nstop

So new and shiny, with lots of skyscrapers, but very walkable. Was there less than 24 hours, so I need to visit again.

Enjoyed a quick day trip there earlier this month, while staying in Ixtapan de la Sal. While I did buy a few nice pieces of silver jewelry, I liked navigating the narrow, winding streets and steep hills farther away from the traffic and relentless peddlers near the main square.

Mackro is not only right, he is to be applauded to introducing me to the tastiness that is Thai Tom.

Be aware that their spicy-meter tends towards the hotter side of things, but that’s why having a thai iced coffee or iced tea on hand is a good idea.

The hat is still a bit skeletal, but the boots are looking pretty sharp with a new coat of paint.

I’ve been to every other “big city” in the U.S., but somehow I’ve managed to have missed Chicago. Especially strange since I have friends who are either from Chicago or went to school there. Someday I will make it there!

Next time I’m in NYC, I need to make a side trip down to Princeton to this notorious vinyl mecca. It’s one of those rare stores that cares more about pricing records to sell than having dusty old copies of supposed rarities hang from their walls for an eternity, so I always manage to leave here with at least one large bagful of finds.

Ice cream is to Boston what coffee is to Seattle, and that is why, latte-sated though I may be, I miss my hometown dairy fix. Nothing better than heading over to Toscanini’s after a show at the Middle East for some Earl Grey Tea ice cream!

A perfect place to stroll around and enjoy the greenery, peer out over the open balconies and, of course, take in the amazing collection of paintings, sculptures and other beautiful objects.

It can get pretty noisy and crowded, especially on the weekends, but I’ve never had a bad meal here. The goat cheese fondue is my hands-down favorite, though the coconut cream pie isn’t too shabby, either.

It’s only a short drive away, but I still haven’t made the trip up from Seattle. Some weekend…