By way of a Buddhist festival that we stumbled upon in Bangkok, we found some fitting wishes and words of wisdom for the new year. In the festival pamphlet, designed very much for locals with a nod to us non-Thai speakers, we discovered a list of wishes and matching offerings for each of the nine participating wats (temples). From this list, we inferred something rather noteworthy. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Perspectives, Southeast Asia, Thailand by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
3 Comments | 31 December 2007
The new house, commanding magnificent views of open sea and bathing beaches, and mountains and forest gardens, and houses. North of the Iltis Huk church, at foot of the big hill, on south slope. Wish you could enjoy it soon with us. Big love, Daddy
- a note on the back of a photo of the house in Qingdao, China, written by my great-grandfather to one of his children on July 31, 1937.
Armed with the photo of the house and the description above, we hopped on a bus Continue Reading »
- To Grandfather’s House We Go
- The Search for Grandfather’s House, Part Two
Filed Under: China, Perspectives, Travel by: Audrey Scott
9 Comments | 30 December 2007
Myanmar (Burma) is a country noted for its oppressive government and lauded for the kindness of its people. This September, though, the political situation heated up again under protests and a corresponding government crackdown.
We’re back in the neighborhood of Southeast Asia again and we have the opportunity to visit. Do we go this time or give it another pass? Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Burma (Myanmar), Southeast Asia, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
No Comments | 30 December 2007
Having been on the go for one year, we required some stillness in order to evaluate how this journey of ours is going – not just from a travel perspective, but from a personal and business perspective. Beijing seemed as good a place as any to perform this exercise. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Blogging, China, Personal Growth by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
No Comments | 27 December 2007
That’s Christmas in Bangkok to you and me. Krung Thep (City of Angels) is the Thai name for Bangkok, Thailand – the location from which we happen to be writing this post.
We first imagined this post being entitled Wishing You a Very Chinese Christmas, but a quick decision five days ago altered our trajectory and landed us in sunny Bangkok instead. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Motley Mots, Southeast Asia, Thailand, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
4 Comments | 25 December 2007
If you click around our first installment of photos from China expecting images of kung pao and red lanterns, perhaps you’ll be surprised to find chick pea salads and women in head scarves instead. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: China, Photography, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
No Comments | 21 December 2007
While we were relieved to see an English menu at a local dumpling joint in Qingdao, we were alarmed by some of its offerings. This time, we could really use your help. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: China, Food, Humor by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
8 Comments | 21 December 2007
Filed Under: Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
2 Comments | 16 December 2007
Our visit to Kyrgyzstan also coincided with Ramadan, the Muslim holiday of reflection and fasting. In Karakol we were treated each night to Ramadan carols. Our first evening, we were with Banura’s husband when the doorbell rang in the early evening. As we opened the door, a group of young boys burst into song. Continue Reading »
- A Small World Experience in Kyrgyzstan
- The Meaning of Family in Kyrgyzstan
- Ramadan in Kyrgyzstan: The Right Place, The Right Time
- Kyrgyzstan: Best Tourist Sights and Landscapes
Filed Under: Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
No Comments | 16 December 2007
What we call “extended family” or “distant relatives” in America is simply called “family” in Kyrgyzstan. And they mean it, too. When we stayed with a Kyrgyz-American family in Bishkek, we noticed how grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles and other family members would swing by the house almost every day, fluidly entering and exiting. The volume and pace of family movement seemed to cause little commotion or stress. Continue Reading »
- A Small World Experience in Kyrgyzstan
- The Meaning of Family in Kyrgyzstan
- Ramadan in Kyrgyzstan: The Right Place, The Right Time
- Kyrgyzstan: Best Tourist Sights and Landscapes
Filed Under: Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
No Comments | 16 December 2007
