I’ve been trolling youtube lately, watching videos of Burundi (like this one), in preparation for my trip there in July. In the videos – if you look past the incredibly skillful Burundi drummers – you will…
My most recent posts! |
Flying Ryanair
When you saw the title of this entry, you probably thought this would be another rant about the discomforts of flying on a low-cost airline, didn’t you? Well, it’s not. I write this full of admiration…
The Beach: Malta, Thursday, July 24, 2008
Have you ever noticed the way people behave at the beach? We’re on Malta right now and we’ve been going to the beach most days. I’m reading a book called The Black Swan, by Nassim Nicholas…
Decadent and Self-Indulgent
These are the two words that kept popping into my head the whole time we were away last week: decadent and self-indulgent. Because that’s what we were, and enjoyed it tremendously, for the most part. You…
Things I Like about Holland
I’ve received a couple of complaints – one from Albert, my husband, and one from Robert, a colleague and friend – that I complain too much about Holland in my blog. Well, first of all,…
Australia Comment #3: No Worries!
The most typical phrase in Australia is not “G’day, Mate,” as I expected, it’s “No worries!” It’s amazing how often we heard that phrase and in how many different situations. Someone just gave you your change…
My version of “The Truman Show”
Well, I’ve been travelling around Australia for the last month, and this is the first chance I’ve had to sit down and add anything to my blog. In case you’re curious, I’m at a sort of…
Guilt
Anyone who’s ever watched a Woody Allen film will know that guilt is built into the culture of the East Coast Jewish family. The slightest mistake that we make will make us feel guilty, even when,…
A Dutch custom I will never get used to…
When it’s someone’s birthday here in Holland, you don’t wish them a “Happy Birthday,” you say “Gefeliciteerd,” which translates more closely as “Congratulations.” What are you congratulating them for? For surviving? What makes even less sense is…