An email came from my Chinese friend, Liangying, Lia, on 31 May 2017 saying: “We just want to tell you again that we really appreciate your kindness and help through this whole time.” My husband and I had planned to attend her and her American boyfriend, Max’s wedding in California on July 7 that year, … Continue reading An enduring friendship through FlagFriends
An Ecuadorian street dog immigrates to the US
This is heaven. I get delicious food twice a day, my fur is washed and brushed regularly, fleas don’t bother me anymore. I have a comfy bed to relax in. Luckily, I was quickly accepted by my landlady’s old dog, Max. First he was skeptical after having had to live with the lady's son in … Continue reading An Ecuadorian street dog immigrates to the US
Immersing in expat life in Cotacachi, Ecuador
In a couple of weeks in January I was totally immersed in the North-American expat life in Cotacachi even though I tried to avoid spending too much time with other foreigners in town. Yet, invariably upon encountering a white-skinned person on a street or trail, we said hello, introduced ourselves and started talking. That … Continue reading Immersing in expat life in Cotacachi, Ecuador
Timetraveling in Ecuador
The last two weeks while staying with a Kichwa farmers’ family, in the Loma Wasi Village in Tunibamba (pop. 300), in the Ecuadorian Andes, I have been feeling like a time traveler. Tunibamba is at about 9000 feet altitude, at the end of a dirt road about two miles from the next closest town, Cotacachi. … Continue reading Timetraveling in Ecuador
Voting in the EU elections this week
My Danish friend, JP, asked me in February to help encourage Danes to go to vote in the European Parliamentary elections on 26 May. In the last EU elections, only 56 % of the Danes bothered to vote. In most other EU-countries the voting percentage was even lower. When the Danes were asked about their … Continue reading Voting in the EU elections this week
To be or not to be on social media
My first social media profile appeared on a dating site in 1997. I wanted to find a partner, hopefully for the rest of my life. Life as a single mother with two kids and long working days was rather lonely. The kids had many friends and hobbies of their own, but my life did not … Continue reading To be or not to be on social media
Katikati was the best
“How was New Zealand” my friends ask, when they hear I spent a couple of weeks in December travelling around mainly on the North Island of New Zealand. “Rainy” is the first thing that comes to mind. “And a bit stormy”, I add. But you could say that about many other places in the world, … Continue reading Katikati was the best
Age of walls
Even as a (legal) alien frequently visiting the US I am expected to have an opinion on the sitting president, on the government shutdown, on the potential border wall to be extended on the Mexican/American border or other hot issues of national politics. These questions can come from any ordinary people in line at Walmart, … Continue reading Age of walls
Too old for long-distance adventures?
The 8-hour night flight from Sydney to Tokyo was exhausting. Recently, I had already waited a couple of days at the Auckland airport in New Zealand after finishing weeks of exploration of South Pacific islands. On the flight to Tokyo, I sat between two young women in the middle row of the economy class in … Continue reading Too old for long-distance adventures?
American Rotary-exchange student in Finland in the mid-70s
"I loved geography and reading books about other countries. The first geography lesson in fourth grade magically opened the whole world to me", Cynthia Seelhammer tells me. She grew up in Minnesota as the oldest of six children. "Sometime in the ‘70s I became aware that the Rotary Clubs had an international exchange program. I … Continue reading American Rotary-exchange student in Finland in the mid-70s
Time to get wiser 