Colum McCann – On Getting Lost

Last night I went to a lecture at Benaroya Hall as part of Seattle Arts and Lectures Series. This final lecture of the season brought us Irish author, Colum McCann. It was a great way to end the... Read more >>

Old Town Root Beer Company: Micro-Brewed from 1800's Family Recipe

Root beer and summertime childhood memories are synonymous for me.  Memorial Day Weekend is here and summer has officially begun, so to celebrate summer properly with frosty mugs of root beer and root beer floats made with homemade ice cream,... Read more >>

Falling into a canal in Venice

I knew there was a reason I always avoided the gondolas in Venice. Part of it was the cost, part of it was my disinclination to respond to anyone yelling at me to do something, but perhaps there was a... Read more >>

Round the World (and back) this Spring ~ Photo of the Day

To say the least, my travels this spring have been surrealistic. In 2 months' time, I was in Thailand, Bhutan, Italy, Germany and Zambia. Oh, and Texas. I haven't done the math, but I might have racked up 60,000+ miles. The... Read more >>

Glow Worms (New Zealand)

Above photo by Timo Newton-Syms Today my seven-year-old daughter, Elisa, is a guest blogger.   On our recent trip to New Zealand this spring, her favorite activity was visiting the... Read more >>

In a family sort of way

Three years ago we put up a bird house. No renters. The next year we advertised. Still, no renters. Then last fall, we put up two bird houses,... Read more >>

Recipe: Hong Kong-style Coconut Tarts

Earlier this week, I wrote about the delicious contemporary Hong Kong-style dim sum at the Hotel Grand Pacific, in Victoria, BC. Executive... Read more >>

Meat, Meditation and Malas -- A look at different practices and offerings around Chiang Mai

Thailand attracts an interesting mix of travelers and expats.  You have the gap year backpacker/partiers, the middle-aged Western men looking for Thai girlfriends "companionship", the retirees, the long-term travelers who need an affordable base to jump off from,... Read more >>

Scenes of Fruit Vendors and Street Food in Burma

I'm still reeling from my trip to Burma in March. I was taken back to the country as I looked through my photos for this post. Such... Read more >>

Bhutan: Thirteen Traditional Arts and Crafts, The Institute of Zorig Chusum, and One Large Beautiful Museum

"If you're a good human being, then the skills and knowledge you acquire will benefit the whole society. Otherwise, it is like giving a weapon to a child." - His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, the 5th King of... Read more >>

Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico: Casa El Pio Boutique Hotel

Isla Mujeres was never really on my radar until I met the former innkeeper of Read more >>

Lemon Ginger Mojito

This Lemon Ginger Mojito offers a twist on the traditional Mojito. With summer heating up it's the perfect time to sample something new and add a little spice, at your next BBQ or party. Read more >>

Swanson's Nursery: An Urban Retreat

I have a green thumb somewhere. I really do. Though my houseplants usually hang on for dear life, as a child I was a natural and curious gardener who... Read more >>

Gearing Up for Music Festival Season: Have Fanny Pack, Will Travel

In less than a week, I'll be on my way to the 2012 Sasquatch music festival. Good thing I just found my ca. 2009 silver American Apparel... Read more >>

Curiously Korean: Jeju Island

Did you know there is an island in the East China Sea where the women weather icy ocean waters and hold their breath for... Read more >>

Shave Ice: A Hawaiian Treat

I used to love having a snow cone on a hot summer day when I was a kid. Served in a cone-shaped paper cup, this... Read more >>

Live Like a Local in Italy's Cinque Terre

Though it's akin to picking among your children, everyone who visits Italy's Cinque Terre region holds a secret favorite among its five villages. It could be argued that Vernazza... Read more >>

Patience in language learning

I'll never forget the day I told a Taiwanese cab driver I wanted to “eat” Jhubei (a city on the west coast of Taiwan) instead of saying “I want to go to Jhubei.” She laughed, corrected my Chinese and mumbled something... Read more >>

Photo Tip - A Novice's Guide to Taking Great Candid Images of Strangers

[Moldovan Popular Musicians Warming Up - On a River Boat On the River Bîc - Republic of Moldova -... Read more >>

Jesus on a Chapatti

Okay, maybe I went a little far last week with my Chapatti Baba idea. I think it was simply the result of cabin fever and absolute boredom that inflamed the idea of Guru Hood as a career option. It may have... Read more >>

Need a Cure for Cold Feet?

If you're planning to run away from your wedding, you've come to the wrong place. I've got a cure for feet that are literally cold, not figuratively so. Earlier this year  Read more >>