Thanks, U.S. Airways

Good news, bad news.

Bad news is that my flight from Burlington to Philadelphia is delayed, so I miss my connection to Denver (and my first all-staff Dragons meeting tomorrow morning).

Good news is that a friendly lady from U.S. Airways (fancy fingernails with white polish) got me on an early morning flight to Denver tomorrow, and booked me a room at the airport hotel in Philadelphia.

Thanks, U.S. Airways, for doing your best for me.

Dragons on the Nam Tha River, Laos

Tales From the Road

Happy news!

I've rekindled my former column, Tales From the Road, a weekly round-up of quality travel stories.

The first column features narratives from Patagonia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Palestine and the Yukon. Please check it out at the link below:

Tales From the Road: Renewal

Learning to Listen in Laos

Anna Mack, a Mekong Semester student, has published a terrific reflective essay on Matador Abroad.

Here's my favorite line:

“It must be hard in America,” he said. “There is so much noise.”

Check out Learning to Listen in Laos.

"I might not drink again."

I find this video absolutely hilarious.

Up in the Air

I'm not much of a movie buff, but can't wait to see the new hit Up in the Air, which seems to capture the disconnect between profit and morality that I tried to get at in my American Manifesto.

Worldhum.com has a good collection of Up in the Air links....check 'em out.

Mt. Mansfield View

Vermont's highest peak, as seen from my house.

My New House!

Come visit :)

Winter Fly-Fishing

I like the latest Montana post at Matador --- only the truly devout fish Montana in winter.

Winter Fly Fishing in Montana

On the way to the Yi village, near Lijiang, China

Who knew that a dance party was waiting for us in the Yi village? Here's Mara Karell's description of the cultural exchange...

Tom Gates is a Funny, Funny Man

This new article from Tom Gates made my night:

Nine films that should be retired from youth hostels

Win a Trip with Nicholas Kristof

University students have a chance to win a trip with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and NY Times columnist Nicholas Kristof...

Win a Trip with Nicholas Kristof

Dragons Mekong Semester: Fall 2009

Three months ago I was on a night-bus to Tibet with 13 young men and women I barely knew. Now, I'm alone in Phnom Penh, soaking up the memories, wondering how those same 13 students are doing as they transition home to America.

Cue the Celine Dion, 'cause my middle name is Corny, but - gosh - I miss the Mekong Manatees with all my heart.



A full semester of rugged travel down one of the most powerful and remote rivers in Asia is an epic life experience any way you cut it, but in the company of intellectually and spiritually engaged gap-year students, the journey became even deeper, even more profound.

We did SO much. We learned SO much. We grew SO much.

And we made connections.

Connections between friends on the program, for sure. Connections between cultures and communities, definitely. Connections between students and home-stay families, yes.

But we also made connections between mollusks and the moon, between American consumerism and Chinese dams, between Afghanistan and Laos, between stillness and peace.


Our students now emerge into the world as young adults who are empowered and aware.

We need them. I'm proud of them. And I can't wait to see what they do.

....

Here's a link to more information on the Dragons Mekong Semester.