Come Fly With Me

Another trip to London to enjoy the rain. Marianne and I had a great layover in London, on account of getting to hang out with our dear friend Jennifer. Jennifer definitely brought warmth and sunshine to our day.

Alfies Antique Market is London’s largest indoor antique and vintage market, offering four floors of goods of all kinds, from affordable treasures to high-end finds.

What better to do on a rainy day! We had a great afternoon exploring Alfies. It really was an unusual place with different staircases leading to eccentric and fascinating items. So much to see! My absolute favorite was meeting Michael, Alfie’s King of Christmas. He has an ever-present evergreen Christmas tree , which is expertly, lovingly and thematically dressed on a monthly basis. I couldn’t resist exploring this month’s tree, which was decorated with all pink ornaments!

This precious 1950’s pink ornament with it’s special pink heart came home with me!

Just a little liquid sunshine in a middle of a storm at The Larrik!

We decided to head to the pub, The Heron to have dinner. It’s a traditional pub serving beers and spirits, it also has gained a reputation for serving, authentic Thai cuisine. The food was delicious and hit the spot on this cold rainy night.

Rain outside, warmth inside. The perfect end to a great day!

Good morning sunshine! This beautiful view is from Marianne’s room. Sadly, just as the sun was coming out, it was time for us to leave London! Our layover in London was unforgettable, and we will cherish every moment we got to enjoy this beautiful city, where the present and past make perfect harmony. We can’t wait for our next visit! London is definitely our cup of tea!

Marianne and I had a short layer in London. We decided to go to a new area that we had never been to before. We took the train to explore Portobello Road in the Notting Hill district, which is a vibrant treasure trove, famous for antiques, vintage fashion and unique finds. Of course, we had to find the iconic blue door from the 1999 movie Notting Hill. It was the door the film used for the entrance to the flat shared by William Thacker (Hugh Grant) and Spike.

It certainly was a cold and rainy day in London. We did our best to keep warm by going in and out of the shops on Portobello Road. It also has an outdoor market, full of treasures to see.

It was hard to warm up! So we did what we do best!

We escaped the London rain, in a cozy, dimly lit pub, where the atmosphere was warm and inviting!

We were snug in a pub! Marianne and I have perfected the art of being cozy in London.

What a great way to start off 2026 by working to one of our favorite places…Rio!

Marianne and I were lucky enough to get out to walk the beach before the forecasted rain. It was a comfortable temp of 77 degrees.

The sea was a treacherous, churning mass of whitecaps, making the shoreline deserted!

Being a Sunday, Ipanema Beach was vibrant and lively, with the beachfront avenue closed to cars, transforming into a pedestrian paradise for walking, skating and biking! With pep in our steps, we decided to venture to Copacabana Beach, which was a little over 3 miles away from our hotel.

We soaked up the scenery before we found the perfect spot to soak up some beers.

Nothing better than having a beer right on the beach!

The calm before the storm was short lived! We were caught in a downpour!

Thank goodness we never leave home without our umbrellas! Marianne and I were ready to find a Brazilian steakhouse to consume a mouth watering steak.

We enjoyed our dining experience at Braseiro. Our meat was juicy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection.

It was a memorable day at Copacabana Beach. We were ready to uber back to our hotel.

From Ipanema and Copacabana Beach sands to mountain views, we ended our perfect day with a Brazilian kiss of lime and spirit.

Good Morning Rio! A glorious view from my patio! Marianne and I were going to do some shopping before getting ready for work.

Pure Brazilian magic!

A short detour off Ipanema Beach and we found Flip Flop heaven. Havaianas are iconic, colorful Brazilian flip flops known for being comfortable, durable, and stylish.

The Havaianas flagship store has 3 levels filled with a vast selection of colorful flip-flops.

Retail therapy works wonders!

All good things must come to an end! We needed to walk back to the hotel to rest and get ready to work back to New York.

Before settling back into our rooms, we decided to sit by the hotel pool to relax and take in the beautiful view. To Marianne’s good fortune, the hotel chefs were doing a ceviche making class by the pool. Marianne thoroughly enjoyed the ceviche, distinguished by its use of fresh, local ingredients, such as freshly caught fish, as well as its unique touches of flavor from chiles, fresh herbs and citrus juices.

I am so blessed starting off 2026 working with my buddy, Marianne. This year is about saying “yes” to adventures, exploring new horizons, and making more great memories!

Marianne and I love getting into the Christmas spirit by walking the streets of London. London looks pretty magical once the Christmas lights have been turned on.

It certainly is true that London fully embraces the festive spirit at Christmas time with all the elaborate light displays.

We then decided to stop in at one of our favorite places for a bite to eat, the Mercato Mayfair.

The Mercato Mayfair in London is a hip market at St. Mark’s Church, with old stained glass and grand architecture that offers international cuisine and drinks.

We were now full and satisfied and ready to tackle more Christmas lights!

Unfortunately, we didn’t get far before the rain came down hard.

Marianne and I got drenched. The best thing we could do now was to stop off at a cozy pub to get dry and warm up.

The next morning we worked back to New York. The following day, we would be working a trip to one of our favorite places…Paris.

Marianne and I were excited to go to The Christmas Market at La Défense. Paris’ largest Christmas market, with avast selection of gifts, decorations, and food in traditional wooden chalets.

We were chilled to the bones. It certainly was a cold day in Paris. We decided to go inside the Christmas market and discover wonderful artisan items as well as to see a fun display of Christmas gifts!

Marianne and I left the Christmas market with a sense of joy and holiday spirit.

So many more lights to see, however, it was time for Marianne and I to head back to our hotel to get a good night sleep!

Eat, Drink, & Be Merry!!
May you all find joy and sparkle in this holiday season!
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We made it back to our happy place…Rio de Janiero!

We were so excited to let the waves hit our feet at the world-famous Ipanema Beach in Rio. The beach is known for the two peaks, Dois Irma’s (Two Brothers), that rise at its western end, providing a stunning backdrop, especially at sunset.

The ocean breeze put our minds at ease!

The boardwalk in Ipanema represents a vibrant symbol of Rio’s lifestyle, embodying the city’s culture of leisure, sport, and social life. The famous black and white Portuguese designs is inspired by an abstract wave-like appearance.

Marianne and I then stopped off at a fun Brazilian bar on the beach for a bite to eat. Nothing beats sitting on the beach with a cold drink and food while enjoying the great view.

Time to walk over to the rock! What is the rock you must be thinking? In the photo above, at the end of Ipanema Beach, you can see a rock that jetties out called Arpoador Rock. It’s a popular spot on the peninsula between Ipanema and Copacabana. It’s famous for its stunning sunset views!

We made it to the top of the rock to take in the magnificent view and witness the stunning sunset behind the Dois Irma’s mountains.

Watching the sunset on Arpoador Rock gave Marianne and I the feeling of collective awe, shared appreciation and pure Carioca energy (the spirit of Rio). We loved the feeling of being a part of something beautiful that perfectly captures the relaxed, nature loving spirit of Rio.

After the sunset, we walked over to Copacabana Beach and found a quaint restaurant and had a delicious meal!

We made it back to our hotel to indulge in our favorite Brazilian nightcap…Calpirinhas! Great way to end a extraordinary memorable day!

Rise and shine!! This is my morning view from my room. We did not have to go to the airport until 9pm, so we decided to walk the town and shop!

It was a grand day shopping! Full arms, happy hearts!!

Minutes before we made it back to our hotel, we were caught in a downpour!
We were drenched!

We still got to enjoy lunch by our hotel pool and see a pretty rainbow! A rainbow is a reminder that challenges in life are temporary, and beauty can follow even the most turbulent times!

Marianne and I loved our time in Rio. We expected beauty and got magical unforgettable memories!

It was a beautiful day to explore Buenos Aires, especially the day being Sunday. There is a massive street fair called the San Telmo Street Fair. It’s a weekly market in Buenos Aires, held every Sunday. It features hundreds of vendors selling crafts, antiques, and food.

It was fun walking on the cobblestone streets, seeing the variety of some very colorful and creative artisan products. To our delight, we found some fabulous treasures.

Retail therapy complete. It was time for lunch.

We enjoyed a small pizza for lunch. For dinner, we are meeting up with a couple of crew members to savor a mouth-watering steak!

Santos Manjares is a is a top-rated steakhouse located in the heart of Buenos Aires. This restaurant is very popular for its high-quality, well cooked and affordable Argentinian steaks.

The next morning, Marianne and I enjoyed a walk through the neighborhood before our flight back to New York.

We could not resist stopping at San Telmo Market to grab some lunch!

San Telmo Market is a place to find everything you want to eat! You can also find the pulsing heart of the city with food, handmade clothing and souvenirs.

We devoured some of Argentinian’s flaky, juicy and hearty empanadas!

“Good food, good mood. Especially when it’s from Buenos Aires.”

Thankful for discovering the rich culture and history of this beautiful city! Our happiness was found in the simple everyday things we did in Buenos Aires, strolling the neighborhoods, sharing laughter and of course savoring good meals.

Marianne and I decided to take the train to visit Sitges, a stunning coastal town just 40 minutes from Barcelona, Spain. Sitges has beautiful beaches, historic charm and vibrant atmosphere.

After disembarking the train, we enjoyed walking down the narrow streets through town to get to the beach. The town is a mix of white washed buildings, bustling cafes and restaurants, boutiques, and historical architectural details.

We made it down to the beach to see the golden sand and clear water.

October is a great time to come to Sitges, it offers a quieter atmosphere with pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

It was time to relax and refresh!

Sipping our way through Sitges, one boardwalk cafe at a time!

Church of Sant Bartomeu & Santa Tecla, Sitges

The 17th century church is situated above the sea with expansive views of Sitges.

We felt wild and free-just like the sea!

We explored the back of the church!

Monkey see, monkey do. Marianne and I had seen all these young people taking a photo into a glass door at the church, so when everyone left, we gave it a shot! I love the outcome!!😁

Before leaving this special place, we took a walk on the boardwalk, a paved walkway lined with beautiful palm trees and stone benches that runs parallel to the beaches.

We found a perfect spot to people-watch in Sitges.

Day turns to night in Sitges, and the famous nightlife was starting to wake up.

We found a great place to have a tasty pizza.

As all good things must end, it was time to catch the train back to Barcelona.

”Life is about the adventures you take and the memories you make. So travel often and live life with open eyes and an open heart.”

Marianne, Jennifer and I arrived in Rome excited for the fun that awaits us!

It was a beautiful day to walk the streets of Rome. It’s a city best savored at a slower pace. Walking the streets of Rome feels like being immersed in a bustling open-air museum, where ancient history and vibrant streets life coexist.

We always feel a sense of awe when we see the Spanish Steps.

Marianne, Jennifer and I are always captivated by the timeless beauty of the Trevi Fountain. We needed to commemorate our visit to Rome by taking a photo at one of Rome’s major landmarks.

We were ready for lunch after walking, shopping and taking in all the charm that Rome has to offer. We stopped off at Pizzacano, an Italian pizzeria in the heart of Rome.

Feeling satiated, we continued our walk through Rome, taking in all the ancient sights and shops.

After a full day of shopping and exploring, it was time to cross back over the Tiber River to get back to our hotel area.

We couldn’t leave Rome, without ending our day by experiencing the local culture through quality, fresh ingredients and traditional recipes at a trattoria, typically a small, family-run place with hearty, home-style meals.

Cheers to having another great Italian meal in Rome. Scientific research in Italy has shown eating pasta can cause a positive emotional-cognitive state, or a “smile effect” comparable to listening to your favorite song or a sports victory. Our big smiles walking back to our hotel, definitely supported this hypothesis.

Our passports are full of stamps and we are blessed that our hearts are full of great memories!

Up and at it! It was time to go out and enjoy Paris with our friend Wendy! We jumped on the train to explore the Le Marais neighborhood! The name “Le Marais” means “the swamp”, referring to the marsh land that once covered the area. The land was drained and developed over centuries. The neighborhood now is vibrant and busy with restaurants, cafes and shops! One of our favorite places to visit!

We couldn’t resist showing Wendy the quirky water park.

Nothing better than taking a stroll by the Seine. It evokes a feeling off romance, history, and peacefulness.

We found a bridge that had the initial “N” on it. We are now calling it Nancy’s bridge!🩷. I researched this bridge and found out it’s the Pont Neuf Bridge. It is the oldest standing bridge across the river Seine in Paris.

We stopped at a Parisian cafe to watch the world go by!

One of our favorite things to do in Paris is to go vintage shopping! It’s a thrill when you discover a hidden gem! You can find everything from runway pieces to quirky one of a kind items in a huge variety of styles!

Le Marmiton de Lutece

It was time for dinner!

Le Marmiton de Lutece is a traditional French restaurant in the heart of Paris in the Latin Quarters. It’s very rustic and inviting. Our waiter was exceptional and funny!

We loved the French onion soup!

The 3 of us indulged in the 3 course meal. Starting with the French onion soup, followed by an entree and then a delicious dessert!

Marianne and Wendy had the most popular French dessert, crème brûlée, and I had the mousse au chocolat. It was devine.

The food was delicious! We are leaving this place with a full stomach and happy heart! We will be back.

It certainly was a grand day spent in Paris with Wendy. Our friendship is our greatest adventure! Exploring new places is always sweeter with your favorite people!

Marianne, Tracey and I just had CQ in Dallas. CQ stands for Continuing Qualification training, a mandatory annual requirement to maintain our flight qualifications and certifications. This is always a dreadful time in our career. Even though it’s our 35th year going to CQ, it still is very stressful.

Training includes hands-on drills and simulations to practice in flight situations, such as evacuations, medical events, critical safety tasks and passenger management.

Marianne is ready to take on unruly passengers and now has the skills to protect herself from harm.

Can’t forget to mention our extensive training in water survival techniques.

Success!!! We completed all components of our training and passed our tests after 2 days in Dallas.

These are the historical steps at the training center in Dallas for the flight attendants. After completing the 6 week flight attendant training, our graduating class stands proudly on this staircase. A photo is taken on this staircase to mark our graduation.

Marianne rings the bell!!

The act of ringing the bell after your final CQ marks the completion of their last training session before retirement. It serves as a way of acknowledging the community of flight attendants and the shared experiences. Marianne rang the bell proudly to share her achievement of her long career as a flight attendant. No retirement date at this time. The only thing we know is that she won’t be back to training next October. We still have more trips to enjoy and places to see!🩷