Mystical and shrouded, Edinburgh Castle in winter afternoon light
Celebrations in the shadow of the Winter Solstice. They help us abide darkness and emerge from the shortest day of the year so that we may carry ourselves through deepening cold and, oddly enough, lengthening days until spring returns a few months later.
In this context, the measure of a place coming forth from this seasonal inflection might in fact be its celebration of the new year, and not only the energy with which it tackles this task, but also the tools it packs to do so. Edinburgh, and its new year’s celebration, Hogmanay? No different.
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Filed Under: Scotland, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
22 Comments | 2 January 2013
This is a year-end journey of appreciation and reflection. Of lessons and learnings. Of people and places.
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Filed Under: Travel by: Daniel Noll
18 Comments | 31 December 2012
As Christmas and the new year approaches, we’d like to wish you and yours a very happy holidays from what was a snowy Berlin (damn you, warm front!).
Before we go offline for the next couple of days, we have a couple of announcements for you: our upcoming New Year’s celebrations at Hogmanay in Edinburgh and a giveaway featuring some of our travel photos.
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Filed Under: Motley Mots by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
12 Comments | 24 December 2012
It’s a long road home.
Over the course of five days last weekend, we made our way from Iran to Turkey to Germany to the United States by two trains, a boat, two planes and a car — arriving home in time to spend Thanksgiving with family.
And for this, we are thankful. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Panorama, United States by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
11 Comments | 24 November 2011
As Christmas and the new year approaches, we’re sending holiday wishes your way…and getting a little help from our friends.
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Filed Under: Thailand by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
13 Comments | 24 December 2010
Our mosaic images are from: China, Czech Republic, Germany, Thailand and the U.S. (and Kyrgyzstan, sort of — thanks Zoë and Zach!)
A few days ago, we were enjoying the Paraguayan tradition of drinking tereré (a cold version of yerba maté) to cool off from the tropical heat. As we sipped, we chuckled at how the food stalls at the Encarnación bus station broadcast dueling Christmas songs — a Jingle Bells here, a Frosty the Snowman there. Yet, there we sat sweating away.
Hot or cold, the holidays are upon us. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Paraguay, South America, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
2 Comments | 11 December 2009
Thanksgiving may be over, but I’m still thankful.
– DPN
We admit it – we are the worst bloggers. Many wrote their Thanksgiving posts a week or two before turkey day while others prepared something to publish on the day itself.
Then there’s us.
We intended – we really did – to publish a reflection yesterday, but life took over and filled our day with a raft of experiences and emotions.
As we engineered our Thanksgiving dinner in an under-equipped Bolivian kitchen, we reflected on the kindness of people like the chicken rotisserie guy who came to our rescue with a smile…and a bottle of chicken drippings. And as we longingly recalled Thanksgivings past and the family and friends we spent them with, we reminded ourselves once again of what we are thankful for. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Bolivia, Food, South America, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
11 Comments | 27 November 2009
We find ourselves in the midst of another holiday season. Before it slips away, we offer a hearty Happy Holidays to all our friends and readers.
Last year at this time we were in Beijing, China. Our holiday nostalgia took the form of a top ten favorite European Christmas markets list from our time living and traveling in Europe, including memories of the Andalucian Cabalgatas in Spain to the epic markets of Central Europe. For those of you who weren’t with us then, check out our Best European Christmas Markets article and the photo slideshow at the bottom of this post. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Europe, Perspectives, United States by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
7 Comments | 17 December 2008
If you find yourself in the giving mood and stuck for an idea this holiday season, we offer a few gift ideas from our online shop and some charitable donation ideas from organizations we’ve recently discovered. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Business, Hope for Humanity by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
2 Comments | 14 December 2008
We’re here in Beijing, China and the only things going up more rapidly than new buildings are Christmas trees (mostly fake, of course). Last night, we became nostalgic while strolling past another giant shopping center Christmas tree, this one shielded by a roof that houses the world’s largest LED video screen (250 meters long by 30 meters wide).
Though the proliferation of Christmas decorations in Beijing is remarkable, their presence just doesn’t capture the holiday spirit like a European Christmas market would. So, we offer a walk down European Christmas Market memory lane and our “Best of” European Christmas Markets list. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: China, Europe, Germany, Prague, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
7 Comments | 14 December 2007
