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Relationship education is a two-way street
I originally wrote this post in 2015. When I was deciding what content I wanted to keep and update, I was annoyed that this post is still so relevant. Not because my feelings about the subject have changed - I stand by every word I wrote - but despite the work being done through amazing organizations like Time's Up, The Women's March, and Emily's List, there is still so much work to be done.
Keep searching for something unknown
I am not someone that usually mourns the deaths of those I have not met. But hearing the news of Anthony Bourdain's death shook me in a way I did not expect. As I read the tributes and news articles, I couldn't help but feel like I had lost a mentor.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
We ended up staying on a houseboat in the Weesperzijde neighborhood of Amsterdam. Though we know not everyone in Amsterdam lives on a houseboat, it felt like a very local experience to be had. Every day we'd go out and explore the streets and canals of the city and every night we'd be rocked to sleep by the gentle wake of passing boats out enjoying the late summer sun.
Lisbon, Portugal
Nestled in the heart of Lisbon, between the Chiado and Bairro Alto neighborhoods, Reese and I spent three days exploring the coastal city. Lisbon is much larger than I imagined, but fairly easy to get from place to place. There is the famous tram system in Lisbon as well as the metro and bus system, but Reese and I walked just about everywhere. As long as you're staying in the central area, sites are fairly walkable as long as you don't mind some hills.
Prague, Czech Republic
Overall, we have been really pleased and surprised with our accommodations. We stayed at the Lokal Inn, which is a great location in the heart of the city near the famous Karlov Most bridge. But it also happens to have one of the best restaurants in the city. What's more is the restaurant, also called Lokal, is in Michelin's guidebook for having high quality, affordable food. And that's not just by Michelin standards. In a city full of affordable food and drink, this was one of our cheapest (and most delicious) meals.
Cut from the same cloth
There were many things that my Pappap held close to his heart. At the forefront of that list was family and food. My favorite example of this was when our family got together for Father's Day lunch at the Olive Garden. He and my grandmother arrived and Pappap was greeted by me and free passed appetizers and was faced with a decision: hug Alli or enjoy some free eggplant parm. The choice was tough. Pappap never turned down free food. So before the waitress disappeared and took the free food with her, Pappap went in for a quick hug and then chased after the waitress. It was a win for everyone.