As much as I love visiting large cities and national capitals, having limited time abroad often denies you the opportunity to view the true soul of a country.  To me, Chicago presents visitors a near-perfect American city in architecture, culture, and spirit; Lyon reveals France’s charm and cuisine; and Daejon allows you to glimpse everyday [...]

It’s been a couple weeks since our Carnaval experience in Salvador da Bahia, but the intensity and energy is still with us.   Carnaval brings just about every emotion in you.  There is the exhilaration and joy of being with an enthusiastic and ecstatic group; boredom and ennui as you wait for your bloco to [...]