Last fall, a friend asked me to help her son with a project for his #geography class by snapping photos of this character known as “Flat Stanley” in a place we lived.
The goal was to share what makes a place distinctive and put it on the map for kids. To open young eyes to the wonder and joy of experiencing new cultures...that notion seems rather magical right now. 🦄
Maybe we all need a bit of that magic in our lives today?? So, in that spirit, here’s that class project (from what seems ages ago) and my tour with Flat Stanley to one of our favorite places on the planet.
Brighton, UK
Here is the seaside beauty through Stanley’s eyes, along with a few of my favorite shots from our annual #housesitting gig. 💗 💗 💗
#brightonuk #somedaytravels #whenwetravelagain #traveldreams #ourlonelyplanet #flatstanleyproject
#iorestoacasa
#placeswelove @visit.brighton @trustedhousesitters
The new normal. Some days, it ain’t so bad.
For anyone missing friends, I highly recommended planning some video dates. It’s a great way to stay connected, add more structure to your day and create events to look forward to. (Also, a good excuse to brush your hair and wear lip gloss! 🤪) Thank you, grazie & gracias, Elly and Craig, for bringing us all together in this time when we need togetherness more than ever. (And, btw, whoa, did this is team - currently stationed in #scotland #italy #india & #cyprus - rock Podquiz. #smartypants). 💗 💗 💗
#waystostaysane #socialdistancingtogether #thenewnormal #spring2020 #gratefulforfriends❣️
Hey, friends, travel-lovers & dreamers, how are you today? We love hearing from you, so do let us know.
Here’s our update from Cyprus - as Matt and I woke this morning to several messages asking if we are ok.
We are both strong and healthy. We began self-isolating (what feels like decades ago) on March 10. A week later, Cyprus announced shelter-in-places rules, mandating home isolation. Schools, restaurants, gyms, retail shops were closed. Airports soon closed to passengers. All citizens and residents arriving home on last flights were immediately taken to mandatory 14-day quarantine (in guarded hotels around the island). 📱
Two hotline numbers were set up specifically for people who were experiencing symptoms to seek help.
Earlier this week, the president announced more necessary restrictions, basically limiting people to leaving the house only for essential trips: grocery stores, pharmacies, doctors visits. 🙏
Thankfully, this also includes solo exercise outings in your neighborhood 🏃♀️ 🚴♀️ One per day, not for an excessive amount a time. Totally reasonable and manageable. Simply, no congregating, no hanging on the beach, park or playground. Get it done, return home.
I took this image post-run today from the path directly across from our apartment. Even Matt has taken up running again! 🌶
Our neighborhood mom-and-pop market is fully stocked (Though, mom and pop are working way too hard) & we have a convenience market for basics like milk, eggs, halloumi & Pringles 😀, just 5-minutes walk from our door.
Through every step, Matt and I have been impressed with how the country has handled this pandemic. Per capita, Cyprus has one of the world’s highest testing rates.
Like in so many spots around the world, it’s heartbreaking to see deserted streets and shuttered businesses, but this measure, for the greater good, is temporary. It will pass.
Stay 💪 y’all! We are sending waves of light & love across the oceans to you. Feel the breeze? ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Here are two of my favorite seaside buildings #architecturally in #larnaca > Aren’t they beauties? -
Normally, these old school lodgings would be gearing up for the Easter holidays and Cyprus’ extra-long #summertourism season. Of course, there’s nothing normal about these times. The #flamingo is now a quarantine hotel (along with 11 other hotels?), housing citizens and residents who have flown back to the island in these last days (before airports closed). Every person must submit to mandatory, 14-day government quarantine. Armed guards stand at the door, ensuring no one enters or leaves. Tough, but necessary measures, for sure. And, by all accounts I’ve heard, people are ready to make the sacrifice. It’s the only way to keep everyone safe. We must all do our part.
One day, I hope to walk the halls, have a drink in the hotel lobby and raise a glass to all the sacrifices made and the better days they made possible. Stay strong, friends!! 💪 We are all in this together and better days will come. .
#wehope #wedream #travelsomeday .
.
#architecturelovers #traveltribe #dreamdestinations #cyprus #iorestoacasa
Little lights flickering in the darkness. That’s us, friends. Let’s encourage each other to stay healthy and sane in these stressful times. While it's critical to stay on top of breaking news, it's also important to step away and feed your soul with nourishment and inspiration. It's the only way we can stay strong enough to sustain the right path to take us through each day. 💡
From Day 11 of isolation in Cyprus, here’s a round-up of some of our favorite resources for this period of reflection and nesting.
Please share any suggestions you have, so I can add to this list. (For direct links, see link in bio). Staying sane and healthy is an all-hands-on-deck effort, friends. 💪
OUR GO-TO RESOURCES FOR STAYING HEALTHY & (RELATIVELY) SANE:
👂
#audiobooks & #podcasts
@audible has announced free listening to hundreds of titles. —-
🧘🏻♀️ #yoga
@doyogawithme is offering two free months to all online yoga sessions. We all need more yoga these days, right? —
🏃♀️ #fitness & #exercise
Many of you know, I crazy love @seanviguefitness and his core and pilates workouts on @youtube . Truly smart and strong training. —
📚
#languagestudy
My favorite is @coffeebreakitalian via #radiolingua . There are several other languages as well. —-
📣
Great #storytelling
For better or worse, I can't make it through a single one of the real-life-real-people stories via @storycorps without crying like a baby. But, I also laugh out loud at times. And, after listening, I always feel more connected to the world. Definitely worth listening. —-
🎶
#music
@metmuseum has announced a rigorous schedule of free streaming #opera This week is #wagnerweek —
💡
What about YOU? What's keeping you sane and healthy these days?
.
.
.
#stayhealthy #sundayinspiration #bettertogether #lovelovelove💕 #mentalhealthawareness #traveltribe #writersofinsta #greetingsfromcyprus #motivation #iorestoacasa
