Archive for September, 2009
Maintaining their culture, from Bhutan to New York
I came across an interesting recent article in the NY Times about the growing number of immigrants from Bhutan who have recently settled in New York City. It’s not the most common of countries from which to draw an immigrant population, and indeed the numbers are still relatively small. But what caught my eye was a [...]
Understanding a culture through its expressions
Language is a great way into the mind of a culture. But if you don’t speak another language, you can at least understand some of how another culture thinks by looking at some its favorite expressions. There was recently an article published on Matador Abroad that took a look at 10 expressions that define cultures. [...]
Getting to know each other over food
It’s a way of life in many parts of the world: sharing food and conversation around the dinner table. In a place like Greece, these meals might consist of various smaller dishes, called meze, similar to the Spanish tapas that have become popular in some U.S. restaurants. Joanna Kakissis has a great story up on NPR’s Kitchen Window, [...]
The world’s oldest cities
Only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world is still standing. But what about the cities of the ancient world? Many of those, too, have disappeared into the pages of history or the mists of time. But there are some still-inhabited cities that can claim a past that stretches back thousands of years. The [...]
‘Stop consuming things and start experiencing life’
That’s a philosophy that John Bardos tries to take to heart and live by. There are a lot of people out there who have taken the risk to travel, to make a career break, or to live a so-called unconventional life. John is one of them. He runs a blog called Jet Set Citizen, about [...]
Riel World photo – Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg, Austria
Do you like The Sound of Music? Then you may recognize the Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg, Austria, where a famous musical scene was filmed for the movie.
Best American cities for backpacking
Quite often we find ourselves so focused on places to travel abroad that it’s easy to forget about interesting travel destinations in our own backyard. Or at the very least, we find it difficult to see our own country as a foreign tourist would see it. That’s why I was intrigued by this recent article [...]
How Muslim athletes deal with Ramadan
We’re currently in the midst of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month in which Muslims are expected to fast each day between dawn and sunset. This practice is supposed to increase spiritual self-discipline and help one to focus on non-worldly activities. Although people understandably get hungry during the day, the fast is practiced by most Muslims. [...]
Drives of a lifetime
What are the most spectacular drives in the world? National Geographic Traveler seems to enjoy taking a spin around this topic and they just came out with another feature that covers some of “the world’s greatest scenic routes.” Here are just a few of their choices:
Amalfi Coast, Italy- The Costiera Amalfitana, or Amalfi Coast, is [...]
Running cultures
There are so many interesting cultures around the world, with their own traditions and ways of life, but never before have I come across an article on running cultures. Yes, a culture in which long distance running is a way of life, as much a part of the people’s heritage as their food and their [...]
Riel World photo – Mesa Verde, Colorado
Mesa Verde, Colorado
Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park. The largest known cliff dwelling in North America, with 150 rooms, it was occupied during the 12th and 13th centuries by the Ancient Pueblo Indians.
The benefits of traveling with children
Most of us don’t need to be reminded of the challenges of traveling with children, but how often do we stop to consider the benefits that we also get from taking a trip with our sons and daughters? Karen Banes has an interesting take on this topic in an article she recently published for BootsnAll. It’s a [...]
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Bob Riel is a writer and a traveler. Go here to read more about Bob, his work and the Travels in the Riel World blog.
Two Laps Around the World
My travel memoir - Two Laps Around the World: Tales and Insights from a Life Sabbatical - is about two round-the-world journeys with my wife.
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