Topics

Mar

Respecting Cultural Traditions and Taboos

by Meredith Mullins on March 9, 2020

Travelers can learn much from the Buddhism of Myanmar
© Meredith Mullins

A Traveler’s View of the Buddhism of Myanmar

Not long ago, a crowd of tourists stood mid-street, jostling to claim the best photographic position as more than 1000 monks walked reverently in their procession for food and alms.

This exceptional experience takes place every morning at the Myanmar Mahagandayon Monastery, just south of Mandalay, as the monks prepare to receive their second (and final) meal of the day, which they must eat before noon. The maroon-robed devotees are humble. Their purpose pure. Read more...

Meredith Mullins 6 Comments

Cultural Do's & Taboos/Myanmar/Southeast Asia

Mar

Travels to the Past—Angkor, Cambodia

by Meredith Mullins on March 3, 2020

The Ta Prohm Temple, intentionally left in its natural state to show what explorers
found in the 19th century.
© Meredith Mullins

Lost Among the Ruins in One of the Most Amazing Places on Earth

Many years ago, I saw a photograph of a multi-rooted tree swallowing an ancient temple in one overgrown gulp.

For me, the siren’s call came through with haunting clarity. It was then and there—through a National Geographic image—that I knew I had to see these ruins, lost in the jungles of Cambodia. Even the name—Angkor Wat—exuded mystery. Read more...

Meredith Mullins 13 Comments

Asia/Cambodia/Travels to the Past

Feb

The Many Worlds of English

by Joyce McGreevy on February 18, 2020

A female traveler looking at the electronic board of departures in an airport, symbolizing an opportunity for crossing cultures (Image © Jan Vašek/Pixabay)

Why Crossing Cultures Always Means Learning a Second Language

Most English speakers who travel internationally and enjoy crossing cultures have, at one time or another, depended on people in other countries to also speak English. Such moments may arise because Read more...

even a polyglot is bound to miss one or two of the world’s 6800 languages.
your language learning app doesn’t cover how to say, “Could someone help me retrieve my cellphone from the hotel swimming pool?”

Joyce McGreevy Comments

Crossing Cultures/Language & Culture/Worldwide Sites

World Views: