Lauren&Hyrum

Let me get straight to the point, here. Dubai is overwhelming. I lived in New York City when I was 18 years old (cough cough that was in 2001) and it was overwhelming before anyone did anything crazy. What I'm saying, I guess, is that I have experienced a place that is in its nature, overhwelming. But its surprising to experience it. Dubai isn't one of the world's biggest and most central cities. It isn't a world power in itself because of its proximity to shipping routes and its luck in its landscape in relation to the drift of human history. Dubai was, according to my native guide,  "...sand, until 1973. Literally just sand." This trip that began with Taylor Swift and ended at the Great Pyramids, had a long layover in Dubai. It was just a layover and wasn't supposed to be this whole experience. Although I was really excited to go there.  Okay let's get on with it. Flying for days on end is awful, so my genius and sweet-as-candy-to-my-soul-s

It's insane that I flew my 12-year-old to Zurich to see Taylor Swift.  I just want it to be clear up front that I realize what madness that is.  We made dozens of friendship bracelets; we studied footage of the tour and made a dress to match one of Taylor's from Georgia's favorite Era. I made a top that was inspired by my favorite thing I've ever seen Taylor wear.  But, how?  How did we get to a place where we decided "Yes.  Flying to Europe to see a concert." It happened in a MacDonald's play place, very much like the one I'm sitting in, now. Taylor fever was rampant at Georgia's school.  Taylor's birthday was unofficially designated Taylor Swift Day.  Her math teacher was adding to the whole thing by passing out Friendship Bracelets From a Real Taylor Swift Concert.  Because Taylor was touring in the US last summer/fall.  I thought the tour was over.  Nobody was talking about it anymore. But my daughter looked her beautiful eyes into my cute