The Trekking Pawns' Diary

 As part of preparing for our upcoming trip to New Orleans, we decided to immerse ourselves in the city’s unique history and atmosphere by diving into The Seamstress of New Orleans . The novel, with its vivid depiction of life in early 20th-century New Orleans, has already proven to be a captivating read. But one particular detail in the book stopped us in our tracks—the mention of an extortion group called the "Black Hand." Were they a real group? And if so, how much of their presence shaped the fabric of New Orleans during that time? Library of Congress Being curious travelers (and now amateur historians), we started digging into the history of the Black Hand. What we uncovered not only confirmed the accuracy of the book but also deepened our understanding of New Orleans as a city shaped by resilience, struggle, and cultural fusion. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find t...

We love to eat—and trying new foods is one of our favorite parts of traveling! So, when we stumbled upon the book 50 States, 1,000 Eats by National Geographic , we knew it was the perfect companion for our adventures. This beautifully illustrated guide features 1,000 must-try dishes and drinks across all 50 states and Canada, complete with travel tips and mouthwatering images. From diner breakfasts and food trucks to fine dining and U-pick farms, it’s a foodie road trip dream! (Photo from Amazon ) (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.) Naturally, since we’re heading to New Orleans , we flipped straight to Louisiana to see what made the cut. Spoiler alert: there’s a lot to explore, so we’ve got some research to do over the next few days. But let’s start with the big picture: Founded in 1812, Louisiana is home to 4.59 million people and a rich c...

Whenever we’re planning a trip, we love diving into a book that takes place in the destination we’re about to explore. It’s our way of setting the mood and getting a feel for the place before we even step foot there. For New Orleans, the challenge wasn’t finding a book—it was choosing one! So many of the stories set here are steeped in voodoo, murder mysteries, and the wild celebrations of Mardi Gras. It seems like New Orleans has a bit of a spooky side, doesn’t it? (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.) (Available on Kindle, Audio, and Paperback via Amazon ) After a bit of searching, we found a book that perfectly captured the vibrant, mysterious energy of the city while also offering a fresh perspective: The Seamstress of New Orleans by Diane C. McPhail. Published in 2022, this historical fiction gem is set against the jasmine-scented backdrop ...

Hey there, fellow adventurers and book lovers! It's one of The Trekking Pawns here, and I recently am in the mist of reading the enchanting novel Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. As someone who loves to explore the world through the lens of literature, I am captivated by the story of Casiopea Tun and her thrilling journey across Mexico. This tale beautifully blends historical fiction with Mayan mythology, taking readers on a journey from the dusty town of Uukumil to the vibrant streets of Mexico City and beyond. Inspired by Casiopea's adventures, I couldn't help but daydream about visiting the places featured in the book. So, let's dive into a travel itinerary inspired by this captivating story! ( Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.) Uukumil: A Quiet Beginning Our journey begins in the small, fictional town of Uuk...

  Hello, fellow book lovers and travel enthusiasts! As one half of The Trekking Pawns, I have a particular passion for finding books set in the places we visit. There's something magical about reading a story and then seeing those locations come to life before your eyes. Our latest trip took to Paris , but this novel too me from the opulent mansions of New York's Fifth Avenue to the battlefields of war-torn France, all through the pages of Danielle Steel's "A Good Woman." This historical novel follows the incredible journey of Annabelle Worthington, a woman whose life is forever changed by tragedy, love, and resilience. New York: A World of Privilege and Loss Annabelle's story begins in the glamorous world of early 20th-century New York society. Raised among the elite, she lives in the luxurious homes on Fifth Avenue and the summer estates of Newport, Rhode Island. The descriptions of these settings are lush and vivid, painting a picture of a world of privile...

I am still thinking about "The Rose Code" by Kate Quinn.  Life back then must be so different, especially in London.  But the outskirts of London may not have changed as much, so I got curious and looked into Coventry, Keswick, and York.  I hope I can convince my other half to visit one or all these places while we are in London. I even made an itinerary of what we and you could possibly do!  Feel free to use it. I'll be writing it as if you're going on the trip. If you do use any part of it, tell me how it goes and if it's worth it.  (Disclaimer: The links from my search are scattered though out this post.   Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.) Coventry ---------------------------------------------- Exploring the hidden gems beyond the bustling streets of London is like unraveling the pages of Mab's and Olsa's adventurous l...

Are you a fan of "The Rose Code" by Kate Quinn? I just finished reading it and highly recommend it!! This historical fiction mystery novel takes you on a thrilling journey through the lives of three female codebreakers during World War II, and their quest to uncover a traitor. The heart of this captivating story is none other than Bletchley Park, where secrets were decoded, friendships were formed, and betrayals were uncovered. Bletchley Park: The Epicenter of Codebreaking Bletchley Park, located just 50 miles north of London in Milton Keynes, is where history was made. During WWII, it served as the principal center for Allied codebreaking, and it was here that brilliant minds like Alan Turing worked tirelessly to decode the enemy's secret messages. The famous German Enigma and Tunny machines were no match for the relentless efforts of the codebreakers at Bletchley Park. A Journey Through Time Today, Bletchley Park stands as a living testament to the incredible achievemen...