It’s 4:00 PM and I just changed my outgoing voicemail message for the first time in three years. Because that’s how long it’s been since I flew abroad. When I arrive in Tuscany to lead my Write, Travel, Transform retreat, I’ll be buying an Italian SIM card and won’t be able to get calls on
Almost Ready to Go Read More »
It’s a weird time to be going on vacation, especially an international trip to Europe. Of course, leading a trip and facilitating a creative retreat experience for others isn’t the same as taking a private vacation. But having led these trips for ten years now, there’s an unfolding in the lead-up to each new adventure
Going on Vacation in Tuscany While the World Goes to Hell Read More »
Spend months in the summer of 2019 meeting with Graseilah, your tour guide partner, designing a dreamy ten-day writing retreat at a Villa in Tuscany, a place you’ve never been. Drool over pictures of the Villa you’ll be staying in: the gorgeous swimming pool, the beautifully set outdoor table, an albino peacock strolling through the
How to Lead a Writer’s Retreat in Tuscany During a Pandemic Read More »
I’d like to invite you to my next Write, Travel, Transform trip, my one and only international offering in 2019–to one of my very favorite places in the world: the Sacred Valley of Peru. If you’ve enjoyed my Virtual Vacation to Bali and Java, I’d love for you to join me for a creative, mystical,
If You Enjoyed My Travel Blog . . . Read More »
Chocolate dim sum. Just had to try it. No, I think not. Delicious muesli cookies. Crumbly and not too sweet. Orange juice, mango juice, kiwi juice, guava juice, coconut water, milk and infused water. This woman offers special herbal health potions, made from ginger, aromatic ginger, palm sugar, tamarind, rice, and brotowali (couldn’t get the
Last Breakfast in Indonesia Read More »
Male dancers, Sultan’s Palace Musicians at the Sultan’s Palace. Dancers at the Sultan’s palace.
Dancing at the Sultan’s Palace Read More »
At the Sultan’s Palace today, Roy told us the Javanese philosophy of proper gender behavior. To be a perfect man, you need five things: Garwa: a wife Gria: a house Turangga: a horse Curiga: a dagger (symbolizes security in money, a job, in everything) Kikilo: a bird Roy said, “A man without a bird is
Sexism, Java Style Read More »
Yogykarta, Java Walk with me on my early morning stroll, just two blocks from our hotel. Coming to the market. 6:45 AM Parking lot. Carving jackfruit. Jackfruit remains. Fish seller. She had a beautiful smile and was very friendly. Chicken seller. Time out. Speckled eggs. Blue eggs. Cooked? Banana fruit. These are eaten, too. We
After our return to our hotel from Borobodor and a sumptuous breakfast buffet, we put all our things on the bus and drove a short distance to a small village where we climbed into open-air horse carts, two passengers per cart, and rode on small paved lanes through the village of Wanurejo, observing daily village
Rice Cakes Never Tasted Like This Read More »
After wandering down through all nine levels of Borobodur, Roy said we could either stick with him or go off on our own, meeting back at our bus in an hour. I immediately opted for my own freedom of movement. I love groups, but there are times I just want to move on impulse inside
Sunrise at Borobodur, Part 2 Read More »
I set three alarms this morning, one for 4:00, one for 4:05 and one for 4:10. We were meeting in the lobby at 4:30 to see the sunrise at Borobodur. I wanted to be sure I woke up. My clothes were all laid out (cover your knees and your shoulders), my camelback was filled with
Sunrise at Borobodur, Part 1 Read More »
When we arrived at the airport, several of us needed to use the facilities. When I went to the bathroom, it was empty. There was no toilet paper left in my stall (though there was a toilet paper dispenser), so I used the handy-dandy water sprayer next to the toilet that is found in every
Arrival in Yogykarta Read More »
Evelyn has been the most wonderful co-facilitator, roommate and buddy. Thanks for sharing this adventure and your prayerful ways, always honoring the sacred…
Terima Kasih, Evelyn Read More »
This was our final prompt in our last writing class. Here’s my response to the prompt: SINCE I’VE COME TO BALI Since I’ve come to Bali, I’ve seen twenty strangers become a community. I’ve seen monkeys by the side of the road, oranges that are green, perfect orange papayas on my plate, and ten desserts
Since I’ve Come to Bali Read More »
Yesterday, at our all final group meeting, we each expressed our gratitude for something we personally gained from the land, the people and the culture of Bali—and from being part of our traveling community. Then we turned and said our thank you to the land. Last night after dinner, the children of Munduk did a
