A Broad Wanders Abroad

15/08/2021

Some excellent tips here!

Class starts now.

31/05/2021

Since launching this project in January of this year, we've kept the pace of virtually visiting one new country each week. Together, each week we explore our dream travel itinerary; fun and unusual facts about that country; we make a special, traditional recipe from the region together; and read a b...

12/05/2021

This week in our virtual travels, we head... not to the US State that is often confused for it... but to the country of in the Caucasus region. There is much to learn about this often overlooked country that is the birthplace of the infamous Joseph Stalin as well as one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world. Let's take a look!

Today, we continue on our virtual backpacking trip through Europe, and our next stop is... Georgia! Let's go! The very first Europeans came from Georgia. This country as known as 'Georgia' only outside of it - Georgians call their own country 'Sakartvelo.' The Georgian language - Kartvelian - is use...

10/05/2021

Looking for your next show to binge? This one is a fun one (and quick - only five episodes in this first season). Watch it in French and turn on the English subtitles, and enjoy! It's the perfect way to bid farewell to a beautiful virtual week in . Thanks for joining me!

This week, I stumbled upon a show that was perfect for this project, and perfect for our current week in ... Lupin! This is a French Netflix original series that is set in modern day Paris. It came out this past year, and this first season was only five episodes, so we streamed an episode an....

08/05/2021

We didn't catch it when it was originally released, but always wanted to, so week was a great opportunity for a date night! I highly recommend Amelie!

The next film we watched along our virtual backpacking trek through Europe, at our current stop in was the 2001 movie, Amélie. I had not caught this film when it was first released, and it has been lingering on my wish list for years, so it was fun to finally watch it. At first, I had assum...

08/05/2021

Looking for a fun escape? I recommend this beautiful novel is a month-by-month chronicle of the first year of the life of couple who leaves their buttoned up UK life behind for a laid back, relaxing change of pace and the delicious food and drink in Provence, France!

This past week, I read three novels that took place in . My goal throughout this project has been to read one per week, but some countries are just so rich with literature, that choosing just one feels unnecessarily restrictive. The third novel I read was A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle. It...

08/05/2021

This outstanding and important read takes us inside the life of those on the front lines of World War II in Paris. I very much recommend it.

This past week, I read three novels that took place in . My goal throughout this project has been to read one per week, but some countries are just so rich with literature, that choosing just one feels unnecessarily restrictive. The second novel I read was The Room on Rue Amélie by Kristin H...

08/05/2021

I highly recommend this moving and important novel connecting the life of a modern day journalist and that of a Jewish family living in Paris, in 1942.

This past week, I read three novels that took place in . My goal throughout this project has been to read one per week, but some countries are just so rich with literature, that choosing just one feels unnecessarily restrictive. The first novel I read was Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. It....

08/05/2021

This week's meal is such a treat for me to share with you. How could I let virtual week come and go without rising to the challenge of Julia Child's Coq au Vin? Since this was such an intimidating challenge for me as someone who has always had kitchen anxiety, I was really proud of this meal - not so hard in the end, and it was so delicious!

In addition to the recipe, I shared below my reflections on the cooking aspect of this project, and how it has unexpectedly transformed me so far.

I highly recommend giving this one a try. Enjoy!

Today's task in this project of virtually backpacking through Europe was to make a meal from . Before I get into the recipe, I have to share a couple of things with you about it. I have not really mentioned it yet in these recipes, but when I started this project back in January of this year,...

07/05/2021

This week's virtual visit is the dream vacation for so many of us! Sunset by the Eiffel Tower; Sailing on the French Riviera; and enjoying some delicious Food in Provence...

Let's go to France! ❤

France is next on our virtual tour of Europe. This is the world's #1 tourism destination, and it is so easy to understand why. This is a country of so much romance, delicious food, and endless beauty, and so much to do while we are there. Thanks for coming along on our virtual visit - Hope you enjoy...

05/05/2021

Food, wine, literature and bicycles! This week, we are virtually visiting the world's most popular tourist destination... !

Let's go!

Today, we continue on our virtual backpacking trip through Europe, and our next stop is... France! We will really enjoy an exciting visit - even from afar - to the world's most popular (and for good reason) tourist destination! Let's dig in... The French are famous and beloved for their food. In fac...

02/05/2021

The second book I read during our virtual visit to , The Year of the Hare by Arto Paasilinna, was one of the most enjoyable books I have read yet during this project. It was a very clever and imaginative story, and I can understand why Paasilinna is one of Finland's most popular authors today!

This past week, I read two very different books that took place in . The second was The Year of the Hare, by Arto Paasilinna. First published in 1995, this novel was set in modern times and was a very clever, imaginative and fun read! At the beginning, we are introduced to two men - a journa...

02/05/2021

I read two books set in this week. The first, The Maid Silja by F.E. Sillanpää - a winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature - takes place about a century ago in the Finnish countryside, and follows a family tree over its last two generations, until the ultimate demise of its final family member.

I recommend it. Let me know what you think if you give it a read!

This past week, I read two very different books that took place in . The first was The Maid Silja: The History of the Last Offshoot of an Old Family Tree, by F.E. Sillanpää. Sillanpää was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his work in 1939, and this book was first published in 193...

02/05/2021

What's for dinner tonight? The fun continues! This meal was the first of this project that incorporated dough! These meat pies were delicious and filling, and the cucumber salad was really tasty and had a hint of the taste of Summer ahead! I highly recommend this tasty meal!

Today's meal is from - and it is definitely a departure from everything we have made so far in this project - we are using dough! There are two components to this meal: meat pies (that I can certainly imagine as a fun street food), and a marinated cucumber salad. One note on this meal: the....

01/05/2021

This was the most fun I have had yet putting together an itinerary for this project. I'm typically more of a sun chaser, but chilly has quickly moved up toward the top of my travel wish list. Click here to virtually watch the Northern Lights through a glass top igloo; visit Santa and take a reindeer pulled sleigh ride in the Arctic Circle; and cheer on the Heavy Metal Knitting World Championship!

Finland is next on our virtual tour of Europe. It's easy to fall in love with this beautiful country - it has so many fun things to do, the people are the world's happiest, and based on their sports and festivals, have a quirky sense of adventure. I'm typically a warm weather chaser, so I never expe...

30/04/2021

The happiest people and the Angriest Birds... top hats and swords given to anyone earning a PhD, all in the Land of the Midnight Sun... this week, let's virtually visit...

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Today, we continue on our virtual backpacking trip through Europe, and our next stop is... Finland! We can't go wrong visiting the happiest country on Earth! Let's dig in... Due to its location, many of us might guess this is a Scandinavian country, but it is actually generally considered a 'Nordic'...

26/04/2021

This week's book from , The Autumn Ball: Scenes of City Life by Mati Unt, follows the day-to-day lives of 6 random residents of a non-descript housing block in Tallinn. A treasure from the late Soviet era, this book is serving both as this week's novel and this week's souvenir!

With that, we bid farewell to our virtual visit to Estonia, and head soon to our next destination. Stay tuned!

This past week, I read The Autumn Ball: Scenes of City Life by Mati Unt, which took place in . This book was written in 1979 and appears to have been translated in 1985, and is a fun example of late-Soviet-era literature. According to my own searches online, the English translation, at least...

25/04/2021

What's on the menu for tonight? Join us on our virtual visit to for some Pork Stroganoff and Barley Porridge! A delicious, hearty meal!

Today's meal is from - and there were two components to it: Sealihast Ahjustrooganov Majoneesiga (Baked Pork Stroganoff with Mayonnaise); and Mulgipuder (Barley Porridge)! I served it with a heavy rye bread I found at our local market, as that seems most closely aligned with the cuisine, ba...

24/04/2021

Giant megaphones in the forest... meteor craters... alpacas... and bog shoeing?

Come along for our virtual visit to... !

Estonia is next on our virtual tour of Europe. It's easy to fall in love with this beautiful and complex country - it has so many fun things to do, it's considered the most advanced digital society in the world, and at the same time very green and in touch with nature. Thanks for coming along on our...

20/04/2021

Free public transportation; the world leader in online voting, 2,000 islands, 50% of the country covered in forests, and... competitive Wife-Carrying?! 😆

Join me this week for a virtual visit to... !

Today, we continue on our virtual backpacking trip through Europe, and our next stop is... Estonia! I knew very little about Estonia before I started researching, and this is one of those instances that remind me how happy I am to be pursuing this project, because I am so excited about everything I....

18/04/2021

The world is made up of two kinds of people... those who love licorice, and those who hate it (and, hey, I don't judge!). If you are in the former category, like me, you need to know about this delicious goodies...

And, with that, we bid a fond, fond farewell to with hopes that this week's virtual visit can be followed with a real life visit before too long!

As we bid farewell to this week after all of our fun virtual adventures, we do so with a delicious souvenir! Have you ever heard of ? I learned about them this past Fall when I was shopping at a store here in Berlin, and was handed a free sample while waiting in line. It is a...

18/04/2021

A Danish Hot Dog? Or a Danish Hot Dog Imposter? You decide...

This week, since we are virtually visiting , when my family and I were ordering lunch one day, I decided to try something I've seen around here in Berlin quite a bit - a 'Danish Hot Dog'. I ordered it from a local burger joint that also sells wings, fries, burgers (of course) and other snack...

18/04/2021

Read anything good lately? How about a book about a gifted, trouble-attracting circus clown that can see the musical note everyone around him is emitting? Intrigued? Join me in for this week's excellent novel: The Quiet Girl by Peter Høeg.

This past week, I read The Quiet Girl by Peter Høeg, which took place in . I found this story very clever and ethereal, as much as it was full of intrigue and adventure. It is the story of Kasper Krone, a world-famous circus clown who has the gifted ability to see everyone at another level ...

18/04/2021

Looking for a new show to binge? Check out The Bridge - 'Nordic Noir' set in Copenhagen, and Malmö, . Though it can be a bit gruesome at times, it features outstanding character development, writing, casting, and a fun way to get to know these two countries a bit from a unique angle. I highly recommend it!

When I started this project several months ago, I began by collecting the names of books, recipes, movies and TV shows that would transport me to each country that I was restricted from visiting in person. Today, I get to review for you a TV show for the first time, and I will start by saying I LOVE...

17/04/2021

This week's virtual visit to Denmark has us reminiscing about our *real life* visit a few years ago, and hoping for another chance to see our friends and this beautiful country before we leave later this year. Here are some photos from our 2016 visit.

This week's virtual visit to is my favorite so far, because it is not only on the top of our list to visit while we are here in Berlin - but we had a chance for a quick visit a few years ago! We especially feel connected to Denmark, since we have several friends who live in and are from the...

17/04/2021

What's on the menu for tonight, friends? Join us this weekend for a virtual dinner in with these yummy recipes for Frikadeller (Meatballs); Kartofler (Potatoes); and Rødkål (Red Cabbage). Let me know what you think!

Today's meal is from - and there were a few components to it: (Danish Meatballs); (Danish Potatoes) and (Danish Red Cabbage)! I served it with a nutty/seedy dense brown bread I found at our local market, as that seems most closely aligned with the cuisine, ...

16/04/2021

LEGO; Trolls and Giants; Bridgewalking; and downhill skiing over a powerplant in the middle of the city...

Come along on this virtual visit to the beautiful playground that is... !

Denmark is next on our virtual tour of Europe. It's easy to fall in love with this beautiful country - it has so many fun things to do, and the residents are consistently polled among the happiest in the world. Thanks for coming along on our virtual visit - Hope you enjoy! Mapwork by ....

14/04/2021

Free healthcare and education; Hygge; the happiest people in the world and LEGO...

This week, join me for our virtual visit to... Denmark!

Today, we continue on our virtual backpacking trip through Europe, and our next stop is... Denmark! This is one of the closest foreign countries to us here in Berlin, and we have good friends that live there, so we have been really hoping to have a chance to visit once the pandemic regulations are e...

11/04/2021

Enjoying yummy from the are helping us bid farewell to this week's virtual destination. (Have you had these? They are so yummy!)

Stay tuned for next week's location!

This week, to commemorate our virtual visit to the , we ordered some 'Spa Wafers' online. I understand that are a very traditional souvenir and street food. They are thin, light and sugary, and that you can get them in Chocolate, Vanilla or Hazelnut. I ordered them from the....

11/04/2021

Can neediness and desperation be mistaken for passion? This week's book from the plays with these ideas as the narrator - a writer, trades his pen for a broom and becomes a street sweeper in the city of Prague. So often alone with his thoughts in this new role, he reflects on the long time tension between his marriage and his extramarital affair.

Let me know what you think!

This past week, I read Love and Garbage by Ivan Klíma, which took place in the (at the time the book was published in 1986, ). The premise of this novel was that our unnamed narrator - an author lives under the weight of Easter Europe in the 1980s and who is writing ab...