Going on a trip into the back country of Africa is not for the faint of heart. After reading
The Library Tree by Deborah Cowley,
I decided that I would love to take our grandsons, aged 12 and 14, to do volunteer work with
The Book Bus, a non profit organization that works for literacy in Zambia...
Sometimes we plan trips to faraway places, only to realize that we live in a most beautiful place ourselves. Often when Kees and I return home after a trip, we say “We do live in one of the most gorgeous places anywhere!”. And that is why people from faraway, and not so far away, flock to Salt Spring Island as a tourist destination. So, let me tell you about my home.
Trains.
Planes will get you there faster. Cars are more personal. But trains? Trains have some mythical blend of the promise of adventure and a hint of nostalgia… What is it that makes train travel so different? You can get up and stretch your legs… You can eat and drink while zooming along. We have enjoyed train trips in many countries. And when I hear the ting-ting-ting of a railroad crossing, I want to hop on and see the view from a train window.
Usually I share with you a story about one particular trip, or one specific place. This time, I’d like to share some stories about music we have encountered around the world. Music seems to be both a universal language as well as a unique expression in each culture or country. Be sure to click all links to hear the similar and and yet distinct sounds of each country.
In this blog post, I’d like to tell you about an exciting, upcoming trip rather than one we already took. Several years ago, Kees and I traveled to Zambia and volunteer with The Book Bus, a British not for profit organization that brings books to children across Zambia. This time, I’ll be taking my grandchildren to help spread to joy of reading.
I love how much I learn when I travel. Almost every day there’s something else that surprises me, something I didn’t know or had never done before.
I just learned that ‘plankton’ means ‘those who wander’ in Greek! I guess we are plankton - and plankton must be smart to be so smart to survive and thrive while being so vulnerable. Much like tourists.
We almost never go back to a place we have visited before. But we did make an exception for our beloved island of Langkawi in Malaysia. Years ago, when I did author visits to international schools in Kuala Lumpur, we asked teachers what their favourite holiday destination was. And we were told ‘Langkawi!’ It took us years to actually get there but it was love at first sight. Langkawi is gorgeous, with friendly people, and inexpensive enough to spend a good part of winter on the beach.
When you grow up in a city, everything is ‘normal’ to you when you live there. You tend to take the place for granted. That’s how it was for us - riding our bikes to school, exploring every street and alley, going to the shops, the weekly market. And later exploring beyond our own neighborhood, joining youth groups, taking the train. And, of course, meeting each other in that city!
It was midnight when we boarded the overnight train from Tangier to Marrakech. We each had a ticket that told us which berth was ours. On the platform, our male guide said goodbye since males and females would be sleeping in separate wagons, even married couples. With a grin he added, “This is why the tour is called ‘Adventure Morocco!’.
Tangier
Whenever I heard that name, I pictured swashbuckling pirates… Perhaps I had seen paintings by famous Dutch painters from the Middle Ages… Or perhaps I read too many books? But Tangier does have a rich history that did, indeed, include pirates. Founded as Phoenician city, between the 10th and 8th century BCE.
Meknes - How had I never heard of this jewel?
Meknes is one of the imperial cities of Morocco.
Bab Mansour, the monumental gate in the city wall, was build in The 17th century. It served as the ceremonial entrance to the kasbah, or royal citadel. It still stands today, echoing with images and voices of its past.
After reading the book The Caliph’s House by Tahir Shah, I wanted to see Morocco. I had never been to the country and the history and customs described in Shah’s book made it sound fascinating.
It just so happened that I would be in Portugal in the Fall, so why not take a short flight from Lisbon to Casablanca?
It all started with a book! The Caliph’s House is written by Tahir Shah and immediately appealed to me. When the short content told me that it was in the tradition of A Year in Province and Under The Tuscan Sun, I took it home. I learned about Morocco, a country I had never visited before. And then the author invited me to tour his house. I went from turning pages to walking into a book in Casablanca…
