Category Archives: Travel
Refuge in Laos
As part of preparing for my recent trip to Laos I read a series of mysteries that take place there in the mid-1970’s, just after the communist Pathet Lao came to power. The main character is the delightful Dr. Siri … Continue reading
Elephants
While in Laos, my friends and I spent the day at an elephant rescue camp. These were elephants who had worked in logging camps, where they are routinely pushed to the point of exhaustion, unable to reproduce. To replenish their … Continue reading
Finding Refuge
Siem Reap, Cambodia, January 19. Tonight I watched a dozen talented artists paint, play music, dance, and do amazing circus routines as they told the story of their country’s descent into genocide and its ongoing recovery from those horrors. These … Continue reading
Sacred Waters
Last week on a meditation retreat I was inspired to swim in Lake Tahoe at dawn under the full moon. Joined by my friend Christy (if she hadn’t said yes to my invitation, I might have slept in instead!), we … Continue reading
Hope
I think Anne Frank said what is in my heart this week: “In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can’t build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery, … Continue reading
Healing Art
I listened recently to a veteran describe how doing art helped her heal from decades of PTSD, after being raped and then discounted and humiliated while she was in the service. It brought to mind the wonderful community art projects … Continue reading
Five Daily Recollections
Recently, inspired by the meditation retreat she had just attended, our beloved yoga teacher Angela recited the Five Daily Recollections given to us by the Buddha in one of his sermons. There were two typical types of responses: “wow, that’s … Continue reading
We Get Around
Before I went to Cuba I had an image that most of its vehicles were vintage American cars. Wrong! There were vehicles of all kinds, including generic small Asian sedans. Most of the transportation was local; the “highways” between cities were … Continue reading
Color
With a wet winter and spring, Nevada has turned green, and the wildflowers are bringing bright splashes of color to the hills. It led me to reflect on the importance of color; when the day turned gray yesterday I was … Continue reading
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Restoration
After their economy collapsed in the early 1990’s when Soviet support disappeared overnight, Cubans have been slowly rebuilding, both figuratively and literally. We saw buildings that were disintegrating and some that were being restored, and everything in between. It’s a … Continue reading
Mixed Feelings
I love to take photos, always have since high school when I worked on the yearbook and got some graphics training. And yet, I have mixed feelings about it. Sometimes I wonder if I’m really seeing what’s there in my … Continue reading
Fidel, Barack, Mick, and Me
This was my guest column yesterday in the Nevada Appeal: “You’ll leave Cuba with more questions than you had when you arrived.” This was the first thing our Cuban guide Felix said to our tour group after meeting us at … Continue reading
On Vacation
Dear Friends, I am on vacation in Cuba and the Florida Keys. The Cuba trip is with Road Scholar and People to People. We’ll be meeting all kinds of folks in all kinds of places. We will be in Havana … Continue reading
Excitement
When I was twelve, my father took us to an amusement park and I went on a large roller coaster for the first time. I opened my mouth wide and screamed from the first descent to the very end … Continue reading
Friends
This month friendship is a theme for me. I spent last weekend with a group of folks I’ve known for almost 30 years. We consider ourselves to be Family-by-Choice by now, and get together regularly in various combinations. In two … Continue reading
Being Grounded
Being grounded is one of those phrases with very different meanings. In the context of the hundred of teens I spent time with in two very diverse communities this week, it means one thing: to be stuck at home as … Continue reading
More Anxiety
“Action absorbs anxiety,” said cultural anthropologist and activist Angeles Arrien. Based on my experience before my recent trip to France, I would have to add “skillful” or “wise” action. Unskillful action can actually feed the anxiety. Like many people I’ve … Continue reading
The French
Please don’t let anyone tell you otherwise–the French people are warm, friendly, helpful, kind, playful. In two weeks in France we have encountered only two rude people, and one of them was a waiter who was clearly overworked. Please enjoy … Continue reading
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Time
When I’m in the Dordogne region of southern France I’m very aware of time. It’s an easy place to be in the present moment as there is so much beauty and pleasure to experience. Here is a typical meal–fresh, organic … Continue reading
Back Body
I still remember how startled I was when my beloved yoga teacher Angela asked us to bring our awareness to our “back body.” What? There’s something back there worth paying attention to? I’d never had back pain and seldom used … Continue reading
The Spice of Life
One of the pleasures of travel is to taste different cuisines. A constant around the world is the use of herbs and spices. Chiles are popular almost everywhere I’ve been. Markets are a fun … Continue reading