While exploring Roman archeological sites in Europe and the Middle East, I learned about geothermal energy. Centuries ago, the Romans saw the value of this natural resource and used it for their benefit. For example, the Roman Baths, about an hour and a half train ride from London, were constructed in the 1st century C.E to utilize the thermal water with a temperature of 46 degrees Celsius or 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

What does autumn mean to you? For me, for years in New York, autumn meant the arrival of crisp air, the changing colors of leaves, homecomings, the impending holidays and pumpkin spiced everything. In San Diego, there’s still an arrival of moderately cooler air, you can drive an hour or so and watch the leaves change yet your fish tacos are just as tasty as they were a few months ago and your flip-flops never leave your feet. Here, summer reigns supreme and that outdoor lifestyle doesn’t change much throughout the year.

Nayda Collazo-Llorens, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is an interdisciplinary visual artist working in multiple mediums including works on paper and canvas, video, installation works, printmedia and public interventions, among others. Through her practice, she examines how our minds perceive the world around us, dealing with concepts of navigation and mapping. 

Just wait until you see the photos from our featured photographer this month, Scott Drummond. They are incredibly beautiful, and truly capture the essence of this extraordinary landscape.

View from Dynjandi - Wild Westfjords 4 Day Tour 

Writers, artists, musicians, actors, creative people of all sorts, often ask the best questions, questions which have to do with real values, fundamental choices, important relationships. As is true with any sort of art, these questions may at times be framed in poetic and indirect ways. Directly or indirectly, these works of creation help with reflection on such matters.

Last month, I shared re-entry tips for students studying abroad. If you haven’t read it yet, make sure to check it out. This month, I am going to share more about the stages of emotions you’ll experience throughout your time abroad.

San Diego visitors can see history come alive at The US Grant Hotel. This magnificent property, designed by Harrison Albright, took five years to build. On October 15, 1910, the hotel opened with a final price tag of 1.9 million dollars. After a handful of renovations in the last century, the hotel still maintains its grandeur and commemorates its remarkable history by showcasing images and artifacts throughout the property.

It’s October. For many, October means pumpkin spiced everything, apple cider always, and endless fall festivals. It brings about leaf-peeping season, Boston’s Head of the Charles crew race, and the simplest and grandest of costume parties. Having moved to San Diego, my October means the same as my August and September - just the way I like it, but it means that those who wish for the wonder of a crisp fall day need to seek it out to make it happen.

Pumpkin loves garbanzo beans – the proof is in the hummus. Add pureed pumpkin into your hummus for a subtle, earthy underlying flavor.

Pumpkin Hummus Recipe

The basic recipe is fast and easy to put together:

1 15-oz. can garbanzo beans

4 tbsp. tahini

4 tbsp. pureed pumpkin

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 tsp. sea salt

Directions:

Cape Breton Island is part of Atlantic Canada, in the far north of the province of Nova Scotia. It is a place where Mi'kmaq First Nations communities share the land with Gaelic and English speaking people whose ancestors came from Scotland. There are Cape Bretoners whose ancestry connects with France, those who trace their roots to Ireland, to New England, to other parts of Canada, and to other places in the world.