I am out of the suburbs and into the city—at the center of what I wanted. Staying with my host family forty-minutes from town was a gift. It allowed me to ease in and find a job in a protected place. But, I didn’t leave Asia for the outskirts or to be protected. I left to be exposed to the thriving madness of Europe. The flat I am renting is in the art district of Prague, three metro stops from the city center. The Vltava River is a two-minute … [Read more...]
The Rhythm of Prague
It’s Friday night. I am home alone and I am bored. Sitting still is not easy for me. I have to work at it. Even a good book requires stops and starts before I can slow myself down. I stop reading to check email or to go to the potraviny (convenience store) downstairs. Eventually the turning of pages becomes all the motion I need and I settle into the comfort of stillness. But, it ain’t easy. My plans to stay in on Friday nights never work out. … [Read more...]
Three New York Experiences
With so much happening on any given day, visits to new York City can be easily be organized by themes. This, the largest city in the United States is not a city that sleeps easily. There is something for everyone at all hours of the day and night. As it should be, the metro here never stops running - all day and night 365 days a year. You won't be bored here - New York is an eclectic mix of cultures from all corners of the world - one of the true … [Read more...]
My Name is Ali
“My name is Ali. I’m from Iran.” My mind went blank. What did I know about Iran? I tried to think of something. It’s a big country in the Middle East and my country, America, isn’t too keen on Iran. Persian carpets? The moment I was thinking, I looked around at my surroundings. A dozen of red Chinese lanterns were lit brightly and lined both sides of the street. Across from me at a mamak, Indian men were pulling roti dough around and around in … [Read more...]
War and Peace and Napoleon
I’ve always had a thing for Napoleon Bonaparte. After all, he was a pretty amazing guy. In addition to his military exploits, he oversaw the centralization of the French government, established the Bank of France, got the French people to accept the metric system (something I doubt even Barack Obama could do in the United States), reformed the law (the Napoleonic Code still forms the basis of legal process in a quarter of the world), and … [Read more...]
The Caves of Chattanooga
When I tell Lilia that we are going to view bats, she is scared at first. She knows bats only from horror movies and vampire stories in her favorite manga. All the same, she is willing to go. My concerns, as usual, are about accessibility. My daughter is deaf and uses a wheelchair. We are in the United States on our first mother-daughter trip. My husband and son are back home in Japan, busy with work, and summer school, and baseball practice. … [Read more...]
Johnny Barnes, Bermuda’s Waving Man!
We were recently in Bermuda and noticed a life-size bronze statue of a waving man next to the road. How many living people have a statue built in their honor? Johnny Barnes was a fixture on the island, spending his happy days waiving for 25+ years from a median grass strip near the capital city of Bermuda, Hamilton. He was still waiving to folks in his early 90's - and was one of the island's legends. He passed on in 2016 at age 93. Here is a … [Read more...]
Value accommodation in the UK countryside
There’s so much to see and do in the UK countryside, but if you’re travelling on a budget, the prices on holiday accommodation can be surprisingly expensive. You may really like the idea of booking a remote country cottage so that you can soak up the beautiful landscapes, but the price is often enough to put you off. Good news then, that there is an alternative – and that alternative doesn’t have to be a tent. There are hundreds of UK holiday … [Read more...]
Accidentally falling in love with the California Zephyr
I haven’t always been enamored with trains. In my past travels, I had been on several rails both in the United States on the east coast and also through small parts of Europe. Those times however, I was too young and naive to appreciate the significance and beauty of a well-placed rail. Now, more than three months into my newly nomadic lifestyle and about 10 years since my last rail adventure overseas, trains have become a larger and more … [Read more...]
New Denali National Park Tour Starting June 1
Windows Into Wilderness Tour Includes a Bus Tour and Guided Hike into the Park ANCHORAGE, Alaska - May 1 2013 As vacationers begin to make summer plans, Doyon/ARAMARK Joint Ventures introduces its new Windows Into Wilderness Tour. Beginning June 1 through Aug. 31, the Windows Into Wilderness Tour allows adventurers to travel deeper into Denali National Park in less time. The six-hour tour has been crafted as a suitable alternative for those … [Read more...]
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