Tonight, I had the great honor to meet with three of the volunteers from the Incest Trauma Center. We sat around a small round table for an hour and a half, just the four of us. I hadn’t planned for our meeting, except to bring a beautiful silver object I’d bought in Petra, Jordan last
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Read More »
Last night, I had dinner with four of my new colleagues from the Incest Trauma Center at an outdoor restaurant on a long esplanade full of other packed little restaurants. I ate some kind of delicious spicy Serbian sausage and a small salad. I couldn’t believe the size of the meat portions–talk about Super Size
A Crazy Serbian Stag Party? Read More »
Back in the Istanbul airport (I learned this was a “lesser” airport for connecting flights—not the main Istanbul airport at all), when they finally posted the gate for my flight to Belgrade, I made my way there and sat on one of the hardest waiting room seats I’d ever sat upon. I picked up the
Arriving In Belgrade Read More »
Okay, maybe it’s an exaggeration. Maybe it’s because I have six hours to kill here. Maybe and probably, it’s mostly because I only slept three hours last night. But the Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı airport in Turkey is really scraping the bottom of the barrel in terms of amenities. It’s small, there’s no free WiFi, and
The Most Uncomfortable Airport In The World Read More »
It’s 5:55 AM, Beirut time, and I’m finally settled at the gate, waiting for my 7:10 flight to Istanbul. From there, I’ll catch an afternoon flight to Belgrade. Even though all airports are basically the same, I’m looking forward to walking around the Istanbul airport during my four-hour layover. Everywhere in the world, big airports
On My Way from Lebanon to Serbia Read More »
I’ve just returned from a 3-week trip to Lebanon and Jordan over the holidays. It was remarkable to be so far away from the US at this time – to visit a culture so completely different than my own – one that has known so much war, upheaval, and struggle. Being away gave me the
2017: Things I Know and Don’t Know Read More »
Flying home tomorrow. Savoring every moment of our last day. I will miss the awe-inspiring beauty of this place. And the food. And the Greek people. And the olive oil….and…and…so much! Guess I’ll have to come back to Greece. Blue doors. Ruin. Broken window. Disrepair. Strange stairs. Old doors. Loved this doorway at the church
Greece: Last Day In Greece Read More »
Yesterday, in our final writing group, I gave the prompt, “Since I’ve come to Greece,” and I’m going to post several of the responses from my students. They provide a great recap of our two weeks together. This first version is by Marlene Bumgarner, who had the great distinction of being the only person on
Greece: Since I’ve Come To Greece – Take I Read More »
Our traveling company has moved on to Heraklion and this morning we went on a tour of the Minoan palace of Knossos. While the rest of the group went to the museum across from our hotel, I decided I wanted to go out and stretch my legs on my own. I had five hours before
Greece: A Long Walk In A Big City Read More »
Walking tour of Chania on the island of Crete… Lighthouse Ancient mosque A ride around the harbor? Greek flag flying proudly Ruins An excavation in the middle of town This is what they think this ancient Minoan village looked like And this was on the same corner…talk about a juxtaposition of old and new! Wooden
Greece: Walking Tour of Chania Read More »
I love the rhythm of our life here in Millia. I love being in one place for four full days, waking up to yoga and writing class every morning and then sharing lunches and dinners together, sitting at the broad wide wooden table with different seatmates at each meal, getting to know each other while
Greece: The Rhythm of Life Read More »
National Geographic has called Milia Mountain Resort, our first home in Crete, one of the world’s best Ecolodges. In the 1980s, when many Greeks left their villages to ride the wave of tourism development along the coast, two local friends took to the mountains of Crete instead. Their vision was to restore an abandoned medieval
Greece: Milia Mountain Resort Read More »
I didn’t write and post as much as I thought I would from Cambodia. Our days were long. I was savoring my final days with the group and with my family. But I wanted to at least share some photos from our final day’s outing: exploring village life in Cambodia. And I also wanted to
Vietnam: Farewell From Southeast Asia Read More »
One last P.S. from Laos. On my very last visit to the night market to buy some gifts, I came across this woman selling jewelry, key chains and bottle openers made from the aluminum that came from U.S. bombs. Talk about transformation! They money is helping their village in many ways. The sign explaining the
Vietnam: From Bombs To Bracelets Read More »
Last night, after my wonderful interlude at Big Brother Mouse with Eliza, we returned to the hotel and headed out with our group for a farewell dinner and Baci ceremony at the home of a local family. Tui had arranged it for us and I knew it would be a wonderful evening. Judy and Surya
Vietnam: Last Night In Laos Read More »
