My Heart Belongs to Scotland – Glasgow and Clan Graham

November 20, 2025November 19, 2025 Mstldelano1 Comment

This is a continuation of my recap of my time in Scotland. After landing in Edinburgh, traveling up to Stonehaven, and enjoying some time at the Aboyne Games, my friend and I journeyed to Glasgow to continue our adventure.

Instead of taking the LNER train, we rode ScotRail. We weren’t able to upgrade our tickets for this leg of our trip, but we ended up with good and comfortable window seats. We were joined by an adorable young married couple – Lola and Hal – on their way to Glasgow for a fun weekend. We had a fantastic conversation and enjoyed the sights as we chugged along for two hours.

We arrived at the Glasgow train station and started the walk to the Maldron Hotel. This was our first time at a modern hotel in Scotland: the hotels we stayed in before (and after) this one were mostly boutique style and more historical. The sleek and modern decor was fun and fresh. We dropped off our bags, freshened up, and prepared to meet our tour group for dinner.

Our tour was hosted by Clan Graham Society, the organization endorsed by the head of Clan Graham, James Graham, 8th Duke of Montrose. The tour was organized to commemorate Clan Graham Society’s 50th Anniversary and was coordinated by several members of Clan Graham – specifically, Kate Graham and Kiersten Graham Dick, along with Gordon Graham – and every detail was considered with care. All members of the group, except for a few folks like me, have a connection to James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. Clan Graham is extraordinarily warm and welcoming, and I joined the organization as a friend of Clan Graham. My friend, who was my roommate for the entirety of the trip, has a Graham-affiliated surname, so she’s a member of Clan Graham and encouraged me to join. I’m so thankful for her encouraging me to become part of the group!

In our ten day tour, we visited sites that were historically relevant to Scotland as a whole, as well as sites relevant to Graham history specifically. Every other day or so, we traveled to another town or city, each one significant in its own right.

We enjoyed delightful meals at the Maldron each day during our stay (we were there two nights). On the first full day in Glasgow, we were supposed to go to the Isle of Arran, but the weather was unfavorable (one of the strongest storms of the summer happened on this day). While the group made alternate arrangements, my friend and I – still quite tired from our time in Stonehaven and Aboyne – decided to sleep in and explore Glasgow in the afternoon instead.

While walking around, we came across many interesting and old buildings that were photo-worthy. But, despite Glasgow being full of gothic, Victorian and art nouveau structures, the city has a distinctly modern, “concrete jungle” feel. It’s undeniably metropolitan energy gives it an edge and pulse that wholly unlike the laidback energy of Edinburgh. To be frank, I love both cities and will happily return many times, if I’m able.

After grabbing a delicious hot chocolate from Hotel Chocolat (complete with chocolate whipped cream rose, no less), we stumbled across Frasers department store, and I became an instant fan. As a lover of the department stores of yesteryear, Frasers reminded me of the kind of stores that are becoming rarer to find stateside. It was so nice to walk in and get an experience similar to Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Liberty or Selfridges. I found an amazing formal gown that I had to purchase, and had a wonderful chat with one of the sales reps at Frasers. I’m so pleased that we stumbled upon this store, because none of the other cities or towns on our tour had a Frasers.

Hotel Chocolat is always a must when in the UK

Once we finished shopping, we made our way back to the hotel. I snapped photos of interesting things I saw on our walk, including Nelson Mandela Place, a street named after the South African former President, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, and anti-apartheid activist. I also saw shops and architectural details that I loved.

Snapshot of Nelson Mandela Place street sign

Restaurant I want to try when I return to Glasgow

Before we walked the final block to our hotel, we stopped off at the DoubleTree by Hilton to check out their restaurant, Cask & Clyde. The menu had a fair amount of options, and I found a couple of things that looked good (namely, the soup of the day – lentil – and macaroni and cheese). I also enjoyed an old fashioned while I waited for my food.

I enjoyed my Cask & Clyde experience, and will definitely return when I get back to Glasgow. After we were full, we returned to our rooms and relaxed for a few hours before dinner.

The next day, we loaded our luggage onto the tour bus in preparation for checkout. Our bags stayed on the bus as we journeyed to our first stop on day 2: Mugdock Castle. This was the original stronghold for Clan Graham more than 800 years ago. The castle is now mostly in ruins, but Mugdock Country Park is still an incredible site and well worth the visit. The castle is about a 15 minute walk from the entrance. On the trail to the castle, you will see the remains of Craigend Zoo, as well as many dog owners taking their friendly pups for walks.

When we arrived at the castle, Clan Graham’s chieftain, Richard Graham, presented the caretakers of Mugdock Castle with a 50th anniversary commemorative plate. It was a touching ceremony and I’m so glad I got to witness it. Inside the castle, there are a number of Clan Graham artifacts, including a number of pieces emblazoned with royal crests. The site is a beautiful one that is listed by the Scottish Tourism Board. While the day was misty and cool, the walks to and from the castle were refreshing and picturesque.

Sign depicting the original structure of Mugdock Castle

Mugdock Castle timeline and sketch of James Graham 1st Marquess of Montrose

Closeup of crest which roughly translates to “Royal and United as One”

History of persecution of suspected witches in Scotland

Biography of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose

We returned to the main entrance building and warmed up with lentil soup, sandwiches and coffee and tea. The guides graciously answered our questions and gave us a delightful end to a fantastic day at Mugdock.

Chuckling with the professional actor outside of Mugdock Castle

We boarded the tour bus and made our way to the next city on our tour, Stirling. However, we stopped momentarily at Loch Katrine, then followed that with a later stop at a local shop which had some highland coos in a neighboring field, and I got the treat of a lifetime when I was able to feed those sweet coos!

Stop near the Trossachs and seeing highland coos

This full day of activity was only a glimpse of the magic to come on my Scotland vacation! I’m excited to share with you the next part in a few days, where I will discuss my time in Stirling. Until then, take care, and thanks for reading!

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My Heart Belongs to Scotland – Stonehaven and Aboyne

November 18, 2025November 17, 2025 Mstldelano5 Comments

This summer, I spent two glorious weeks touring different towns in Scotland. My trip started and ended in Edinburgh and, despite making the most of my time in Scotland, I always feel that I could have benefited from another week . . . or two. I looked back fondly on my trip, and I’m so glad I get to share the details with you all!

As I already said, my Scotland trip started with Edinburgh Airport. Despite this being my favorite UK city, this was actually my first time flying directly into EDI airport (I always choose Heathrow, since London is usually my first stop in the UK). Since this was a Scotland-only trip, it made sense to fly in directly instead of landing in Heathrow or Gatwick and then taking the train for 4 hours.

I started my trip by exploring the airport. From what I could see, there wasn’t much to do in the International Arrivals gates: it’s basically disembark, customs, and go outside to catch your Uber or taxi. I did find a couple of little shops and eateries in the main ticketing area, but most of the good shopping and dining were on the departure side exclusively, right beyond security. And, since I wasn’t departing, I couldn’t access that area until my return flight.

In any case, I got some breakfast and waited at one of the cafes until my friend arrived, then we were off to start our Scottish adventure. We took the airport shuttle to one of the train stops, then we took a LNER train to Stonehaven. We purchased our train tickets once we arrived in Edinburgh, since we weren’t sure if we’d have travel delays that would impact our ability to make our reservation. Once I familiarized myself with the LNER website, purchasing the tickets was a clear and simple process. As someone who has booked a couple of UK train tickets over the years, I recommend that you always upgrade if you can, and always confirm that your ticket has an assigned seat number. Otherwise, you may find yourself standing for the entirety of your trip (I’ve seen it happen to others)!

The two hour ride north of Edinburgh is charming and picturesque. One delightful part of the LNER train experience was our decision to splurge on first class seats. The seats were reasonably priced [even as a last minute purchase], comfortable, and the railcar had adequate space for our luggage. I’ve ridden a number of trains stateside, and a few overseas, but this was the first time I enjoyed a lovely meal as part of our ticket price. I’ve paid far more for shorter train rides, and trust me, there were no refreshments included!

However, the absolute best part of the ride, was the people. We had a wonderful chat with one gentleman on the train, who was going to Aberdeen, just a little further north of our stop. The train conductors are always so polite and helpful. Their personalities are one of my favorite things about train travel in the UK. One of the best experiences I’ve ever had was the conductor I met during the first time I came to Scotland, who helped me sort out a seating issue with the kind of professionalism and kindness I could only hope to encounter in others.

We arrived in Stonehaven and took a cab to the Ship Inn, a cute bed and breakfast overlooking a harbor. The cabs have a fixed rate during most of the week (only 5 GBP!) and will take you anywhere in town. We got to the hotel and checked in. Like many Scottish hotels, the bar is also the check in desk, so you can grab your keys and a strong beverage at the same time.

Our room was tidy and comfortable. Shortbread cookies and tea sachets were refreshed daily. The Ship Inn also had excellent breakfast options, which were suitable for my flexitarian tastes as well as the pescatarian/vegetarian preferences of my friend. We enjoyed a traditional Scottish breakfast daily, complete with baked beans, tomatoes, vegetarian sausage, eggs, hash browns, tomatoes and toast. After washing down the hearty breakfast with coffee and juice, we were ready to start exploring.

I failed to mention why we went directly to Stonehaven instead of staying in Edinburgh for a bit. During the 2024 Stone Mountain Highland Games in Atlanta, my friend exchanged information with Richard Baird, Commander of Clan Baird, who was visiting. He told her that there would be a highland game in Aboyne, Scotland, in early August, and the game just happened to be scheduled a few days before our pre-planned Scotland tour. So we arrived in Scotland 4 days earlier than originally planned, allowing us enough time to enjoy the Aboyne Games before starting the scheduled tour.

The decision to spend some time in Stonehaven – Richard’s hometown and the town closest to Aboyne – was a great one. The day after we settled in, we had a chance to meet up with Richard and his lovely wife Polly, and he gave us a fantastic tour of his beautiful home. We even had a chance to drive his ATV, which was perfect for riding over the hills and dips of his estate. We got to see the beautiful herds of sheep and goats feasting on the heather, and we even got to see a new litter of hunting pups that were born just a few weeks prior.

One of my friends from London had never gone to Stonehaven or Aboyne, so we met up the day before the games, and we all went to the games together. The Aboyne Games are a marvelous opportunity to enjoy a truly traditional highland game experience. Many of the games that you may enjoy stateside are HUGE affairs, drawing people from hundreds of miles away. However, traditional games were a local and more intimate experience, a small, fun community gathering that people cherish each year.

This year’s Aboyne Games were blessed with full sunshine and warm temperatures (almost 80 degrees Fahrenheit, a bit of an anomaly!). I had a wonderful time meeting some members of Clan Baird as well as some other clan members. Since we came from outside of Scotland, we were delighted to see an international tent. We received a personal greeting from Granville Gordon, 13th Marquess of Huntly and Chieftain of the Aboyne Games. We celebrated our time with a taste of Cock O’ The North whisky liqueur (after which, we promptly purchased our own bottles to take home).

I can’t say enough good things about my time in Stonehaven. I even got to try some fish and chips at Meydan, located in the town square. Sadly, I didn’t get to go to Carron: this restaurant is the home of the original deep-fried Mars bar! Alas, maybe I’ll get to try it next time. My only wish is that there were more things to do in the evening, but that’s just my night-owl tendencies talking. Stonehaven is a small, charming town, so I managed my expectations and enjoyed it for what it was. The easy, laidback energy of the town was soothing: I loved seeing the same few folks walking by the hotel, striking up conversations with local self-appointed ambassadors (the best kind of people) and taking in the harbor views.

We spent a few days in Stonehaven before heading to Glasgow, to start the beginning of the tour.

I’ll be back soon with Part 2, where I’ll discuss my time in Glasgow. Thanks for reading!

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Bubbly at Harrods: The Moët & Chandon Champagne Bar

July 28, 2025July 13, 2025 Mstldelano1 Comment

My trip to London earlier this year featured some quality shopping time at Harrods, one of my favorite department stores. This time, I added a new experience for me: a few drinks at the champagne bar. And what a sparkly time I had!

The Moët & Chandon Champagne Bar is a glittery space where champagne, exquisite snacks and fabulous people watching come together. I wasn’t sure whether the food would complement the drinks, but the snacks I tried were perfect (oh, how I wish I took pictures of the food!) The baguette, cheese and charcuterie, and lobster leaf were exquisite.

My friend and I both tried The Rosé Encounter. This flight featured three different rosé champagnes: the Rosé Impérial, Grand Vintage 2016 Rosé and the Nectar Impérial Rosé. I loved them all, but I enjoyed the Nectar Impérial Rosé the most. We received complimentary truffle chips as an accompaniment, and the earthy flavor played perfectly against the brightness of the champagne.

When I return, I’ll be sure to try some different champagnes, just to see if Nectar Impérial Rosé is still my favorite. Until then, I’ll have to savor the memories from this last trip to the champagne bar!

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Face-to-Face with Star Power: George Hurrell at the National Portrait Gallery

July 23, 2025July 13, 2025 MstldelanoLeave a comment

Several months ago, I went to the National Portrait Gallery and enjoyed a beautiful exhibit featuring women artists who spent time in Paris during the first half of the 20th century. however this exhibit was not the only one that caught my eye while at the national portrait gallery. Not very far from one of the main entrances was a hallway devoted to the glamorous photos of Hollywood stars taken by George Hurrell. His work perfectly captures both the beauty and mystery of these stars of the Hollywood Golden Age. Here are some of my favorite photos from the exhibit. Enjoy!

This photo of the radiant Jean Harlow greeted visitors to the corridor of photographs

This is one of my favorite photos of Gypsy Rose Lee

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The Devil Wears Prada, And She Is Glorious

July 21, 2025July 12, 2025 Mstldelano1 Comment

Earlier this year, I took one of my longest vacations (ever): I spent 20 days enjoying London and a transatlantic cruise aboard Cunard’s Queen Anne. The London leg of the trip was fantastic, because London is amazing. Trips to Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Zedel are always on the agenda, but this trip was marked by an even more spectacular activity: I got to see the live production of, The Devil Wears Prada.

Let me start this story by giving a little background. This trip was initially scheduled for a different set of weeks, but my friend had to change the dates to accommodate some new obligations. We had already purchased our tickets to the show, and we feared that we wouldn’t be able to exchange them for a different date. Fortunately, the gracious box office at the Dominion Theatre refunded the tickets and we were able to secure our seats for a different night (imagine trying to do that kind of adjustment here in the US: impossible!)

We went to the show and it was INCREDIBLE! The music, the fashion, the overall story, and the diamond in the crown of this production: Ms. Vanessa Williams as Miranda Priestly. She is ethereal, and her voice is perfect. The whole cast was absolutely divine, but I particularly enjoyed the actress playing Emily, Amy di Bartolomeo. Every note, every scene, every accessory was chosen with care. I particularly enjoyed a scene where the ensemble cast came out and were wearing the colors of the French flag (bleu, blanc et rouge), and they were careful to walk in a way that kept the blue first in the lineup (lest it be confused with the red-white-blue flag of the US). Those kind of details are plentiful in this production, and it would be fun to see the show several times, just to see how many of these details I can spot.

The music was fantastic, the venue was convenient, and the performers were all perfectly cast. My only regret is that I didn’t buy tickets to see the show one more time before I left London! If you’re able to see it, I highly encourage you to do so. Because believe me, the Devil wearing Prada has never been more beautiful!

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An Afternoon at Fait Maison Salon de Thé

July 16, 2025July 13, 2025 Mstldelano1 Comment

While in London earlier this year, I finally got to dine at Fait Maison, a beautiful restaurant that is perfectly Instagram-able (picturesque at every turn) and has an incredible menu. The restaurant has a menu that features French-Khaleeji cuisine. It was busier than I like (quieter meals in more spacious settings is my preference) but beautiful, popular restaurants are rarely quiet.

The restaurant has several locations, including one in Qatar. Since I stayed near Mayfair, I went to the Gloucester Road location (I went to the Salon de Thé, which is just a block away from another Fait Maison locations). I arrived during the brunch rush which, in hindsight, was a bad idea if my goal was to enjoy a quieter, more leisurely experience. That being said, the room was buzzing with families and “ladies who lunch”, and among the throngs I spotted Yvonne Osman (Om Waleed) the chef and proprietress of Fait Maison. A perfectly styled and elegant beauty, she looks exactly like the lovely caricature featured on the menu cover (that’s how I knew who she was!). She’s a swan in human form, and she floated through the restaurant with an inspiringly calm and self possessed energy.

For my brunch, I enjoyed the Balaleet and the Fattoush Salad. The Balaleet featured sweetened saffron noodles that reminded me a bit of chopped up rice vermicelli (I’m not sure what kind of noodle was used: I didn’t ask). The noddles were topped with crumbled pistachios and a few beautiful dried rosebuds. The combination of sweet, savory and earthy was divine. The Fattoush Salad was an intoxicating blend of lettuce, pomegranate molasses, fresh mint, sumac, and pomegranate seeds, served in a crisp flat bread bowl that the server crushed together tableside, before serving it to me. I wish I got a picture before the crushing happened: the presentation both before and after was stunning. This salad continued the sweet/savory/earthy theme, but also added a bit of tart brightness with the pomegranate. Both dishes tasted heavenly. With my meal, I enjoyed some tea and leaned into my people watching hobby: this location is perfect for viewing beautiful people enjoying their beautiful lives.

Fait Maison is such a fresh interpretation of vintage French-inspired dining. A meal here is like eating in a Rococo fantasy: the tables, wall art, and other interior design touches all create a dazzling effect that perfectly presents the Euro/Arabian style fusion that carries through the menu. I relished this experience and I can’t wait to return, so I can dine at some other locations and try some more of Fait Maison’s offerings!

Have you been to any of the Fait Maison locations? I’d love to hear your thoughts below!

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International Artist: Doff at the Embassy of Chad

July 14, 2025July 13, 2025 MstldelanoLeave a comment

As promised, I wanted to share some additional photos from my visit to the Embassy of Chad during the 2024 Around The World Passport DC event. Previously, I discussed what you can expect during the first week of the event, and some strategies for maximizing your time at the participating embassies. However, I was moved by the striking artwork at the Embassy of Chad, and I felt the art deserved its own post.

The Embassy of Chad is one of the smaller spaces on Embassy Row, but don’t let that fool you: within the modest space was a gracious staff and a powerful art exhibit. The embassy’s walls featured the art of Doff, a Chadian artist that uses trash and other found materials to tenderly capture the beauty and heartbreak of life in Chad.

Caption under “Flower of Evil”, detailing the artist’s inspiration

Flower of Evil , 2024 (Made of bullet fragments)

The pieces masterfully use materials as their own storytelling devices, a tactic used with gut-wrenching effectiveness. One piece in particular, “Flower of Evil” is composed of used bullet casings, a clear reference to the warfare that has haunted Chad in previous decades.

Artist’s commentary on the importance of women in Africa

The intricate metal work, heartwarming depictions, and intimate understanding of the heart and soul of his people all make Doff an artist to watch. He has a gift that allows viewers to not only enjoy the art for what it is, but also prompts the audience to think behind the aesthetic and technical skill on display in each piece.

Artist’s comments that contrast the violence of male adulthood to the tender playfulness of childhood

I’m so glad that I took the time to visit this embassy, and I look forward to visiting them again.

art · culture · festivals · food · international · life curation · travel · wine

DC Embassy Weekend – EU Open House with Passport DC

July 9, 2025July 7, 2025 MstldelanoLeave a comment

I mentioned Passport DC and the DC Embassy Weekends in a previous post (I attended the Around the World Embassy Tour event during the first weekend of May 2024). However, this post will share the fun I had during the EU Open House Weekend in 2024. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it to the embassies this year, but I’m so glad I will be able to attend next year!

During EU Open House Weekend, a few friends and I toured the Embassies of Luxembourg, Estonia, Latvia, and Croatia. We ended the afternoon with a meal at Mad Hatter, a cute bar with lots of Alice in Wonderland-themed artwork.

Each embassy had some amazing things to offer. Luxembourg had delicious beverages and fantastic tins of cookies that they gave away to visitors. I was also fascinated by their history with roses: as it turns out, they were once known as the Rose Country for quite a few years, and these exquisite blooms were often sent out as decorations to royal and presidential gardens.

Luxembourg explains their rose tradition

Perfect place settings at the Luxembourgish Embassy

Estonia was quite a treat: along with candies and beautiful modern decor within the embassy, they provided excellent information in flyers about this Baltic country. I was fascinated by the research that was published through Estonian universities, and the information provided made me eager to visit.

More exquisite art at the Estonian Embassy

The Latvian Embassy not only had dancers in the front, but they also had one of the most gorgeous tile floors of all of the Embassies we toured (I know that’s random, but I love decor). The mix of traditional and modern touches made Latvia a very special embassy to tour, and I can’t wait to either visit again, or go to the country in person.

Beautiful dining space at the Latvian Embassy

Beautiful oil painting in the stairwell of the Latvian Embassy

(From left to right) Flag of Latvia, Flag of the European Union, and Flag of the USA

As it turned out, a couple of non-EU embassies were open on this day as well. We were able to visit one of my all time favorites, the Embassy of Haiti, where a number of Haitian vendors were selling Mother’s Day gifts (this holiday was one day after the embassy events). I tried Askanya chocolates, bought some perfume, and just had an all-around great time viewing the Haitian Embassy again.

The Haitian art gallery is my favorite embassy feature

Glorious metalwork on the exterior of the Haitian Embassy

Our last stop on our EU “tour” was the Croatian Embassy, which had several beverages to try, wonderful art, and a fantastic setup for taking pictures. I was very excited to hear that Croatian cuisine heavily features seafood: as a traveler that often has to alter her diet in order to accommodate local food availability, I love that one of my favorite food options is readily available in Croatia.

The perfect space for taking a photo at the Croatian Embassy

Ending our day with the embassies at Mad Hatter was great! The food was solid, but the artwork really enhanced the overall experience. I couldn’t get enough of the Alice in Wonderland pictures and paintings.

Poster of Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland

Artwork from Disney’s Alice in Wonderland

That’s a quick roundup of the Passport DC EU Open House Weekend. I can’t wait to return next year and make my rounds at some of the embassies that I missed in 2024!

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I’ve Been Living . . . Well

July 7, 2025July 5, 2025 MstldelanoLeave a comment

Happy July to you all! I’m so happy to be back here, sharing what has been beautiful and restorative for me. Of course, I’ve taken breaks from blogging before, but every time, I’ve missed you all.

I recently revamped my finance business, and I’ve put a lot of time into research and development. So when I posted my last blog post (in February 2025!) I was in the midst of restructuring my business and when I finally came up for air, 5 months had passed by.

But, I have lots of photos and beautiful experiences to share over the past few months, so look out for blog posts where I bring you into my world. Because believe me, I’ve been living WELL. Friends, fun, food, travel: I’ve been enjoying all of it. So more posts will be coming this week. I look forward to reconnecting with all of you!

Have a great Monday, and take care!

art · culture · festivals · food · international · life curation · travel

DC Embassy Weekend: Around the World with Passport DC

February 12, 2025February 11, 2025 Mstldelano2 Comments

Craving some international travel, but your budget is saying, “Nope”? Want to enjoy some international culture without the hassle of dealing with TSA? Every May, Passport DC hosts a month-long festival that opens up the doors to many of the embassies in Washington, DC. As someone that loves attending gala events, I’m especially thrilled to do Passport DC, because, unlike the galas, no tickets are necessary, and you can visit a lot more embassies in one day than you could normally enjoy during the average week in DC. This post highlights my experience with Passport DC 2024, and yes, I will be in attendance for Passport DC 2025.

The first weekend of the Passport DC festival is the Around The World Embassy Tour. This weekend features many embassies from Africa, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Gulf countries, Eurasian and other non-EU European countries, and the UK. The doors open around 10 AM on the first Saturday of May, and most embassies will stay open until around 4 PM. The easiest way to enjoy this weekend is to start off with the map of the participating embassies: these maps are available either digitally (through the Passport DC website or mobile app) or in paper form. There are lots of signs located in the Embassy Row area, so you will have no problem locating the stands where you can get a map and a free tote bag (while they last). I like to gather with my friends at Dupont Circle (the park located in the roundabout is a great place to get your bearings and figure out where you want to go) and walk the length of Massachusetts Avenue. If navigating on foot is an issue, then charting your journey with a map, before catching an Uber to the embassies that interest you, is advised.

This is a family friendly event, so if you want to avoid kids, this is not the event for you. There will be MANY families out, enjoying the festivities. Also, if you want to enjoy the sample delights offered at some embassies (the Embassy of Cameroon grilled meat, and it had their block of Massachusetts Ave smelling heavenly!), getting to the embassies earlier rather than later is advised. The lines get long and there’s always a risk that the embassy may run out of whatever it is that you want to sample. I got to try Sri Lankan tea and snacks, Haitian soup joumou, and Jamaican rum during my last visit.

Art adorning the walls at the Haitian Embassy (this embassy is always a must-see!)

This year, I went to the Embassies of Chad, Haiti, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, and the UK. In previous years, I’ve visited the Haitian and Kenyan Embassies. My only regret is not starting earlier in the day: I would have loved to take in even more international culture.

The Chadian Embassy (it will get its own post soon!)

Statue of Mustafa Ataturk at The Embassy of Türkiye (Turkey) – here’s hoping I’ll be able to visit the embassy AND the country in the future

Statue of Nelson Mandela outside of the Embassy of South Africa

Winston Churchill at the Embassy of the United Kingdom

My day with the embassies ended with a delicious lunch at Rakuya, a Japanese restaurant that serves fresh, delicious meals. You will want to get here a bit earlier, too: they stop serving lunch around 4 PM, and shut down to prepare for the dinner crowd. Of course, if you have time to plan ahead, I recommend you go over to U Street Corridor and get some Ethiopian food, since most of those restaurants will be open after the embassy event until late in the evening.

I had a great time in DC during the Around The World Embassy Tour! Have you ever been to this festival? I’d love to hear your thoughts below!