Trying to explain Vietnam in a few sentences is like trying to complete a large abstract motif jigsaw puzzle in one quick setting. There is no one quick way and understanding comes from many discussions with both locals and fellow travellers. There is no one way of understanding, and things […]
Tag: Classical Pursuits
ON THE ROAD WITH ANN – The Mekong at night
It is cocktail hour on the ‘sun deck’ of the RV Bassac Pandaw. It it pitch black outside and we are on a narrow portion of the river. The warm and humid breeze is strong and luscious. We can see the occasional electric light or fire on shore and hear […]
ON THE ROAD WITH ANN – Final thoughts from Vietnam
We are in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and have been on the Mekong River for the past few days, without Internet. Before thinking about what we are experiencing in Cambodia, I want to offer a few more reflections on Vietnam. We are discussing short stories written by Vietnamese writers. They are […]
ON THE ROAD WITH ANN – a post from Ann’s ‘elf’ back home
Hello friends. We may have a few days of silence from Ann while the Travel Pursuits group drifts down the Mekong — not a lot of Internet along the way. So as we all wait for the next post, I thought I would share this clip that I stumbled across […]
ON THE ROAD WITH ANN – Saigon’s Yin to Hanoi’s Yang
(click on photos to see full size images) We tend to toss around the terms ‘yin’ and ‘yang’ with some hazy notion that they represent something to do with balance. What we read before we came and what has been confirmed by all we have seen and been told, is […]
ON THE ROAD WITH ANN – Confused by Communism in Vietnam
On flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly, and often still, known as Saigon). First, I want to say how the hearts of all of us on this trip are concerned for those who have borne the wrath of the benign-sounding Sandy. I hope you are all safe […]
ON THE ROAD WITH ANN – Day 3 caminando
Today is our third day of walking. You would never know we are in Spain. This part of the country looks and feels like Ireland, lush, green, wooded, hilly, stone fences and houses, slate roofs. The rain has stopped and the temperature has been perfect. It feels like magic lives […]
ON THE ROAD WITH ANN – And so we begin.
It is morning of our third day of walking. Here is Michael, from NY. The first two days have been rainy, with spells of teeming rain. And yet, they have been utterly glorious. The sound of cow bells, church bells, the rhythmic sound of walking poles hitting the ground, and […]
GUEST BLOG: TRAVEL DINNER: A Classical Potpourri
submitted by Bobbi Speck, Toronto [singlepic id=160 w=320 h=240 float=right] On Wednesday night the Vic foyer was a hive of festivity as Classical Pursuers, our hands and minds freed of weighty texts, buzzed about sampling beverages and appetizers. Along the room’s perimeter a smorgasbord of flag festooned tables beckoned us […]
GUEST BLOG: Leslie and Fae on Magic Mountain
[singlepic id=159 w=320 h=240 float=center] Leslie Sauber: Where else could you meet with 14 people who have all just finished reading a 700 page novel of ideas and boarding school shenanigans? AND with a group member fluent in German and several participants who speak a smattering of French, Italian and […]