Traveling Rosie

12/02/2025

What are the best souvenirs?? Wearable souvenirs!! Every time I put on a piece I bought during my travels I’m reminded of that moment or that place. During our walks through Marrakech, Morocco, we passed a souk (stall) with some very unique coats. I pointed them out to my travel companion and she said, “that’s so you.” A few steps later I asked if we could go back and check them out. The proprietor turned out to be a man who has traveled the world, came back home, and now tries to source African made goods for his souk. The coat was made in Mail of goat wool. We failed to get his name and the exact location of his souk (if anyone’s in Marrakech and pass him, please say hello and let me know the location!)

PHOTO No. 2:
location: Ely, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
hat: Kraków, Polska 🇵🇱
scarf: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 🇪🇹
coat: Marrakech, Morocco 🇲🇦

07/02/2025

Countries 43 & 44 - Denmark & Morocco!! 🇩🇰🇲🇦

31/01/2025

Thinking of all those people on the AA flight and Black Hawk helicopter that went down over DC, who never made it to their destination and will never make it home to once again hug their loved ones. Not sure if there’s much more to say 😢

28/01/2025

A personal story of learning for today... The first time I left North America was for a university study abroad in Berlin. I wasn't a student of means and was so lucky to have this chance. Our program had many historical and cultural spots to take us to and one was the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. Even though I'd read a few books about the Holocaust, seen a few movies, and visited the museum in Berlin, I had no idea what I was getting into.

The group had traveled to Weimar the day before and in the early morning my two buddies and I decided to explore the city. Our school bus left earlier than planned for the camp so we had to make our way via taxi and that driver sure did know what her mission was. One of the things that's always been questioned about the camp is, why didn't the locals know about it? In a modern car it took us about 20 minutes from the city center, it really wasn't that far out of town. The explanation is that locals were told they were no longer allowed to go out to those picnic grounds, totally plausible, also something that's been questioned in history.

We were three gals who stuck together but as soon as we entered one of our trio screamed at the other one and ran off. We let her go, knowing that she had ancestors who had died in gas chambers at other camps.

Walking around the site was inexplicably eerie, to walk into the gas chambers and think about the last moments for so many people. To see the barracks where Jews, Romani, G**s, Political Dissidents were held and later was converted to hold prisoners of war by the Russians. And the clock... The story is that prisoners of the camp revolted in 1945 and won. At that moment the clock stopped.

I only took one photo that day as there was too much to take in to even think about photography. I don't even know where that photo is.

25/01/2025

Every. Single. Time. 🤣

24/01/2025

: Siem Reap, !! Today a friend sent me a few photos to remind me of the amazing time we had. My travel companion had only invited me to join her in Thailand and I asked if we could pop over to visit the historic temples of Angkor. (After a 12 hour flight to Tokyo, a 10 hour layover, then a 7 hour flight to Bangkok, the flight to Siem Reap really did feel like a pop over!) We hadn't yet booked a return flight and the airport in Bangkok told us we might not be allowed into Cambodia without one but for us there wasn't an issue.

We didn't have much planned, luckily the guest house we were staying at was very ready to help with suggestions and bookings for our 2 1/2 days in town, starting with an airport tuk-tuk pickup. At first my travel buddy was concerned about exhaust from the motorcycle that led us but we quickly learned not to worry and that this was perhaps the easiest way to get around the city!

Angkor was of course amazing - and the driver the guest house hired kept telling us "one more temple," at least ten times - there was so much to see! The morning started early so we could pick up our passes and started cold, quickly became a very hot day. The Cambodian Circus and the Royal Ballet are worlds of their own everyone should experience while in town, the Floating Villages of Tonlé Sap are a cultural eye opener, the food is delicious, and just walking the streets of Siem Reap is a unique experience. The city boasts a unique mix of ethnic locals and expats of the world's lgtbq community, at least that was our experience. We came across art galleries featuring art by locals and those from abroad, unique bars, and delightful night clubs.

When visiting the Floating Villages I felt a bit like a looky-loo and was worried about our tourist impact, turns out the company our guest house suggested pairs with the citizens to help them financially. I strongly recommend always checking on your impact when booking travel and tours, it's wonderful to see and experience places and people but try not to negatively impact the region you are experiencing. This is an issue at Angkor Wat as well, many folks were climbing up onto ancient temples for photo ops at spots we were asked not to because of the stability of the structure. Admittedly, we might have made that mistake a few times, it's one of those things I'm always learning, always trying to be more respectful.

Lastly, cash is king in Cambodia, specifically USD. Cambodia has its own currency but like many countries where the currency value is weak, USD is valued. Few places take credit card so just be ready to pay in cash.

It's a country rich in culture, history, and a great mix of people. Definitely worth a visit!!

21/01/2025

The OG: George Washington's Inauguration coat!! Temporarily on display at Mount Vernon, Washington's plantation in Virginia, USA.

21/01/2025

Remembering the fight for equal rights here in the USA and across the word on this day and the contributions by so many brave souls. Travel has taught me so much, opened my eyes, as have my guests when they start asking questions.

18/01/2025

Once upon a time in a magical little pocket of Thailand. Thanks for the beauty, the sunsets and sunrises, the beach runs and ocean swims, the personalized cooking classes, and nights slept by the ocean waves 🇹🇭

11/01/2025

In love with these handmade gifts from friends in New Delhi, India! I’m so lucky for the love from around the world! Thank you 💚

11/01/2025

For my traveling friends who live in the LA region and suffering from the devastating wildfires... A bit of helpful information for those who've been evacuated.

09/01/2025

: Restroom access laws!! Something I don't often share as I don't want folks to think I'm incapable, I am both celiac and have a rare form of colitis. When I travel I keep my steroids on me but I really hate taking them as the side effects are even worse so I try to live without them. Recently, before a tour of the Brooklyn Heights, I found myself needing a bathroom and my go-to places had all closed their bathrooms to the public. This has been a major frustration in NYC since the years of the pandemic. Recently I had a tour guest who had survived colon cancer and often needed a toilet. A bit of googling, and I found that in 21 US states it's now illegal for a business to refuse the use of an employee bathroom (there must be 3 employees or more working). It's called Ally's Law in the USA (not named after me). Similar laws also exist in the UK and Australia, I haven't yet researched other countries. For all three countries a card (physical or mobile) can be ordered to alert businesses. If you're like me, download the cards and research your rights before traveling xoxo The more you know 🌈

People living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis often suffer from debilitating urgency to use a restroom immediately, or risk having an embarrassing accident. The Restroom Access Act seeks to ensure that people with certain medical conditions have access to employee-only restrooms when a ...

07/01/2025

from the Maldives, PUMPKIN CURRY! Eleven months ago a travel buddy and I found ourselves on one of the islands, searching for a place to eat dinner and had one of the best dinners of our travels, many inspired by a mix of South Indian and local foods. All the dishes were fabulous but one was a pumpkin stew. And during this winter cold season, I've found pumpkin can be good for the immune system. Unfortunately I can't ask the restaurant for it's exact recipe (no cook loves to share their secrets!) but below is on that tastes similar. Happy cooking!!

1 1/2 cups fresh pumpkin or if not avail, 1 can pumpkin
1 onion sliced
1 clove garlic minced
5-10 curry leaves (I've learned curry powder is not the same)
5-10 pandan eaves (bay leaf can be substituted)
1 chili
1/4 cup oil
1/2 tsp chili powder
2/3 tsp turmeric powder
2/3 cup coconut milk (thick)
1/2 cup water
a pinch or two of salt
rice to serve with

In a pot mix oil, onions, garlic, curry leaves, chili and pandan leaves until they turn light brown. Add turmeric and chili powder, make sure the flame is low and stir until the raw smell disappears. Add pumpkin, stir for a minute. Add coconut milk and water, cover the pot and let it cook for 10-12 minutes, if using fresh pumpkin make sure the pumpkin slices have softened. Serve with rice :)

06/01/2025

Looking back on 2024 adventures!! There were some ups and downs but... 5 new countries, a return to Berlin for the first time since my studies there, the Olympics!!, my 50th US state, first time scuba diving, friends old and new, family time, so much theater, music, art, food, culture, so much learning, and of course many, many bevels 🩵 🇺🇸🇵🇱🇩🇪🇸🇪🇮🇳🇲🇻🇫🇷🇱🇺

03/01/2025

What are your favorite travel, cultural, country, historical books to get lost in?? 📚

Myself, I just finished the YA book WALK TWO MOONS (yes I read YA, there's some gems there!). An easy read about a young girl going through trauma and the places she takes in while on a journey across the northern USA. And am currently making my way through DEAD WAKE: THE LAST CROSSING OF THE LUSITANIA by Eric Larsson who became one of my favorite authors after reading DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY. I love the way he mixes history with story, history that shaped the world into what it is today.

01/01/2025

Happy New Year 🎉 Oh, the places we'll go in 2025!!

30/12/2024

The history of New Year's Eve in New York City and how the Times Square Ball Drop came to be!