Kim McMahill

Vigo is a city located in the Galicia region on Spain’s northwest coast. One of t he highlights of Vigo is Castro fortress which was built in 1665 to protect the city from the continuous attacks coming from the  British navy allies of  Portugal. This imposing fortress is located atop Mt. Castro and offers stunning views of the city and bay.

“In my view, the best of humanity is in our exercise of empathy and compassion. It's when we challenge ourselves to walk in the shoes of someone whose pain or plight might seem so different than yours that it's almost incomprehensible.”  Sarah McBride

Granada is a city in southern Spain’s Andalusia region. It's known for its medieval architecture dating to the Moorish occupation, including the Alhambra is a sprawling hilltop fortress complex encompassing royal palaces, serene patios, reflecting pools from the Nasrid dynasty, and fountains and orchards. Grenada is also home to magnificent Grenada Cathedral and the Royal Chapel of Grenada which is where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were buried.

Happy Valentines Day to all the romantics out there. If you don’t have better plans, be sure to grab a action-packed adventure romance and enjoy all the possibilities.

“Walking a mile in someone else's shoes isn't as much about the walk or the shoes; it's to be able to think like they think, feel what they feel, and understand why they are who and where they are. Every step is about empathy.”  Toni Sorenson

Cartagena is a delightful port city and naval base located in the Murcia region of southeast Spain. The city was founded by the Carthaginians around 220 B.C., and it boomed during the Roman period. The city boasts many Roman ruins which are easy to visit. One of the most amazing is the ancient Roman theater that was unearthed just 30 years ago in the center of the city. Access to the ruins is through a museum which displays many treasures found during the excavation. Magnificent architecture can be seen nearly everywhere you look, but one of my favorite sites was watching colorful kayaks assemble for an early morning race in the harbor. The scene was serene and I watched until the kayaks sped from view. 

Winter is in full swing. Many cope with the season by curling up by the fireside with a good book and a hot beverage (something I do and can highly recommend). Others day-dream about or go on tropical adventures, while many just embrace the season and get out there and enjoy winter sports. I lean more on the tropical adventure side than the winter sports side, and of course I write and enjoy the occasional jigsaw puzzle. How do you survive the cold temperatures and short days?