Experience Albania: Travel, Pictures, History, Culture

Don’t tell anyone, but Jill left a little early from work to meet me for an impromptu stroll around her neighborhood.
Down along the river and up to the Witch’s Tower …

…we enjoyed the beautiful afternoon and inspiring messages along the way:

Nothing beats a sunny day, a walk with a good friend.

(Jill, come visit me in [...]

Thursday was a true spring day - and my last day babysitting Emma and Sam, who have been such a great part of my weeks since June.
Sam and I strolled down their road to pick up Emma from the bus. It felt so good to walk outside in such comfortable weather!

We also made chocolate [...]

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Originally uploaded by nicollet.

The next handfull of posts will hopefully do justice to such a great night of fonuding at Erin and Jamie’s new home. Such a fun group and a wonderful setting. Thank you so much for having us over, Erin and Jamie!
May I now take you through the evening …

Tonight’s Fondue fest has been in the making for over three months, as it includes the five couples that result from the Decker/Silus Family.
If you look closely, we’re all present in this photo, taken at Mike and Lauren’s wedding breakfast:

Two couples from the Decker side:
Jamie and Erin (The Lovely Hosts and Team New House Owners)
Lindsay [...]

I didn’t take many pictures on this day. Probably because I was too busy - and without a free hand - trying delicious samples of fruit, chesses, and other various items at the most wonderful and expansive farmer’s market I’ve ever been to.

Hundreds of vendors gather every Saturday at the Ferry Building to sell [...]

After Ben was done with his work commitments on Thursday, we met up and headed toward Golden Gate Park, a huge space that covers over 50 street blocks and is filled with open lawns, museums, a Japanese Tea Garden, cyclers, homeless people, and more. Again, another said-to-be-rainy day gone beautiful. We public transportation’ed [...]

Regina, a great friend from high school who is now living and working in nearby San Jose, picked me up early Tuesday morning. By 10:45, we were on the road and well on our way into San Francisco and beyond.
After a detour into Union Square to check on our room, we wanted to makes [...]

This veggie lesagna was a new recipe. And it turned out darn well, if I may say so.
Despite the extra hour it needed in the oven (note to Cooking Light magazine), it was tasty and I didn’t hear a single “Where’s the meat?” comment.

Mike and Lauren, kissy newlyweds:

B and G, affectionate lovebirds:

And so we ate [...]

This has been such a great trip. Since early, early Tuesday morning, I’ve had the chance to spend a good amount of time with Regina before I leave, and then continue on with Ben in this wonderful city.
Below, a view of the Bay Bridge from the Coit Tower area:

Stunning views from Highway 1:

More to [...]

Ben heads out to San Francisco this afternoon and I follow early tomorrow morning.
Regina Haglund (high school friend) will pick me up and we’ll spend all of tomorrow and some of Wednesday morning together.
After that, I get to explore the city and then meet up with Ben when he’s done with work on Thursday.
Happy travels!