Part One of Five — Mandawa — Rajasthan is the India I have always dreamed about; the Maharajas, the architecture, the clothing (brightly colored saris and veils on the women and a white tunic, white pants, and brightly colored turbans on the men), and the eclectic music in the region. From the haunting melodies of the Sopera…

A Song Strikes A Chord — Auditory memory is amazing. When I hear the first few notes of Maggie May by Rod Stewart I’m transported back in time 50 years. I close my eyes and I’m back in my bedroom in 1972 in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. I had just bought the album Every Picture Tells…

Midway Between India and Thailand — Do you ever wish you could go back 50 years to see what Hawaii or the Caribbean were like before the hordes of tourists descended, demanding bigger hotels and more services? It seems some would prefer to simply move the conveniences of home to a more exotic location. But not…

Prostates, urination, and things that make you go Ahhh — It’s not a topic of conversation you hear very often (T.M.I) unless you happen to hang out with other men over the age of 60. Prostate problems, pee patterns, and E.D. (although most men won’t own up to E.D. except to their closest male friends). Even something as common as…

When Should You Take It Seriously? — I was threatened by a stranger at the park the other day. It left me shaken, but not enough to do anything about it. So when is it a case of bullying and when should it be considered a legitimate threat that should involve the police? After a rainy morning…

Learning some of the tricks of the trade in Ho Chi Minh City I love Vietnamese food. I love the flavors, the textures, and the freshness of the ingredients. I love how dishes often blend spicy and sweet with that distinct umami. I was actually introduced to the fresh, spicy…

And I Want To See It All — Planning a trip is not as easy as it once was. Several years ago I planned a 2-year travel adventure to see the world. I booked a few key flights on an RTW ticket — places that I wanted to be for one reason or another and for the rest…

Why I Cried At My Parent's Wedding — I sat on the floor of the cloakroom crying, the tears streaming down my face, a sob catching in my throat. This was supposed to be a happy occasion so why was I reacting like I was mourning a loss? My dream was finally coming true, after years of hoping…

Sharing The Beauty of Lake Ontario — If you have been following any of my writing you will know that I have a love-hate relationship with bodies of water. I love to look at lakes, rivers, creeks, waterfalls, oceans, and seas but I’m still trying to get over my fear of spending much time in them. Water, Water, Everywhere What Is An Aquaphobe To Do?medium.com