Summer is about here – and it means kids will be on summer vacation – AND it means that another Niece Project is in motion! I’m starting to wonder if each niece is trying to ‘outdo’ the other. Considering we have some of the same genes, I can completely understand the desire to go further […]
“May I take your picture?” I asked while I also mimed the action with my camera around my neck so that I could make sure I was understood. The baby duckling vendor who a few moments ago was smiling and laughing with her friends looked at me and said with a stone face “Yes – […]
In today’s travel world where most people rush around trying to get from place to place, I love any opportunity to take the slow path. After all – the fun is in the journey for me – not necessarily the place. So when our Intrepid Vietnam Travel Itinerary called for overland transportation from Hue to […]
There is a well worn tourist trail in Vietnam, and yes, the Vietnamese can be quite aggressive when it come to tourism and selling you things, but once you step out of those tourist districts – you can find a very different experience. Sure – you will still stick out and probably still pay higher […]
I stared out the window of the van and watched as the city gave way to suburbs, to industry, to rice fields, that would eventually deposit us in Halong Bay. As I watched our driver play chicken with big trucks, dodge motorbikes, and zip by the slower bicycles and buffalo – I thought that not […]
Jet lag was wearing off, and now we were rapidly adjusting to a new culture and environment. After 4 years of being away from Vietnam, my brain was happy to be exposed to all of this new and sometimes baffling culture again. Evie was also taking a lot in trying to make sense of Vietnamese […]
I mouthed the words, “It’ll be ok.” through the front window of the car as we pulled away. After all, I was taking away my sister-in-law’s oldest daughter to a place halfway around the world, a place she knew very little about, a place that was completely foreign – this was a big step. Yet […]
“Mom, what are you still dreaming of doing, what big wish remains that you still want to do or accomplish, what passions haven’t you accomplished yet?” I ask eagerly. I watch the road in front of me as I anticipate hearing some amazing answer about road trips, mountains to see, people to meet, maybe even […]
“There are few places left on earth like the District of Guysborough. Better come now.” – that’s the motto of the area – and it’s true – there aren’t many places left like Guysborough. The District covers more than 2,100 square kilometres, with a healthy dose of coastline and forest – and approximately 5,400 permanent […]
I sat on the train and watched my mom complete her crossword puzzle with her No. 2 pencil. I was thinking about how I hadn’t even seen anyone use an actual pencil for a long time. I remember it used to be a staple of my school supply purchases every August – but that was […]
