This past Saturday I went to Sperryville with my family, a tiny town (population 342) just outside Shenandoah National Park. I like this town because it doesn’t let its small size get in the way of fancy-sounding attractions. This is… Read More ›
The Urban Anthropologist Files
It’s a New Dawn, it’s a New Day, it’s a New Life for me…and I’m Feeling Good.
I’ve been working so much lately that I kind of forgot that life should be enjoyable as well as profitable. Also, winter tends to take me down a dark, frigid hole of existential dreariness. Dramatic sounding, I know, but then I’ve always… Read More ›
Beautiful Baltimore?
I’ve been busy and haven’t had much time for blogging, until today. That’s because yesterday I went for an evening walk after work and somehow I twisted my ankle and found myself flat on my butt in the middle of… Read More ›
43 Mile New York Bike Ride
This past weekend, my best friend, my best friend’s mom and I biked a grand total of 43 miles in the NYC TD 5-Boro Bike Tour. Impressive, no? Especially considering we aren’t, ahem, the most physically fit bunch out there…. Read More ›
Two Rivers, the Dirty Dawg Saloon and Civil War Ghosts
Two of my favorite things in life are road trips and small towns. This past weekend a friend came down to visit from upstate New York and we decided to head over to West Virginia— Harpers Ferry, to be exact –… Read More ›
Pat’s Market and Unexpected Runners
On Sunday morning I went out for a 25-mile bike ride and ran into this little shop in the Belle Haven neighborhood of Alexandria, right across from a fancy, fru-fru-la-la-la country club. I initially assumed the place had closed down years ago,… Read More ›
A Stroll Down Memory Lane: Fredericksburg, VA
On Saturday I decided to visit Fredericksburg, my old college town. It was a warm, sunny day and it’s just an hour away, so it’s really the perfect day trip. If you don’t live in Virginia, you’ve probably never heard of… Read More ›
From a Moving Window: Rolfe, Iowa
The first in my moving window entries will focus on the tiny town of Rolfe in Northwestern Iowa. Believe it or not, I’ve been to Iowa; Des Moines, Fort Dodge and the minuscule town of Rolfe, to be exact. My best friend’s… Read More ›
Gettysburg, PA
If you read my blog relatively frequently, you know I enjoy small town exploration. This past weekend I went to the town of Gettysburg, PA with a friend and we visited the Battlefield and the town of Gettysburg. It was… Read More ›
The Avenue, Quick Loan Joints, Corrientazos and Ugl(ier) Duplexes
A couple of days ago I posted some pictures of my neighborhood’s “downtown” area near Mount Vernon Avenue. I stuck mostly to the southern part of Del Ray, which consists almost entirely of midrange cafes, restaurants and shops catering to… Read More ›
There are no Fat People in DC
I originally posted this last spring, but since I’ve actually moved into the inner suburbs of D.C (City of Alexandria) now and I’m on a new (hopefully permanent) fitness kick (see here, here, and here) I thought it would be appropriate to… Read More ›
Learning to be Urban (Kind of)
I’ve been at my new place for about two weeks now and I’m really enjoying my new situation as an urbanite. Actually, the term urbanite might be a bit of an overstatement; technically, I’m still in the suburbs, about five… Read More ›
Walk Talk
I recently did something I haven’t done in a very long time: I sat down and read a book for hours on end. I listen to a lot of books on tape on my way to and from work —… Read More ›
D.C Has a Fish Market. Who Would Have Known?
Actually, it seems everybody knew about it but me. It also has a wharf and marina. I knew about the marina because I always pass it on the way to my sister’s house, but the fish market was a fun and… Read More ›
Speed Dating: Something I’ll Try Only Once
Speed dating is probably one of those things you should only do once…kind of like taking five shots of tequila in a row, reading any book by Tolstoy, helping your grandma learn the Internet, eating an entire tub of ice cream or vacationing in… Read More ›
Orange Line Project: Eastern Market III
Thank you to my brother (check out his urban design/architecture blog here) for being the photographer on this urban adventure, and to my sister for knowing her neighborhood well enough to give us an hours-long tour. Hope you all enjoyed this Eastern… Read More ›
Orange Line Project: Eastern Market I: Capitol Hill Books and Frager’s Hardware Store
Because my brother will be going to India soon for an internship, my brother, sister and I decided to have as sibling get together yesterday in my sister’s neighborhood, which is conveniently located three blocks from the Eastern Market Metro… Read More ›
Very Busy? You’re Probably Very Happy.
I was listening to NPR on my commute home (I’m a D.C suburbanite, after all) and a story about happiness came on. I’ve always been intrigued by happiness. Why is it some people seem to be naturally happy while others… Read More ›
Boccato: Arlington Gelato and Coffee Shop
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I love coffeehouses. I don’t particularly love coffee, but I’m all about a nice atmosphere and a casual, laid-back ambiance. I love Northside Social, but it’s always bustling, no matter what time you go…. Read More ›
Consejera y Curandera
I spend most of my days in a heavily Latino neighborhood and often feel like I haven’t left Chapinero in Bogota. Most of the shops and stores are run by and cater to the Latino community, most churches offer Spanish-language services and… Read More ›
My (Former) Nomad Life 