Pancho Villa and Francisco Madero

Pancho Villa sculpture on Madero Street

On my first day in Mexico City, I didn’t have a lot of specific destinations, but rather just started walking and exploring and seeing whatever I happened upon. While walking down a pedestrian zone called Madero Street (and not knowing any of the history related to it), I saw this sculpture of a man on … Read more

That guy in the antiques store looks familiar

familiar face at the antiques store

I was in Minneapolis over the holidays, and stopped in at one of my favorite antiques store: Hunt & Gather, at 50th and Xerxes in the southwest corner of the city. It’s an antiques store that is crammed full to the ceiling with interesting and unusual items, with all displays expertly curated and installed to … Read more

Churros and chocolate for breakfast in Madrid

Churros and chocolate in Mexico City

I enjoy good food, but don’t exactly consider myself a “foodie,” which by definition is “a person who has an ardent interest in food, and who eats food not only out of hunger but also as a hobby.” I’ve also seen a reference to a foodie being someone who plans their travel around dining destinations, … Read more

Unique ceramics at Morueco in Madrid

Ceramic head at Morueco Ceramicas in Madrid

On my first day in Madrid, after getting settled and some initial exploration, I visited the ‎⁨Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza⁩, and enjoyed seeing their expansive collection of art. Afterwards, while enjoying a moment of rest and having some tapas at an outdoor restaurant, I noticed a store across the street which grabbed my attention. Between the … Read more

Humorous bumper sticker for art nerds

My other car is a John Chamberlain bumper sticker

I was leaving the Magazzino Italian Art Museum in Cold Spring, NY yesterday, when I noticed this funny bumper sticker on a car in the parking lot: “My other car is a John Chamberlain” requires a little art history knowledge in order to get the joke. If you’re not familiar with John Chamberlain or his … Read more

First impressions of Madrid

apartment buildings in Madrid, Spain

All of the planning (here and here), the time leading up to my first trip to Europe in 12 years, and I’ve arrived in Madrid. But between exiting the plane, going through customs, making my way to the metro station, riding underground to my destination, and coming up out onto the streets … I wanted … Read more