Amsterdam v.2.0
Final Installment for this trip. Last stop – Amsterdam, again. I stayed in the same hotel as last time – Hotel Abba. It is a nice, small hotel near Museumplein with lots of public transit connections and only a 30 minute walk to Dam square. Reasonable price, comfortable rooms – the first stay I had a single with shared bath and a balcony, the second a double with a private bath and a balcony. They are friendly, will let you…
Family and Friends
A complete change of pace. Nothing was scheduled except the visits. And they were great visits! First stop not far from Assen to see my cousin and his family. It has been years, but felt like no time at all. I had some solo adventures, and we had some family fun. It was wonderful!! 💕 Second stop, Belgium, to see a friend from Egypt. We figured it had been 16 years since we had last seen each other. Again it…
In Real Time: Why not? ¿Porqué no?
What are you to do when faced with an 8HOUR layover in Madtid? Check your hand luggage and go into the city! Of course. 😊 It took nearly an hour by metro, including the time.to.get lost while changing stations. But I set my goal for Puerta del Sol and I was off. From Puerta del Sol it is a short walk to Plaza Mayor, where the Basha and I have history. Involving sangria. Since I was up at 4am and…
Basha stories: The Third Pitcher of Sangria
I’ve decided to put some Basha stories here, mostly for me, but occasionally I have referred to them in other posts. Feel free to skip, these are my memories. The year is 1999 and we are on our first big trip together. We knew it was a “make-or-break” test for the relationship. We were backpacking for a month in Spain and Portugal during the summer. We began the trip in Madrid, speaking very little Spanish, and not really having an…
Race Day Assen 2025
This was the day we’d been waiting for. It was incredible, and heart-breaking because the Basha wasn’t standing next to me. 😢 The Legends Club, above the start/finish straight, was welcoming and comfortable. Highly recommended! Race day is always a different rhythm than Friday or Saturday – not as many sessions, more electricity and anticipation. Also A LOT more people, some people ONLY buy a Sunday ticket. Unfathomable to me, but… to each their own. There was only one warmup…
Amazing Assen
Ever since we started following MotoGP, Assen, known as the Cathedral of Speed, has been on the wishlist of GPs to see. This year, 2025, is the 100 year anniversary of the TT, or the Tourist Trophy. The TT and the GP are not the same, but the celebration was epic! Friday practice and qualifying – Walked to and from the track, and completely around the track to check out the different vantage points. Long day, about 10 miles of…
Relaxing in Amsterdam
Having been to this vibrant city multiple times, I planned next to nothing for my time here. I thought I’d relax a little. Hahaha. I walked myself silly, and really enjoyed it.
Food in Italy 🥰
This is just a recap for those who enjoy food. MILAN Il Priscio – a small café on a side street near the Duomo. I had the bruschetta Fresca, water and a glass of wine. Perfect on a scorching hot day. The bruschetta had sauteed turnip tops, stracciatella, and sun dried cherry tomatoes. Le Striatelle di Nonna Mafalda – in Navigli, the canal area of Milan. Great area for aperativos by the canals. So good there is no evidence, except…