I was in Peru in January, but I haven’t posted anything in so long. But I thought “why not post a few pictures? If no one sees them, oh well!” These photos are from Machu Picchu and also from nearby the town of Calca, which is where I was staying. I was down there doing research with a group for my Masters. It was cold and rainy and hot and sunny and generally amazing. 
Big News!
Exciting things happening here-
1) I’ll be starting graduate school on June 16th! I will be studying French and Public Administration. I’m super excited, and definitely ready to be a student again- while some people think I’m crazy for liking school, I thrive in an academic environment, and I really do love learning. It also probably helps that if I were a superhero, I would be speed-reading-woman, so the heavy workload is easier for me than for some.
2) My second novel will be published sometime in the Spring or Summer! The Sandy Connors Series will now have a sequel- The Mystery of the Abandoned Car! As someone thoroughly unbiased, I recommend the series for young adult readers, or adults who enjoyed reading the Nancy Drew Mystery series as kids- the books are a similar feel, and follow the same rules of no one dies, no kids or animals get hurt and the good guys always win. So, maybe that’s a spoiler alert, but you can start the book knowing that the intrepid sleuth will save the day!
(this photo is of Carmel Beach, taken last fall. A sunny CA coastline photo seemed appropriate for a post all about good news!)
Villa Torlonia
So here are a few more pictures from Rome this fall- these photos are from the Villa Torlonia park. There are a bunch of these parks in Rome centered around an old mansion or villa.
Someone’s Trash may be Another Creature’s Treasure!
One of my favorite tanks in the Aquarium in Monterey- where I volunteer- is the so called “junk tank.” Where else do you see a fish in an old dive boot? This guy looks quite happy to make this old boot his home!
Munich Churches
While in Munich I visited several fabulously ornate churches. I love the decoration in these places, especially the ones that added a Holiday themed element like a Christmas tree or a Creche scene.
Linderhof Palace
Near Oberammergau in Germany- Linderhof Palace is a small palace that was built by Mad King Ludwig. Munich at Christmas is lots of fun- the Christkindlmarkt is just as picturesque as it sounds, and the cold weather wasn’t actually very cold when I was there. There was no snow in Munich, but we did get out of the city a few days and into the mountains where there was snow!
Happy New Year, all! This month may be kind of quiet around here but in February I hope to be rolling out some new regular features and getting back into a set posting schedule!
Paris
First off, two days in Paris is definitely NOT enough. But I did make it to many of the major sites- the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Pont Neuf, and the Arc de Triomphe. Despite the rainy weather, the city is still beautiful. There’s an awesome Christmas Market on the Champs Elysees- the end near the Seine, not by the Arc de Triomphe- which was fun to wander around, even though I got my feet all wet because it was sunny when I left my room and decidedly not sunny when I came back. Tomorrow I head to Munich for Christmas, so I can compare the French version of a Christkindlmarkt with the original German version!
Arriverderci, Roma!
Tomorrow I fly early to Paris. I’m excited to see Paris, but also sad to leave Rome behind. Six weeks was not enough time to see everything in Rome- I don’t think a lifetime would really be enough time- but it was long enough to feel like I was really living here, not just a tourist. So to wrap up the visit, here are some of my favorite places in Rome, in no particular order.
- San Pietro- okay, technically this isn’t in Rome, but it’s surrounded by Rome, so I’m going to count it.
- Castel Sant’Angelo- the view from the top of this fortress turned museum is worth the price of admission!
- Campo dei Fiori- always a busy square, and there are still stalls selling flowers, which is nice. Also, my favorite pizza in Rome is right off the square.
- The Pantheon- So it’s always busy and full of tourists, but it’s still an impressive building. Sadly, I didn’t get to see it in the rain- I wanted to see the water coming in the roof- but there’s always next time!
- Villa Doria Pamphilij- a massive park in Trastevere full of people walking their dogs, running and just enjoying life. It’s pretty chilly there now, but during the summer I’m sure it’s even busier with people enjoying their gorgeous city!
So tomorrow begins the next and final leg of this trip- Paris for a few days then on to Munich for Christmas!
A Roman Christmas Tree
or Christmas Ladder- this is what happens when you don’t have a tree!
St. Peter’s Inside the Dome
Pictures from inside and on top of the Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica- I climbed the stairs all the way up, but if you’re over 5’6″, I recommend the elevator- the walls are very, very slanted! Also, it’s a pretty long climb- but the views are worth it!
La Vie Est Belle 