• Pub Date: January 20, 2013
• Publisher: Marlayna Glynn Brown
• Format: Paperback/Ebook, 182 pages
• Age Range: Adult
Deeply personal, at times painful yet curiously quirky, Forty-Something Phoenix illustrates how passion can arise unexpectedly from the ashes of one life to assist in building another. This memoir redefines the love story; illustrating how love of self and another can create a profound sense of humanity. Marlayna takes readers from Texas to Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Montenegro, Ukraine, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Belgium and finally The Netherlands in a search for herself among others. Marlayna had been a single parent for fifteen years when she felt she had nothing left of herself to give. Drained and empty, she writes, "I'd reached a point in my life where something had to give, and it could no longer be me." In this surprising, brutally honest memoir, Marlayna shares all aspects of her six month journey across fourteen countries, proving age really is just a number. Readers will find hope in this true story that teaches the wisdom of creating and receiving miracles.
My Top Eight Favorite Foreign Cities To Find Love – Or Have Fun Trying
by Marlayna Glynn Brown
Many travelers seek a little amour while enjoying the flavors of a foreign city. What better way to see a city than on the arm of a local? Locals know all the best places – public and private – and are usually quite proud to show off their city. If a few sparks fly, light a fire and really get to know the country!
Budva, Montenegro
Summer in Budva is one loud, giant party. Don't even consider visiting the popular Montenegro Riviera city without bringing your bathing suit and dancing shoes. Spend the day at the beach on one of the hundreds of lounge chairs, rocking out to the pumping house music while your cocktails are hand-delivered. In the evening cruise the main promenade: where you'll cafe bars, cotton candy vendors, restaurants, shops, bars and discos with go-go girls. With the reputation for the most millionaires per capita in Europe – 500 in a town of 22,000 – who knows who you might meet?
Positano, Italy
Although this Amalfi Coast city has become quite popular it certainly doesn't detract from its ambient romantic charm. Lovely climate, picturesque views, homemade limoncello and amazing seafood make this walkable, hillside village a must-visit. If you don't bring your own lover, feel free to engage the locals. Just know in advance that they will not tell you their real first names. As explained to me by a young Italian male, their lifecycle is such: live at home and enjoy life and work hard until marriage. Marriage includes the 'love years' where a man dedicates his life to his wife and children. After the children have grown the man returns to working hard and enjoying life again. The locals are irresistable but don't say you weren't warned!
Budapest, Hungary
Nicknamed “Paris of the East” due to its lovely lights and architecture, Budapest has grown increasingly popular among European youths. With so many museums, parks, Turkish baths and monuments to experience, you could walk for days without using public transportation at all. Budapest is quite inexpensive compared to some of its major European counterparts which means you'll have more money to spend eating, drinking and mingling with the natives. The Hungarian people are known for their style and beauty – go see for yourself.
Makarska, Croatia
All of Croatia is breaktakingly lovely, and the Markarskan Riviera is certainly no exception. Aside the crystal-clear Adriatic sea, this town boasts fresh organic food, native Croatian wines, and delectable seafood. The active will enjoy parasailing, rafting, kayaking and the ever popular nude sunbathing. The towering Biokovo mountain range behind Markarska includes the Nature Park – great for hiking, exploring or visiting the tiny church at the top. Cruise along the main promenade in the afternoons and evenings and meet a new friend or two. If you're feeling adventurous, be sure to board one of the Island Fish Picnic tours for a lovely day spent touring a couple of Croatia's more than 1200 islands and dining on unbelievably tasty fresh grilled fish. Most of these tours offer unlimited wine so beware!
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is a city rich with history that makes for enjoyable days exploring by the side of a knowledgable host. Although it's definitely worthwhile to see the common tourist sites in one of Europe's largest cities – bridges, cathedrals, and the biggest ancient castle in the world – be sure to veer from the trodden path. Outside of the mulled wine and absinthe bars in the tourist zones you can gift yourself with visits to working man's pubs for lunch, dinner or beer. Hear some music playing? Stop in to see what's going on where you'll likely find cheap beer, Czech patrons who bring their dogs along, and friendly people. I was lucky enough to be taken to an unmarked secret 'tea room' on the fifth floor of a walkup. I'd tell you where it is, but then I'd have to – you know.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini is on my list only because there isn't much to do on this island other than be in love. I accompanied a recently-divorced friend to Santorini and we had to laugh when we found ourselves together in a double bed in one of Santorini's many romantic bungalows. Although we filled our days riding quads, exploring the red, white and brown beaches and taking a tour to the lava island, we both vowed we would never return to this romantic island without bringing a sure-thing lover along.
Munich, Germany
One word: Oktoberfest. Another word: Beer. A final couple of words: Beer is the ultimate language translator. Get thee to Oktoberfest, otherwise known as Sausagefest.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
This ancient city boasts miles of a coastline so lovely you won't want to do anything but sit at one of the bars situated on the rocks above the sea, drink a refreshment and enjoy the sea, the sun and the air. Of course you will do other things such as enjoy strolling along Stradun at night, dining on grilled or stuffed squid, drinking local Croatian wine or eating Extra Black ice cream. Feel like dancing? Hit up Culture Club Revelin – a wild club in one of Dubrovnik's old forts where you'll meet people from every country imaginable and watch dancers in stilts, in cages and on bars perform amazing acts.
Marlayna Glynn Brown is a mother of four, author, screenwriter, actress, producer, poet, yogi and photographer. Marlayna was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada but now lives wherever she lays her head.
Marlayna's latest release, Forty-Something Phoenix: A Travel Memoir, takes readers from Texas to Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Montenegro, Ukraine, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Belgium and finally The Netherlands in a search for self among others.
Her other works include the wildly beloved memoir trilogy: Overlay - A Tale of One Girl's Life in 1970s Las Vegas, City of Angeles and Big as All Hell and Half of Texas.
Her 2009 short film, People That do Something, is based upon a chapter from Overlay and can be viewed on Youtube.
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