Today is October 7th, and that, my friends, is also Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day. I bet you didn't know that. A few years ago, I would have been right there with you. The first time I stumbled on the words 'Trigeminal Neuralgia' I had to sound them out. And as I kept reading, my heart … Continue reading The Travel I Don’t Blog
A couple of weeks back, I got the wonderful news, that I had been nominated for the Blogger Recognition award. I'm flattered, thankful, and really appreciate that another blogger likes this blog enough to nominate me. Thank you, so much, to Katy of The Tightwad Tourist for my nomination! Blogging is a weird thing to … Continue reading Travel Bloggers You Should Read
So, I pick up the bread, and I smell. As soon as I smell the french bread, I close my eyes and I am in my grandmother's kitchen, with the rolls that my grandfather used to pick up in the mornings.
Nothing that happened today was what I had planned. Well, aside from the fact that we did actually make it to Heidelberg, and we did, in fact, eat dinner. And, I'm happy. I'm enjoying the chaos and mish-mash of languages, and just the feel of being in a festive foreign city.
Much of the travel happening in our family recently has been the husband traveling for work. Sadly, I have only been able to hitch a ride along once, since life and school and lessons and all still have to go on here at home. This does, however, lead to some of the most amazing emails and … Continue reading Sometimes You Shouldn’t Translate the Menu
The main fears I have have nothing to do with traveling alone. How about "How to Guilt Friends into Driving Carpool" and "Defending That Calendar Spot with Blood and Verbal Abuse 101." Where are these postings people??
The plane suddenly drops, leaving my stomach three to five feet above my head, then lifts just as suddenly, and then the right wing lowers a bit and we all seem to slide down to the right before it bumps back up again. It’s going to be one of those flights.
I am considering a 'Momcation' but... there's a lot of guilt and questions that go along with trying that. The Me Before Husband and Kids Many, many moons ago, before I met my husband, I moved to a city in another state based on a phone discussion with one friend I had who had moved … Continue reading Momcation: Considering Solo Travel… As a Mom
"Everything out of your pockets! If you leave something in there, you're going to get a little extra TLC from the TSA. And if you are going to make us do that, we would prefer you buy us dinner first!" Kudos to him for making everyone's least favorite part a little easier. First time I've … Continue reading When TSA Makes You Laugh – In a Good Way
Ah yes, the Tuk Tuk ride. The day we had a reasonable concern part of our party had been whisked off to parts unknown, never to be seen again. That was an exciting time. I'm telling you, we made memories on this trip! We had had our yummy lunch at <<Shoshanna Restaurant>>. We had politely … Continue reading The Great Disappearing Tuk Tuk
Today, we remember with fondness(ish) the experience that is the Water Taxi on Chao Phraya, in the heart of Bangkok. As the wise philosopher, or hubby Scott, put it: The Water Taxi on Chao Phraya is... an adventure for the senses. The people crowded around you, the rocking of the boat, the smell of water, … Continue reading Chao Phraya: The Water Taxi Experience
Our journey up the river was intended to bring us to the road where taxis pick up passengers, and our goal was a little waterfall about a kilometer and a half from where we were. So, we arrived at the "intersection" and found... very little traffic. And very little intersection. And the signage was... less … Continue reading Thailand: Hitchhiking Koh Kood with Kids!
When traveling in Thailand, at some point, you are going to have to use a public restroom. I suppose it is technically possible to come and stay at a 4 star resort, at least a Thai 4 star which isn't quite as spoiled as a US 4 star, and plan your days so that you … Continue reading Thai Potties… The Traveler’s Divide
I sat on our terrace, watching the sun set and the lights begin to illuminate the Acropolis, and texted with my husband. We spoke briefly on the phone, but his battery was about to die. I tried to feel bad for him… stuck in a pod in Moscow… I had arrived in Athens, and … Continue reading The Tale of a Terrace and a Pod
Usually when I am in an airport, I’m with the family. So, getting to the no-turning-back point on the other side of security can be stressful. Twice we’ve had incidents going through security. Once one daughter really did have water in her backpack after she was so sure she didn’t. She was pulled out of … Continue reading Airport Nirvana – The Dream is Real
Soon, after weeks apart while my husband travels for work, I will get to meet up with him in Athens. Our 20th Anniversary is this summer, and we are spending two weeks together in Greece and Italy. I've been looking forward to this trip for over a year. But the thing about travel is, you … Continue reading The Best Laid Plans – Subject to Protest
Katie, Lydia and I are people-dodging our way down a loud and crowded street in New York City. So far we have ducked in and out of two stores, and are desperately seeking one of the roughly four million Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts in the Times Square vicinity. Finally, we round a corner and spot … Continue reading NYC: Pottys, Pedicabs, Adrenaline
"Should I run ahead?" she asked, a reflection of my stress in her eyes.
I only hesitate a moment before telling her, "Yes, go! Remember, Gate A14!" And she was off. I watched my recently turned 15-year-old daughter's head bob in and out and around people in the growing distance as I speed-walked farther and farther behind.
I recently ran into a former neighbor and friend I hadn’t seen in years. After the usual pleasantries, asking about each others kids and family, she told me she and her older daughter had traveled Europe for nearly a month over the Christmas break. I, of course, was immediately full of questions, especially when she … Continue reading Travel Philosophy
Today, we went in search of a piece of my family history. The story goes like this... During WWII, my grandfather, Garland Earl, was stationed in London. When I told that to our Fat Tyre Bike Tour guide, he immediately asked if he was part of the something-or-other corps. I had never heard of whatever … Continue reading London Family History
