wanderlust and lipstick Newsletter – November, 2006
Dear Traveler,
Fall is in the air. For many of us that means hunkering down at home with a hot cup of tea and pulling out guidebooks and maps to determine where our travels will take us next. For me, it’s
Where are YOU going? Drop me a line and let me know…
New Feature!
Last week I launched a new and very exciting feature to the For Women Traveling Solo website. Now, you can create your very own travel-related blog. Perhaps you are traveling and want to share your experiences with friends and family. Rather than sending long emails that can get lost in an in-box or spam folder, update your travel blog and allow your fans to read at their leisure. Blogs are free, easy to set up and the only requirement is that the content remain travel-related. Happy Blogging!
Winners for October’s Contest Announced
During the month of October, anyone who signed up to receive an alert when I post to my blog, was entered in a drawing to win their choice of an item from the Solo Travel shop at Cafe Press. Thanks to all who participated. You’re now part of the “in crowd” who gets updated 2-3 times per week when I blog about issues relating to women and travel!
In addition, each time a member posted a comment, suggestion or question to the Forum during the month of October, they were entered into a second drawing. A big welcome, by the way, to the new members from around the U.S. as well as those from Brazil, Peru, Vietnam, Nepal, Northern Ireland and Argentina!
The winners? Drum roll please…
Blog alert winner – Ellen from Seattle
Forum winner – Tamara from Portland
Even if you didn’t post in October, feel free to visit the Forum now to share your information and connect with other travelers.
And now for the meat and potatoes (or in my case, the garden burger and whole wheat bun)…each monthly newsletter contains recommendations for travel books, world music and perhaps a word or two of wisdom from the road.
Book Recommendation
Travels by Michael Crichton. My copy of this book is surely from the first printing in 1988. The cover is torn, the spine well cracked and the pages yellow. But I love it. It has since been reissued and you can purchase it in much better shape than my version. This book is a collection of stories – not all travel related – but all entertaining. And it contains gems such as, “Often I feel I go to some distant region of the world to be reminded of who I really am. There is no mystery about why this should be so. Stripped of your ordinary surroundings, your friends, your daily routines, your refrigerator full of your food, your closet full of your clothes – with all this taken away, you are forced into direct experience.” This sums up the world of travel for me. The pure encounters with people and places that you cannot find when you are mired in your daily life.
World Music
Hemisphers by Lily Afshar. As a budding classical guitarist myself (OK, I’ve only been studying for 8 months), my ears perked up when I heard a story about Lily Afshar on NPR. Iranian born, Ms. Afshar is the head of the guitar program at the University of Memphis and has been called “one of the world’s foremost classical guitarists”. Her fourth and most recent release, Hemispheres, is a beautiful blending of Persian and classical music in which she plays both guitar and sehtar (a Persian three-stringed lute). It’s altogether mystical and strange to the western ear. Even stranger when she re-tunes the guitar mid-song to change and manipulate quarter tones. While she does tour around the U.S., her next stop is Gliwice, Poland at the end of the month.
Hot Travel Tip
Next time you’re traveling solo, treat yourself by making a reservation for dinner at a nice restaurant. Marya Charles Alexander of SoloDining.com says this can be an empowering way to dine alone. Particularly when so many of us have hang ups about eating by ourselves!
Looking for Writers!
I’m accepting stories for the Travel Tales section of For Women Traveling Solo. Drop me a line at beth at forwomentravelingsolo.com if you’d like to participate or have questions.
Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo
I’m now taking orders for advanced signed copies of Wanderlust and Lipstick. All books will ship in time for the holidays. Email me for ordering details!
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Til next month,
Happy Travels!
Beth
