The author recounts their journey through Andalusia, Spain, highlighting the romantic allure and diverse beauty of the region. Their 14-day itinerary covered Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga, and Jerez de la Frontera. While they enjoyed the scenery, food, and new experiences, the unwelcoming attitude of locals tempered their enthusiasm.

Before I went to Lima, Peru everything I read said there was absolutely no reason to spend much time in the city. Stay a day or two and go on to more interesting places like Machu Picchu and the Amazon, they said. I, however, have never been one to follow the crowd. I’m a city girl, and I like to travel slowly. So I spent nearly three weeks exploring Lima, and I don’t regret the time spent there at all. This is what I did!

Although the black population in Peru is largely invisible, the influence of Afro-Peruvian peoples permeates the culture. From food, to music, to dance, and language, Afro-Peruvians have left their mark on the country. While in Lima, I learned that there is a town about three hours south that is considered the cultural capital of Afro-Peruvian traditions – El Carmen. 

Every Spanish-speaking country that I visit, I buy a book by an author from that country. Since I am still working my way towards obtaining Spanish fluency, I like this little ritual because it gives me more practice material, and helps me to learn and connect more with the culture of the place.