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This month, I visited a model new nation — Panama — and made a pleasant go to dwelling to the states. Earlier than that, it was all about having fun with the month of November in Prague, seeing the final of the brightly coloured leaves and feeling the primary chilly temperatures of winter.
And that’s what I’ll be speaking about. Not the election. As a result of I don’t really feel prefer it.
Let’s check out November 2024!
Locations Visited
- Prague, Nymburk, and Poděbrady, Czech Republic
- Panama Metropolis and the San Blas Islands (together with Flamingo Island, Aroma Island, Nugnudub, Isla Perro, and Isla Diablo, amongst others), Panama
- Beverly, Danvers, Gloucester, and Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Kennebunkport and Wells, Maine, USA
- Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA
Highlights
A enjoyable pre-Thanksgiving journey to Panama. Charlie and I made a decision to throw in an additional vacation spot within the Americas — why not Panama? I’ve visited a lot of Central America in any other case!
We began our journey in Panama Metropolis and splurged on a keep on the Sofitel in Panama Metropolis, which we completely liked. I can’t suggest the resort extremely sufficient!
In Panama Metropolis, we did a visit to the Panama Canal (so fascinating to study the historical past and seeing the large ships journey by the locks!), strolled by the Casco Viejo previous city neighborhood, ate conventional Panamanian meals (a lot ceviche, and we liked their tackle arroz con pollo), and drank a LOT of fantastic espresso.
Then got here the San Blas Islands — and THAT is an distinctive vacation spot. These islands off the Caribbean coast of Panama are in an autonomous zone run by the Guna Indigenous folks.
We booked a three-day, two-night itinerary that included nights on two completely different islands. When you arrive, the boat captains herd you round expertly; everybody goes someplace completely different!
These islands actually are the sort you fantasize about as just a little child — tiny islets topped with a bunch of tall, wild palm bushes, just a few huts on shore. Simply getting that have is effective — as is getting away from the world and having fun with a digital detox (islands have various levels of cellphone sign and wifi availability).
I additionally liked getting to purchase some Guna artwork — brightly embroidered items of material known as molas — immediately from the Guna group, and a lot better high quality for decrease costs than in Panama Metropolis. Like, $20 for an attractive piece of art work the dimensions of a placemat. I can’t wait to border ours.
For the report, I might suggest visiting Panama throughout excessive season for those who can (mid-December by mid-March). It was so humid, grey, and wet throughout a lot of our November go to. Panama Metropolis was particularly brutal. It felt like our garments might by no means get fully dry.
Good instances with household and associates in New England. We flew dwelling to rejoice Thanksgiving with my household, and it was good to see everybody and benefit from the time collectively.
We received to spend some high quality time with my dad, and we had a fantastic meal at a new-to-me place, Seaport Grille in Gloucester — go there for a large lobster roll at a surprisingly low worth!
Charlie and I additionally went to dinner at No. 9 Park, a legendary Boston restaurant that shall be closing within the New Yr, and I wished to expertise it one final time. WELL — seems somebody purchased it and shall be maintaining the entire workers! They should barely alter the restaurant identify, although.
If you wish to go, it’s worthwhile to get their signature dish — the prune-stuffed gnocchi. It’s well-known for a cause.
We additionally went to Kennebunkport to hang around with my Maine associates, and spent an evening on the Nonantum Resort, the place my pal’s dad works and kindly supplied us a friends-and-family fee. Now THAT is a pleasant place — so cozy, a tremendous workers, and possibly the perfect resort breakfast that I’ve had within the US.
Kennebunkport is a spot I all the time drive by however not often spend time in, however it’s such a pleasant city, particularly in the course of the Christmas season as a result of they go all out on decorations! We had nice meals on the Batson River Brewery in Kennebunkport and the Bitter Finish, a beautiful little pub in close by Wells.
And as is changing into typical, my associates and I met up for brunch in Portsmouth, New Hampshire — a metropolis magically equidistant from the place we’re all primarily based today. The Pleasant Toast is all the time a enjoyable meal out.
And a fast ultimate observe — I’m a bit embarrassed to say this as a traveler from the Boston space, however I took Logan Categorical this month for the primary time ever. I ought to have been doing this for YEARS. $9 per ticket, and a fast, direct trip from the suburbs to Logan Airport.
For those who’re primarily based within the Boston suburbs, take it! I ought to have been taking it from Woburn after I lived in Studying, however not less than now I can take it from Danvers after I’m visiting my dad in Beverly.
Good instances in Prague and past! We had a pleasant month in Prague. Charlie and I went to our annual Shakespeare efficiency — The Service provider of Venice by the Prague Shakespeare Firm.
This month’s journey to a brand new Czech vacation spot was truly to 2 cities shut to one another — Nymburk, which has an attention-grabbing metropolis wall, and Poděbrady, which is a small spa city with a citadel and a pleasant park.
Each of these cities are pretty to go to for those who dwell in Prague, however I don’t suppose I’d suggest them to guests from abroad. There are such a lot of higher day journeys from Prague.
Additionally — I discovered a brand new Czech instructor this month! I’m going again into classes, and this time it’s one-on-one tutoring. And I’m thrilled that I retained a good quantity of Czech from the teachings I had years in the past!
Challenges
This month I mentioned goodbye to a kitty I liked. You would possibly keep in mind Balíček, our associates’ cat, who got here to dwell with us for just a few monthlong stints and had enjoyable hanging out with Lewis and Murray. We noticed him on a regular basis and sometimes took care of him when his household was touring.
Balíček had been dwelling with most cancers and kidney failure the final 12 months, and although therapies prolonged his life and stored him snug, he took a flip for the worst in November. I’m grateful that our associates invited us over to say goodbye to him.
I’ve by no means met a cat as loving as Balíček! He was consistently snuggling as much as folks, sitting in everybody’s laps, climbing on you once you have been working at your laptop computer. When Charlie and I labored at our desks, he would come as much as us and faucet our arms till we gave him sufficient room to leap into our laps.
Listed below are just a few of my favourite photographs:
Miss you perpetually, buddy. You have been one in every of a form.
Weblog Posts of the Month
Style Second of the Month
I’ve been attempting to put on extra pure fibers these days — extra wool, linen, silk, and cotton. Much less plastic — that means much less polyester and polyamide-blend sweaters.
This has made a huge impact on my purchasing, as I now begin label-first. I put on quite a lot of Sézane, and although their high quality has gone down lately, they nonetheless have some 100% pure sweaters — I like the 100% merino wool Betty, and the merino wool-cotton mix Sami. Each really feel SO good.
However one in every of my absolute favourite issues I’ve purchased in pure fibers shouldn’t be one thing I by no means thought I’d purchase — a cashmere sweatsuit.
It’s a cashmere hoodie and cashmere straight leg pants from the reasonably priced high quality model Quince. Maybe a bit expensive for loungewear, however CHEAP for cashmere, and contemplating how usually I’m carrying them, they’ll be right down to $1 per put on by spring.
I’ve LIVED IN THESE at dwelling each single day since I’ve gotten them. I sleep in them. I work in them. They’re so heat however so mild, and really feel SO DAMN GOOD. If you wish to deal with your self, these are superior.
What I Listened To This…Yr!
I take heed to a lot lo-fi throughout my working hours that it generally throws my whole Spotify Wrapped out of whack — however this 12 months, it’s filled with precise music that I listened to!
My prime music was the same old mixture of pop and hip-hop, with an enormous of other thrown in from Smashing Pumpkins, whom I noticed in live performance in Prague this 12 months.
2024 was an unbelievable 12 months for ladies in pop, and I particularly listened to quite a lot of Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish (whom I began listening to for the primary time this 12 months, and now understand that sure, she completely deserves her ridiculous variety of awards at such a younger age), and Sabrina Carpenter.
I hope to see any of these women in live performance someday! Presently hoping Sabrina extends her Europe live performance dates this spring, as a result of she has nothing in Germany or Austria or Czech Republic but — certainly she’d add just a few dates there, wouldn’t she??
And naturally… “Not Like Us” was the tune of the 12 months, to zero shock on my finish.
What I Watched This Month
First off — I noticed Depraved, and it was EVERYTHING. Regardless of being a Broadway fan, I by no means received into Depraved, however the film is SO, SO, SO well-done. Superbly forged, with a completely spellbinding manufacturing design (with minimal CGI, yay!!).
And as a lot as I flinched on the Boq-and-Glinda moments (if you already know, you already know), there isn’t any query that Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have been the best possible selections to star in these roles. They have been each outstanding and embodied the characters so fantastically.
I’m trying ahead to seeing Depraved a second time as soon as it involves Prague!
Gladiator II, nonetheless? Entertaining at instances…however did this film have to be made? I don’t suppose it did! The CGI baboons have been ridiculous, and Denzel having an American accent amongst all of the British accents was simply too jarring.
And as a lot as I am keen on Paul Mescal, I believe he was miscast. His energy is softness, like in Aftersun, and this function was written as testosterone personified. Each time Denzel advised him how a lot rage he had inside himself, I believed to myself, Actually? Rage is what you see? And you actually suppose this dude might rally 1000’s of troopers to do his bidding?
One other film I actually loved was Emily the Legal, which is obtainable to observe on HBO Max. This film stars Aubrey Plaza as a younger lady in scholar debt as much as her eyeballs who decides to do a little bit of bank card fraud to get forward — then finally ends up in the midst of a sinister prison enterprise. Positively price watching, female-gazey in all the precise methods, and a fantastic showcase for her appearing!
What I Learn This Month
The Battle of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (2020) — I rewatched the Starvation Video games films this month (actually, you’ll by no means guess what gave me the urge), and realized that I had by no means ended up studying the newest e-book, the prequel about President Snow as a young person.
What I like in regards to the Starvation Video games sequence is the extremely detailed world-building of Panem, but the way it’s a sobering and real looking take a look at the implications of battle and fascism. This e-book takes you again to the tenth Starvation Video games (Katniss’s first video games was the 74th), when the Capitol is barely steady after years of battle.
Coriolanus Snow is the son of a outstanding Panem household — however behind closed doorways, they’re secretly ravenous. His solely hope is to ingratiate himself among the many most privileged of Panem, ace his research, and carve out a greater life for his household.
And this 12 months, he turns into one of many 24 first-time Starvation Video games mentors. He’s assigned the lady from District 12 — a fascinating singer named Lucy Grey.
If you wish to study up shut about how a decent-seeming teenage boy will get radicalized, this e-book is an excellent instance.
Inside Out by Demi Moore (2019) — I grabbed this e-book as an informal pay attention whereas out on my walks, and WOW. I had no concept that Demi Moore is a type of celebrities, not not like Minka Kelly, who had such a wild childhood that it’s a miracle that she made it to maturity.
For those who keep in mind her romance and eventual marriage with Ashton Kutcher within the early 2000s, you keep in mind the tabloids going nuts over their age distinction. She was 40 and he was 25 once they received collectively. BLOODY HELL. I’m 40 now! She was handled like she was historic!!
Additionally, Ashton sucks. Although you most likely knew that.
There have been some elements that appeared purposefully reticent (like a time when her entire household minimize her off for just a few years — they’ve since reconciled). However general, it was an excellent learn, and I loved spending just a few hours inside her head.
And it made me need to watch extra of her movies! There are such a lot of I haven’t seen, like St. Elmo’s Hearth and G.I. Jane, and I’ve in some way by no means seen A Few Good Males…
Coming Up in December 2024
It’s formally Christmas market season in Europe! After lacking all of the markets final 12 months because of being in South America, I’m trying ahead to indulging within the markets this 12 months.
Charlie and I shall be doing a four-day street journey to go to some markets we haven’t visited earlier than. Day one will take us to Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Heidelberg, two German cities I’ve lengthy wished to go to.
Days two and three will take us to the Alsace area of France, which I’ve visited earlier than, however by no means throughout Christmas. We’ll be first visiting Obernai and Strasbourg, then heading to Colmar for 2 nights. From Colmar we’ll be taking the Christmas shuttle to go to the small cities of Kayserberg, Riquewihr, and Ribeauvillé.
On the lengthy drive again, we’ll be breaking it up with a cease round Stuttgart — possibly Ludwigsburg.
I’d attempt to squeeze in some day journeys to the Christmas markets in Dresden and Nuremberg, each of which I’ve visited earlier than, however I’d like to get some video.
And for my ultimate new Czech vacation spot of 2024, Charlie and I shall be visiting Ceské Budejovice, a enjoyable metropolis in South Bohemia that additionally places on a pleasant Christmas market.
What are you getting as much as in December? Share away!
