Jessie Voigts's Blog, page 77
May 11, 2021
Travel is about the Journey: Climbing Kilimanjaro
More people have climbed Kilimanjaro than one might imagine. I asked everyone I could what they knew about Kili. After much well-intended but useless advice, Sue, a client of mine, provided some crucial tips: “It’s freezing on the top. Bring the warmest clothes you have.” She shivered in remembrance.
Next, “The food is lousy.” Sherpas would carry our gear, she said, and we’d only need a day pack. Finally, “you must go slowly because of the altitude. It was toug...
Top Five Hidden Gems in Michigan for Hikers and Paddlers
Publisher's note: We absolutely LOVE this book. Click here to read our author interview!
Michigan is a beautiful place for hikers, paddlers, and casual travellers alike. In Hidden Gems of the Northern Great Lakes: A Trail and Paddling Guide, I cover some of the best spots in Northern Michigan and beyond for outdoor enthusiasts.
The Manistee...
May 4, 2021
22.33 Stories: Bollywood Without Subtitles with Luke Tyson
Featuring first-person stories of people finding themselves in the middle of a culture that is foreign to them; each week, 22.33 will deliver interesting tales from people who share how they were able to create mutual understanding through cultural exchange.
Wise beyond his years, high school junior Luke Tyson took advantage of a year abroad in India not only to learn Hindi, but to dive deeply into foreign cultural traditions...
May 3, 2021
Through the Eyes of an Educator: Your Impact Makes a Difference
When Harry Potter received the gift of his invisibility cloak, the note attached proclaimed, “use it well.” Perhaps that’s a message from which we can all benefit. It’s possible that it also pertains to far more than that invisibility cloak that may or may not be hanging in each of our closets. Perhaps, for both the muggles and magic folk of the world, ‘use it well’ applies to our impact, our attitude, and our choices. That impact resonates. It echoes in how we t...
April 27, 2021
Doing Business in China? 19 Cultural Differences You Should Know
Are you conversant with western cultures but seeking opportunities in China? One of the things you should know is that there are profound cultural differences between the U.S and China.
Here is your guide to intercultural success in doing business in China.
Different cultures run on a wide variety of set values. And if you want or hope to be successful in abroad, understanding those values becomes critical. ...
Project 9: A Tribute to Beloved Tony Award-winning Musical NINE
Musical lovers! Broadway star Glory Crampton has a new project, entitled Project 9, that we KNOW you'll be interested in. A veteran of over forty productions, Crampton created the role of Christine in the highly acclaimed Phantom (A musical based on the Phantom of the Opera legend), written by Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit, who created the Broadway musicals Titanic and Nine. Project 9 is an amazing COVID-era interpretation based on the film Fellini's 8 ½ and its s...
April 23, 2021
Music for Making it Through Changes
It continues to be a time of ups and down, of change and shifting times. There's the promise of spring, or of autumn, depending on your place on the globe. Seasons of change in nature and seasons of change in all other aspects of life, as well.
There are as many ways to think about this as there are differing circumstances, of course. Here's music to help you think about all this, including two songs of friendship, a look at love and the night sky along the west ...
April 22, 2021
Discover Canada: a Traveller’s Guide
So you’re thinking of taking a trip to the Great White North, eh? Great choice! Canada is full of unforgettable experiences waiting to happen.
Of course, being the second-biggest country on Earth means that it’s unrealistic to think of Canada as just one destination. The landscapes, culture, towns and cities, and even the language vary across its 9.98 million square kilometres (3.85 million square miles). And that’s before we get to the dramatic difference betwe...
Motorcycle Camping Gear: 10 Must-Have Items
These days, camping isn't a monolithic experience. You can go primitive camping, RV camping, even "glamping," or luxury camping.
For the dedicated motorcyclist, those remote stretches of road can lead to excellent camping sites. Also, with these 10 essentials, you'll have what you need for a successful camping trip.
Back in the day, old-timers depended on a tarp for motorcycle camping trips. Fortunately, modern times have brought us a choi...
April 14, 2021
#VolunteerAbroadBecause ... You'll Make Meaningful Connections
Madeline Marquardt is a writer, photographer, and paddler currently based in Grand Marais, Minnesota. She has worked as a sea kayaking guide in the Apostle Islands, English teacher in Armenia, and paddled and hiked extensively throughout the Lake Superior Region and state of Michigan. You can find her at madelinemarquardt.com, where she writes about the outdoors and adventure travel.
Noravank Monastery
What motivated your decision to volunteer abroad? How/why did...
