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Barcelona: Stolen Wallets, Terrorist Attacks, and Making Sense of It All
We recently returned home from a family pilgrimage to Spain, Portugal and Fatima. Gotta say, it did not disappoint. It was an amazing journey from beginning to end. So let’s begin at the beginning: Barcelona. Our time in Barcelona began with us deciding to travel as pilgrims do: hoofing it with all of our bags, taking public transportation, and making our way to our hotel off of Las Ramblas. There we were, jet-lagged beyond belief, trying our best to make sure we didn’t lose a child or a bag, navigating the very busy metro system of Barcelona. It was going pretty well — until we found ourselves literally split into…
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7 Things that Make Family Travel Easier
I know that school is beginning soon enough for most of us, but as I’m preparing for a family pilgrimage to Spain and Fatima, I thought I’d share some of those things that have made traveling with the whole family far more manageable — dare I say, even enjoyable? To be honest, I love the adventure of traveling with my kids — but it’s not easy. A few years back, we made a little shift in our mindset about traveling and it has made all the difference for us. It’s hard to believe, but just recognizing that family trips aren’t easy or relaxing has helped tremendously. Honestly, if you keep…
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What Happens in Japan, Stays in Japan
It’s been getting kind of serious around here, so it’s time to write about something that is absolutely ridiculous. Consider this a PSA. I’m here to help. Japan Syndrome: It’s for real, and it’s not pretty. 🙁 If this post can spare even one person from a similar fate, than I can say that all the effort was worth it. Let me set the scene for you. You are in a far off place — exotic, perfumed breezes, not a care in the world. You are feeling good about life. You’re on top of the world. And then you see it: that item that encapsulates everything you are feeling in…