If I Could Be Anywhere In The World Right Now...

A cloudless aqua blue sky meshes seamlessly with crystal clear turquoise water. Water so clear that it is possible to see the sand 50 feet beneath the surface. And scenery so perfect that it seems as if you are seated in an artificial bubble.

The Turks and Caicos fulfill my definition of paradise. The British islands are located 75 miles southeast of Miami, 30 miles south of the Bahamas and 90 miles north of the Dominican Republic. The past three times my mother and I escaped the real world, we situated ourselves on one of the many gorgeous beaches of the Turks and Caicos known as Grace Bay. I have been to many islands and none can compare. My travel agent of a mother has been to even more islands than I have and she continuously tells all her clients that they will not find a more beautiful tropical paradise.

Unlike many of the other Caribbean islands, the Turks and Caicos islands are better off economically. There is a lower crime rate, and the inner part of the islands are noticeably cleaner. It is actually rather expensive to live on the island. The prices for mostly everything in their grocery stores are much more expensive than the grocery stores in which I have regularly shopped.

On our way to our hotel from the airport, we stopped at a grocery store, Graceway IGA. Everything was so expensive. I thought to myself that this must be the grocery store for tourists. There was no way that locals could afford to pay this much. This assumption ended up being false. Our taxi driver told us that this is the same place he shops. He continued on to explain why prices for produce and other essential groceries were so expensive on the island.

Mostly everything that is consumed on the island has to be imported from other countries because the land is not suitable for agriculture. I am not sure of exactly why this is the case. I have read that agriculture declined on the islands since hurricane Donna way back in 1960. Also, the soil composition is a major factor in why the island cannot produce. They do grow some things locally, but they do not have the ability to supply the island. Because of the inability to grow locally, the cost of living on the island is rather high.

This does not prevent the island from having numerous incredible restaurants.

Coyaba, Coco Bistro, and Anacaona are three restaurants that will tease your taste buds. All three restaurants are expensive, but worth the experience. And each restaurant has a completely different feel.

Eating at Coyaba makes you feel as if you are dining in a secret garden. The restaurant is completely encased by foliage and dimly lit only by candles. The atmosphere is calming. Every

time I have gone to this restaurant, I ordered their appetizer gnocchi. They are mouthwateringly delicious. Thinking them right now is making my mouth water at the remembrance of their taste. Ever since I can remember, my mom and I used to make homemade gnocchi every Sunday. Some people call us gnocchi connaisseurs. So when I say these gnocchi are the best I have ever had I truly mean it. They are served in this round metal serving plate that comes out stemming hot because after the gnocchi are cooked they place the plate back into the oven to bake. The dish comes out with baked, but almost burnt cheese on the top. But as soon as that top layer is pushed around a smooth creamy sauce fills the space between each gnocchi. And when you place the gnocchi in your mouth, it is the perfect consistency...not too hard and not too soft...you don't even want to chew it because you just want to let it dissolve by itself in your mouth. The true example of a little taste of heaven.

Coco Bistro by far has the most unique atmosphere. At first glance, the restaurant looks like it is going to be inside a vibrant salmon color plastered house. But as soon as you walk in the door and straight through the next, the outdoor area opens up into a large spacious outdoor area that almost seems to form into a room because dozens of enormous palm trees come together to create an enclosed like structure. Tables are interspersed throughout the restaurant. And the vibrant salmon color plastered house looks like a make believe backdrop.

Anacaona is situated one step from the beach and could not be more perfect for a romantic dinner equipped with a mesmerizing sunset as the backdrop. This is the picturesque setting for the prelude to that romantic shoeless walk on the beach that goes along with the intertwined fingers and the love struck gaze (Hokey...? No!!). Even though I love my mother more than anything else, I did feel out of place sharing a meal with her while surrounded by love gushing couples. I still was able to put a finger on this dinner as one of those moments in time when you question how something so beautiful could actually exist.

I have used my memories of the Turks and Caicos as my escape. It is where I turn my mind when things are getting gray and cloudy. There are many more places in the world that offer that sense of mental release. But if I was asked where I would go if I could go anywhere in the world at this exact moment I would automatically reply by saying..."Send me to Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos!"

Majestic. Surreal. Tranquil.

Exploration Of My State Capital

HARRISBURG, PA - About one year ago, I went to Harrisburg for the first time. I have worked for the same law firm for the past three summers and last summer one of the partners in the law firm asked if I could drive him to Harrisburg for a meeting. I set my alarm for 3:45 a.m. in order to arrive at his home before 5 a.m. We arrived at our destination a little after 8:30 a.m. and I had an entire day to explore Harrisburg. Little did I know that it wouldn't take an entire day...

Just last week, I had the opportunity to venture to Harrisburg once again. But instead of walking around the city, reading historical signs and taking pictures I was just a stereotypical girl. This time, I didn't do anything that couldn't be done in any other city. I went to Barnes and Noble and I went to the mall. After purchasing three pairs of heels, a new pair of Nike shoxs, running pants, an outfit for vacation, and getting a pedicure with a fancy design I drove back into the center of Harrisburg.

The week before I left, I did some research on where I was going to eat lunch. I found exactly what I was looking for. The restaurant was fabulous! Mangia Qui is a tiny restaurant located on North Street. They have a few outdoor tables, which is exactly where I situated myself even though it felt like it was 90 degrees outside.

It was hard for me to decide what I wanted to eat. I was teetering between the Crabcake Caesar Salad, the Filet Mignon Sandwich, and the Chicken Diablo. I ended up ordering the Crabcake Caesar Salad and a freshly brewed iced tea. Great decision on my part for an extremely toasty summer day.

Mangia Qui also has a tapas menu. It is the first tapas bar in Harrisburg. I was interested in trying some of the dishes on this menu, but I found out that it is only open Tuesdays through Saturdays after 5 p.m.

After I finished my lunch and responded to e-mails using Mangia Qui's free wireless, I grabbed an iced coffee and ended my day walking around the city.

The capital building in Harrisburg is a beautiful piece of architecture. It is symmetrical and extremely decorative. There are many levels to the structure and the roof of each level act as public spaces. Picnic tables fill the second tier. While shrubs and flowers create small rooftop gardens.

Every city has something to offer. I am sure that if I went back to Harrisburg a year from now I would discover many more interesting and exciting things about this small city that is known as Pennsylvania's capital.

Oberammergau

Ten years ago, my mom and I went to a small town in Germany known as Oberammergau. There was a particular reason why my mom planned a trip to this area of Germany and that reason was to see a play that only happens every ten years: The Passion Play.

This particular play has been performed since 1634. It all started with a pledge to God that if He spared them from the devastation of poverty and disease they would perform a play every 10 years in his name. Over half the residents of Oberammergau take part and you have to be born and raised in Oberammergau to even be in the play.

At the age of 11, I remember sitting in this open theater among thousands. I could clearly see the outline of the Bavarian Alps providing the distant backdrop. The entire play was in German and it did not even matter. Throughout the entire production, I knew exactly what was going on. I did not have to read the English translation on the monitor that could be seen directly above the stage. There was so much emotion that it was facial expressions and body language that told the entire story. And at times, I would take my eyes off the stage to look around me and saw tears streaming down the cheeks of people from all over the world.

It was an experience that I would recommend for everyone. Religion has not played a large role in my life, but it has always been in the back of my mind. I was raised Roman Catholic...had my communion and confirmation, but I cannot remember the last time I went to church. I am still trying to decide what role structured religion plays in my life. But The Passion Play is a story and experience that everyone would be in awe...religious or not.

The next play is being performed this year from now until October 3rd and will not be performed again until 2020. My mom is going again this year. Unfortunately, I will not be going with her because I will be back in Syracuse beginning my final year. I am looking forward to going back to Oberammergau in 2020. I wonder what the experience will be like from the eyes of a 31 year old as opposed to an 11 year old...will there even be a difference?

Oh...the play is five hours. That's a long time for the attention span of an 11 year old, but for some reason it did not seem that long.