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Mar

India—Cultural Encounters of the Colorful Kind

by Meredith Mullins on March 16, 2015

Flower seller, car-to-car, cultural encounters in Northern India that provide travel inspiration. (Image © Meredith Mullins)

A car-to-car flower seller in Delhi
© Meredith Mullins

Travel Inspiration from Northern India

I expected sensory overload . . . and India delivered.

Bright colors warmed by the sun
Labyrinthine bazaars, far more organized than first glance implies
Horn blasts and shrill shouts from streets crowded with cars, rickshaws, animals, cycles, and carts
Spices that pervade the body—smell, taste, and touch
Dust and wood-fire smoke permeating air and clothes
Mounds of golden flowers—in markets and on shrines to the gods
People living their lives in the open—in the streets, on rooftops, in alleys, in unwalled shops, or in just about any open space

Rooftop in Old Delhi, cultural encounters in Northern India that provide travel inspiration. (Image © Meredith Mullins)

Up on the roof . . . in Old Delhi
© Meredith Mullins

What I did not expect was the depth of hospitality or the pride of place that I experienced from the people of India. Read more...

Meredith Mullins 14 Comments

Cultural Encounters/India/The World's Photography

Oct

Adventure Cycling: Wheeling Past the Dogs of Mexico

by Eva Boynton on October 28, 2014

Drawing of one of the dogs of Mexico, part of the life lessons learned on an adventure cycling trip to Mexico (Drawing © Eva Boynton)

They were mangy, big, wild . . . and fast!
Drawing by Eva Boynton

Life Lessons on Wild Things

They were mangy. They were small. Big, brown, white, spotted, black. Some had long hair and others had it short. They were mutts. They were purebreds. And they did not discriminate between man, woman or child, local or foreigner. They were the dogs of Mexico.

Bicycle by house in Mexico, part of the life lessons offered on an adventure cycling trip with the dogs of Mexico (Photo © Eva Boynton)

Mexico awaits
© Eva Boynton

Don’t Go!

Many people warned me about Mexico. I was headed on a 2,500-mile adventure cycling trip from California to Mexico City (of course this number does not calculate back roads, side trips, and wrong turns). Read more...

Eva Boynton 5 Comments

Adventure Travel/Cultural Encounters/Mexico

Jul

Cultural Encounters at a D-Day Military Camp

by Sheron Long on July 14, 2014

Reconstructed American Military Camp at Sainte-Marie-du-Mont during the D-Day 70th anniversary commemoration, giving militaria collectors a chance to share their gear and providing cultural encounters for visitors. (Image © Sheron Long)

Reconstructed American military camp at Sainte-Marie-du-Mont during
the D-Day 70th Anniversary commemoration, 2014
© Sheron Long

Preserving Great Moments in History

The Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944, did no less than alter the course of the world. Seventy years later, the world still comes to the Normandy landing beaches to honor what the Allies accomplished in WWII, one of the great moments in history.

Of course, the occasion deserves the internationally-televised speeches by world leaders. But this year I chose to visit village commemorations, the ones that speak volumes about respect among ordinary people.

French woman standing at the door of her village house by the reconstruction of an American military camp to honor D-Day, a great moment in history. (Image © Sheron Long)

Sheron Long Comments

Cultural Encounters/France

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