Asif, the mid-thirties grizzly of a man, was driving our office's green Land Rover rapidly down the sun-baked and vehicle-beaten dirt road. I, the sole foreigner on our trip, assumed the seat of honor (and obligation), shotgun, while my trusted friend and colleague, Torialai sat behind me. Beside him sat Ustad Raqem, the principal of the elementary school which we were journeying to visit. It was July and each of us therefore had shed our … [Read more...]
Blundering in the Balkans
The sweat dripped down my face as I gyrated to the throbbing techno trying to keep up with a six-foot Serbian bombshell that had taken a keen interest in me, or at least my obvious American appearance. We walked out to the deck of the club, docked on the banks of the river Danube in downtown Belgrade to escape the heat of the nightclub and catch a breath of fresh air. As I took a sip of Jelen Pivo, the standard Serbian beer, my mind was fighting … [Read more...]
A Few Words About Botswana
As we talked to locals in Gaborone, Botswana's capital city, people were so proud to talk about the things they love about their country. "We are free here, our country is so peaceful, you don't have to be afraid," said one. "You can criticize the government, you have free speech, free elections," said another. Botswana is indeed an incredible country. Home to not only the most beautiful wildlife we've seen yet, including … [Read more...]
A Latin America Sailing sensation
A bi-centennial celebration in Cartagena Ten tall sailing ships arriving one at a time, greeted by marching bands, native dancers and thongs of Colombians on the pier at Cartagena, Colombia provided the spectacular setting for the 200th anniversary celebration of South America's independence from Spain that began in May, 2010. The Colombians love to celebrate and the festivities will continue throughout the year with much singing and dancing … [Read more...]
A Few Words About Mauritius
Full disclosure: We had never heard of the Republic of Mauritius until the day we bought a ticket to go there. When we arrived people seemed shocked to meet two people from the United States-hotel clerks, cab drivers, and vendors who've worked on the island for years said they never met Americans before. Yet, this is clearly America's loss because sitting in the middle of the Indian Ocean is one of the most incredible countries we've ever … [Read more...]
Hitch Hiking through Jordan
There is the Arabic world, the Western world, the Indian world, the Asian world and the African world. we are loving every minute of our time in the Arabic world. Greetings from Dead Sea high on top of Mt. Nebo overlooking Jerusalem City and Palestine Territory. Can see lights of this old city already popping out, about 15 clicks from where we are standing. We are near the John the Baptism site and at the Moses memorial. One … [Read more...]
Exploring the Diversity of Hawaii’s Big Island
We boarded the plane leaving for Kona behind a clean cut well-dressed businessman toting a RollAboard with a book tucked in tightly in the back. Only one word of the title showed, "sex" and this apparently caught the eye of a number of travelers as we heard hints of conversation and chuckles from behind us. But no one had the guts to actually ask this traveler for more details, juicy or otherwise. For those who know me, know the serious … [Read more...]
Shanghai World Expo – China Showcases its Place in the Modern World
With its management of the 2008 Olympic games a smashing success, China will, from May 1st to October 31st, 2010 at the Shanghai World Expo, try and outdo its Olympic success. As one of the Chinese workers at the Shanghai World Expo told me, "Like it left its footprints during the ancient ages, China is beginning to make its mark on the modern world." Well, he had a point. No one can deny that this country contributed much to the ancient … [Read more...]
A Few Words about Madagascar
Sometimes it's good to be cautious--and other times it's better to go with your gut. People told us not to visit Madagascar, that political conflict made the country unsafe for tourists. But we decided to go anyway because if we had listened to those voices, we'd never have gone to Nairobi, Kampala, or Kigali. We are cautious when we travel, but aware that our best and most eye-opening experiences are places well off the beaten … [Read more...]
Fundacion En Via of Oaxaca: Exchanging Culture While Fighting Poverty
I've been supporting women's microfinancing organizations since I first read about them about a decade ago and had to look up the term before I ran to get my checkbook. It seemed like such a common-sense way to make a difference in a world where you often think you can't. But the whole concept didn't became concrete to me until I went on an En Via microfinancing tour last November, after coming to Oaxaca on a whim to spend three weeks around Day … [Read more...]
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