Meeting inspiring retirees was a recurring theme during our trip. I traveled extensively as a student, thinking it was my last opportunity before starting a career and a family. I embarked on this family world trip thinking it was a…
Arriving On Another Planet in Ubatuba
We arrived in Rio de Janeiro at four o’clock in the morning. It was dark. We took the shuttle to the rental car agency, so we could start our four-hour drive to Itamambuca Beach as soon as possible. “Wait until…
Talk to one person every day that scares you
Liv and I once read a book together called ‘Popular’. A middle school girl sets out on an quest to become more popular by following the advice of a book written in the fifties. Aside from wearing pearl necklaces and…
What My Kids Taught Me About Peace in Hiroshima
Large groups of Japanese school children marched two by two across the Hiroshima Peace Park wearing dark blue uniforms with brightly colored sun hats. Some smaller groups huddled nervously gripping clip boards. “Excuse me, we are here to interact with…
People, not Places: a Real Bed & Breakfast in Beijing
Sometimes staying in an AirBnB that is a true ‘bed and breakfast’, rather than a private apartment, has advantages: you meet other travelers. Check out photos of our AirBnB accommodation in Beijing here. The location of Cindy’s bed and breakfast…
People, Not Places: Paula and Steve from Texas
I often describe our sabbatical year as a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ but in Beijing we met a couple that proved us wrong: why would a unique travel year have be an one-time deal? Paula and Steve from Texas…
People, Not Places: Yangshuo (China)
When I asked my eight year old about his favorite experience from our week in Yangshuo he didn’t hesitate: “the people”. We arrived in Yangshuo, in the South of China, after three months in Europe and three days in Hong…
Making Friends in Guilin, China
Another friend in China: Grace from the youth hostel in Guilin gave the kids good luck charms and chatted with Liv about soccer. We’re finding the Chinese very warm and child friendly.