Category: reflections
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The Arts, Part 2 – Performances on Stage and Screen
I enjoyed a number of different performances over the course of the summer. Comedy Musical dramas West Side Story Hadestown To Kill a Mockingbird Opera (filmed and shown in the theater) The Barber of Seville Movies I went to so many movies! Of course Barbiheimer was all the rage this summer, but I also saw:…
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Non-verbal communication
I knew spoken and written language could be an issue for me as I traveled. I have the privilege of speaking English, which many folks around the world know, but I wanted to know some basic “please” and “thank you” in other languages so I didn’t feel *completely* like an imperialist! I had always loved…
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Tools for eating
I left you all before I finished telling you about some odds and ends! As you know, eating wonderful food was a highlight of my trip. Since the countries I visited had very different cultures, the utensils for eating varied quite a bit. I expected to mostly eat with chopsticks. I fancy myself an expert,…
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Garbage collection in Taipei
When Johne first invited me to Taipei, he listed various tourist attractions he wanted to show me, then he said, “And then we will watch trash collection.” I thought he was joking, but it is seriously cool! In the places I have lived in the US (NY, Iowa, Colorado, Massachusetts and Minnesota) trash collection was…
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More Thoughts!
I have been home for two weeks now. It has been great, and it has also been really fun thinking about my travels, what sticks with me and what washes over me. I decided I will continue to post as my memories spark further thinking, or if I realize I forgot to share something fun!…
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Three things I am glad I brought along and three things I wish I had
Glad I brought: 1. Sun protection. A long-sleeved white shirt. This was great as a protector from the sun and perfect when visiting temples that required white. Would have been even better if it was one of those with SPF protection. Sun screen: the sun is so hot and my skin is so pale. Daily…
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Potty Talk
I feel it is my duty (pun intended) to give some advice to future travelers about toilets and bathroom manners. Real talk, peeps! 1. Most places I visited have plumbing systems with very small pipes. Toilet tissue, therefore, is placed in garbage pails next to the toilet, not flushed. 2. I prefer “western toilets.” Many…
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Activities at the resort
Most days I just loved lounging on a chair or in a hammock, shaded by palm trees or umbrellas made of palm branches or one day a cabana with champagne! The kids enjoyed more activities like volleyball on the beach or in the water. One night we did karaoke, which was sooo funny. I could…
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Closing Thoughts about Thailand
I wish I had planned longer for this country! Since I went to two cities it really wasn’t long enough. Next time…. Here are some closing thoughts and tidbits. 1. Burning season should be considered when traveling to northern Thailand! There is about a 2-3 month period in the spring when fields are burned in…
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Elephants
Caroline found a tour to visit an elephant sanctuary. We believe these beautiful animals were treated well, but anyone going on an elephant tour should do independent research to be sure. When I looked into the eye of 72 yo elephant names Abuela, I felt like our souls connected. I was feeling vulnerable anyway: missing…
MB Meets World 