“Dobryy den’,” I said to the Dorothy Hamill-coiffed customs agent. I was eager to practice the little Russian I knew. She must not have heard me because she didn’t respond to my greeting. “Dobryy den’,” I repeated, this time with a smile. Maybe I was pronouncing it wrong. The third time I wished her goodContinue reading “Cultural Eye-candy in St. Petersburg”
Category Archives: Art
Scandinavian Slices of Life
Leaving our ship that morning in Stockholm–and leaving 3000 tourists–Rick Steves and I found ourselves alone in the middle of a great city with only 5 hours until we needed to be back on the ship. Abba, the harbor walk, the National Gallery, Swedish meatballs…how would we pack all the experiences into our memory banksContinue reading “Scandinavian Slices of Life”
36 Hours in Copenhagen
Two days before embarking on the Princess Cruise Lines Emerald Princess, Rick Steves and I had a 36-hour mini-“vacation” in Copenhagen. I say “vacation” because even when Rick is trying to take it easy, his passion for his work tends to not stay dormant. So while this meant we would not be going at aContinue reading “36 Hours in Copenhagen”
On Set with Rick Steves
Typically, when Rick is on the road researching or filming, I’m either on the road with a tour group or guidebook researching in Europe, or I’m subbing at a private school near our home town. I’m sure most people can imagine that it’s hard to be apart from one’s partner for a two-month stretch, soContinue reading “On Set with Rick Steves”
Walk Like a Roman
When I think of Rome, I recall ancient sites, coin-filled Baroque fountains, sexy (and not-so-sexy) men casting Ciao, Bellas at every passing female, and platefuls of pasta that, without fail, end up blissfully in my belly. Equally engrained in my brain are nostalgic, cinematic images of Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn zipping on a VespaContinue reading “Walk Like a Roman”
A Date with David
My heart starts pulsing harder as I enter the room. I know he’s down the hall. I try not to look, but I can’t help it. He looks really good; he always does. There are so many people, but their presence is hardly noticeable to me. I’m here only for one thing…him. I try toContinue reading “A Date with David”