My favorite color is blue. It is the color of sunny skies, blue jays (my favorite kind of bird), blueberries, Kentucky grass, and lakes.

But if all lakes are blue, than what do I call THIS?

Mykonos. The word slides off my tongue, chunky and yet smooth, like a hokey pokey ice cream. The exotic name describes the Greek island perfectly: a paradise in the middle of the Aegean Sea. Accessible only by boat and plane, Mykonos is truly the hidden gem of the Mediterranean.

The entrance to the room is chilling, a welcoming escape from the sweltering heat outside. An imposing archway is inscribed with the rhyme Nós ossos que aqui estamos, pelos vossos esperamo, and the walls of the chapel can be seen beyond. As you step into the dimly lit space, and see the macabre contents, it is surprising that you do not faint dead away.

The Matanzas Festival of Origins in Santiago de Cuba takes place from 18-20 of September and covers a huge range of events, from seminars for academics to street parades and dancing for tourists. It is an opportunity for visitors curious about Cuba's diverse ethnic heritage to learn more.

I wait. For our instructor. For the chance to hit the waves. I wait impatiently. Through the longest 15 minutes of my life as our instructor teaches the proper way to raise (the surfing slang for standing up), the proper way to paddle out, the proper stance on the board. I wait as he finishes up the instructions. Finally, we get to hit the water.

Florida Culture for the Week of September 9, 2013 by Josh Garrick

Sept. 10 – Rockaway’s Table Talk … with Free Breakfast

Summer. Everyone has their own tradition. Many travel to exotic destinations 'round the globe. Others like to soak up the sun with pool parties, long days with friends on the beach, BBQs, and maybe an occasional moonlit party, topped of course with that godawful summer pop playlist you only listen to for those few months.

Context, organizer of critically acclaimed walking tours, expands its Barcelona culinary program with a new walk on the city’s tapas scene, Pica-Pica in Poble Sec, led by its network of chefs, food writers, or gastronomes.