While the architectural imagery, history, religion and cuisine in India are distinct and fascinating, the children in India were also delightful to observe. The people in India stood out to me for their lovely skin and silky hair. The children with their spry bodies and colorful spirits stood out to me for their curiosity and innocence.Out of 1.25 billion people, approximately 440 million of the population are children. This is a staggering statistic to me. From what I’ve read, the children are enrolled in school but approximately half drop out of school to work and help their families. The street children in India are unsupervised children who work independently. Because of the risk of having their earnings taken, they immediately use them for food. Most families are multigenerational (as in many cultures) and they follow the joint family system where many families live together in one household.
The recreational games that Indian children play consist of Parcheesi (the national game of India), kite flying, hockey, cricket, chess and soccer. Because India is known for their festivals, many Indian children attend the following festivals: Diwali, Holi and Rakhi are a few of the many festivals they celebrate. In their daily greetings, the children and adults greet each other with “Namaste” which means “I bow to you” or “I bow to your true self.” Faith and family are valued in this culture.
We saw children work alongside their families in the fields, outside of temples and forts, etc. This is common in many countries. From a psychoeducational perspective, I thought about the children learning alongside the adults, —what emotional stability they must feel (being with family) working and learning in an “outdoor classroom”! Children in America have to go on a field trip, usually, to experience this kind of learning!
My brother’s family went to Argentina in the early 2000’s for the enthronement of Metropolitan Tarasios Anton (of Buenos Aires ) of the South American archdiocese. It was a long flight to Argentina from the heartland of America….but for such a significant event! I interviewed my brother about this event that he attended with my wonderful nephews and dynamic sister in law. My brother shared his trip details with me. This kind and compassionate history-lover is typically very loquacious but condensed his information into this concise interview.
Why is it called an “enthronement”? How long was the service?
He was already ordained as a bishop so the enthronement is his placement at his cathedral. The service was 1.5 hours.
What did you see and learn that you never saw before?
It was all in Greek. I had never seen a bishop’s enthronement; only ordinations.
What is Argentina like? The “Paris of South America”, as they say?
Absolutely, yes….very European. It has the widest boulevard in the world. 9 de Julio Avenue.
from internet
What sightseeing did you do?
We took a tour of the city. The itinerary of the enthronement ceremonies kept us busy, though. We saw a tango dinner show. They served lots of beef. We went to Eva Peron’s grave to pay tribute to it. There are soldiers standing guard over it.
Describe the physical features of Buenos Aires, Argentina
It’s a very European city set up in an American grid pattern and a beautiful city with a moderate climate. It was very urban where we stayed…and sprawling.
My lovely, intelligent and amiable niece recently went to Brazil for a friend’s wedding. This luminous young lady had also studied abroad in Spain during her college years. I interviewed her about her experience in Brazil. How fortuitous that her visit to Brazil included a wedding celebration. She experienced both sightseeing and cultural celebrations!
What inspired you to travel to Brazil?
I traveled to Brazil for a college friend’s wedding. We went to Brazil for one of my good friend’s wedding. She grew up there, went to college in Texas and now lives in a small town outside of Campinas on a hay and eucalyptus farm! I hadn’t seen her since my wedding 5 years ago, so it was a no-brainer to make the trip to celebrate with her!
What did your trip itinerary involve?
We were in Brazil for about a week. We spent the first part of the trip in Rio De Janeiro enjoying the sites, the beach, samba and fun. After Rio, we traveled to Campinas for the wedding. Campinas is a city about 2 hours outside of Sao Paulo.
What excursions or museums do you recommend?
There is SO much to do and see in Rio. Here are some highlights: Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) –
Take the tram to up to see breathtaking, panoramic views of Rio. If you can, go in the evening to catch an incredible sunset. Santa Teresa Neighborhood – This was probably our favorite part of the city. It is a small, eclectic neighborhood situated high in the hills above the city.
Santa Teresa neighborhood
There are great restaurants, shops and art galleries. It is not super touristy so you can really get a feel for the city. Stop by Hotel Santa Teresa for a cocktail and enjoy amazing views of Rio. Escadaria Selarón- These world-famous, tiled steps in the Santa Teresa neighborhood are a must see! The 250 steps are covered in bright tiles representing various countries from across the world. Christ the Redeemer – Hop on a tour bus that will take you to the top of Corcovado Mountain to see one of the seven wonders of the world. It is very crowded and windy at the top but is a must see while in Rio.
Urca Neighborhood – Urca is a fun hangout for the younger crowd. Grab a cerveja and some empanadas from Bar Urca and watch the sunset with the locals while enjoy music from a street band. There are plenty of good restaurants within walking distance. Copacobana and Impanema Beach – You will definitely want to check out the beaches in Rio. Make sure to get a coconut! Copacobana Hotel is a beautiful hotel and a great place to grab dinner or a drink.El Centro – Downtown Rio is a bustling metro area. There are cathedrals and museums that you can visit. Make sure to visit Theatro Municipal of Rio de Janeiro. The Theatro has recently been recently been renovated and the architecture is beautiful. To see the theatro you have to take a guided tour. It takes about an hour and is inexpensive. Stop by Confeitaria Colombo for a coffee and sweet treat. It is a very popular spot! Samba – Check out a samba school if you can! Went to Bar Scenrium in Lapa and enjoyed a samba band and dancing!
What hotels and restaurants do you recommend?
In Rio, we stayed at Porto Bay Internacional on Copacabana Beach. I would recommend staying either on Copacabana or Impanema Beach. Make sure your hotel has adequate security. In Campinas, we stayed at the Vitoria Hotel which was excellent. In Rio, we had an amazing dinner at Aprazivel Restuarante in Santa Teresa. The restaurant is like tree house nestled on the side of a mountain with an amazing menu and wine list. It is a must do!How would you describe the perfect Brazilian meal?
Brazil is know for its Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse). We were treated to an churrascaria-style barbeque at our friend’s parent’s house in Campinas. Also, you must have a Caipirinha (Brazil’s national cocktail) made with fresh fruit and cachaça. Another Brazilian treat we enjoyed was Pão de queijo- a small, baked, cheese-flavored roll made with tapioca flour. They are light, airy and cheesy! It is easy to eat several of them!
Describe the vibe of the culture.
In Rio, the people were very nice but reserved. Many people do not know English and are hesitant to interact with you at first. We used our southern charm to warm people up! After that, they are very fun and will even give you Portuguese lessons!
How do you describe the terrain?
In Rio, the mountains were right on top of the ocean. In Campinas, the terrain was more flat with large, sprawling fields.
Were there any challenges in getting to your destination? What was the flight like?
Our trip went very smoothly! Going there, my friend and I flew from Dallas to Miami to Rio. Coming back, we flew direct from Sao Paulo to Dallas. The international flights were about 9 hours and both were overnight so we tried to sleep as much as we could.
A couple of tips if you plan on traveling to Brazil:
You will need a visa to enter the country. You can get this through a visa service. Learn a bit of Portuguese. We found that very few people spoke English, especially in Rio. Don’t let the bad press about safety in Rio scare you/ We didn’t run into any trouble when in Rio. We never felt unsafe on the beach or walking through the city. Leave large jewelry and rings at home and travel in a group. Find a hotel that provides security and chairs on the beach. Carry a copy of your passport with you and leave the original in your room safe. Most of all – have fun!What did you learn about yourself from this trip? How did this trip enrich your life? Describe any experiences that made you grow spiritually.
I have been very fortunate to be able to travel abroad with my family on previous trips. Going on trips like this makes you realize how large the world is and how much there is out there to see, learn and experience. I was so happy I was able to go on this trip to learn about a new country and culture and to reconnect with some of my best friends.
Follow this lesson plan to build trip itineraries with your family:
My friend, who was born in Peru, shared her knowledge with me about growing up there. Listening to this lovely, well-spoken and intuitive woman describe her Peruvian culture and background was inspirational.
I have always been mesmerized by foreign accents and my friend’s lovely accent was not only soothing but revealed her passionate personality and the essence of her Peruvian heritage.
When was your last trip to Peru?
In 2010, we traveled to Lima to see my relatives.
What museums do you recommend? Which restaurants?
The Art Museum and National Archealogical Museum are very good. Las Americas in Miraflores is a good restaurant. There are many excellent restaurants in Lima. They have international choices of food.
What excursions do you recommend?
You must go to Machu Picchu if you go to Peru! I went there for 4 days with my school when I was 16 years old. We stayed in houses. I remember breathing pure air there. It is so natural. I felt God was there and you feel the history of long ago. When you listen and learn there, you transport yourself to the past. They talked about different gods and how they survived. I visualized living in their time–the time of the Incas. We learned about the god of the sun, the god of the moon.
Huaraz is another place to see. When I climbed that mountain, it was the first time I touched ice and snow!
Caraz is a city that was destroyed and the only thing that survived was this statue of Jesus. It’s a popular trekking destination and there are day walks into the Huascaran National Park.
There is a pond that looks dirty but has healing, medicinal qualities. The pond water comes down from the stone mountains. Tourists are enchanted with going into this healing pond and they call it miraculous.
Describe your experience at Machu Picchu.
It is steep. You have to be strong and in shape to hike it. It’s a lot of walking and hiking. They offer you traditional Inca food: white corn for protein, boiled potatoes, small portions of black eyed peas, and Swiss cheese. You see campesinas from the villages in traditional dress. You’ll always find these people.
(writer’s side note: I am so interested in these campesinas because I learned about the similarities between the campesinas and the Berber women I write about in my Morocco articles! The pompons and the outfits are similar. The influences came from people’s travels to these regions. The (Moroccan) Berber women also live in villages in the mountains.)
What is the terrain like?
It’s a very beautiful view…..very green. There’s a lot of walking. There are big structures of rock and stone. You get a sensation of how people lived.
How would you describe the perfect Peruvian meal?
They serve a lot of soups. The primary dish is soup. Then there is white rice or chicken. Lomo Saltado is a good dish. Lomo= the best part of the cow and Saltado = mix of onions and tomatoes. There are beef and fries, tomatoes, and long red onions. Lima overwhelms you with types of fried fish and different ceviches because we are on the coast. There’s lots of salad around, boiled potatoes and spicy salsas on the table. Wine is usually served at dinner and beer is for walking around.
Lomo Saltado
Describe the vibe of the culture.
In South America, we are very warm and loving with foreign people; “extranjeros”. We are respectful because we appreciate that tourists come to our country. We serve and accommodate them so that they leave happy. We feel fortunate because we learn from extranjeros. Many of them work in Peru.
Describe a custom from Peru that you incorporate in your life back home and what does it symbolize?
There is a tradition women do (my mother, aunts, etc) where we light scented candles every Monday until they burn out. They are special candles which are sold in Peru. It is believed that Monday is the day that all the saints are together listening to you.
How long is the flight to Lima, Peru?
It’s 8 hours from Dallas to Lima. And 3 hours from Miami to Lima.
What does your Peruvian heritage mean to you? How does it enrich your life?
Being Peruvian, I describe myself as having compassion and love for others and for family. My family always treated me with love and told me I was a gift from God. It is love. I teach my daughter with very affectionate actions. I tell her to be compassionate with others. If you can help, help. You are here to be good–to be a giver.
suggested reading: Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time by Mark Adams
My hens have always been homebodies…. foraging in the yard all day…staying by their protector — our dog, Zoe. She protects them from chicken hawks and foxes. I see hawks and foxes often but they stay away from our place because of sweet Zoe.
On a very rare occasion, the hens decided to go on a trip. Did they feel cooped up? Maybe they wanted an adventure? This was very uncharacteristic of them. I interviewed the hens about their travels. The hens (a Plymouth Barred Rock and a Rhode Island Red) are named Artemoula and Constantina.
ConstantinaArtemoula
What inspired you to leave the yard?….and go on this trip?
We felt cooped up. Even though we are free range chickens, we spend a lot of time roosting and nesting in the coop to lay our eggs and sleep there, too. Sometimes, we feel like we need a break from all this work, work, work. We felt ova- worked; you know; the American work ethic. The stress was starting to show. (see tiny egg?) That’s from STRESS.
We just felt like exploring one day so we went on a trip over to the neighbor’s yard. We wanted to see if the grass is really greener on the other side.
“Come on, let’s get outta here and see what’s going on next door.”
What did you learn about yourself over there?
That the neighbor’s yard is interesting and different but we missed the comforts of home. You always feed us chicken feed, grains, oyster shell, yogurt and your husband even feeds us, too. The neighbor not only didn’t feed us, but she came and knocked on your door to let you know that we had snuck over to her house.
What was your trip route and itinerary like?
Well, we departed from the east side of the lot and did a layover in the gardenia bushes. I like to take a dust bath there in the dirt.
my dust bath
It helps keep the mites away. I wanted to look good for my trip. Then, we spent some time in the red tipped photinia bushes. When we got very daring, we decided to squeeze through the fence to see what happens when you cross the border.
Do you have any recommendations on excursions, lodging or meals?
We think the neighbor’s tiered landscaping looks good. You might try looking into some exterior improvements. Their electronic garage door opener is groovy. The worms in that yard were pretty good but the worms in our yard are 5 star. You have vegetables and herbs, too…and grapes. They only had florals.
Any spa recommendations?
We didn’t stay long enough to do any spa services. Your pedicures are the best anyway. And we love how you feed us Fage or Yoplait yogurt. The chicken scratch with oyster shell for our nutrients is truly gourmet.
we like Fage yogurt the best
How was the security?
Very good. The neighbors have a dog, too. Our dog is always hanging with us, protecting us….all over the yard.
Was there a pool?
Yes, there was a pool. We like sunbathing on your sun deck, though. We just copy you.
sunbathing together on the pool deck
How did your travels over to the neighbor’s yard enrich you spiritually and mentally?
We learned to appreciate the coop above our heads and the familiarity of family. I really need to get my talons pedicured again, anyway and I missed all those cute kids that keep coming over to see your sons. It’s fun to travel but it taught us that there’s no place like home.
My friends, a married couple, went on a bike tour in France in 2011. The wife, a gorgeous go-getter and her handsome, athletic husband described their trip in detail to me. Her husband’s hobby is cycling so this trip was very meaningful for them. They are also avid travelers and passionate about seeing the world. It was a very fulfilling collaboration to do this interview together because my friend had the most organized method of researching this trip. What inspired you to travel to France?
We went to the Tour de France because of my husband’s love of cycling. I kept a journal while researching the trip to map out the logistics. I used Google Maps to research the driving time. For the train details, I read The Man in Seat 61 which is a website about a man who has done extensive traveling throughout Europe by train. There are websites of train schedules with the timetables, etc. There are different types of trains; high speed trains, scenic trains, etc. SNCF.com is one of the sites I used. I used the book Eyewitness Travel France as my guide for the trip. Even the maps in that book were useful to us.
What did your trip itinerary involve?
I wrote down different possible itineraries. The main reason for the trip was the Tour de France so our itinerary coincided with that. We asked ourselves, “what major cities do we go to to make that work? ” You’re not really there to see the cyclists because they go by so fast…..you are there more for the experience.
What excursions or museums do you recommend?
Louvre, Palace Versailles, Luxembourg Gardens, Tuileries Gardens (next to the Louvre) , Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumphe
Describe the Tour de France.
There’s a big carnival before the stage. There are 21 stages. Each stage goes from one city to another. Each host city has a carnival which is a huge parade, tents with vendors, shows, awards for kids’ festivities and an area for team buses. You see cyclists getting off tour buses and journalists interviewing them.
When we were in college, Lance Armstrong’s popularity influenced us to to go to Tour de France. Even if you’re not into cycling, you should go because it is so beautiful! You’re there for the atmosphere. From the time that the first security car gets there, to the camera crews, and the parade coming through up the mountain….it’s several hours. (each stage). You go to places you normally wouldn’t go to and it’s so beautiful in the tiny towns and villages. When the tour comes through, it gives the town so much business! You have to book your trip months in advance for your accommodations.
How would you describe the tiny towns and villages?
Quaint, storybook, romantic, picturesque cottages, and authentic! We stayed in Joursac , which was a tiny town of 45 people. We stayed in a bed and breakfast where the owner hosted us and some of the media people. There’s no hotels in these towns! The owner told us to show up for dinner. He cooked a French meal– custard, meat, milk–all from the cow on site. There are old cobblestone homes and the local baker came down twice a week, driving around selling bread for the week.
The bakery was decorated with jerseys of the cyclists.
It’s free entertainment because you don’t pay to watch the tour. You have to park far away and walk up the mountain. You meet people from different countries. We met some Norwegians and cheered with them.
What hotels and restaurants do you recommend?
We used Bed and Breakfasts!–not hotels. We like that experience. We also prefer street vendor sandwiches, Nicoise salad and bread from a bread store in Paris.
Describe the vibe of the culture.
It was fashionable, nice and upscale.
Describe a custom that you observed there. Did you incorporate any of their customs back home?
We buy Nutella a lot more and we made crepes when we returned. The first time we had Nutella crepes was in France. We also buy French mustard more. We bought French cafe music ….like Edith Piaf. We also loved the sunflowers in France so now we buy them and have them in our home a lot more.
other lovely French flowers
Were there any challenges in getting to your destination?
Driving through France and the overnight trains had their challenges. We once found a dirt road with a sign pointing to get there….but on foot! We took our rental car on that road, (a hiking trail) seeing deer pass us and not thinking “this is wrong!” The car stalled, got stuck and then it started raining. We couldn’t abandon the car because all our luggage was in there. On another occasion, on the overnight train, from Nice to Paris, it was suspected that a criminal was on the train so an armed militia came onto the train.
What did you learn about yourself from this trip?
We learned to trust one another and trust God. It’s easy to choose to never travel but you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone into new experiences. We drove from Paris to Nice on windy mountainous roads. We went to the South of France where there were beaches, flowers and wineries. In Cannes, there were yachts and blue ocean!
Cannes
How did this trip enrich your life?
It brought us closer together emotionally and spiritually. We had interesting moments and learned from them. We ask ourselves before every trip, “what is the purpose of this trip? sightseeing? relaxation?” This trip was phenomenal because it gave us both! —time in the car driving and being together but also sightseeing in the urban and exciting hustle bustle places. We saved the Eiffel Tower for the last night.
Your planning journal is so organized! Any planning resources you want to share with us?
I also used Trip Advisor to read about some of the B & B’s as well as the City’s Chamber of Commerce website. Many of these websites listed recommended accommodations. I also used the official Tour de France website: www.letour.com
We had never had a parsnip or a turnip until we went to Ireland and Scotland in 2010. In my opinion, these are a much more delicious version of potatoes! (sorry, potato)
Parsnip Soup Recipe:
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 cup sliced carrot
1/2 cup sliced celery
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 parsnips peeled and cut into slices
2 cups chicken broth
nutmeg to taste
cook the onion, garlic, ginger, carrot, celery, and the thyme in the butter in a saucepan over low heat
Add the parsnips and broth and boil. simmer , covered, for 15 minutes until the vegetables are very tender.
Purée the soup in a blender and return to the pan. Stir in the nutmeg add dash of salt and pepper
My son went to Ireland for a college club rugby team tour during his Freshman year. The tour lasted 10 days and included sightseeing. It was the first time he stayed in youth hostels. He went to Cork, Kilfinane/Kilfian and Dublin.
Cork
The team also went to Limerick but my son stayed behind in Kilfinane that day.The team played 3 games total during the 10 day trip. They stayed at Sheila’s youth hostel, Ballyhoura Youth Hostel, and the Generator hostel in Dublin which was “more of a hotel”.
He states, “Ballyhoura was nicest because…
it was privately owned by a couple
it had a dining hall,
a kitchen we could use,
a lounge area with a TV
guitars,
ping pong
foosball table,
sauna,
the beds were nice,
private showers
and had some dogs we could play with.”
It was in a remote part of Ireland called Kilfinane. It was a 10 minute drive from the bike trail we did.
Rugby games are exciting to watch! The unusual maneuvers of the game make it a very interesting sport. This picture (not of my son’s team) depicts typical rugby activity. This is called a scrum.
They stayed in youth hostels and did some sightseeing. He even got to play on the Irish team. Seeing Ireland with other young adults this time (rather than with family) gave him a different perspective of the country.
This time around, he got to play guitar in a tavern at night with these guys.He also got to go mountain biking on the reportedly “second best trail in the world”. I’m really grateful that his college rugby club experience has not only provided him the exercise, activity and fellowship with other athletes but it also has provided him a chance to travel together as a team and broaden his horizons.
Kansas City is one of my favorite American cities for many reasons. There are so many highlights to list but my absolute favorite place in KC is the historic City Market! I found it by accident several years ago. We were looking for another building and then we feasted our eyes on the market! Now, we never miss a chance to visit the city market when we are in Kansas City. The market has produce, food, teas, spices, desserts, pastries, sauces, delis from numerous ethnicities. Brazilian! Arabic! French, Italian, Caribbean, and so many more. You can eat fast food, take away food or just sit to eat and enjoy the musicians. There’s a coconut drink stand where they cut open a coconut and stick a straw in it. There’s a beautiful florals market, gift items, and honey stands. I bought bee pollen there.
My husband likes to get fresh octopus straight out of a barrel in Carollo’s which is an Italian deli. There’s chorizo, sausages, pastas, olives, etc…
I load up on canned dolmathes for dinner parties back home. Stuffed zucchinis in a can make great gifts. My sons like bags of almonds and wasabi peas from the nut section at Al Habashi (my favorite store). The people there are so friendly and my sons are impressed that he adds up your ticket by hand!
There’s a great coffee house with an upstairs balcony seating area. This is also a great stop for gifts–bags of coffee and coffee and tea accessories. When you’re done with strolling and shopping, you run right into a big flea market! Tables and tables of vintage items. I always find something I have to buy!There is usually a big inflatable slide/jump house for kids to be entertained with while you shop. The best entertainment, however, are the musicians! We were fascinated by a musician who set up a one-man band on his body!- harmonica, cymbals, drums, guitar, etc, all rigged together all over him. He let us take his picture and pose with him, too.
It’s a nice way to exit the market—all of your senses are engaged—the smells of the market, the tastes of the food, the sights of the flea market and the sounds of good music!
Kona Grill on the Kansas City Plaza is one of our regular dining destinations when we visit Kansas City. They have happy hour specials on certain days. www.konagrill.com
My favorite one is Saturdays 1-5 p.m. where we stop in for a lite lunch and glass of wine (to save our appetite for a big Saturday night meal, usually.)
Many of the restaurants on Ward Parkway on the plaza have the indoor/outdoor ambience and I like that open feeling. Even if you sit outside, you can still see the bar TVs in case there’s a game on that you don’t want to miss. There is more to choose from than just sushi—check out their menu….there are flatbreads, wings, sliders, tacos, etc. I recommend a couple of plates of sushi and wine. I saw a white wine sangria that looked great.
The people in India stood out to me for their lovely skin and silky hair. The children with their spry bodies and colorful spirits stood out to me for their curiosity and innocence.
Out of 1.25 billion people, approximately 440 million of the population are children. This is a staggering statistic to me. From what I’ve read, the children are enrolled in school but approximately half drop out of school to work and help their families. The street children in India are unsupervised children who work independently. Because of the risk of having their earnings taken, they immediately use them for food. Most families are multigenerational (as in many cultures) and they follow the joint family system where many families live together in one household.
We saw children work alongside their families in the fields, outside of temples and forts, etc. This is common in many countries. 
From a psychoeducational perspective, I thought about the children learning alongside the adults, —what emotional stability they must feel (being with family) working and learning in an “outdoor classroom”! Children in America have to go on a field trip, usually, to experience this kind of learning!
