— Built in 1579, the Monastery of St. Catherine is a monastery of nuns of the Dominican Second Order located just a few blocks from the main plaza in Arequipa. Once you enter the monastery, its vivid colors (deep blues … Read More

 — Murano, Italy, is known as a paradise for glass work. The city is a series of islands just across the lagoon in Venice and easily accessible by one of the several vaporetti that serve the area.  Close to our departure … Read More

— Fall foliage in Central Texas is often a hit-and-miss event. Just like with spring wildflowers, fall foliage depends on the right weather conditions and changes. I do not know if we’ll have dramatic fall foliage this year — if any, at all. … Read More

— After being cooped up over 8 hours while attending a conference in Chicago, I got back to my hotel and had to go for a quick walk before night fell. It was just the right time of the day … Read More

— Dedicated on September 11, 2003, the 9/11 Memorial at the Texas State Cemetery (Austin) is a tribute honoring those Texans who died in the terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC, on September 11, 2001. The final design … Read More

Some things scream out loud Texas! The University of Texas tower and Bluebonnets epitomize what’s good and beautiful about this state — and we all know we need beauty in this political environment in which we live. I count my … Read More

— The Galleria Umberto I, in Naples, Italy, was constructed between 1887 and 1891, and today it houses businesses, shops and cafes. Arguably the largest glass-roofed arcade, the Galleria also displays a beautiful mosaic on its floor representing the signs of … Read More

And legend says you’re ensured a return to Rome. Whether true or not, once you visit Rome, you simply cannot forget all sites. The Eternal City mysteriously grabs all visitors’ attention. This is the largest Baroque fountain in the city … Read More

What’s left to do when you’re driving through downtown Austin and traffic stops? Get your cell phone and snap pictures of the buildings surrounding you. That’s just what I did here with my Galaxy S5. Driving across downtown to get … Read More

To conserve, restore and create healthy landscapes – That’s the mission of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Southwest Austin. Through innovative research, the center focuses on showing the beauty and usefulness of native plants in everyday life. It … Read More