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Beach Day
Back home in NYC—greeted by thunderstorms and a flood watch—I am thinking back to the last day of the Rome trip, spent at the beach in Santa Marinella. Just an hour outside the city, it’s a little glimpse of that Italian Riviera feeling. The town is charming and low-key, with umbrellas and sun loungers lining…
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The Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps are one of those places you’ll almost inevitably walk past in Rome—whether you plan to or not. Built between 1723 and 1726, the grand staircase connects Piazza di Spagna (named after the Spanish Embassy to the Vatican) with the Trinità dei Monti church at the top. There are 135 steps in total,…
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Trevi Fountain Rome
The Trevi Fountain is one of Rome’s most famous landmarks—a Baroque showpiece completed in 1762, built at the end of an ancient Roman aqueduct. Once a truly beautiful spot with architectural finesse, it’s now surrounded by people selling you the dreamy postcard version of Rome. In reality, the area is buckling under its own popularity.…
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Una Notte Al Colosseo
I’ve officially started my vacation—and I’m back in one of my favorite cities: Rome. My first evening combined two things the city does best: food and history. Classic Roman dishes for dinner, followed by a night tour of the Colosseum. The Notte al Colosseo event runs during the summer months and was such a highlight.…
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A quick doctor’s visit
The American health care system is something I think about a lot. It’s incredibly complex—and can feel unfair in how care is accessed and experienced. That said, if you do have good insurance—as I feel grateful to right now—the experience can be surprisingly luxurious. Yesterday, I needed an impromptu doctor’s visit. No wait time. Thoughtful,…
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Night construction
Only in New York is construction in the middle of the night considered “less disruptive.” When the sun goes down, the construction sites appear. The streets might quiet down, but somewhere—in my case, next door—someone is throwing wood planks, clanking scaffolding, or drilling into oblivion. In Germany, this would be unthinkable. The uproar would be…
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4th of July
This Fourth of July, I found myself not at a backyard barbecue or watching fireworks like in past years, but at a Mexican restaurant—enjoying one of the best tuna ceviches I’ve ever had, alongside tacos, quesadillas, and queso fundido. We sat outside, taking in the mild summer evening (a rarity in New York). It might…
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A Wave Of Pink
The past few weeks in New York have been a full-on heat wave—heavy, hot, sticky, smelly. Just as the city was melting, this fun little installation popped up on a corner lot: pink everywhere, in the form of flamingos, and common items you come across in the city. The artist’s idea was to remind New…
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Flu zone
Caught the flu and am feeling like this tangled mess of cones and caution tape—just add tissues, tea, and ice (depending on which fever chills are in charge—hot or cold, it changes by the hour). Everything’s foggy, sweaty, and my energy levels are near zero. But true to the American work ethic, I’m still trying…
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Garden Duty
Today was a little different from the usual workday—no meetings, no screens, just sunshine, soil, and a whole lot of teamwork. My company organized a volunteering day at a local community garden, and we dug, pulled weeds, hauled wood, and built things (not always gracefully, but we got there). It was hands-on in the truest…
Josephine in New York City
Me. In New York City. With excellent food and lots of fun!
Josephine in New York City 