Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes: Keeping Up with Covering Up
In Vietnam, shoulders are not for ladies. In Cambodia, knees must be covered to enter the temples. In Malaysia it’s the head that offends in mosques. And in Singapore, closed-toe shoes signify you’re one to be taken seriously. Ladies, am I the only one confused by what parts to keep under wraps?
Cambodia Travel Pictures
Cambodia is a difficult place to describe. Its beauty is tremendous. And so is its poverty. Siem Reap took me back hundreds of years to mystical sort of place. Phnom Penh brought me back into a present where people continue to struggle. The images I have of Camboida are good, bad and definitely unforgettable. Here are a few.
Cambodia, Country of Mosts
Cambodia is in a perpetual state of mood swings. It’s an up-and-down sort of place that teases away any sense of normalcy with its extremes. After traveling through Cambodia last month I fail to find a pretty paper box to wrap it up in. Just when you want to call it beautiful, it hurls a city slum at you. Just when you think it’s relaxing, a tuk-tuk plows you over. The only simple way I can sum up Cambodia is to say that it is a country of “most”; the most exotic, the most poor, the most opulent far past, the most horrific recent history, the most gracious people, the most heart-breaking stories. Cambodia manages to win most categories for most good and most bad.
Beer Belly Belgium
Belgium, you little biscuit. You grew on me like a nice, big beer gut. I met you lukewarm, and left in love. Your people, your countryside, canals and, of course, your beer have made you a lifetime friend.
For those of you considering growing your own beer belly in Belgium, and maybe learning, like, one new thing about the World Wars, here’s where I highly recommend you go.
Ireland: A Good Place to Read
Some might take this title as a jilt to the Emerald Isle. Just to be clear, I mean it in the best way possible. Not only is Ireland the homeland of Oscar Wilde and Frank McCourt, it’s an inspiration to all who appreciate words. The gray and the green mix into the perfect backdrop for inspiring readers, writers and daydreamers.
The Biggest Storm in the World: Typhoon Nari Through Third Graders’ Eyes
Last week Typhoon Nari came to Danang. JD and I were lucky and suffered little more than some lost plants. Even still, it was a proper scary night that involved me sleeping in my scooter helmet. I wasn’t the only one who was nervous. Here to tell you what a typhoon is really like in their own, unedited words, are my third grade students.
That day I was so scary. I don’t like storm. My house dore is broke. It is heavy. I can’t hold it. I’m very scary. My house got water in it. The wind was so big. My house broke.
Books and Maps
Nerds are wonderful.
After years of trying to pretend to be cooler than I am, I have come to love my own nerd-ity. It might just be that I like books more than cheerleading and buy more maps than cute shoes. I often don’t brush my hair thoroughly and lack coordination in all forms. I’m bad at sports, worse at driving and often a miss at witty conversation. Maybe that’s why Travel and I get along so well.
Deauville-Trouville-Adjacent “Fleurs”
There’s nowhere like Normandy.
This northern corner of France sucked us in like flies to a Venus Fly Trap. We went expecting to relax in the sun, surrounded by pretty flowers. Instead we got an unforgettable trip through one of the most welcoming, historical and daydream-inspiring places I’ve ever met.
In short, here’s where we went and why we loved it.
Mont Saint Michel: Deliciously Scary in Dusk and Dark
Still riding from the high of Paris, Mom and I headed deeper into the heart of our beloved France to a little place called Normandy. We went armed with plans to read war memoirs, practice our three words of French and sip wine on rocky beaches.
We got it all. Holy cow, France! Once again in a seven dwarves’ Dopey sort of way, we were swept up into the intoxicating prance of All Things French.
When Travel Expectations are Exceeded
In the midst of my ever-present pining for the Great Unknown, one country regularly grabs my attention: France. It might be cliché or even boring to focus on the most obvious travel destination, but the heart wants what the heart wants. The delectable combination of peaches, cheese and crepes paired with a finely honed sense of style and seasoned with a light dusting of pretentiousness brings this country from the middle of Europe straight to the middle of my heart.
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