The last time I was in India was in the fall of 1988. I still have trouble finding words to describe the experiences of those 5 weeks. How can I describe the feeling of stepping back in time to the Victorian era when we were invited to tea at the […]
Convivium
Behold the Botafumeiro: Santiago de Compostela’s Treasure
Now that my Camino journey is over – well, at least the daily walking part of it, I thought some might be interested in one of the most spectacular rituals associated with the pilgrimage. It is the Botafumerio, the largest incense burner in the world, that goes swinging across the […]
INDIA – I’d love to go, but is it safe?
I hear this often. I wanted to provide a reliable response, so I went to Lewie Gonsalves, President of Worldwide Quest and native of India. Here is what he said. “I have been leading trips to India for the past 35 years and regularly return to this exciting destination. Despite […]
Stratford Shakespeare Extravaganza – July 15-17, 2011
As an optional prelude to Toronto Pursuits, July 17-22, we are offering a Stratford Shakespeare Extravaganza at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival to take place from Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 17. We have only a limited number of coveted spots, so you will have to act now to snag one. Cathy Wilkes […]
Amazing pics from Jordan and Egypt now available for viewing
I have posted some of my favourites and several from others who are competing in our photo contest. Here are a few teasers. Then have a look for yourself on the Classical Pursuits page of Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=32653&id=116055308434025
Reflections on Egypt trip
I have been home for nearly a week now and my mind keeps going back to the final encounter we had with three incredibly bright and annimated Egyptian university students. Thanks to our great American-in-Egypt go-between, Cathryn Goddard, our last afternoon was spent back at the lovely lounge of the […]
Nov. 1: Alexandria to Cairo
Here is the Last Breakfast all of us will be together – from our hotel terrace in Alexandria. The potential for Egypt can be seen everywhere, but the probability and even the possibilities seem somewhat dismal. Here along the corniche of this beautiful bay are crumbling buildings. The size and […]
Oct 31: Alexandria
A day full of many treasures, the consummate of which was undoubtably The New Library in Alexandria. The fact that this marvelous structure and its amazing contents and Programs ever happened it nothing short of miraculous. Encourage readers to have a good look at www.bibalex.org and really poke around. It […]
Oct 30: Aswan to Alexandria
Up at 3:30 am for flight from Aswan (in the far south of the country) to Cairo and the drive to Alexandria (in the north). Traffic is equally crazy, but the temperature has dropped radically. We even had a little rain on the way. Visited fascinating catacombs that combined in […]
Oct. 29: Aswan
Briefly, because we leave very wary tomorrow for Alexandria….Temple at Philae dedicated to Isis, the Aswan High Dam, a papyrus gallery and transfer from lovely boat to equally lovely hotel on Elephant Island. We are all happily tired and decided to postpone our last book discussion in favour of a […]