I was thinking about what aspect of Vietnam I love most. After having traveled there 8 times, I wouldn’t exactly call myself an “expert,” but I’ve become familiar with many aspects of the country – to the degree that I have such close friends there that I consider them my Vietnamese family.

One of the strongest things that speaks to me is the Buddhist nature of the people. A Buddhist practitioner myself, I don’t follow their particular lineage, but I am drawn to their kindness and gentleness – which I think grows out of their religious beliefs.

Buddhism permeates much of the culture – with pagodas, temples and burning incense sticks most everywhere.

Meander down back alleys in Saigon or Hanoi, and you might find women rolling sticks of incense. You’ll find a variety of colors and scents – such as those above – laid out decoratively.

Incense coils hang from the ceilings of many temples. Light the end, and the incense slowly burns itself around and around until it’s completed its own circle of life.

Central to Buddhist beliefs is that from the mud can grow a beautiful flower – the lotus. Just as there is goodness in all of us.

*****

We have a group leaving in March for a women-only tour to Vietnam & Cambodia. My heart aches that I won’t be going with this group (it’s being led by our wonderful guide, Joslin Fritz). I can’t quite explain it, but I consider Vietnam to be a second home to me. Must be some sort of past life thing

Travel Well,

Beth

Related links:
Women-only tour to Vietnam & Cambodia
Burma Photos (Part I – Temples)

Photo credit:
Incense sticks – NH53
Incense coil – felixtriller.

I’ve always said I’d make a million bucks if I could create the perfect way for women to carry their money and passport.

I think Dovetail Travel in Peace might have come up with what I’ve been wishing for for years.

There are 2 body bands that are part of the Dovetail collection. They include a waistband that wraps around your hips (left) as well as the wing in which you insert your arms through the loops and the pocket sits against your back and over your bra.

I’m not sure that either of these are meant to replace your money pouch (which you normally would want to have easy access to) but both are great options for times when you want to keep your valuables safe and won’t need to access them at places like border stops or in a bank.

I can already think of times in the past when I wished I’d had something like this:

• On my motorcycle trip through Central America when I stashed money in a half dozen places in case a thief discovered one (or more) of my hiding spots.
• During overland trips in Papua New Guinea.
• Walking around markets in Paris, Rome, Saigon and Delhi – where pickpockets run rampant.

While the body bands look small right out of the package, each of these stretch enough so that a passport can easily fit inside.

So… wanna win your own?

Throughout February, you can enter to win your very own set of Dovetail Body Bands. Three lucky winners will be chosen on March 1, 2012.

You have TWO CHANCES TO ENTER!

1) Sign up for the Wanderlust and Lipstick newsletter. This goes out just once a month and your information is never shared.

2) Sign up for the RSS email feed (see the “subscribe me” box at right) to receive an email each time I post to this blog (usually no more than 3x per week).

Subscribe to both and you’ve got 2 chances to enter this month.

Oh, and be a good egg… forward this along to someone whom you think might like to enter and win their very own set of Dovetail Body Bands.

Approximate Value: $48/set

This contest closes at 11:59 pm PST on February 29, 2012 and the lucky winners will be chosen on March 1. We can only ship to North American addresses (sorry!).

The winner will have 3 days to respond before another winner is chosen.

Good luck!

Travel Well,

Beth

There are lots of books out there on or about India. Here’s just the start to a list that could go on forever.

Travelers Tales India – There’s nothing like reading other people’s true stories about their travels to a given destination. It really helps to envision yourself at that locale (for better and worse!). This collection from Travelers Tales is a wonderful compilation from well-known and little-known travel writers. With nearly 50 stories in all, it will get you excited either prior to your trip or will help to put things into perspective once you’ve returned. Available on Amazon.

*****

Shantarm by Gregory David Roberts – One of the most thrilling books ever written about India, this takes place mostly in Mumbai. It is based on the true tales of an Australian on the run who plunks himself down in the middle of a slum and becomes the local doctor to the community. You’ll learn all about the seedy underworld of the Indian mafia as well as how their broken system of government and corruption works – or doesn’t work as the case may be. You’ll be kept on the edge of your seat for the vast majority of this book until, toward the end, the book gets a little unbelievable. Available on Amazon.

*****

Holy Cow by Sarah MacDonald – This is one wild and funny memoir about an expat’s time living in India when her sig’o gets posted in Delhi as a journalist. Her observations are spot-on and are both painful and hilarious. Listen to the audio book and you’ll feel like a friend is telling you an intimate story. Highly recommended before your adventure to the subcontinent! Available on Amazon.

*****

White Tiger by Aravind Adiga – A fictional tale about a poor villager who believes he’s at the pinnacle of life when he becomes the chauffer for a wealthy family in Delhi. It’s a twisted tale and through the narrative, you might find yourself having compassion for the main character, as despicable as he becomes. Available on Amazon.

*****

May You be the Mother of a Hundred Sons by Elisabeth Bumiller – The author spent 3.5 years in India as a reporter for the Washington Post. In addition to her reporting, she made good use of her time but pulling together stories of India’s women. There’s a big dose of tragedy in this book but also many stories of hope and inspiration about some very strong women. It’s a bit painful to read at times but an excellent read if you want to know what India is like for the average woman. Available on Amazon.

*****

Wanderlust and Lipstick: For Women Traveling to India by Beth Whitman – If you’re looking for a primer to get you started in your journey to India, look no further than this book. Filled with information specifically for the woman traveler, in addition to the author’s own suggestions, it includes anecdotes and tips from dozens of women who’ve traveled extensively throughout the country. Signed copies available on this website

*****

Lonely Planet Guide to India – Long considered the Bible for anyone traveling to India, this book covers a huge amount of ground in its more than 1,200 pages. It’s got nearly everything you’d need to know about the country to prepare for a trip. A word of caution is that once a hotel or restaurant is listed in the Bible, prices go up and it’s often hard to get a room or table at the establishment. Available on Amazon.

*****

Rough Guide to India – If you’re looking for something that’s just a bit more off the beaten path, try the Rough Guide. These folks tend to include some excellent alternatives to LP, including restaurants that usually only the locals know about. It’s still packed with valuable info such as history, culture and all the other practicalities you’ll need to plan a trip. Available on Amazon.

*****

Interested in a tour to India? Check out our women-only tours to both North India and South India.

Travel Well,

Beth

Related links:
Tours to India
Photo of the Day: Varanasi
South India’s People