Koln, Germany: Another Trip Around the Sun

Since it's still my birthday month, I am surely entitled to recap on MY very special day and the good time that I had in Koln (Cologne), Germany.

Being another year older and another year wiser, I woke happy and a bit hung over.  The celebrating had started hours earlier.   Thanks wardrobe team and Absolute Grapevine!!!

After reaching Koln and exiting the bus curbside, I asked myself, "how could I be so lucky?"  It happened to be a day off for me in Germany, and practically within reach was the stunning sight of Koln's landmark gothic cathedral.  Lucky me!  It was a dreamlike moment.  Our hotel, Le Dom, was literally, a stones throw away from the church.  Facing west, I had a front row view of the square and the evening sunset.  This is what I woke to every morning and said goodnight to each night.  It felt special,...and who doesn't want to feel special on her birthday.

Today's plan is to be pampered AND serviced,...and I say,....."Why not!"  I freshened up and pulled myself together, before heading out with the girls to Sukon day spa for Thai massage treatments.  It is within walking distance from the hotel.  I can't think of a more perfect way to start the day.  We got the works, head-to-toe body and foot massages.  After a couple of hours of professional prodding and kneading and twisting and tweaking, we left there feeling relaxed and better than when we arrived.  I'd highly recommend Sukon.  The spa was clean, aromatic and tranquil.  Secretly, I think it's becoming my birthday ritual to treat myself, or be treated, to a day of R&R.  I don't think there's a better gift than the gift of peace of mind, body and soul.

Following the spa we walked back to the hotel and met up with friends at the hotel bar,... where else.  

We got a jump start on drinks before strolling through Old Town to find a meal.  We settled on the Argentinian Steakhouse, Poncho's.  The place was packed.  Always a good sign.....  We waited briefly to be accommodated, managing to fill the time at the beer bar next door until our table was called.  Once seated we dined on lots of fine cuts of beef, potatoes, Malbec wine and sangria.  The restaurant was energetic and our waiter lively.  I thought that it was the perfect setting for our celebratory evening.

We stuffed our bellies and drank well before making our way back to Le Dom.  It had been a wonderful evening, and I am thankful for wonderful friends.  I might add that my day ended as beautifully as it began.  Literally, moments after entering my room to receive the spectacular nighttime view of the cathedral just steps away, the church bells sounded to the stroke of midnight.  It was that Cinderella movie moment without all the fuss.  There was no glass slipper, no pumpkin, and there was no prince.....   It was just me and MY church bells.  Yep.  For me, the sound of church bells ringing is special because they're synonymous with Europe.  I rarely, if ever hear church bells in America.  The sound evokes warm thoughts and good memories, and for that, I couldn't ask for a better ending to an already perfect day.  Goodnight Koln!!!  Sweet dreams and farewell.....

Los Angeles, CA: Rediscovering Home

Unlike last year, 2011 has me rediscovering Los Angeles, including my neighborhood. This year does not involve constant travel as did last. Instead, I am nurturing my home life, and learning to appreciate the comforts of familiarity in my immediate surroundings. I recently had the best day and experience retreating for some much needed pampering and a dose of detox. I, and my best friend, Tracey, treated ourselves to one of my new favorite local spots, The Raven. An intimate spa nestled in the confines of the busy city. It is a tranquil, unpretentious and perfectly understated setting, known for its traditional Thai massage, but offering a menu of services to please most, including select yoga practices,.....and it's only minutes from my house. I would guess that the experience is second to none, aside from being in Thailand. The Raven is hidden in plain sight, secluded and tucked away in a small building off the busy street. Once discovered, you're totally lured in by curiosity, setting foot into the narrow open air alleyway entrance and waiting area, decorated appropriately in a Colonial Thai decor of over sized, comfortable and lightly cushioned rattan wicker chairs and ottomans, tropical plants, aluminum water bowls for washing, a troth basin and rustic wooden doors, canopied with a bamboo trellis and ceramic painted floors. You immediately feel transformed. At the end of the corridor is the check-in desk where a simple selection of wares are for sell--cotton drawstring yoga pants, T-shirts and assorted mentholated balms--tiger, monkey, etc. Once inside, Tracey and I, were escorted to the massage room set for two, divided simply, by a heavy natural cotton muslin curtain hung on aged oblong-shaped iron curtain rings. There's no significance to the curtain rings besides their uniqueness and the fact that they matched the attention paid to detail of the decor throughout. We disrobed and laid face down. Moments later our one hour session of massage began. We had both requested the Swedish massage, figuring that it would be easier to endure than Thai, but to my surprise, The Raven's version of Swedish massage was a hybrid, uniquely incorporating Thai methods, making my experience intense, but nonetheless, enjoyable. Na Na, my masseuse, firmly but gently applied pressure to all the right places, kneading my sore tight muscles like lofty yeasty dough, then twisted and tugged on my limbs like they were rubber. It was oddly heavenly. By the end of it all I was so worked over that I was left feeling like a wet noodle. Excellent.
Following our services we dragged our rejuvenated asses a few doors down to Edendale Grill , a fabulously restored firehouse turned restaurant/bar, for appetizers and a cocktail, wrapping up the evening of quality girlfriend time.
It's nice to realize that these simple pleasures, are, and have been, always in my own backyard. Now, if I can only find a way to afford The Raven every week.....