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Gyrations of a Girly Girl: Palais Namaskar for Everywoman
A thing of beauty is a joy forever. –John Keats...
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Moments and Memories of International Teaching
https://cmccain.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/03-peace-train.m4a Jen, Emily, Bethany, Julie, Rachel, Eliza, Ali, Audrey “What will be your moment this summer?” asked Jodie as eighteen coworkers sat...
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Why I Love International Teaching and ASM
It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.—Charles Dickens The best thing in my life is my family and friends. The worst? School is kind of stressful. I still don’t know what I will major...
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Farewell Brunch at The Selman
Leaving Marrakech was like leaving Oz– a technicolor, over-the-rainbow dream that brought together traveling companions from faraway places who became lifelong friends. Like me, Kate from Australia,...
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Staycation in Nashville…Fond Farewell
One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.–Henry Miller I’ve always enjoyed staycations in Nashville, my home for almost thirty years. After two years of living in Morocco, I...
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First Two Weeks in The Dominican Republic
First Weekend in DR on Juan Dolio Beach It has been awhile, too long since I’ve been able to write. Summer was a six-week cyclone spent in the US–(to be read aloud in one breath) half of the time...
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Of Seeing and Believing: The Three Eyes
Yesterday I went spelunking. I was excited when my friends, Sena and Steve, invited me to join. Though newlyweds, their kindness and inclusiveness from the day we met blessed Taylor and me. Trusting...
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10 Must Dos When Going Solo To a Caribbean Resort
1) LET YOURSELF GO… Long before Pinterest prodded us to create virtual vision boards, Instagram insisted we share in-the-moment bliss, and Facebook fostered travel posts of happy places far, far away,...
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Santo Domingo: Oldest European City in the New World
The Colonial Zone is the most magical part of Santo Domingo. Last weekend I had 3 wishes, so I asked the area to grant them: #1 Take me back to Europe. #2 Give me rest. #3 Help me remember again why I...
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Road Trip to Samana Province: Day One
I understand now why local friends kept saying they love vacationing in Samana. While Punta Cana on the easternmost tip of The Dominican Republic is better known by tourists for mammoth...
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Samana Road Trip: Day Two
After a Domincan breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, beans and rice, papaya, mofongo we were back on the van following the blue bus above deep into the jungle. It is estimated the Dominican Republic...
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Salsa in the City: Santo Domingo Rises from Ruins
Dance first. Think later. It’s the natural order. – Samuel Beckett For those wanting the ultimate Dominican experience, check out Las Ruinas in Santo Domingo where every Sunday night locals gather to...
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Sunshine Blogger Award
Just in time for Thanksgiving…I am thankful for this nomination and a chance to thank some bloggers who bring sunshine into my life. When I was a little girl, my parents, sister and I ate every...
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Piantini Pleasures…Good Eats in Santo Domingo
We must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie.–David Mamet I am not a glutton. I am an explorer of food.–Erma Bombeck Santo Domingo has surprised me with its wealth of food choices–...
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Pat’s Palo for a Front Row Seat to the Real Santo Domingo
Like I said, Santo Domingo takes salsa seriously from Sunday night dancing-in-the-street in the Old Town to Saturday night shaking-in-the-courtyard in the New City. According to health experts and...
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Perfect Gift: Italy All Year
Nine trips to Italy and I’ve just planned the next one. This year I spent New Year’s Eve in Venice, my birthday in Tuscany (below), and Easter in Rome, but I’m asking Santa for an extended holiday in...
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Knoxville & Smoky Mountains: Great Escape and Journey Home
Though I am writing this on a Dominican Republic beach a couple of hours from Santo Domingo where I’ll return to work on Tuesday, I’m reliving the mountain escape I had while home for the holidays....
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Wisdom Wanted for the New Year
It was a good day. My coworkers in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic greeted me Latin-style after our being off for 3 weeks for Christmas break. Hugs. Kisses. Big smiles. “Happy New Year!” “Feliz...
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Relax in Nashville Like a Local
Before moving abroad, I lived in Nashville from 1987-2014. This year I plan to move back to Tennessee and the place I call home. Most tourists come to Nashville for offerings in the downtown area...
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A Wedding, the United Nations, and Disney
A wedding. Two unique people become one. A mystery and a marvel. Until recently I’d never attended a January wedding, but starting a new year with a couple committing to share the rest of their lives...
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