Winter has been bearing down on much of the Northern Hemisphere. Record low temperatures and wind chills are plaguing people across the U.S. In New York City and Washington, D.C., the biggest storm in years reared its ugly head. Even here in Belgium, Mother Nature has sent some of the white stuff. We haven’t seen […]
Walking in a Winter Wonderland: Wisconsin Ice Caves Read More »
People often ask me what I miss about living in the U.S. Well, there’s one thing I DON’T miss: Minnesota winters. As temperatures dip below zero Celsius here in Europe (in the 30s Celsius), people are whinging about the frost and cold. Ah, if they only knew what winter was like in Minnesota. First, it
Ten Tips to Survive Winter in Minnesota Read More »
Europe is lighting up! Glowing holiday illuminations brighten up the dark winter skies as Christmas markets spring up across the continent. Millions of people are heading to the markets to capture the spirit of the season. Even the Grinch would get into the holiday spirit here. Vendors across Europe have settled into wooden chalets to
Five Best Christmas Markets in Europe Read More »
When it comes to advance travel plans, I just can’t seem to get it right. For the third time in a row, it looks like another bucket list travel plan is foiled. Political unrest, wars, earthquakes, bad weather. There is so much that can go wrong. With more than 50 countries under my belt, my
Curses! Travel Plans Foiled Again! Read More »
When my company relocated me to Belgium in 2016, I was clueless about this amazing country. Or, more accurately, I was totally clueless. So were many of my fellow Americans. In fact, I think only a handful of my friends and family (travel industry buddies excluded) could correctly mark Belgium on an unlabelled map. “Good
Why You Have to Visit Belgium Read More »
Where should I make my forever home? I always thought it would be in the U.K. or Virginia. I could have moved to Mexico, Panama, or Portugal. My friends are enjoying inexpensive lives there. Some have retired and are living luxuriously for less than $1,000 a month! But no, I decided to move to Belgium.
Moving to Belgium – It Ain’t Cheap Read More »
Learning a new language can be a challenge, especially when you are a native English speaker learning Dutch.
Speak to Me — in Dutch! Read More »
The ball dropped in New York City’s Times Square, and fireworks blazed across the skies across the world. Yeah, it’s 2023. Hallelujah. It’s hard to believe that we could celebrate again after COVID forced so many festivities to be canceled for so long. In Europe, even the Christmas markets returned this season. Boy, I’d missed
Experiencing The Best of Belgium During the Holidays Read More »
COVID-19 has been a nightmare for nearly three years, a nightmare I thought I’d avoided. I had four vaccinations and no infection, and even dated someone infected with the virus. Yet, I escaped it. Okay, I admit it. I was feeling a bit cocky. I dodged a bullet, or so I thought. And then, just
Travel Smart and Dodge A Bullet Read More »
Every four years, the world goes mad. Why? World Cup football, or soccer as we Yanks say, returns, pitting 32 teams against each other in a race for bragging rights — and $42 million in prize money. The runner-up gets $30 million. Just by qualifying for the competition, the players’ wallets get a bit thicker
The World Has Gone Mad Read More »
