Culture: Thailand: Mystical Elephant Encounters

Culture: Thailand: Mystical Elephant Encounters

by Sharon Spence Lieb Chiang Mai, Thailand… In my fantasy, I am Keeper of the Royal Elephants for his Majesty, The King of Thailand: “Bring me a female White Elephant,” my King commands. “Sacred and rare, they’re not easily found. I hear they are charmed by purple orchids.” “Your Majesty,” I stammer. “In all my…

Culture: Los Angeles, USA: Happy Hours of the Incredibly Hip

Culture: Los Angeles, USA: Happy Hours of the Incredibly Hip

by Kristine Ambrose Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, California is quickly becoming the hippest place to eat and shop. Ten minutes from the airport, you can find yourself experiencing the best of food and drink for a very happy hour or hours. The place to begin is Primitivo Wine Bistro from 5:30pm – 7:00pm, Sunday…

Culture: Tanzania: This Bus Departs at Nine in the Morning

Culture: Tanzania: This Bus Departs at Nine in the Morning

by Kelly N. Patterson “This bus is going to fall,” I cried out in my Swahili 101. It was both a statement and a question. The Buddha-bodied, sarong-wrapped woman to my right laughed at my big worried eyes. “No, young sista,” her electric white teeth glowed through me. Hamna tabu, no problem. Her corpulent arm,…

Culture: Iceland: Johnny Jet’s Iceland Journal

Culture: Iceland: Johnny Jet’s Iceland Journal

www.JohnnyJet.com —Teresa * * * * Johnny Jet’s Journal Greetings from—you may not believe this—Iceland! I was fortunate to be invited on Icelandair’s inaugural flight from the West Coast (San Francisco) to Reykjavik, and tour Iceland for a week. I admit it: At first I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go. I checked out…