Local, Near and Far: Our journey of exploring the world.

Category: Hidden Gems (Page 2 of 9)

local favorites that are off the beaten path. or are not the tourist traps

Why You Should Visit Kosovo: Prishtina

Guest Blogger and my good friend John Seale bring us a four part series on his recent journeys, beginning with a brief layover in Vienna and continuing today in Prishtina, Kosovo. John is one of my frequent travel partners, from across Texas to the other side of the world (2 trips to Kenya). From Texas to Beyond is excited to bring you his unique perspectives on travel, along with some fascinating locations in Kosovo and Albania.

Europe is a small continent where numerous ethnic groups are smashed together in close proximity. The Balkans are the same way, but on an even smaller scale. The sheer number of countries that Yugoslavia broke into (7) tells you how diverse the region is. My wife and I had the opportunity to visit Kosovo and Albania in 2015, as my sister has lived there for a number of years. Kosovo is ethnically and linguistically Albanian, but for several years it was yoked with Serbia, with whom they share almost nothing except mutual dislike. Since their independence, Kosovo is now a nearly unknown destination for tourists.

Prishtina, Kosovo - The Newborn Statue, a Make-Your-Own-Art Kind of Thing

The Newborn Statue, a Make-Your-Own-Art Kind of Thing

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Hiking at Palmetto State Park

Central Texas is filled with countless little-known gems. Palmetto State Park is one of these places.

On a recent trip to Rebekah’s parent’s house, the excellent weather called us outside, as it often does. Instead of spending time at our go-to outdoor venue, the family pecan farm, we ventured out. Her parents had recently visited Palmetto State Park, the setting for a church picnic. Even living only a few miles away, this had been their first visit to this little-known park.

When they recommended we hike at Palmetto for the afternoon, I was excited to visit a new state park, grabbing my camera on the way out the door.

Palmetto State Park - View of the San Marcos River

View of the San Marcos River

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The Art of Paris: Père Lachaise Cemetery

I proudly introduce my sister, Rachel Cabal, as a guest blogger.  Mom and Dad would would pile us in the van and take off for 1-2 week vacations across the US.  They officially gave us the travel bug.  We have spent time traveling in Texas, Belize, and recently met up in Madrid.  From Texas to Beyond is excited to bring you her unique perspectives as an incredibly talented care giver for the aging.  Rachel is a Licensed Recreational Coordinator for skilled nursing units, specializing in geriatrics.  Today Rachel is sharing her perspective on The Art of Paris.

Every day I get to go to work and encounter elders. I hear stories about spirituality, life’s work, family, loss and celebration, and TRAVEL. Reminiscing about travel is a favorite activity for our elders and they invite me to present my impressions of places they traveled years before. In my Paris presentation, I included Père Lachaise Cemetery.

You might imagine that a review of a cemetery wouldn’t be an interesting topic for folks in their later years, but I love to share that I understand death to be a part of life and that cemeteries are tangible celebrations of lives. Père Lachaise is a visual, physical, and spiritual experience not to be missed when visiting Paris.

Père Lachaise Cemetery - Jim Morrison's Grave

Jim Morrison’s Grave

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The Art of Paris: Monet’s Water Lilies at the Musée de l’Orangerie

The third art museum in The Art of Paris series is least known of the four museums we visited during our visit to Paris. Inside an old converted green house, the Musée de l’Orangerie offers Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces with less crowds.

While not as popular as the Musée d’Orsay’s Impressionist collection, l’Orangerie includes significant works by numerous French painters.

However, the headliner of the gallery is Claude Monet.

Rebekah at the Musée de l'Orangerie

Rebekah at the Musée de l’Orangerie

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Method Coffee

The last leg of our day trip to Deep Ellum took us just north of the neighborhood to Method Coffee.

Method Coffee 6

Matt and I have gotten into a habit of trying to explore new coffee shops or bakeries when we have some down time. With the baby in tow, it is the perfect way to get out of the house and try something new. Needing a final stop for our day in Dallas, Matt suggested Method Coffee. We hadn’t been before, but had heard about it and driven by, so we were excited to add it to the agenda.

Even after a long day of standing in line for BBQ at Pecan Lodge, enjoying the brews at Deep Ellum Brewing Co., and generally being in the heat, Method was a welcome haven for tasty drinks, air conditioning, and great conversation about the direction of From Texas to Beyond.

Method Coffee 8Method Coffee is nestled in between Deep Ellum, Bryan Place, and Old East Dallas neighborhoods at the intersection of Ross Ave. and Hall Street. With a large sign on the side of the building, it isn’t easily missed. Inside, the cozy atmosphere seats about 20 people. The seating arrangements aren’t meant for larger groups, but it seemed a popular place for individuals to be productive whether they were there to read, work, or visit with a friend.

Don’t expect to see the menu overhead, instead you’ll take in the ambiance of the brick wall with neat shelving that features some of the various methods they use to make coffee. The baristas were exceptional–they were attuned to the various methods of coffee making and explained very clearly the tasting notes that you might get should you choose to order your coffee via Chemex or Kyoto cold brew. A very small menu is available on the counter where you can select your coffee, chat with the barista, and pay for your item(s). As patrons, we were very impressed with their knowledge, passion, and dedication to delicious coffee, a hallmark you don’t usually see unless you’re in a specialty shop.

Method Coffee 12

Coffee Flight

Noticing the option for a “coffee flight”, Matt and I chose our standard cappuccino and the flight with the options for an espresso, the Yama (or Kyoto–a Japanese method for brewing coffee), house brewed kombucha, and the traditional drip coffee. Yeah, we knew we’d be loaded up with caffeine, but one thing is for certain, we take advantage of the offerings when we’re at a coffee house! David and Rebekah shared a chai tea latte and obviously, their hearts weren’t racing as much on the ride home.

Chai Tea Latte

Chai Tea Latte

Of the options we chose, my favorite by far was the kombucha–yeah–not even the coffee! I’ve only recently started to enjoy kombucha so I was surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did, but with the tastes of basil, citrus, and cucumber infused into the fermented tea, it was the most refreshing drink. Matt enjoyed the cappuccino the best: it was simple, smooth, and well made with beautiful artwork. David and Rebekah had samples of our drinks as well, but really loved the chai’s fullness of flavor, including the extra hints of cardamom.

If you’re in the neighborhood, and interested in trying a craft coffee house, we completely recommend Method Coffee.

Cappuccino

Cappuccino

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