by Penny Zibula | May 1, 2015 | Europe, Weekly Wow!
Diminished, but not Destroyed. It felt a little odd; standing on the subject of a French song I used to sing as a child. And yet, it was a bit like coming home. “Sur le pont d’Avignon” sang in my head as we explored the history of a medieval bridge that had defied all... by Penny Zibula | Apr 23, 2015 | Europe, Weekly Wow!
Serious Flamenco and Non-Stop Fun Make for the Perfect Party Orange and white paper lanterns alternated gayly illuminating the large tent. Tables were occupied by smiling, drinking, tapas-eating revelers. On the tiny stage, a man in a checkered shirt and tan slacks... by Penny Zibula | Apr 17, 2015 | North America, Weekly Wow!
Helping a Nation Heal. The black stone was smooth and cool against my fingertips, despite the warmth of that sunny September afternoon in Washington, DC. It was 2005, and my second encounter with the Vietnam War Memorial, but the impact of the experience was no less... by Penny Zibula | Apr 10, 2015 | Europe, Weekly Wow!
Madrid’s World-Famous Art Museum Finds a Way to Share Treasured Paintings with People who are Blind. The Mona Lisa was always one of my favorite paintings. Perhaps this was because there was simplicity and contrast that even my limited vision could see back in the... by Penny Zibula | Apr 3, 2015 | Europe, Weekly Wow!
A Sparkling Jewel Under the Tuscan Sun. The Gelato was cool and refreshing. Too bad the increasing heat was accelerating the sticky drips of deliciousness running down to my wrist. Normally, I would have uttered a naughty word, but since I was sitting on a bench in... by Penny Zibula | Mar 27, 2015 | Central and South America, Weekly Wow!
Watching the Panama Canal Do What It Does Best. It was a heart-stopping moment. Although a large tanker or cruise ship would have been much more exciting, watching the four sail boats and a tour boat entering the Miraflores Locks on their way from Atlantic to Pacific... by Penny Zibula | Mar 20, 2015 | North America, Weekly Wow!
A Picture Perfect Moment. The rising and setting of the sun has been romanticized through the ages. Even after Galileo put forth the notion that these phenomena actually result from the rotation of the earth. Scientific fact aside, there are many places on our planet... by Penny Zibula | Mar 13, 2015 | Central and South America, Food & Beverage, Weekly Wow!
So Exquisite, You’ll Forget Everything You Thought You Knew About Rum. Once upon a time, I believed that the nirvana of sipping rum had been reached with my first taste of Ron del Barrilito, a smooth and flavorful rum from Puerto Rico. Then I was offered a glass of... by Penny Zibula | Mar 6, 2015 | Europe, Weekly Wow!
A Multi-purpose Marvel. Once a castle, always a castle? Well, not necessarily. The Spanish town of Segovia is home to a historic structure that has lived several lives over the centuries. In its present incarnation, the Alcázar de Segovia (Segovia Castle) is... by Penny Zibula | Feb 27, 2015 | Central and South America, Weekly Wow!
Between a Rock and a Harness. Unable to get my right foot up high enough to reach the next crevice, I felt my left shoulder seize up from the effort of trying to pull myself up the rock face just a little higher. With a combination of resignation and regret, I let go....