vivalasteph's VirtualTourist Home Page

In May I reached the 20 year mark of living in Boston. I moved here three weeks after I graduated from college in Pennsylvania. It felt like home the minute I arrived, and still captures my interest and fulfills my need for culture. It is expensive, but the benefits far outweigh this.

I took my first trip to Europe at age 35, after years of having excuses not to travel. Now I can't stop! I must go at least once a year or I begin to shrivel and die. I do throw in some trips around the US to support our flagging economy. Ha.

These are a few of my favorite things...or at least the ones I'll admit to!

Travel, photography, architecture, art, music, movies, books (borderline obsession here), wine and beer, Monty Python, Benny Hill, sick jokes, urban legends, Brit Chick Lit, the New England Patriots, English Premier League football (go Chelsea!!).

Favorite place I've been: Barcelona
Dream destinations: Easter Island, Egypt, Venice
Favorite artists: Goya, Miro, Morris Louis, Lichtenstein, Arthur Dove, Turner
Endless admiration for: Robert Capa
Favorite architects: Gaudi, Barragan, Gehry, Calatrava, Hawksmoor
Favorite movies: Murder by Death, The Women, Suspiria, Rushmore, Sixteen Candles, Carnival of Souls, Boogie Nights, Young Frankenstein, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Candyman, Airplane

Confession: I have never seen ET or Forrest Gump
Favorite bands: Nine Inch Nails, Stereophonics, U2, Radiohead, Coldplay, Etta James, The Doves, God's Little Joke (sorry, a plug for my friends band), Massive Attack, Moby, Patsy Cline, spanish guitar, Beta Band
Food: I am on a lifelong search for the perfect cheeseburger.
Man I am secretly married to: Johnny Depp (please don't tell - the paparazzi will be unbearable)

I took this picture right after a blizzard last November. The Fens is a great neighborhood to live in, and a good place to feel the combination of urban and rural life, while being right in the middle of it all.

Barcelona is the first city in Europe that I visited, and has yet to be replaced in my heart. If you haven't gone, go!

What can you say about Florence? It's perfect.

For several years I visited London and stood underneath this amazing contraption. Last November I found no line, no rain, and a hint of blue in the sky. It is a truly memorable experience!

If you're not looking for fun, or the best beer anywhere, don't go.

Paris is another of my favorite cities. Wine, food, beautiful architecture, and friendly people, no matter what most Americans say!