It’s siesta on a Sunday in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. Every shop is shuttered and the streets are empty and silent save for the brush of leaves stirred by the wind. The late October sun is bright and warm, generously allowing dresses. By Plaza de Cervantes, the heart of the city, locals gather at cafes … Continue reading
It’s the last day of my semester in London. Perhaps it’s the gray, rainy weather, but I feel calm at the moment. In the past two weeks an undercurrent of panic has tugged at me. The semester passed at such an exhilarating, breakneck speed, and I’m catching myself on the day of departure, not wanting to … Continue reading
The first time I bought my own plane ticket was in June after my freshman year at BU. My friend Sarah and I had been sitting on the comfy white expanse of my bed for hours, sharing stories about our shiny new lives at university. She regaled me with tales of Southern California, where everyone was … Continue reading
I didn’t realize this time would come so soon. My love affair has soured, yet I’m in the awkward position of continuing like nothing has changed. I am finally admitting to myself that I would be perfectly happy to never eat ham again. Spaniards adore jamón; it’s an important part of their diet and lifestyle. It almost seems … Continue reading
When I was little, whenever I woke up in the early hours of the morning I padded downstairs to the warm kitchen, my eyes heavy with sleep and my pillow in hand. My parents would be drinking lattes and reading the paper with Garrison Keillor’s lulling murmur on the radio. My mom would make me … Continue reading
When I stepped off the bus into the bustling neighborhood of Sol I immediately shut my eyes. Sunshine, piercingly bright and hot, coated everything. I had heard about Madrid’s intense light, a product of the city’s high altitude, but it still caught me off guard. Madrileños (Madrid locals) have a saying: “De Madrid al cielo,” … Continue reading
Travel Ardor 