World Pride parade, Toronto

Toronto has one of the biggest LGBTQ Pride parades, and in 2014, it was Canada’s turn to host the International World Pride festival. So many organizations marched in support: school districts, companies, non-profits, unions, even the police department. And so many countries around the globe represented. An estimated 2 million people were there, sharing supportContinue reading “World Pride parade, Toronto”

Semana Santa

No one celebrates Easter the way Antigua, Guatemalans celebrate Semana Santa, Holy Week, with rituals that date back to old Spain. Magnificent, ephemeral festival art comes to life and is lovingly trampled. Along the streets, people cluster in groups around artists creating beautiful but fleeting works of art in the form of carpets on theContinue reading “Semana Santa”

Carnival in Trinidad

My son and I were invited to join Carnival in Trinidad, reputedly second only to Rio, with a Caribbean flavor. We had connected with a cousin in New York whose partner is from Trinidad and Tobago. “We go every year. Do you want to come?” she replied when I asked about the famous event. IContinue reading “Carnival in Trinidad”

Pamplona: Bulls and elegant dinners

I have just learned that one of my favorite restaurants ever, anywhere in the world, is closing after thirty-two years: Restaurante San Ignacio. A wonderful indulgence on a memorable trip, and I never paid a cent for dinner because the owner, a dear friend, wouldn’t let me.  Most summers, I have spent a week inContinue reading “Pamplona: Bulls and elegant dinners”

A labor of love

The mountain town I live in—Georgetown, Colorado—is part of the Georgetown-Silver Plume National Historic Landmark District. A mouthful, I know, but it means that it’s been recognized as a place to preserve, to care for, and to last in its natural state for decades and even centuries to come. Historic preservation is a way ofContinue reading “A labor of love”

Festivals of Scotland

Who knew there were so many festivals in Scotland? A few years ago, my brother, son, and I took part in unique, fascinating celebrations all over that northern stretch of Great Britain in just two weeks. Years before, when I was teaching in Guatemala, I took an end-of-year holiday jaunt around the British Isles withContinue reading “Festivals of Scotland”

Mardi Gras

The blog on my previous website, RRontheroad.com, was primarily a log of travel stories—and my warmest thanks to all of you who followed my travels for years while I lived abroad. It’s a good way to start this one. My son, Adam, does ocean research and has been stationed for two or three years inContinue reading “Mardi Gras”