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Posted on July 1, 2016 Leave a Comment
We spent most of Tuesday and Wednesday, our first two days, reuniting with friends and family who had either never left Haiti, or who had chosen to return out of love, for work, or both. Among the former group, were my aunt, and three of my mother’s cousins, the aforementioned pressers of uniform pleats, […]
Posted on June 30, 2016 Leave a Comment
Back in February, I found myself uttering the words “We should go to Haiti” on a phone call to my sister, with whom my parents were staying for the week. To understand the magnitude of this proposition, and the ultimate decision to embark on this family pilgrimage, you need a little background. We are Haitian […]
Posted on August 23, 2014 Leave a Comment
July 10, 2011 This morning begins with a long ride to the Olympic sites, preceded by what feels like a government “recommended” tourist stop at one of Beijing’s latest development projects which rests on the former site of what used to be an actual (and fairly ancient) traditional neighborhood. The place is practically deserted […]
Posted on August 23, 2014 Leave a Comment
Our 2011 Chinese odyssey consisted of five cities: Beijing, Xi’an,Chonqing,Yichang, and Shanghai. In two weeks, we flew six times, cruised the Yangtze River, and just for fun, rode the world’s fastest train. July 7 & 8, 2011 As I write, we’re three and a half hours into a 13.5 hr. plane ride to Beijing. T’s […]
Posted on August 19, 2014 2 Comments
In 2011, I found out what happens when you try to access FB in China, which is nothing–blank screen–super, duper firewall. This prompted me to keep in touch w/family members via diary entries I sent through numerous emails, before it ever occurred to me to start this blog. I’m busy compiling these and hope to […]
Posted on August 5, 2014 Leave a Comment
I am a pathological optimist, which is probably why I do most things early. Last January, snowed-in and seduced by the torrid promise of August, I bought two-day passes for T. and me for what turned out to be this past week-end’s sodden, muddy, and downright frigid Newport Jazz Festival. Because I’m also a planner, […]
Posted on July 24, 2014 2 Comments
1. When I was 20 years old, I climbed the 422 steps to the bell tower of the Notre Dame and was drafted by our eccentric elderly guide to “ring”the biggest bell. He had me stand under the massive dome, placed the clapper in my hand, and guided me in gently rubbing it along the […]
Posted on July 21, 2014 2 Comments
Montmartre is probably best known for its magnificent Sacre Coeur Basilica, and for good reason. It’s gorgeous inside and out, and it affords pilgrims worldwide an absolutely breathtaking view of the city. What I found out today, though is that Montmartrois (residents of Montmartre) really can’t stand the place. Long story, but suffice it to […]
Posted on July 21, 2014 Leave a Comment
After the exhilarating intensity of India, Paris welcomed us for our four-day layover with serenity and seventy-degree weather. Everything was easy, from the overnight nine-hour plane ride, to the train from Charles de Gaulle, to the faithful Hotel St. Andre-des-Arts, to which I’ve returned after a 26 year absence. Of course, with the building having […]
Posted on July 18, 2014 1 Comment
1. I write my observations humbly, knowing that I’ve only seen a tiny portion of this huge subcontinent and its myriad cultures and traditions. 2. Eating vegetarian while in India is great idea, and not difficult to do. 3. When in doubt, choose to pack the Imodium. 4. Arranged marriages are no longer uniformly de […]
Learner Sojourner 