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Madison, WI (Nov 8, 2025)

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Union Terrace Took the bus from Chicago to Madison, WI for a short one-day trip! Thanks to Shane for hosting me! FRIDAY NIGHT The traffic entering Madison was insane - it felt like I was in Midtown Manhattan. Turns out there was a college basketball game.  We had dinner at a Laotian restaurant Ahan. While we waited for our tables, we walked around Williamson St (colloquially called Willy St). We wandered into a Story Slam at Mother Fool's Coffeehouse, where people told stories about their archnemeses. Stories were fun to hear - ranging from encounters with police to a heartwarming bicker between two sisters! Coffee shop story slam Along the street, it was very cool to see former factory buildings turned into storefronts. The restaurant itself is in the historic building of the former Madison Candy Company. After too long of a wait (90 min...), we were finally seated. I really liked that Khao Soi Luang Prabang - super flavorful! Instead of the yellow-curry, coconut based Khao Soi at...
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Highlights of France (Sept 1-11, 2025)

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Highlights of the trip: Paris - so much to see and do! Streets are jam packed with cafes, tabacs, boulangeries, bistros, and brasseries. There are also many parks, monuments, museums, etc. Glad I started my trip with this so I had the energy to explore a good chunk Lyon - the food capital of France! Rich food culture, many famous French chefs trained here Marseille - diverse culture, almost feels like a different country! Lots of food I still have to try Provence (Aix, Avignon, Saint Remy) - people are more fiery here but you can also find more charming landscapes! Every tourist shop sells candies, soaps, and lavender - take your time and you will find a reasonable price L’Ecrins (the Alps) - such stunning beauty! Trails are well-marked and lined with refuges but don’t underestimate the difficulty :) Les Calanques - such precious well-preserved nature!! Next time, I’ll bring hiking shoes to the beach Other things I noticed: People read more physical books on the train and scroll ...
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Provençal Country - Avignon / Saint Remy / Eyragues (Sept 9-10, 2025)

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Anthony Bourdain sold me on the charm of the Provençal countryside. When deciding which town to visit, Saint Remy seemed to combine charm with convenience, as it is connected to Avignon via bus. AVIGNON Upon arrival to Avignon, we were met with the imposing city walls, which carried a Medieval feel (from the 14th century) that permeated the rest of the city. There are many museums and theaters in Avignon, with the Palais des Papes as the crowning jewel. It is a UNESCO heritage site, though it felt more like the economic powerhouse of the city than a site steeped in history. There were five tour buses parked outside - and this was the off season! It felt overrun with tourists until we finally passed a bar with locals enjoying beers after work. One of the benefits of a touristy town are shops with lots of crafts, trinkets, records / DVDs, books, and clothes. Avignon reminded me of some New England towns in this way. Coffee / tea shop - one of the many trinket stores in Avignon SAINT REMY...
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