Tag Archives: culture

Map Monday: Exploring International Francophonie Day and the francophonie in Canada in maps (and words)

I bet most of you didn’t know that March 20 is International Francophonie Day. Or even what it is! Established in 1970, UNESCO describes the Francophonie as a coming together of nations and states that celebrates the cultural and linguistic … Continue reading

Posted in Map Monday | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

It’s baby steps, I know, but Orange Shirt Day is making a difference

Today, September 30, is Orange Shirt Day in Canada. (OK, it’s officially called National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.) This special day of learning and reflection about the enduring devastating impacts of the Residential Schools imposed upon Indigenous children (and … Continue reading

Posted in History and Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Big city living vs small city living, similarities and differences

I grew up – a very long time ago – 38 miles from New York City.  My Dad and all the others dads left the suburbs by carpool or train every morning and commuted into the “City” to work, every … Continue reading

Posted in History and Politics, Life stories | Tagged , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Map Monday: language, culture, identity and world maps

This week’s Map Monday is an effort to show what languages are spoken around the world. I have learned a lot about the importance of language as central to culture and identity by virtue of where I live, which I … Continue reading

Posted in History and Politics, Map Monday | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Could you read a book from every country in one year?

That’s the task that British writer and blogger Ann Morgan set for herself back in 2012, inspired by the approaching 2012 London Olympics, to read a book from every country in a year. Just to be clear, that’s 196 books, … Continue reading

Posted in Just wondering | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Cuba: More than just sun and beaches, there’s the lure of Havana

We finally made Cuba our destination of choice for our March Break getaway week in 2009. We were definitely playing catch-up with vast numbers of Canadians and Europeans who had been availing themselves of a burgeoning tourist industry in Cuba … Continue reading

Posted in Sun destinations, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Cambodia: Life along the Tonlé Sap and Mekong Rivers

The travel companies that have been so successful in building a thriving river cruising industry in Europe are now expanding their offerings to new destinations, including the Mekong River in Cambodia (and Vietnam). This is 1st world travel in a … Continue reading

Posted in Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Vietnam: moving past a legacy of occupation and repression

Back home from a fascinating trip to Vietnam and Cambodia and trying to wrap my head around all that we saw and learned. So many amazing things to see and experience: Halong Bay (Vietnam) and Angkor Wat (Cambodia) are just … Continue reading

Posted in Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments