Gong Xi Fa Cai

I don't know what I was thinking.  Well, actually I do.  

I was thinking "I have to go to the Chinese New Year Celebration in London."

"It's the Year of the Horse.  Aren't I a horse?  I think I'm from a Horse Year."

I was thinking "Every blogger in London is going to be there and is going to post way cool photos."

"I, too, must go and get some way cool photos," is what I was thinking.  "Plus, I'm a Horse."

And because I like to share in the fun, I asked Matt  and a few friends to come along

Transport for London knows when large (more on that in a second) groups are gathering.

And they like to really mess with us when that happens.

Stations close.  Routes change.  They don't make it easy to get to the epicenter of any festivity.

So, after a roundabout journey, we finally alighted at Charing Cross.

 "Well, it looks like there is something going on at Trafalgar Square."

I gave him that look.  "Wha?  That's where we're going."

Someone didn't do their homework (and doesn't stalk social media).

"I just thought we were gonna stroll around China Town."

My poor husband had no idea that we were walking into the largest Chinese New Year Celebration outside of China.

It was madness.  Really fun and colorful.  But, madness, nonetheless.

Take a look.  Madness, right?

I finagled a spot along the wall and took some photos of the celebrations.

Leaping Lions and Dancing Dragons entertained the crowds.

 There were a few food booths set up selling chips and churros.  Go figure.

And lots of fun souvenirs for sale.  But, we didn't even attempt to get any closer.

It was a beautiful blue sky day and felt good to be out in the sun.

The crowd was relaxed and having fun.   Great for people watching.

After a while, we needed to get away from the crowds and refresh ourselves with cheeseburgers.

Then someone (me) had this brilliant thought.

"Everyone is in Trafalgar Square so let's sneak over to China Town and walk around.

I'm sure it will be completely deserted and we can get some more way cool photos!"

No. It was even more crowded than Trafalgar Square.

There were streets blocked off so you could only enter and exit at certain points.

And it was jam-packed with people.  We admitted defeat and hot footed it out of there.

But not before stopping for a few more way cool photos. 

Even though it was madness, I had a great time and I'm very glad that we joined in the celebration.

Although, I'm not sure Matt has forgiven me yet.

 Did you make it out to the celebration? What did you think?


By the way, I'm starting UK driving lessons today.  Finally.  Be afraid, London.

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The Roman ruins of Volubilis

During our stay in Fes, we were offered an optional day trip.

We settled onto a small bus for a two hour trip away from all of the hustle and bustle

and out into a Moroccan valley to visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis.

The ruins date back two thousand years and have been partially excavated and restored.

This was once a prosperous Roman city that centered around olives and the production of olive oil.

It was abandoned in the 11th Century and excavated by the French in the late 1800's.

Damaged by earthquakes and looted for limestone, some of the ruins have been restored.

Here you will see some of the most impressive examples of intact Roman mosaics.

We had a very friendly English speaking guide that led us around the ruins.

It was such a beautiful day and it felt good to be out in the fresh air after the intensity of Fes.

It's not a Roman ruin without some phallic carving to declare this space a brothel.

We had gorgeous views of the surrounding fertile countryside and I could easily imagine myself in Italy.

We spent a few hours exploring and taking photos, watching the views change as the sun went down.

We stopped for a coffee at the ramshackle cafe on site before heading back to Fes.

My notes for that day say that were were too exhausted to even have dinner that night.

We just finished off some junk food from our bags and went to bed early.

I think all of that sunshine and open space was just what we needed midway through our tour of Morocco.

Where are your favorite Roman ruins?

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That's random.

I'm so proud that I've been nominated for the Liebster Award by two wonderful bloggers.   

Debbie who blogs at Buisson International, is a fellow Texan who now finds herself in London.  We've recently started sharing emails and I'm hoping that we can meet up for reals very soon. 

Alexa from Travel mi Amor is also a Texas girl who discovered her passion for travel early.  She now writes about all of her adventures and shares travel tips.  

These are two of my favorite bloggers and you need to follow them both on Bloglovin.  From Texas and love to travel?  We are all three peas in a pod.  I've always said the best thing about blogging is connections. Be sure to connect with these ladies.

The Liebster Award is a way for bloggers to show their love to other bloggers.  It's also a great way to discover new blogs.  

The rules are that you tell 11 random facts about yourself and answer the 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you.  Then you nominate some blogs and give them 11 new questions to answer.  And you pass on the love.  

So here are 11 random facts about me.  Do you detect a theme?

I love, love, love my camera.

It's not really mine, it belongs to Matthew.

It's my safety blanket when I travel.

I take thousands of photos on our trips.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I always shoot on automatic.

I really want to learn to shoot on manual but have a brain block.

Photographs are my most treasured possession.

My daddy is an amazing photographer and has won awards.

I got my travel bug from him.

And my Mom.  (She just did a tour of South America.)

Exploring someplace new with my camera in my hand is absolute bliss.


Now it's time to answer some questions.  I've picked several from each nomination.
(I know you don't want me to answer 22 questions!)
 

1 - What is the biggest obstacle you have faced while traveling?

I've mentioned before that I'm bit of a worrier (and by that I mean I've been diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder).  I don't control it with meds for various reasons, so I have to find other ways to manage it.  Of course, traveling takes me out of my comfort zone so it can really be a struggle.  However, I will never let it stop me from going.

2 - In terms of behavior, were you good or bad in school?

I was pretty good.  I made decent grades without too much effort.  My dad was in the USAF, so if we got in trouble, he got in trouble.  That was an effective deterrent.

3 - Which would you rather play during a night out: ping-pong, darts, or pool?

Pool.

 

4 - Would you rather live at the beach in the winter or in the mountains in the summer?

I can't decide.  Can I pick beach in the summer and mountains in the winter?

5 - What song gets you in the mood to sing and dance?

Anything by Abba.  I've seen Mamma Mia three times and I have the movie.  Always manages to make me happy.

   

6 - What is the most amazing tourist attraction you have come across while traveling?

Probably the Medina in Fez that I've been writing about lately.

7 - Who (a celebrity) was your biggest teenage crush?

Really showing my age here.  Shaun Cassidy and Donny Osmond.

  

8 - What are your top 5 travel destinations that you haven’t been to?

Thailand. African Safari. Australia.  Bali. Iceland.  

 

9 - What is your favorite place you have visited?

That's so tough to narrow down.  So far my favorites have been Ireland, Italy, Austria and Turkey.

 

10 - What is something you collect?

We collect ornaments throughout our travels and I keep them in a basket on a shelf.  At Christmas, I love going through them and remembering all of our adventures.

11 - Is there anything cool about your family history/ancestry?

I think it's pretty cool that my ancestors are from Scotland.  This summer, my dad and my brother are coming for a visit.  We're going to trace some history and tour Scotland.  I can't wait!

Now it's my turn to nominate some blogs!

Jess from Jess-On_thames

Kaelene from Unlocking Kiki

Dannielle from ChicaDeeDee

Meredith from Ponder The Irrelevant

Quyen from Itinerant

Jenn from A Country Girl's World

And here are my questions:

1.  What is one challenge that you have set yourself this year? 
2.  What is the biggest obstacle you have faced while traveling?
3.  What are some of your favorite sayings?
4.  In everyday life, what is your number one pet peeve?
5.  When do you feel your happiest?
6.  What traits have you inherited from your parents?
7.  What are your top 5 travel destinations that you haven’t been to?
8.  What is your favorite cocktail?
9.  What is your dream job?
10.  If you could have 3 wishes granted, what would they be?
11.  What is on your mouse pad?

I can't wait to hear your answers!

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