For the last couple of weeks my life has been consumed by stuff. My siblings and I are dividing the contents of my mom’s house now that she’s moved to a retirement community. Every horizontal surface is covered with dishes, linens, knick knacks and the souvenirs of a life well lived and it’s filling me with an overwhelming urge to move to a Zen monastery where my only possession will be my wooden begging bowl. If you, too, are feeling overwhelmed by the minutiae of life, perhaps it’s time to consider a vacation aimed at renewal, reflection or reconnection. (more…)
Archive for March, 2009
March 2nd, 2009
Spiritual Travel (or How to Book your Cell at the Abbey)
March 2nd, 2009
Terrell’s Front Table Books
March, in my mind at least, always marks the arrival of spring with the first hint of warming temperatures and tiny sprouts of green. At Wide World Books & Maps the spring publishing season has already filled the Front Table with a bouquet of new titles. Looking at the new arrivals, I was struck by how many of them had a search for identity as a central theme. (more…)
March 1st, 2009
Wide World Discoveries
As mentioned in last month’s discoveries, Google Earth has taken up way to much of my time. Now they have added underwater imagery and maps of the sea floor, which means even more of my time will be burned in the fires of Google’s servers!
Geologic time is usually reckoned in million of years but this continually updated world map of recent earthquakes shows the true dynamics of the earth.
A while back the movie “Snakes On a Plane” made headlines for a single gimmick. Now check out this gimmick of a hostel on a plane.
March 1st, 2009
Travel Tidbits
Desart, the association of of Central Australian Aboriginal Art and Craft Centres, hosts the indigenous Desart in the Park market in Alice Springs. From 6-9pm on March 6th, the market is open selling handcrafted goods.
Covering over 1,150 miles of rugged and beautiful terrain, the 37th Iditarod is set to mush on March 7th at 10am. In 1925 a diphtheria outbreak threatened Nome and with the serum in Anchorage, made necessary this ‘race’. The medicine left first by train and then 20 volunteer sled-dog drivers did a nonstop relay to deliver the serum.
March 8th, International Women’s Day, is a global day of recognition across developed and developing countries alike. Celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.
Literary ties between France and Mexico are highlighted at this year’s Le Salon du Livre in Paris, a yearly book celebration. Authors and illustrators will be present throughout, along with lectures and debates from March 13th to the 18th.
The 5th Annual Oregon Cheese Festival takes place at the Rogue Creamery in Central Point, Oregon March 13 & 14. They invite all to come sample, savor and enjoy the great bounty that is Oregon cheese.
Papa Legba, the patron of travelers, interpreters and small children, is honored throughout Haiti on March 20th, also the day of this year’s vernal equinox. http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/vernal-equinox.html
Dressage, jumping, all things equestrian, happen at the International Equestrian Westfalenhallen Dortmund Tournament in Germany. This, the 57th annual, occurs March 25-29.
March 25 marks Greece’s independence from the Ottoman Empire and the Feast of the Annunciation. Parades with military flare and church observations are held throughout the country.
Kite flying on the mall! Washington DC’s 43rd annual Smithsonian Kite Festival on March 28th with a schedule that’s subject to the winds.
March 1st, 2009
Local News & Events
June 1 is fast approaching and with it the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative goes into effect. Follow the link for information about land, sea and air travel regulations between the USA, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Things are changing, don’t get caught without your passport or a US Passport Card.
Lucy’s Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia at the Pacific Science Center closes on March 8th. Lucy is a 3.2 million year old, erect-walking hominid fossil and if your curiosities include history, Africa, the human species and our origins, this show should not be missed. If your interests include gorillas, don’t miss the presentation by Thor Hanson, author of The Impenetrable Forest: My Gorilla Years in Uganda, here on March 3rd at 7pm.
A new Italian restaurant, Cantinetta, just opened down the street from us and that makes us very happy.
Rick Steves celebrates all things European at his European Travel Festival on March 7th. This free event, a series of seminars, is open to the public and includes Rick talking about his recent trip to Iran.
Chado, the Way of Tea is held the first three Sundays in March at the Seattle Japanese Gardens, and at other times throughout the year. If you’ve never been to the Tea Garden in the Arboretum it is a perfect place to spend a spring afternoon.
Curious about Icelandic music? The Nordic Heritage Museum presents Iceland Import, classical works by contemporary Icelandic composers, March 22nd at 4pm.
