Trip Diaries
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St. Peter and St. Christopher
The Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican, more commonly simply known as St. Peter’s Basilica, is the largest church in the world. And boy, does it ever make sure that you know it.
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United Breaks Passengers
We interrupt the saga of our Italian adventure to bring you the horrific story of what has been happening as we attempt to finish the trip. Next week, I’ll be back to telling you all about St. Peter’s Basilica and our adventures in the subways of Rome, but I had to stop for a while…
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Another Country
The Vatican — a very different country from the antiquities of Rome, or even the flashy design of modern Italy.
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Of Things Colossal
The Roman Colosseum is indeed colossal, but that’s not how it got its name. According to our guide, the emperor Nero …
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Scattered Chunks of Antiquity
In addition to the ancient pieces built into the everyday houses around us, there were random elements of ancient archaeological sites all around us.
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Fettered to the Foam
I always feel both halves of that song, when I’m getting ready to take off for a trip. I love travel. It’s my favorite thing to do in the entire world. Every trip has me breathless and eager — and yet, I do leave a family behind, and it’s always, always hard.
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Last Steps (Italy)
I’m currently in the panic phase of preparation — the stage at which we’re getting close, but there is a lot still left uncertain and it feels incomprehensible that it will all come together in time.
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Things I Learned in Africa
1) Every herd of zebra has to contain exactly one wildebeest. No less, and definitely no more. The zebra won’t drive off additional wildebeests, but the first wildebeest sure will. 2) Don’t drink the tap water. No, I really mean it. DON’T. Not even a drop. You will regret it. 3) Antelopes are a surprising…
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Homecoming
This wasn’t the way I had hoped to come home. The plan had always been to return to Seattle by way of a few days in New York City. I grew up in New York, and my father and stepmother still live there. I meant to visit them for a few days, show off all…
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Shipping Out
My visit to Amsterdam began with boats, and appropriately enough, it’s ending with boats. The city of Amsterdam, like its namesake in the New World (called New York since its takeover by the British), developed and thrived chiefly because it’s one of the great natural ports of the world. The Dutch made their fortune and…