May 13, 2016: Superstition and Good Eats

Elisa's Daily Scoop
​

Great Cousins Meals...

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13TH!!
Did you know this is the only Friday the 13th in 2016? Yup!

Ever wonder why people make such a big deal about it? Well, Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. It occurs when the 13th day of the month in the Gregorian calendar falls on a Friday.

According to Michael Bailey, a history professor at Iowa State University who specializes in the origins of superstitions, the fear of the day is likely rooted in Christianity as Jesus was crucified on a Friday.

From that day forward, the day has been associated with "general ill omen," according to Baily.

Additionally, it is believed that there were thirteen guests that attended the Last Supper, the night before Jesus was killed, according to Stuart Vyse, a psychology professor at Connecticut College. It was Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, who is believed to have been the 13th guest, Vyse said.

Both scholars agree that there is no evidence to prove when Friday and number 13 became linked in the way we think of them today and there are no mentions of Friday the 13th prior to the 19th century.

​So there you have it!!

It also happens to be Foodie Friday, as we continue our little walk down memory lane of the Travelin' Cousins first week of year 3!

​And boy, have we had some amazing food experiences during the past two years!!

Way too many to mention, but, a few come to mind. In fact, while I could sit here for hours talking about all the yummy meals we've had and the wonderful food establishments we've frequented, somehow, the best memories for me are those foodie times Tanya and I have had together!!

Here are a few of mine (in no particular order!) shared with my favorite cousin!!!

Kakawa Chocolate House
​(Santa Fe, NM - during our New Mexico Road Trip!)
You guys know how much I LOVE and LIVE for hot chocolate - the amazing blends and chocolate sweets were to die for - not to mention the fun we had getting all sugared up!!

The Travelin' Cousins with Kakawa owner, Tony Bennett (Oct. 2014) (c)travelincousins.com

Unique Hot Chocolate Blends (c)travelincousins.com

Dominick's of Little Italy, da Bronx
​(Bronx, NY - Tanya's Trip back east - July, 2014)
Oh, good old Arthur Avenue was our destination one Summer evening for all the cousins to one of the most legendary restaurants in Little Italy.  NO menus, NO credit cards, NO frills - but AMAZING food!

This meal was extra special since it included my nephews Nolan and Julian and Tanya's dear Grandma!

The "Cousins" outside Dominicks Restaurant on Arthur Avenue (c)travelincousins.com

Linguine with Oil and Garlic at Dominick's, Arthur Avenue, Bronx (c)travelincousins.com

Sauteed Broccoli at Dominick's, Arthur Avenue, Bronx (c)travelincousins.com

THE TRAVELIN' COUSINS HAVING AN ITALIAN DINNER TOGETHER. NOTE: OUR WAITER IN THE BACKGROUND (c)travelincousins.com

Glonojad in Krakow
(Krakow, Poland, European Road Trip, June-July, 2015)
Ok, so this was one of THE BEST trips I ever took! And traveling with Tanya, just the two of us, we really went to town on some vegan eating throughout our travels in Prague, Krakow, Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna. 

One of the best meals was in Krakow at Glonojad Restaurant, where we enjoyed fresh warm VEGAN Pierogies and Vegan Samosas and some yummy desserts!

Glonojad in Krakow, Poland - best vegan Pierogies (c)travelincousins.com

Vegan Pierogies in Glonojad Restaurant (c)travelincousins.com

Vegan Samosas in Glonojad Restaurant (c)travelincousins.co

(c)travelincousins.com

Well, my mouth is completely watering!!!

This is going to be quite a busy and fun weekend.  
Gianna's 12th birthday is Monday (as is my dad's 81st - they share the day!).  So, we have lots going on!

The barn tomorrow for a day a riding; Sunday, me and the girls are going to see Wicked and a delicious meal at one of our favorite NYC restaurants, Azalea.  

Going to a Broadway show has become a bit of a tradition to celebrate my girls' birthdays.  They are very much like their mom in their love for good theatre!  Wicked is a show they have literally been begging me to see for the past few years!  So, Sunday is the day.

Gianna's big birthday day is Monday, so we'll be having a family dinner and cake that evening, with the celebration continuing into Tuesday, when she will be bringing in a cookie cake to enjoy with her classmates!

On that happy note, I'm going to bid you adieu.  Girls have a half day today so I've got to be on my way!!

Enjoy and wishing you lots of great meals!!

-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 6 DAYS

A Look Ahead

Hiya Guys!

Guess what - I had absolutely no time to pack yesterday! UGH
The day was just filled to the absolute brim with things to do and there was just no time whatsoever. 

I also had to get the kids to a call time and they had a performance in celebration of Israel's 68th Birthday.

The venue (the Jewish Community Center) didn't have a stage and wasn't quite designed for such an event/performance, but the kids all did an absolutely lovely job and to an overwhelming amount of applause!

(c)travelincousins.com

Luckily we have no performances on the schedule for today, and I really have no choice but to get my packing taking care of.
I went ahead and made my Mani/Pedi appointment for Sunday and I want to be all packed by then...you know how much I'd hate to mess up my nails!

Plus there is just no time tomorrow, as the kiddos have yet another performance with the International Peace Choir, and we've also got some shopping to tend to after the show.

And now what you've all been waiting for...
What to expect on Days 4, 5, & 6 on my Trip to Europe!

Day 4: Saint Malo, France
Activities - Carnac Stones in Carnac, Les remparts de Saint-Malo, Saint-Malo Cathedral, Solidor Tower, 
Meals - La Dolce Vita

Carnac Stones

Credit: Wiki

Within the small village of Carnac in the region of Brittany, in northwestern France, is the home to the Carnac Stones (pre-dating Stonehenge). 
This exceptionally dense collection of megalithic sites, consists of alignments, dolmens, tumuli and single menhirs.
This is where we'll start the day and find more than 3,000 prehistoric standing stones which were erected by the pre/proto-Celtic people of Brittany, and this also happens to be the largest such collection in the world!
With most of the stones erected at some stage during the Neolithic period, probably around 3300 BC, however some may date to as old as 4500 BC!

Keep in mind that: Archaeologists believe that Stonehenge was constructed from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. 

This is sure to be some WILD STUFF!

After visiting this ancient grounds, we'll head to the walled port city on Saint Malo (also located in Brittany).

​Saint Malo

We'll be spending the rest of this day exploring 
St-Malo, which is considered by many to be the most attractive channel port in France.
Built right on the ocean and enclosed by ramparts. With its cobbled streets brimming with hotels, restaurants, bars and shops, this city has been recognized on many lists as being one of the most Romantic places to visit. 

Also the birth place of renowned French explorer Jacques Cartier who is famous for exploring Quebec. And we know how much I ADORE Quebec.

I'm expecting to totally fall for this city!

FUN FACT: St-Malo along with Mont St Michel
are known to have the highest tides in Europe!

​Day 5: Honfleur & Mont St. Michel, France
Activities - Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel, La Grande Rue, Le Vieux Bassin, Old Honfleur, Ste-Catherine's Church 
Meals - La Maison Du Vert
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Mont St. Michel

Mont. St. Michel (c)travelincousins.com

Our first stop of Day 5 will be to one of my very favorite places in France...
One of France's most recognizable landmarks, Mont Saint-Michel.
Built between the 11th and 16th centuries and known as the 'Wonder of the West', celebrated for its Gothic-style Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel St Michael. The only way around this walled city is on foot, and it is home to small houses, shops, restaurants and inns on its lowest level.
It's a spectacular sight to be seen and it's really no wonder that it's listed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. 

And as noted earlier Mont St. Michel has some of the highest tides in all of Europe, where the tides can vary greatly, at roughly 14 metres (46 ft) between high and low water marks!
And from this shutterbug - I can't help but mention  how picturesque it is.

We'll then be off to Honfleur

Honfleur (c)travelincousins.com

Another lovely place, that will be a return visit. Because like I've said, although my list continues to grow with wanting new experiences, there are so many places that I have enjoyed visiting in the past that I just can't help but revisit them!

And yet another extremely picturesque location, known for its old, beautiful port, characterized by its houses with slate-covered frontages. Featured in dozens of Impressionist paintings, to quote Adrian Woodford of the Telegraph "If you've spent any time in major art galleries, then you've already seen Honfleur." 

Read what Elisa shared with us about this historic village, along with tidbits about Giverny (which is our NEXT STOP): 
Honfleur: A Charming French Seaside Town

Day 6: Giverny & Chartres, France
Activities - Claude Monet's House & Gardens
​Chartres Cathedral in Chartres
Meals - TBD

Giverny

Credit: Wiki

Of course you should know where we are heading - Claude Monet's Garden of course!
The Impressionist painter lived in Giverny for 43 years, and it was love at first sight, seeing it from his train window...the rest is history!
​
Since my last visit to this region was in the month of March and the gardens were yet to be open for the season or anywhere near bloom - I have yet to visit this amazing property.
And hopefully you can tell from the inflection in my text, just how excited I am to finally go and see this property of much inspiration...
Not to mention how much I just love gardens regardless!
For more information on Monet please check out this very informative and useful link on Artsy!

After what is expected to be a magnificent morning spent roaming the house and garden that THE Claude Monet lived at, we will be heading to revisit -

Chartres Cathedral

(c)travelincousins.com

Another UNESCO World Heritage sites, and probably the finest example of French Gothic architecture and said by some to be the most beautiful cathedral in France. 
The cathedral is also celebrated for its many stained-glass windows and sculptures. Because most of its 12th-and 13th-century stained glass and sculpture survives, Chartres Cathedral is one of the most completely surviving medieval churches!

(c)travelincousins.com

Upon our last visit to this beautiful cathedral, Dave didn't manage to mail a post card...if you've learned anything about Dave and our travels is that he sends home a postcard as his memoirs of travel. He seeks out special postage for each occasion and the most perfect postcard available.
​Not sending one from Chartres during our last visit was something of a regret for him and something that we are going to correct!

​And that my dears, is what Days 4, 5 & 6 are going to be filled with. Please be sure that you are currently subscribing, so that you will be able to follow my LIVE reporting from each of these fantastic locations!

Don't forget to come back and join me here tomorrow for what to expect on Days 7 & 8.

And do check out Elisa's column for lots of wonderful and DELISH foodie Friday memories. Here are a few more FOODIE FRIDAY meals that were totally memorable for me:

C is for Cookie - The perfect little cafe in Reykjavik, Iceland

Where you can find a Healthy Meal in Brugge, Belgium

A Win for Wynn

Until tomorrow,
​-T