I was late in life getting a passport. For decades, I had no interest in international travel. Zip. I'd toured the United States, but had never been abroad. When conversations about travel rolled around, I'd go silent. I hadn't been anywhere. I didn't see the point. If I had any extra money, I preferred buying something tangible: a Mixmaster for the kitchen, a brake job for my used car, a down comforter. I wanted something I could use for years, enjoy over time. Why waste my money on something as fleeting and ephemeral as travel? Maybe I was following in my mother's footsteps. She didn't get her first passport until after she was 40. It wasn't until my father walked out on her to find himself at the Esalen Institute that she started traveling. She was a school social worker and she ... [Continue Reading]
A Final Adventure on the Danube
Last week, during my first full day in Serbia, while Dusica and I were strolling along the Danube talking about the history of Incest Resources, she had us go into a little restaurant with colorful light fixtures on the tables and walls covered of bright, cheerful paintings. She was making a reservation for a meeting a month from now, in June, and for that night, a whole month away, there was only one table available. She snatched it up right away. On a lark, she also asked if by any chance, there happened to be a table for the coming Sunday night, my last night in Belgrade. And miraculously, on short notice, this very popular restaurant had a place available for four. Once again, she grabbed it. Now, five days later, it was Sunday night, my last night in Belgrade. We’d wrapped up the ... [Continue Reading]
Last Night Celebration
We had dinner and wine and live local music for our last night--and a tour of the winery. There was a lot of singing and dancing to the local music, especially as the night went on in the wineglasses emptied. Here's a taste of the music: ... [Continue Reading]
Time is Relative
Of course, as a responsible teacher, I get to my classroom at least fifteen minutes before we’re supposed to start. I want to have the room set up to welcome the students and I like a little time to ground myself and review what I’m going to do. This morning, when I walked into our space, the chairs were askew and the room was in a bit of disarray, evidence of the karaoke party that took place last night. I’d left the party on the early side to phone home, prep for today’s classes and enjoy the bathtub in my room, but by all reports at breakfast, those who stayed had a great time. I straightened up the chairs, put out small packets of tissues on the floor, got my laptop plugged into its European adapter, and wrote a quote-for-the-day on the flip chart, in English: “If the only prayer ... [Continue Reading]
