26-27 Jun 2018. Ronda, Spain.

27 Junio 2018:


https://www.spain-holiday.com/Ronda/articles/the-12-things-you-must-see-when-visiting-ronda

We did not stay very long. We moved forward to Ronda. Ronda was a blessing. a hidden gem that we could only enjoy for a night and a walk in the morning. We were also blessed with a fine hotel that had a rooftop pool and restaurant that overlooked the oldest bullring in Spain.

We had dinner at ____________ with a terrace that overlooked the fajo. Fado? No se.
I haven't really discussed Spanish cuisine... I am not really impressed. I do not really like it. We had pork cheeks, plate of meats, chicharon, jamon iberico, queso manchego, sangria, cerveza Alhambra verde y san cruz. Piononos muy dulce pero dame helado por favor. On the terrace we witnessed the sunset. Sarah and I briefly wandered through the streets after dinner and discovered both the New Bridge and the Old Bridge.

The hotel room shower was a dream with a ceiling shower ad a shower head that could be used at the same time. Our baggage had to be ready for travel the next day. We woke up early to go on another walking tour. Another local guide took us on an hour long walk around the neighborhood. "Look it", "look at", "Look"- doorways, crests, flowerpots, coat-of-arms. She really wanted us to look and appreciate all the details of the old homes. Eventually she guided us back to the bull ring where we saw the museum of bull fighting in Ronda. September is the one time that the space is used for bullfighting. Otherwise, it is used for performance - plays and music. We were left with an hour or so for food and shopping before heading to Tarifa to take the ferry to Tangier that night. I remembered to buy bullfighting art for my brother and bought him a print from a studio. Lunch was a double scoop of ice cream. Ale Hope was a fun spanish shop that was invaded by a group of kids so I could not buy the fan that inspired me. We also wandered into a fun toy shop.

Ronda required more time for street and trail explorations. All the bus travel put me in a foul mood. I felt sinus pressure and a cold coming on. I was tired. There was more travel ahead.

http://www.rmcr.org/es/bullring_museum.html

One month later, A lifetime ago.

Bleach hair fashion and dreadlocks. I want my hair to grow. I should have fun while it is short but I just want it to be long again. I want to hide easily.

I have made many advances and improvements. I have gotten things done. It feels good. Sleep is a thing. A very important thing. I am back home from vacations and I have had one week to myself to adjust and transition back to school. I feel I get a little silly on my own. I have worked on art. A lot of sketchbook time.

I am excited to see 311. I used to listen to so much 311 and I had great times.

It was always funny to think about how my younger self would approve of my present self. I want to study art. Talking to other people is difficult. Connection? 

Okay. Focus. Remember that time you saw Incubus & Deftones with good friends in Camden, NJ? I had just returned from traveling around the world, literally circumnavigating the globe, for the past 6 weeks. My 26-year-old self made my 16-year-old self's dreams come true. She would have loved that. I loved it.

I intend to sort files and lesson ideas. I need to upload and present my work from this summer. If you have had access it has been the first round. WORK.

11-18 August - agosto - aout 2018. Kailua - Kona Town, Hawaii, United States

https://www.hawaii-guide.com/big-island/towns/kailua_kona_town

11 August - https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/events/obon-dance-festival-hilo-higashi-hongwanji-mission

http://volcanoartcenter.org/events/

http://bigislandnow.com/event/listing/figure-drawing-salon/2435

https://www.lovebigisland.com/big-island-beaches/papakolea/#best-time-to-visit

http://www.bigislandhikes.com/papakolea-green-sand-beach/

https://www.nps.gov/havo/2018-closure.htm

https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/alka/index.htm

http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/lava-viewing/


Bonus:

2018 Sunflower Fields - Maryland

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/sunflower-fields-maryland
https://www.sunshinewhispers.com/best-sunflowers-in-maryland/

Clear Meadow Farm - Mid September

Maryland Agriculture - Pick Your Own - Beginning September


Burnside Farms  - August - October
Burnside Farms - How to Pick Gladiolus

The Sunflower Garden - Late August

I want to eat here:
Broom's Bloom Dairy

Rocky Point Creamery


ART EXHIBITIONS
Hirshhorn
Renwick
Portrait Gallery/American Art
Freer/Sackler
NMAI


MOVIES
Sorry to Bother You
TAG

Remember interactive movie websites?

10/6 - King Khan & The Shrines @ Black Cat DC, $20

29 Junio 2018. Fes, Morocco

30% Medina
Mohammed VI King
Largest Medina
Near base of Altas Mountains
Agriculture
Tourism
Handicraft

Tea, Coffee, Water

Blue & Green Mosaic Gates
Sultan Entrance

New city built by the French

"There is more life after the sunset." - Karim

Melah - Jewish section (oldest)
Royal Palace of Fes
Medina - Maze
- Old city 8th century
- 2 sections are Andalusian 14th century

11th century wall built of lime, clay, stone
1755 Earthquake of Lisbon destroyed the wall

Souk - markets of the city.
Medrasa - Koranic school

built over a hill
discover all the important areas


Ceramic Studio - https://afktravel.com/58398/ceramic-artistry-fez-morocco/
Medrasa Seffarine

University of al-Karaouine - https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/university-of-alkaraouine
Tannery - https://www.amusingplanet.com/2014/08/the-leather-tanneries-of-fez-morocco.html
Souk el Attarine - http://www.travel-exploration.com/mpage.cfm/Shopping_In_Souks_Markets
https://theculturetrip.com/africa/morocco/articles/10-top-markets-in-fez/

Morrocan Cuisine - https://www.thespruceeats.com/famous-moroccan-foods-you-should-try-2394280

So many experiences in one city. Beautiful. Delicious. Scented.




https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/university-of-alkaraouine

3-4 Julio 2018. Marrakech - Shopping in Morocco Research

https://www.continenthop.com/marrakech-souk-guide/
http://www.travel-exploration.com/mpage.cfm/Shopping_In_Souks_Markets

Almost out of Morocco - SO MUCH

By this point in my travels, I was pretty sick gastrointestinally. I LOVED THE FOOD IN MOROCCO. I did not like that I could barely contain myself. I began to grow weary of my food options. The final push to survive and experience my time in Morocco. Thankfully, by taking medicine and being more careful of what I consumed. I started to feel better.

Going into this trip, I had dreamed of all the items I wanted to buy and bring from Morocco. Marrekech was the place to splurge. The marketplace of my dreams. However, I was exhausted and I had little desire to engage in bartering and haggling. I wish I had unlimited funds and energy. There was so much I really wanted but felt limited. Thankfully, due to the size of my group, I did not appear to be the best candidate for the vendors to approach.

We began in Marrakech by visiting the Saddian Tombs.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/morocco/marrakesh/attractions/saadian-tombs/a/poi-sig/1144240/1316370

Berber Carpet Showroom & Sales
https://moroccotravelblog.com/2009/04/24/berber-carpet-weaving/
https://www.lesnomadesdemarrakech.com/

Bahia Palace
http://www.palais-bahia.com/en/
https://www.egypttoursplus.com/bahia-palace/
https://www.journeybeyondtravel.com/blog/bahia-palace-marrakesh-morocco.html

Spice Market
https://theculturetrip.com/africa/morocco/articles/an-introduction-to-saffron-harvest-in-morocco/

Sunset Camel Ride

I earned my Camel Driving License.


Moroccan Cooking Classes @ La Maison Arabe

Majorelle Gardens & Berber Museum.


-------

http://riadzany.blogspot.com/p/beginners-guide-to-moroccan-carpets.html

http://jardinmajorelle.com/ang/introduction-to-berber-culture/

https://museeyslparis.com/en/biography/ouverture-du-musee-berbere

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ver0v5CTdRM&feature=youtu.be&t=22m


https://moroccotravelblog.com/2017/03/16/top-12-things-to-do-in-morocco/

2018 SUMMER UPDATE: All is Good

Okay/Vale -  so I seem to have gotten as far as Cordoba as far as reflecting and uploading on this platform about a month ago. It is surreal and amazing to imagine all the experiences I had.

I have been home for about a week now and I feel like I have done so much already. Time really does not feel like a constraint. I have been working from home these days. I am determined to use Alphonse Mucha: Masterworks as my base and drawing board. I am inspired by the moors. Currently, I am sitting in the dining room surrounded by the smells of spices in my home. I was lucky that my roommate could carry my first load of souvenirs home so I could travel lighter for the second part of the Spanish trip.

I spoke spanish but not nearly as much as I thought I would. I also did not talk to many strangers. The strangers I did talk to where also strangers to the same land - they were other foreigners. Maybe I was not as curious or I was not compelled to be very social. Anyways, I saw a lot of art! Drove and rode through a lot of landscapes.

I am using my time to organize my resources and prepare for the incoming school year. I have so much I would like to do.

Also Hawaii Birthday Adventures will be coming up too! August 11-18