Posts
The Travail of Travel
Whoever penned the phrase “the romance of travel,” obviously never traveled. I think the quote should be rewritten to read “the travail of travel.” The Oxford Dictionary gives the following definition of travel: Travel: (verb) to make a journey, typically of some length. Origin: Middle English: a variant of TRAVAIL, and originally in the same…
Fireweed: Beauty from Ashes
When I think of Alaska, one of the first images to cross my mind is of a field of fireweed. Fireweed flourishes along the roads, on the hillsides, and in your backyard. Its glowing magenta color transforms the landscape. Last week, as I drove along the Turnagain Pass on my way to Seward, I was…
Anchorage Hits 90 Degrees: A Tale of Survival
I can’t believe I’m getting ready to type these words: Anchorage hit 90 degrees for the first time in recorded history. I know, all you Southerners are laughing at my supposed discomfort. But it’s HOT, HOT, HOT! This is a piece of Alaskan history I’d just as soon miss. I used to brag that I…
My Greek Bodyguard
I’m not famous. I’m not a politician or a movie star. But for a few years of my life, I had a self-appointed Greek bodyguard. I wish I could tell you this bodyguard was tall, dark, handsome, and resembled a Greek god. Unfortunately, my Greek bodyguard didn’t fit this description. She was a large stray…
My Balcony People
While living in Eastern Europe, I developed a fascination with balconies. I confess I was a balcony peeper. Comparing how different neighbors used their balconies was my new hobby. One balcony appeared strictly utilitarian, and the next would be a veritable haven of flowering plants with an inviting table and chairs. I loved watching my…
My Life as a Tour Guide
Tourist season has arrived in Alaska, and my life as a tour guide has kicked into full steam. As a child, I never dreamed of being a tour guide, but during my time spent overseas and in Alaska, I’ve had the misfortune privilege many times. I’m always amazed that visitors mistakenly believe I am an…
Papigo: The hidden gem of Greece
The mountain village of Papigo is the hidden gem of Greece. This quaint village is tucked away in the Zagori region of northern Greece. It is my favorite place in Greece. I first learned about Papigo when I read an article about Zagori during one of my many flights across Europe. I ripped the article…
Condor Airlines: Born to Fly
This month, I flew for the first time on Condor Airlines. The tag line for Condor is “Born to Fly.” After my 10-hour non-stop flight from Vancouver to Frankfurt, I was pretty sure I wasn’t born to fly. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve flown internationally. On this flight, I spent 15 hours…
Tourists: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
After years of living overseas, I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly tourist. I can recognize the country of origin of each group of tourists I encounter. For instance, the noisy ones wearing bright white clunky tennis shoes are Americans, while the Germans wear socks with sandals and floppy hats, and of course,…
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
Women spend a great deal of time and money on their hair. I’ve always wondered why. Is our identity tied to our hair? Is our femininity? Our beauty? In biblical times, a woman’s hair was referred to as her “crowning glory.” Yet, hair can be here today and gone tomorrow. Particularly after a visit to…
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