May 4, 2013 in Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Personal Growth and Travel
The taxi driver is mad at me. He flips a switch to open the trunk, but does not get out and help me with bag as is customary. He doesn’t reply when I wish him a good day. Is this a case where it would have been better to lie? I had gotten the taxi [...]
April 30, 2013 in Adventure Travel, Egypt
It’s fair to say that most travelers book holidays in Egypt to have their fill of pharaohs and lost civilisations, pyramids and tombs. While the diversity of this country should come as no surprise to anyone who’s ever sailed the Nile, climbed Mount Sinai or chilled out on a Red Sea beach, few venture to [...]
April 10, 2013 in Asia, Cultural Exploration, Mexico, Middle East & Africa
In the ongoing battle to obtain a second language, I recently subscribed to a new podcast – News In Slow Spanish. As the name implies, it includes an unhurried discussion of current events. However, there is also a section on expressions which they refer to as the “salsa” of the language. It’s certainly true that [...]
April 5, 2013 in Budget Travel, Israel
My worst night in a hostel happened over twenty years ago. I’ve done a lot of traveling since then. To maintain a record for that long you have to go beyond the standard dorm-room annoyances. Beyond snoring and body odor. Beyond bad breath and bed bugs. I’m talking big leagues. I’m talking vomit. The place [...]
March 25, 2013 in Culinary, Cultural Experiences, Cultural Exploration, Israel
My mother always said that you should clean the house once a year whether it needs it or not. I’m not quite that bad (neither was she), though I do consider a dust-free home to be a sign of misplaced priorities. When I do engage in a major bout of housekeeping, I always remember the [...]
by Tiffany
September 13, 2012 in Jordan, Learning Center, Middle East & Africa, Travel Tips
I’ll admit it, I had no idea camel riding was so DIFFICULT! Everyone always talks about how awesome it is and how you shouldn’t miss out on trying it, but my goodness, no one ever mentions what to actually expect. It definitely takes some time getting used to. But the process of riding a camel [...]
September 11, 2012 in Israel, Jordan, Middle East & Africa, Water Adventures
“We have three seas,” I was told. “Med, Red and Dead.” The other two didn’t live up to their names. I mean the Mediterranean may have been the center of the known world once, but it can’t really claim that today. And the Red Sea? Well, it isn’t scarlet, vermillion or crimson. The Dead Sea [...]
July 30, 2012 in Cultural Exploration, Middle East & Africa, Personal Growth and Travel
“Never discuss politics, religion or the Great Pumpkin.” Sage advise which I heard every year from Linus Van Pelt, when the local television station would air It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. In my culture, we generally heed Linus’ advice. We especially avoid talking about religion. However, I’ve noticed that religion is more openly discussed [...]
April 27, 2012 in China, Cultural Experiences, Cultural Exploration, Israel
DanDan, the twenty-year-old daughter of my Chinese host family, had decided that we would go to KFC for lunch. I wasn’t thrilled, but when in Rome do as the Romans do, and in China, American fast food was immensely popular. I had been in Asia for less than a week and couldn’t order for myself, [...]
by Tiffany
April 23, 2012 in Hiking, Trekking, Walking, Jordan, Sightseeing
Homesick? Not Exactly… When you decide to live overseas for a long period of time it is amazing the things you realize you miss from home the most. Now besides my family and friends there is one significant ‘item’, I suppose you could call it, that I truly wish I could see every day. So, [...]
{ A travelling buddy of mine once said that lies were the social lubricant that kept things going smoothly. I like to think of all my... } – May 16, 7:58 PM
{ Thanks for sharing, Snoesje. It's so true. My ability with Spanish totally varies depending on whom I'm talking to. } – May 12, 9:10 PM { This is a hard one. It's not our fault that we were born into more affluent circumstances than the a lot of the people we... } – May 12, 9:05 PM
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