Influence & Inspiration 5: MOVE

This is one of my favorite short films ever made: a man's 6-week trip around the world "crammed into one EPIC minute." I encourage you to see this. And I encourage you to go out and see the world. I promise you won't regret it. I also promise you'll regret it if you don't.

P.S. I encourage you to EAT. The best way to experience a new city, a new culture, is by diving into its cuisine. 

ENJOY!

Travel Tidbits 4: Exceptional Estonia

The Republic of Estonia is in the Baltic region of northern Europe. I didn't expect to enjoy my short trip to Estonia's capital as much as I did. I can easily say it is one of the most interesting places I've been to, mostly for its simplicity and charm. 

[View from Toompea / Cathedral Hill]

I spent two days walking the cobblestone streets of its historic walled city, Tallinn, a Unesco World Heritage Site, taking in the art and eating everything in my path. 

The walled city is very small, quaint, walkable in one afternoon. I think that's what I loved about it. I felt exceptionally relaxed - if given the chance to, I would definitely return for a writing retreat.

[St. Catherine's Passage in the old Hanseatic town]

While doing some un-guided exploring, I was delighted to discover an underground art gallery in what used to be a monastery. Can you see the artist working in the upper left corner? It was such a wonderful surprise, his studio had so much character.

And oh, the food. Every little morsel was bursting with flavor! One restaurant felt like it was made for me, a true garlic lover. EVERYTHING on the menu was heavily infused with garlic, if not garlic-based. 

[Balthasar Garlic Restaurant]

[Cream of Garlic & Potato soup w/ prawns]

Garlic truffle infused duck, I love duck!

[GARLIC ICE CREAM w/ caramel sauce - I was surprised, too. It was yummy, really.]

There is a very popular restaurant called the Olde Hansa. It is absolutely touristy by definition, the waiters dress in medieval costumes and speak in old tongue (think Robin Hood), but boy has it got a tasty selection of the strangest entrees, and the yummiest dark honey beer! Everything was so delectable, delicious, and different, I ended up having both lunch and dinner there.

Probably the only restaurant I've been to with BEAR on the menu.

"Divine leg of pork with beer syrup," every man's dream.

[Pasta with a lot goin' on! Ashamed to say I forgot the name of the restaurant...]

St. Olaf's church was the tallest building in the world from 1549 to 1625.

[Climbing to the top of St. Olaf's Church]

[View from the top of St. Olaf's]

[My favorite little cafe / writing nook]

And we end with a little dessert... but of course!

[A very moist, decadent chocolate cake and a chili-cocoa truffle - that truffle, it's heaven in a bite!]

*** All photos were taken by Cara Manglapus and belong to caramanglapus.blogspot.com

*** All photos with Cara in them were taken by colleague, Andrew Schmitz.

Travel Tidbits 3: Weekend in Paris

Paris: a city best described in photos. I wasn't there long enough to give any travel tips (just one short but sweet weekend), but just laying in the grass and taking in the marvelous architecture was magical in itself. 

NOTRE DAME with my good friend and travel buddy, Mahalia Parcero.

The best part about Paris.. the dessert!

How I spend most of the time, everywhere!

If you only look

Beauty can be found in the most ordinary, unexpected places;

if you only look. 

Sitting on a step in Salvador (photo credit: Macy Yap)

Art on a street-step (photo credit: Cara Manglapus)

Short Stories 6: Under My Skin, My First Time

It is an absolute joy to entertain people of all ages with music that is timeless.

I was a ball of nerves the first time I took the stage as front-woman of a big jazz band. The thought of singing infront of a huge crowd at the Philippine Fête de la Musique was both exciting and daunting. On June 25, 2011, I embraced the jitters and shakily gave my performance on the main stage at Fort Bonifacio Global City, having just gotten off of a plane from Singapore, literally. 

The music festival crowd:

I was on that stage. (Photo credit: Martin Macalintal)

Thank you to Xavier Virata for these precious stills.

And thank you to Martin Uy & Steph Nguyen for capturing my very nervous first public note! 

*Thank you to The Executives Band for having me, and to Ricky Quiogue for the fun duet! 

*Also, thank you to Ralph Mendoza and the Philippine Young Star team for the introductory write up.

So I caught your attention with a deceiving innuendo, but hopefully this blog post is just as interesting as what you thought you were going to see. ;)