I love to sit in the shops and watch all of the buyers from around the world. France, Spain, Italy, England- all of the accents. Everyday I’m meeting new kindred spirits working in the same fashion as I do. Some smaller businesses, some- heh, most actually, much bigger. All interesting. Every person with their different samples, color [...]
A few hours before my departure from the US last week, my mother left me with a bit of advice; “Renee, have a good time, but don’t trust anyone.” huh, I thought. “Mom, thats terrible advice.” I said. “ Why would you say that?” I got defensive toward that remark.”I know what Im doing and who to trust.” I say. [...]
Hello out there in blogland- I’ve been getting a lot of emails about travel advice for Thailand- so I’m thinking this blog might help a few people who are going, or thinking about going. My style of traveling; I travel basically pretty cheaply. I’m gone for about 4 months a year, so I need to [...]
Downtown Portland and the Old Port welcome the holiday season with an annual event known to locals as “Merry Madness.” The shops participating vow to stay open until 10pm, and serve wine. It was started in hopes to stimulate holiday shopping locally, and support local business owners. Sounds like a great excuse to have a [...]
The accommodations in India… let me tell you- we have heard everything “yes, sure madam you will get hot water”, “yes, clean room, no problem”, and my favorite “yes oh, that rat oh, don’t worry madam- he lives here”, Our stay in India so far has been quite colorful, to say the least. Guest Houses/Hotels [...]
Ahh, the Thar desert, that forbidden wasteland that separates Pakistan and India, an unchanging world so far from the modern madness we call civilization. The camel safari through this enchanting land was a singular experience, something so unique and memorable. We rode in the back of a Jeep 30 Km west from Jaisalmer to the [...]
Up in the Himalayas, McLoeod Ganj, where the Tibetan people have re-established themselves. It is India, but it feels more Tibetan. We have just spent more than a month in India, and it is so nice to get a break from the chaos, and just dissolve up in the mountains. The energy is so different [...]
I was sad to leave McLeoud Ganj, the home of so many Tibetans in exile, and so many great memories for me. (Great momos, great mountains, butter tea, and lots of prayer flags) But we felt like we were on a tight schedule, and in order to have time for Nepal, Thailand, and all that. [...]
Our friend Gil at Aliance Guest House set us up with the travel plans. We learned he is an expert tour guide. So, we naturally looked to him for advice on the best way to get to Nepal from Nagaar. We mapped it all out, and got our plans together, and sadly meant that we [...]
Ok, here I am again. . . The official update! Waterlily Shop in Portland is doing so well. Despite the shit economy, we have been excited about our 3rd year in the shop with record sales. The store has never looked more beautiful. . . and of course, this time of year, we are busy [...]
So, we have just spent a few rainy days in McLeoud Ganj, just north of Dharamsala, India. We have been attending His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s teachings, when we can tough out the rain, and find a seat amongst all of the others in the English translation section. Some Russians got so angry with [...]