderstood in the west. These people are grouped together under one brusque stereotype, when in reality there are millions of nuanced beauties of Jordanian and Arab culture. I found myself in Jordan because it is the home of one of my good friends and former college roommate. Zara and I met when we were both bright-faced freshman in our dorm at Boston University. Ever since then, Zara has been urging me to come and visit her in Jordan. As an early graduation gift, another good friend, Caroline, and I took the 5,000 mile journey across the ocean to finally open our minds and hearts to the culture that we had heard so much about for the past 4 years.

For those who are surprised that I took a vacation to the Middle East, let me just say that I never felt unsafe in all my time in Jordan. Jordan is a country surrounded by conflict. Its neighbors to the west, Palestine and Israel, have been fighting for more than 60 years in a war that has no end in sight, a war that causes sorrow on both sides and for thousands around the world. To the east lies Iraq, another land that has not known the definition of peace for many years. Jordan’s northern neighbor is the most well-known in today’s news, Syria. Hundreds of Syrians stream across the border every day to seek the protection of Jordan’s sturdy bones, escaping a number of tragedies including relentless bombings by a corrupt government, impassioned recruitment from militant groups, and misguided foreign intervention. One would think the stability of Jordan would be rocked by its tumultuous neighbors, but there is a strength in the land and the people that impresses upon any visitor. I encourage everyone who has a passion for experiencing foreign cultures and exploring a new land to visit.

My non-stop flight from Chicago O’Hare on Royal Jordanian landed around 5 pm in Amman after 16 hours in the air. Upon our arrival, we set out with Zara to do what we would spend approximately 70% of our time in Jordan doing: eating. Amman is bursting with beautiful restaurants and delicious meals to be had. One of my favorites was on our first morning. We visited a falafel shop in the heart of downtown Amman, Falafel Hashem. It was filled with families with young children, teenagers probably playing hooky from school, and everyone in between. The falafel was unreal, the hummus and mint tea soothing to a weary traveler. It is a must-stop in Amman, a real local spot with extremely reasonable prices, a laid back atmosphere and outdoor seating. For dessert we went around the corner and got knafeh from Habiba sweets. Also located in the heart of downtown through a side alley, Habiba always has a line of hungry Jordanians snaking around the door, waiting to get their hands on the sugar-soaked cheese pastry. I fell madly in love with knafeh. I would eat it every day for the rest of my life if possible, but I know it will never taste as good as that first bite in an alley in Amman.

There is no shortage of things to do in Amman. The easiest way to get around is by car. Taxis are cheap and there is even a branch of Uber in the city, but it’s best to get a local to take you around or hire a car. The streets are narrow and winding up and over the hills but relatively easy to navigate on foot. One of the main tourist areas is Rainbow Street, which is also a favorite of locals. It’s filled with shops for anything from souvenirs to household goods. I popped into a random hardware store to find some Arabic coffee makers for a cheaper price than I would get at a tourist store. There’s a beautiful glassware shop that has some pretty good sales on small tea glasses, great souvenirs if you’re confident in your wrapping and packing ability. If the shopping tires you out stop in to Turtlegreen for some free WiFi and wide variety of tea blends (and some cute pet turtles!). Just off of Rainbow Street is one of my favorite places in Amman, Books@cafe. The downstairs area of this space is a bookstore selling both Arab and English books, new and used. Climb the stairs and you’re transported to a trendy cafe with tons of enticing menu choices that include Arab and Western specialties. Sit down with a book and enjoy shisha, coffee, tea, beer (Carakale is Jordan’s first micro brew) or wine. Plenty of young Jordanians are scattered around every corner of the lounge. In the summer there’s a great terrace with a sneaky view of the city.

One of the best neighborhoods to wander through is Weibdeh. If you’re traveling alone, it is safe to walk through without much precaution and has a burgeoning scene of cool shops and restaurants. It is the so-called Brooklyn of Amman. Start at Rakwet Arab cafe for a delicious breakfast of manakish, an Arab version of pizza often topped with fresh cheese or za’atar (or both!), and Arab coffee. The inside of this cafe is cozy and nostalgic with old photos from Lebanon and Jordan hanging on the walls and a number of crumpled magazines on shelves. After lazing through a meal, wander the streets and find yourself at Darat al-Funun Gallery. This inspiring gallery is located in an old, spacious house and hosts exhibits of numerous Arab artists. When we arrived, the gallery was mostly closed in preparation for an upcoming show, but we ran into a groundskeeper who proudly showed us around every nook and cranny of the space. He spoke only Arabic, but we were lucky enough to have Zara with us to translate. It is my sincere belief that even if it was just Caroline and I, two white Americans, the man would have shown us around and given us the same tour. His pride in the work done at Darat al Funun was evident even through a language barrier. He hailed from Nablus, Palestine and showed us the beautiful work he had done in decorating one of the rooms in traditional Nablus style. There is a ruined Byzantine church on the grounds and seemingly endless flow of beautiful gardens draping down the hill. A cafe located on one of the terraces overlooks the city, stop here for some freshly squeezed orange juice or a cup of rose water tea and wait for the call to prayer to echo through the hills from every mosque in the city. It is not hard to find peace in this place.

After a mindful respite from the bustle of the city, head back out for some shopping. Jobedu has a shop in Weibdeh selling shirts and knickknacks with references to Arab pop culture. Pick up an Um Kalthoum “Habibi” sweatshirt for your collection and support local artists in doing so. Hop in a cab and continue your shopping on the neighboring hill at Wild Jordan, the home of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. The newly renovated building has a cafe, an information center for planning nature excursions all over the country, and a shop promoting local artisans. It also has a great view of the city and the Citadel. The Amman Citadel is a collection of ruins on top of the central hill of Amman from numerous cultures that held power over the city throughout the years. There is also a great, yet tiny, museum on the top that holds archaeological relics from our oldest prehistoric ancestors all the way to the Umayyad’s. The Roman Amphitheater is also worth a visit, although if you are planning to make your way to Jerash (which you should) then you might be able to skip it. A few other places in Amman that are worth a visit include:

–Dar al-Anda – almost next door to Darat al Funun, this gallery also specializes in contemporary Arab artists.

–Nabad art gallery – another gallery space down the street from Wild Jordan. It’s peaceful courtyard provides a place to breathe away from the city, if only for a second.

–Shams el Balad – a beautiful cafe with amazing Turkish coffee and unique takes on traditional Arab food. Try the knafeh cheesecake cup!

–The Soap House – If you’re looking for high-quality, uniquely scented, Dead Sea products to bring home, this hidden spot is just the place. Down a hill off of Rainbow Street this special spot might be a bit of a hunt but it’s worth it. The salt scrubs make your skin softer than you’ve ever felt it before, and it’s not sky-high pricing.

–Bazar Alibaba Cave – if, like me, your favorite souvenirs are old antiques, then this minuscule shop is for you. The owner speaks a bit of English and is willing to bargain. His shop is a wonderland of old patches, stone and ceramic trinkets, and remnants from wars and Jordan’s history. This spot is located right downtown and if you’re not looking you’ll miss it. Look them up on Facebook for a rough address.

Any words I write here truly cannot do this place justice. My trip was blessed with good luck, a local friend, and beautiful people. But regardless of if you know someone in Jordan or not I believe that if you’re open and adventurous some of the people you meet there could become your last-minute guide and lifelong friends. It is a culture that longs to be shared with others, especially those who are unfamiliar with it. I left Jordan with an inspired mind and a full heart. I’m hoping that my stories have lit a fire that won’t be satisfied until you feel the Jordanian sun on your face. Yalla, let’s go.

Travel Inspiration Tuesday

On May 17, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Goals, Travel TipsLeave a comment

I’ve been having a hard time getting inspired lately. Maybe it’s this travel lull I’m in or perhaps it’s this rainy, cold weather. Either way, I’ve been fighting to claw my way out of this funk. And what do I do when I’m in need of inspiration? Go for a walk, read a book, check out my favorite blogs, and so on. In my recent search for inspiration, I’ve stumbled upon a few gems that I couldn’t help but share:

I have been reading this amazing book, “Hold Still” by Sally Mann, that radiates with inspiration through the author’s passion for photography and love for her Virginia home.
Recently, I’ve been looking into booking hotels for my Europe trip in September, and found this amazingly artful boutique hotel in Reykjavik, Hotel Holt, and booked it immediately.
I’ve just purchased a Nikon D3300, which was a pretty big investment for me. I took it home to my parents’ house and snapped a few shots of their garden. This is one of my favorites:
Geraldine of The Everywhereist has been making me actively stifle laughter at work as I read her hilarious attempts to thwart email spammers, which can be found here.
This landed in my inbox via Lonely Planet and it spoke directly to my tendency to over-romanticize train rides. All of these routes have been immediately added to my bucket list.
I am absolutely dying to try this scrumptious looking recipe for Strawberry Cookies and Cream Cake from Joy the Baker.
Scanning the Every Girl the other day, I came upon an article mentioning the Bus and Us and have been hooked on their road tripping adventures ever since.
I went for a stroll beside Lake Michigan earlier this month, Beyonce’s Lemonade inspiring me as I walked. Along the way, I snapped a photo for Instagram that I think is pretty striking:
I am trying to find a free weekend to plan a trip to the beautiful Matthiessen State Park, which is only an hour and a half drive from Chicago.
And, finally: I thought this was really beautiful and everything I needed to hear at this exact moment.

What about you? What inspires you? Where do you find you inspiration?

Top Five Friday #12

On May 13, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Five Friday2 Comments

Top 5 Tips for Getting a Hotel Upgrade

It’s always a nice bonus to get a room upgrade when you’re on vacation; like the cherry on top of an already perfect sundae. Though they don’t typically come easily, there are some tried and true ways to secure an upgrade. Whether attempted during the reservation process or during check in, these five tips can help you improve your accommodations:

Just ask: When you check in, simply ask the Front Desk if there are any room upgrades available. Don’t be forceful or demanding, keep it light and friendly. The key is to be casual and conversational. If it’s a slower day, they may have plenty of upgrades available. If it’s a no go, say “thank you for checking” and move on with the check-in.
Be nice: This goes hand in hand with tip #1. As a rule, it’s always, always better to be nice to any customer service professional. If you’ve worked in customer service, you know how many jerks these lovely people have to deal with each day. Don’t be one of them. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, right? Being kind and appreciative goes a long way.
Mention that you’re celebrating: If you actually are celebrating something, let the staff know! If you’re not celebrating any real occasion, make one up. Sure, it’s a little white lie, but it’s bound to get you at least a complimentary bottle of wine sent to your room. It works even better if you let the reservation agent know your celebrating a birthday, anniversary, whatever when you’re making your room reservation. The upgrade could be set up before you even arrive.
Book your reservation through the hotel: I am not trying to knock online booking systems like Orbitz or Expedia, I use them and love them. That being said, if you choose to book through the hotel directly, you have a better chance of being upgraded because you’re paying their rack rates. If the hotel has rooms to upgrade, guests that are paying the hotel’s rates (as opposed to the cheaper rates offered on those websites) are more likely to be upgraded.
Offer to Pay for It: If all else fails, offer to pay for an upgrade. While you are spending a little extra, you will almost certainly not be paying the rack rate for the upgraded room. Coming by the upgrade honestly isn’t the worst way to go, and spending more might mean more amenities in the long run.

What about you? Do you have any go-to tips to secure a room upgrade?

6 Travel Lessons I Learned From My Mom

On May 7, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Tips1 Comment

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, and what better way to honor my own mother than to share her sage wisdom. Starting from when I was very young, my parents whisked my older sister and me away to destinations throughout the United States at least once a year. In short, they are mostly responsible for my strong desire to travel. They’ve taken us on road trips to national parks, camping throughout the Midwest, and on flights to many beautiful destinations. Most of the time, we knew how lucky we were, but of course there were times when we could have been perceived as ungrateful, like most kids can be.

My mom has always had a knack for making everything fun; from picking up sticks in the yard to a very long car ride to Yellowstone National Park. Whether it was bribing us with a penny per twig or hyping up another game of highway bingo, she always knew the perfect thing to do to make us happy. As we grew older, this became a challenging task (like trying to make two sullen teenagers appreciate a trip San Diego when all they wanted to do was text their boyfriends back home), but Mom kept at it and I am so grateful she did. Travel has wound itself into our family’s happiest moments, and continues to do so now. We actually have a family trip to Gatlinburg coming up, that I am so excited for, but more on that later. Here are the best travel tips and lessons I’ve learned from my Mom:

Do your research and make some plans: There was never a family vacation that we would just wing it. Our parents always had a general plan of things we would do once we go to whichever destination. Whether it was hiking Mount Rainier or taking a catamaran cruise in the Pacific Ocean, we knew we were always getting the best the destination had to offer because they did the research beforehand.
Bring a good book: We are all pretty big readers, so a good book was always on the packing list. When we went on road trips, there was always a book on tape (Harry Potter being the favorite), and if we flew, Mom always made sure we had a book to read and our favorite magazines for good measure.
Always pack an extra pair of underwear: You just never know when you’re going to need it. Better safe than sorry.
Stop to take in the scenery: As a family, we mostly traveled to places with gorgeous scenery, particularly to National Parks. There were typically a lot of hikes involved, which were always punctuated with stops to admire a particular flower or view. This appreciation of both the little things and the big picture made/make each trip extraordinarily beautiful.
Pack Layers: Again, you just never know what you’ll need. My mom is an expert packer and always made sure that we were never without an item of clothing or specific accessory that we needed while away.
Stay off the beaten path, especially with accommodations: It was a rarity that we ever stayed in a chain hotel or one over-run with tourists. Mom was adept at finding excellent hotels that were far from the run-of-the-mill inn or suites. From the hotel almost directly on the beach in Sanibel Island to Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood in Oregon, the hotel choices she makes are consistently unique and memorable.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mama’s out there!

Especially mine! Thank you for everything you’ve taught me and everything you do.

A Note on Over-Planning

On May 4, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Tips, Trip Planning2 Comments

There is a delicate balance to planning a trip: under-plan and you might miss out on things you really wanted to do, over-plan and you’re apt to drive yourself crazy trying to accomplish everything. While there certainly is a benefit to creating a plan for your vacation activities, scheduling too many things to do and see is a sure-fire way to turn your relaxing trip into a stress-fueled nightmare. I’ll admit, I have a tendency to be a bit overzealous when it comes to making my vacation to-do lists, which can lead to a lot of running around and not a lot of enjoying the city I’m visiting. I learned the hard way what over-planning does to a trip once I arrive. Case in point: Washington, D.C. I booked my plane ticket two months before I was due to leave, so I had plenty of time to read D.C. travel blogs and compiled a two page, unedited, intimidating list of things to do and see while I was there.

Perhaps if I had more than three days to work with, this wouldn’t be a problem, but as it stood, I was working with a pretty limited time frame. As a result, I spent most of my time in D.C. running from museum to monument to restaurant and back again. So much so that when I finally retired to my hotel room each night, I passed out early from pure exhaustion. I put so much pressure on myself to do everything, see everything and eat everything, that I was more exasperated than excited, which isn’t really the desired emotion during vacations. I don’t mean to say that I didn’t enjoy my time in D.C., I really did! I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to explore this new city, and there were plenty of great moments during the trip. However, on the flight back home, I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed in myself for not enjoying it at a more leisurely pace. I missed out on a couple of things that I was really hoping to do simply because there were so many other things. That’s crazy, right? Travel should be freeing and exciting, not make you feel like you’re still at work. It was a hard/expensive lesson to learn but I’m glad I can move forward from it. The silver lining is, now I can work on not doing that again. For future trips, I will make my to-do lists more curated to my interests.

How do you plan your trips? Do you make to-do lists or just go with the flow?

7 Bookstores Worth Traveling To

On May 1, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Books, US TravelLeave a comment

If you travel often, there are certain things you look for in each city you visit. For some it might be themed bars or local cuisine or perhaps museums. For me, it’s bookstores. It’s no secret that I’m an avid reader, so of course I always try to seek out a unique bookstore everywhere I go. I love searching through each set of shelves and stacks to discover books that I’ve been wanting to read for ages, or books I never knew I needed. Whether they’re new or used, fiction or non-fiction, I’m happy as long as there are plenty to sift through. Though all these bookstores contain book selections for all types of bibliophiles, each shop has its own distinct style and flavor. Here are my favorite bookstores I’ve visited so far that are worth an entire vacation planned around them:

Atticus Coffee, Books & Teahouse, Park City, Utah: I was lucky enough to happen upon this delightful bookshop/café when I was visiting my best friend in Salt Lake City. We drove up to Park City one afternoon to explore and wandered into Atticus. The small-ish store was chock full of charm, with half the space dedicated to books and gifts and the other half café seating. I didn’t get to purchase any books because of limited luggage space, but I wanted everything.
The Strand Bookstore, New York, NY: The Strand is a bibliophile’s dream, boasting 18 miles of books in its selection. You could spend hours getting lost in the multiple floors of new and used books, gifts and assorted paper goods. I bought more books there than I probably should have and had to beg Mike to let me put half of them in his suitcase to transport them home. It was worth it. The Strand is located in the East Village with a bonus kiosk in Central Park.
Battery Park Book Exchange, Asheville, NC: What is better than leisurely browsing through books? Browsing through books with a glass of champagne in hand! Battery Park is the Café/Bar/Bookstore of your dreams, where you are free to sit and read and sip or wander the store with your beverage of choice. I had two glasses of champagne while I browsed and came away with a beautiful copy of “The Sun Also Rises”. The two-story store is located in the Grove Arcade mall in Downtown Asheville.
City Lights Booksellers & Publishers, San Francisco, CA: This Beat Generation bookshop is full of history and good vibes. It is a 3-level mecca of books of all kinds, from the top floor, which is full of poetry and beat generation classics, down to the basement, where the science fiction books are housed. The staff at City Lights are super friendly and happy to offer suggestions if needed. We bought a couple of books (“Indian Journals” by Allen Ginsburg for me) and headed next door to Vesuvio Café to start reading.
Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe, Washington, D.C.: Nestled into Dupont Circle, Kramerbooks red neon sign beckons to book lovers passing by. The bookstore/restaurant has an amazing selection of books catering to all tastes and genres. I particularly enjoyed their large travel book section. The restaurant has a beautiful patio to sit and read at. That is where I enjoyed my newly purchased book (“Medium Raw” by Anthony Bourdain) with a delicious slice of their Apple Crumble Pie.
Capitol Hill Books, Washington, D.C.: This gem is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood (obviously), right next to The Eastern Market. This used bookstore presents itself as a treasure hunt through its haphazard shelves and stacks. Its multiple rooms on two floors are a wonderful maze of every kind of book you could want. If you can spare the time, it’s worth it to get lost in Capitol Hill Books for a few hours.
Myopic Books, Chicago, IL: I may not have to travel far to get to Myopic books, but it is absolutely worth a visit for bibliophiles visiting Chicago. It’s located in Wicker Park, right across from Furious Spoon (ramen – yum!). Myopic has four floors of floor-to-ceiling shelves stocked with used books. I personally love the basement level, which is where they keep the Stephen King novels. I have spent many rainy days searching through the frequently updated selection here, and I can confidently say that is one of my favorite bookstores.

Where is your favorite bookstore? Have you been to any on this list?

Kalapaki Beach, Kauai, Hawaii, Wanderlust Wednesday

Wanderlust Wednesday: Kauai, Hawaii

On April 27, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn US Travel, Wanderlust WednesdayLeave a comment

When I was ten years old, my family took a week-long trip to Maui. This trip stands out as one of my all-time favorites for a multitude of reasons. As a small-town Midwesterner, everything was so exotic and new to me on this gorgeous, vibrant island. The things that stick in my memory most are staying in a vacation rental on the ocean and hunting for geckos on the path to the beach, jumping off the top of a waterfall and hitting the water square on my ass (making sitting painful for days), doing the hula at a luau in a small, grass skirt, and taking a sailing cruise, spotting dolphins leaping through the clear blue waves. Of course I want to go back, this time to Kauai. I’m confident that the experience will be just as magical as the first time. The trip is not yet booked, but if it was, here’s how it would all shake out:

North Shore Off-Roading, Kauai, Hawaii, Wanderlust Wednesday — *Photo Courtesy of Kauai.com*

What I would see and do:

First of all, rent a car to explore the island as much as possible
HIKE! Kauai is rich with state parks like Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon
Sail out into the open sea
Attempt to surf at one of the many gorgeous beaches
Seek out all of the waterfalls, like Hanakapiai Falls and Wailua Falls

What and where I would eat:

Loco Moco – a local delicacy consisting of rice, a meat patty, egg and gravy
Tide Pools at the Grand Hyatt – a romantic, fine dining establishment
Gaylords which is located in an old mansion, and offers an amazing selection of seafood

Where I would stay:

Koa Kea Hotel and Resort because it looks exactly like all my Hawaiian fantasies.
Kauai Beach Resort for it’s budget-friendliness and the gorgeous beach next to it
Hanalei Colony Resort for it’s seclusion and ocean view rooms

Boat Tours, Kauai, Hawaii, Wanderlust Wednesday — *Photo Courtesy of Kauai.com*

When I would go:

Late Spring/Early Summer when airfare is cheaper and the weather is prime.

How I would get there:

Alaskan Air is actually the best option financially from Chicago, with the catch that there is a stopover in Seattle.

Helpful Kauai Blogs:

Alex in Wanderland – “Hiking Kauai’s Kalalau Trail”
Forget Someday – “7 Days in Paradise: Kauai”
Hula Land – “15 Things to Do in Kauai (that are completely perfect)“
Well Plated – “What to Eat, See, and Do in Paradise“

Have you ever been to Kauai, or any of the Hawaiian Islands? What did you think?

Grand Rapids Revisited, RebeccaWanderlusting

Grand Rapids, MI – Day 2

On April 23, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Michigan, US Travel1 Comment

Our second day in Grand Rapids started a little later than planned; we hit the breweries a little harder than expected the night before. As soon as we could drag ourselves out of bed, we packed up and checked out. Our first stop of the day was Cherie Inn for breakfast.
This adorable European Style restaurant is located right near Brewery Vivant in the East Hills Neighborhood. There was a bit of a wait for a table which we spent exploring the flower shop next door (New Design Floral) and scheming for the rest of the day. Once we were seated, we quickly ordered coffees to shake us out of our hangover fog. Mike ordered the chicken and chorizo omelet for breakfast and I got the biscuits and gravy which was hearty and delicious.
The Cherie Inn seemed to be an institution in Grand Rapids, and the crowd was a testament to its long standing status as the cozy breakfast nook of choice. From there we moved to the Eastown Neighborhood, parking down the street from Eastown Antiques. I don’t know if we were doing it wrong or what, but we never had to pay for street parking in Grand Rapids. It’s a good thing, but as a Chicagoan, I’m always a little bit suspicious of free parking. Eastown Antiques was amazing. It was a perfect mix of the messy treasure hunting and curated knickknacks from the day before.
I probably could have bought out the store if I had the resources too, but got a small globe and vintage bracelet instead. The employees were wonderful and it was an overall fantastic antiquing experience. We walked around the block a bit, stopping in The Mitten State (Michigan themed T’s and such) and Flashlight Alley (an interesting store of oddities). We wanted to try one of the famous Yesterdog’s, but were both still pretty full from breakfast, so we split the namesake dog. I have to say…. It was just alright. Maybe we’re just partial to the mustard slathered, topping covered hot dogs from home. Our last stop in Eastown was Argo’s Bookstore, a used book shop with a solid comic book collection and an endearing haphazard organizational system.
After we browsed through the books, we hit the road again and headed towards the Downtown Market. The market is housed in a huge, two story building. The first floor contained vendors, shops and restaurants and the second floor had a beautiful greenhouse, classrooms and a cooking demonstration room.
We wandered between the rows of vendors, admiring the beautiful baked goods, smelling the handmade candles and flower stands and trying to stop our mouths from watering over all the amazing-looking food. Being more thirsty than hungry, we stopped into Grand Traverse Distillery to take a peek at their small batch vodka and whiskey.

The cheerful bartender/shopkeeper explained the company and offered to make us a summery cocktail of cherry vodka and lemonade, which of course we couldn’t refuse (especially at only $5 a pop). The cocktail was so good and we had fun chatting with its creator, comparing rents in Chicago and Grand Rapids and discussing all of the breweries in the area. Once we had our fill of the Downtown Market, we headed to Vertigo Music to celebrate Record Store Day.
They had an excellent selection of new and used albums, as well as CD’s and DVDs. I appreciated the fact they decorated their store to celebrate the occasion. Soon we made our way to the intriguing shop next door: Woosah. I loved it immediately. It is a print shop that makes various clothing items, accessories and some paper goods.
I got a Woosah patch and a notebook and ensured that they had an online store (they do, it’s here) before we left. We made one last stop before heading home: Madcap Coffee; a hipster’s paradise with a minimalist menu and fantastic coffee. I had the Café Miel, which was an amazing blend of espresso, milk, honey and cinnamon.
We also got a bag of coffee to take home and enjoy. We made our way home from there, sipping our coffee and enjoying the afterglow of a great trip. Once we got there, we caught each other looking up apartments for rent in Grand Rapids. I don’t anticipate moving there any time soon, but it sure is a sweet dream.

Thanks for a beautiful weekend, Grand Rapids.

Have you ever been to Grand Rapids? What did you think? Where was your favorite spot?

Grand Rapids, MI – Day 1

On April 19, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Michigan, US Travel6 Comments

I don’t know if it’s because of the first reappearance of warm weather or all of the brewery visits, but I absolutely loved our time in Grand Rapids, MI. While it was a pretty short trip, we certainly made the most of our time there. We left early Saturday morning after stopping for coffee, and arrived in Grand Rapids around noon (because of the hour time difference). We started at the Frederik Meijer Sculpture Garden, where it seemed everyone else was starting as well.

There was a line to get in, a $14.50 entrance fee and another line to move through the butterfly sanctuary. BUT! Once we got outside into the sculpture garden proper, we were very happy. The walk through the park was really, truly lovely. The weather was perfect and the sculptures were spread throughout the park so there wasn’t so much of a crowd.

We waltzed through the sculptures and headed to the Japanese Garden to walk around the pond. It was beautiful and tranquil. The walk took us past multiple waterfalls, a gorgeous gazebo, a Japanese Tea House, and a life-size zen garden.

After we had taken it all in, we decided we deserved some lunch and headed to the Electric Cheetah. There was a twenty minute wait, which we spent out in the sunshine. Once we were seated, we perused their extensive root beer list and both chose the Brix Soda Co. The root beer gave us enough pep to devour our amazing “Hot Goat Blast” (goat cheese, cream cheese, veggies and naan) appetizer.

For the main course, I ordered the “I’m not your bro, bro” sandwich which was chicken, bacon, and provolone deliciousness, and Mike had a gigantic reuben sandwich. The Electric Cheetah was everything I wanted it to be: fun décor, delicious food, great service, and root beer to spare. After lunch, we walked down the block to The Sparrows coffee shop for a little more caffeine. The café was super cute inside and they have a bevy of unique periodicals and magazines. They also have an outdoor seating area that was perfect for days like the one we were enjoying.

From there we zipped over to the highly anticipated (to me, anyways) antique stores. As we approached the large warehouse across from the Amtrak Station, I thought perhaps our Google Maps had made a mistake. But no, this HUGE warehouse was just what we were looking for and was chock-full of antiques. I couldn’t wait to explore it. The warehouse was comprised of three different shops: Warehouse One, Lost + Found, and Century Antiques.

I loved exploring the zig-zagging booths of antiques, piled high in Warehouse One and Century, but I really loved the beautifully curated antiques and furniture at Lost + Found. Though rummaging the booths and treasure hunting are a few of my favorite things, there’s something to be said for a well laid out antique store.

Once I had my fill of heirlooms and trinkets, we headed to our hotel to check in. I know I said we were staying at the City Flats Hotel, but it turns out they had overbooked themselves and needed to bump our reservation. So Mike upgraded us to The JW Marriott Grand Rapids instead.

Our room was gorgeous. It had a huge fluffy bed, a city view and a prime shower. Needless to say, we were pretty happy with the change. After reading ourselves for a night on the town, we hit the road. We drove over to Brewery Vivant in the East Hills Neighborhood first. It is a beautiful brewery, with a great outdoor area and a regal dining room with stained glass windows.

We ordered the Vivant taster which included the Farm Hand, Triomphe, Big Red Coq, and Undertaker beers. We also got the marinated olives and the bone marrow to go with our beverages. It was my first time trying bone marrow and I hate to admit it, but it wasn’t for me. Mike liked it though. The beers, however, were all amazing. We bought a 4-pack of the Undertaker to bring home with us.

From there we parked back at the hotel and walked over to Founder’s Brewery. As it turned out, we were there the night of their annual Black Party, celebrating the success of their black beers (stouts, porters…). We bee-lined for the bar and ordered a couple ales (palm reader for me) and settled in to enjoy the live music.
The band, The Animal Years, was fantastic! In fact, they were so good, we are going to see them again on Thursday here in Chicago.

We stuck around until the end of their set and then headed to our next brewery: Grand Rapids Brewing Co. I ordered the Violet MacMillan, a cranberry beer that tasted like ale mixed with cranberry Sprite in a really delicious way. At this point in the night, we were ready for something cheesy, so we ordered a couple of small plates. We got the BBQ quesadilla and a chorizo pizza bread concoction that really hit the spot. The atmosphere of this brewery was more sports bar-like than the other two, but we enjoyed our time there and Mike was happy he could catch up with the hockey game on that night. Our last stop on our self-guided brewery tour was The BOB, a multilevel super bar situated in downtown Grand Rapids. We started in their brewery on the basement level where I tried the Blondie beer and discovered where my craft beer limit ends.

We made our way up to the rooftop that we spotted from the street, walking past what looked like some sort of rave and multiple bachelorette parties. The floor with the roof top terrace provided city views and a sliver of the Grand River. We sat and drank our beers and gushed over the beautiful city. More beer, 14 holes of Golden Tee and a truly awful cover band later, we headed back to the hotel to crash into our heavenly cloud of a bed.