Johanna

Catching Our Breath in Santa Marta

Travel

Our new hostel in Santa Marta is in a beautiful restored colonial mansion with balconies overlooking a swimming pool in the courtyard and a rooftop overlooking the city. After our trek, air conditioning feels like a gift from the Gods. It’s owned by two American brothers and has a very...

Johanna

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Hiking through the Colombian Jungle: Our Trek to Ciudad Perdida

Travel

Monday we’re off for a four-day, three-night trek through the jungles of Northern Colombia. We are hiking to Ciudad Perdida, an ancient city at the base of the Sierra Nevada that was rediscovered in the late 1970’s and only in recent years deemed safe for tourists. I don’t know what to...

Johanna

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Taganga, Four Loko and the Kindness of Strangers

Travel

Sunday we’re catching an 11:00am bus to Taganga, a small fishing village just outside Santa Marta. What I’ve come to understand about all forms of transportation here is that you really just can’t expect to have any idea when or what´s going on. Around noon a van arrives – we aren’t really...

Johanna

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Playa Blanca and My New Business Plan

Travel

Saturday we’re off for a day on Playa Blanca. First we fuel up on pancakes and coffee, another much appreciated offering at Mamallena. We’ve bought tickets through our hostel, but they must be exchanged for other tickets at the port, which must be exchanged for yet more tickets and something...

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Cartagena: History, Mojitos and New Friends

Travel

Despite a late evening, we wake up early, pleased to see that the overnight rain has made the heat and humidity recede. It’s still lightly drizzling, but that makes for perfect conditions for our self-guided walking tour of the Old City. It does look different during the day… much less...

Johanna

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We Have Safely Arrived in Colombia, the Country

Travel

We landed in Cartagena around 10:30 after a quick hop over from Panema. Customs delayed us just long enough that Nate serendipitously arrived at our exit right as we did, despite his flight being delayed over an hour. I was not questioned about my American contraband: three Four Lokos and...

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Celebrating the Colors of Summer: Pineapple and Cashew Quinoa Bowl with Tofu

Notes from a Messy Kitchen

This afternoon we set off for Columbia, the country. But before we go, I wanted to bring one more recipe! I’m sure many of you will be relieved to see that a) it’s not breakfast and b) it doesn’t involve protein powder! What it does involve is lots of vibrant colors and...

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High Protein Blueberry Muffins

Notes from a Messy Kitchen

Yes, I am aware that nearly every recipe I’ve shared with you over the last two weeks has been a breakfast recipe. That’s because breakfast is the best meal of the day, obviously. Sorry I’m not sorry. Even though these muffins look a bit like a wrinkly old man, I...

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Takeout Tuesday, July Edition: Toki Underground

Adventures of a Wannabe Foodie

Earlier this month I started what I’ve decided is going to be a monthly tradition: Takeout Tuesday. It’s genius, really. So often when you eat out in D.C. you spend twice as much on drinks as you do food. And with a big group you often wait quite some time...

Johanna

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Monday Morning Meeting: Soaking Up Summer, Beer and Cheese

Notes from a Messy Kitchen

My pants are tight, which always means it was a good weekend. And it really was a lovely summer weekend. Friday night, I spent on Laura’s roof top enjoying Prosecco and girl talk and eating an entire wheel of cheese. (BAXTER!!!) Saturday, we hosted the end of the year BBQ...

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