ON THE ROAD WITH ANN – Early reflections on Vietnam and Cambodia, pt. 1 of 2
Our last days in Cambodia were packed with magnificent and mysterious Angkor temples and local culture. Heat and humidity sapped my remaining energy, so I am now composing a final post from the comfort of home. Click on thumbnail images to enlarge. CAVEAT: Please understand that a trip of several […]
GUEST BLOG – Gary Schoepfel from the Mekong
When I travel I sometimes forget my ears. I venture out with camera in hand and eyes wide open. I search for the perfect photo op: that traffic stopping almond-eyed girl, the perfect sunset or moon rise, the Buddhist monk wrapped in mysterious yellow-orange, the twilight mountain silhouette, or that […]
ON THE ROAD WITH ANN – River Kids in Cambodia
Do not feel sorry for these kids. These pictures cannot fully convey their exuberance, their lithe gracefulness, their playfulness, their ease with and kindness to one another, their inventiveness, and their quick responsiveness to gentle commands from parents or teachers, their squeals of laughter, play and surprisingly good efforts at […]
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 […]
TRAVEL PURSUITS – A gentleman on the Mekong River
A chance encounter (at a local meeting of Camino aficianados) resulted in an extended conversation about the ways and means and the whys of travel. David Levin has been a serious and life-long traveller. When he learned that Classical Pursuits will be going to Vietnam and Cambodia this fall, his […]
TODAY IN LITERATURE – “The Day Always Belongs to the Sun,’ by Tran Thanh Ha
On of the things that strikes me over and over on our Classical Pursuits trips is the confirmation that however we may appear to differ across the ages, oceans and culture, in all essential ways, we are one human family. Maybe Shylock said it as well as any, “If you prick us, […]
TRAVEL PURSUITS – Vietnam, hmmm?
I (Gary Schoepfel) am afflicted with an advanced case of wanderlust. So, when Ann Kirkland mentioned Vietnam, I found myself accepting before she completed her invitation to accompany another Classical Pursuit’s trip. “Of course, of course” was my immediate and enthusiastic response. After accepting, I took pause. “Vietnam.” Hmmm? The […]