Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 66
July 23, 2021
Lisa Niver, Ski Expert, for REELZ TV, now on IMDb!
[image error]Thank you to Autopsy: The Last Hours of…Sonny Bono![image error]Thank you REELZ TV for having me on your show as a ski expert![image error]Find me on ![image error]You can hear me in the promo on the instagram below from Reelz Channel. In the episode, I am on more than a dozen times!
View this post on Instagram[image error][image error][image error][image error][image error]A post shared by Reelz Channel (@reelzchannel)
Lisa Ellen Niver is an award-winning travel expert and science teacher who has explored 101 countries and six continents. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she worked on cruise ships for seven years and backpacked for three years in Asia. You can find her talking travel at KTLA TV and in her We Said Go Travel videos with over 1.3 million views on her YouTube channel. As a journalist, Niver has interviewed Deepak Chopra, Olympic medalists and numerous bestselling authors and has been invited to both the Oscars and the United Nations. She is the founder of We Said Go Travelwhich is read in 235 countries and was named #3 on Rise Global’s top 1,000 Travel Blogs. She was named both a Top 10 Travel Influencer and a Top 50 Female Influencer for 2021 by Afluencer and is the Social Media Manager for the Los Angeles Press Club. She is verified on Twitter and She has hosted Facebook Live for USA Today 10best and has more than 150,000 followers across social media. Niver is a judge for the Gracies Awards for the Alliance of Women in Media and has also run 15 travel competitions publishing over 2,500 writers and photographers from 75 countries on We Said Go Travel.
For her print and digital stories as well as her television segments, she has been awarded two Southern California Journalism Awards and two National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards.
Niver has written for National Geographic, AAA Explorer, USA Today 10best, TODAY, Teen Vogue, POPSUGAR, Ms. Magazine, Luxury Magazine, Smithsonian, Sierra Club, Saturday Evening Post, AARP, American Airways, Delta Sky, En Route (Air Canada), Hemispheres, Jewish Journal, Myanmar Times, Robb Report, Scuba Diver Life, Ski Utah, Trivago, Undomesticated, Wharton Magazine and Yahoo. She is writing a book, “Brave(ish): It’s All About Perspective 50 Adventures Before 50,” about her most recent travels and challenges. When she’s not SCUBA diving or in her art studio making ceramics, she’s helping people find their next dream trip. http://lisaniver.com/one-page/
The post Lisa Niver, Ski Expert, for REELZ TV, now on IMDb! appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
July 19, 2021
Join me at Le Parc Suite Hotel: WeHo is WAITING for YOU!
[image error]I absolutely LOVED my stay at the Le Parc Suite Hotel in West Hollywood! I had two TVs, a working fireplace, a record player, a balcony and a kitchen. There was plenty of room for me to hula-hoop, entertain and moderate the media panel for the Women in Travel Conference. Check out my room, the hotel and the pool in my video below.
VIDEO: Le Parc Suite Hotel: Your Home in WeHo![image error]Le Parc Suite Hotel:
Nestled in West Hollywood’s Design District, where fashion and art meet music and film, Le Parc Suite Hotel recently unveiled an extraordinary redesign featuring vibrant details within a clean architectural palette. The hotel incorporates sophisticated furnishings and art, layering bold colors and patterns, while retaining its humble residential nature with modern conveniences, spacious dwellings, and thoughtful amenities. The 154 revamped suites express themselves with residential-styled spaces emulating an exclusive art collector’s metropolitan penthouse.
Built on the City of West Hollywood’s philosophy of love and inclusivity, Le Parc features brilliantly curated original artwork throughout the hotel that embraces diversity and encourages compassion, such as the lobby’s colorful 8-by-20-foot mural titled “LOVE.” The property also features a revitalized rooftop pool deck, rooftop tennis court, restaurant, modern conference suite and brand-new fully equipped fitness center. While staying at Le Parc Suite Hotel, guests experience the warmth of a welcoming private residence and leave with a newfound sense of creativity and inspiration. www.leparcsuites.com
[image error][image error][image error][image error][image error]See below for my stay at Chamberlain Hotel and moderating the Women in Travel Conference!Busy & Buzzy WeHo is Waiting for YOU!
Trends in Travel Media: Women in Travel Conference 2021
ROOFTOP RENDEZVOUS OFFER:
Take it off this summer!! (Your mask, that is!) When you stay at Chamberlain West Hollywood, Montrose West Hollywood or Le Parc Suite Hotel, not only will you enjoy the sexiest boutique hotels in West Hollywood with stunning rooftop pools, but you’ll also get rewarded for staying longer with the Rooftop Rendezvous Offer! Plus, whip out your vaccination card to receive a complimentary bottle of rosé to kick-start your vacation fun at the rooftop pools! Nightly rates start at $244 per night in July and August, and you’ll get hotel credit good for dining, rooftop drinks, valet service and more the longer you stay! To book this offer, use the special code SUMMER.
The post Join me at Le Parc Suite Hotel: WeHo is WAITING for YOU! appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
July 18, 2021
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
FLYING BOAT takes to the Sky and Screen
Watch Dirk Braun’s FLYING BOATFLYING BOAT, trailer from Flying Boat on Vimeo.
As if the skies adorned with thousands of sleek aircraft making their way to the largest aviation event were not enough to set the stage for the industry’s most prominent week (The 68th EAA AirVenture Fly-in at Oshkosh, WI), add to the mix the anticipation of LA-Aspen- based Dirk Braun’s World Premiere of FLYING BOAT, and the true spirit of aviation is born.
[image error]Just in time with the return of travel, the break-out documentary by Aspen-based Red Mtn Productions, and released through Falling Forward Films, will make its theatrical debut at EAA’s fly-in theater.
As part of the film’s unveiling, a stunning Grumman Albatross aircraft, featured in the movie, will make a special fly-in appearance prior to the World Premiere.
[image error]The 77-minute aviation documentary is about the experience of flying the legendary Grumman Albatross, a near perfect blend of form and function, told through 10 passionate mechanics and the pilots who have restored, fly, and maintain the last remaining examples of this legendary aircraft.
FLYING BOAT is about freedom, aspiration, the synergy of man and machine, and the artful relationship with motion, beauty and dreaming that is expressed metaphorically. Breathtaking aerial footage of the aircraft in motion is integrated with untapped archival footage from the long lost era of adventure and romance.
[image error]The post FLYING BOAT takes to the Sky and Screen appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
July 13, 2021
Busy & Buzzy WeHo is Waiting for YOU!
[image error]Thank you to Curator Hotels and Resorts for inviting me to explore Summer 2021 at Chamberlain West Hollywood. I will be moderating the media panel for the Women in Travel Conference from their hotel, Le Parc Suites Hotel, on July 14, 2021.
Video: Welcome to WeHoWest Hollywood (WeHo) is busy and buzzy for summer with many new restaurants, parties and dancing all night. There is so much to do, all in a short walking distance from Chamberlain Hotel–so drop off your bags, your car and BOOK DIRECT for big summer savings.
[image error]Our suite was giant and gorgeous and even had a gas fireplace as well as a balcony! Up on the roof, you can rent the cabanas for your birthday party or other celebration. While we were there, they had drinks, balloons, cake and a Dolly Parton impersonator!
[image error]Did you miss celebrating during COVID? Make sure to get your ticket for Pool Haus Party at the rooftop pool of the Montrose West Hollywood. What a great afternoon vibe and more cabanas for birthday celebrating! We met so many lovely people and enjoyed the poolside music.
[image error]Bottega Louie recently opened – and it’s the westside outpost of the wildly popular restaurant in DTLA. While they don’t take reservations , we only waited ten minutes for an outside table where we could people watch while drinking wine and eating perfect chicken parmigiana and salmon. Make sure to save room for their tempting treats including macaroons in every color or stop by for a morning pastry.
[image error]After dinner, it was a short stroll to the most happening spot on the street, The Abbey and The Chapel at the Abbey. Since 1991, dancers and drinkers have been enjoying this gothic-themed building with stained-glass windows and more than 14,000 square feet for watching the writhing men strut their stuff on stage! You can eat, dance, watch, drink and enjoy yourself!
[image error]In the morning, I hula-hooped by our rooftop pool and enjoyed the beautiful view. We walked by the Pacific Design Center and Jennifer proclaimed Cha Cha Matcha the best green tea outside of Japan. And after five world cruises and decades sailing the seven seas, she knows her tea!
[image error]Thank you to Jennifer Faust for filming with me! Learn more about our DTLA adventure here!Need more WeHo inspiration? Check out the VisitWeHo instagram page and find your next favorite hotel stay with Curator Hotels and Resorts! Great ready for my next video from Le Parc Suites Hotel.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by West Hollywood (@visitweho)
Chamberlain West Hollywood:
An intimate hideaway located in the heart of West Hollywood, The Chamberlain captivates with a collection of stunning 115 stylish suites, an exclusive guests-only restaurant and patio, and glamorous rooftop pool and terrace with 360-degree views of West Hollywood and beyond. Recently reimagined as a stylish retreat for Hollywood’s elite, the hotel’s design features sophisticated interiors that are reflective of old Hollywood glamour while integrating residential style comfort. The recently refreshed rooftop pool deck is an ideal space for play or leisure featuring posh cabanas, daybeds and lounge chairs, in addition to intimate gathering spaces to connect over cocktails. A top hotel in Los Angeles, The Chamberlain has been recognized in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by West Hollywood (@visitweho)
ROOFTOP RENDEZVOUS OFFER:
Take it off this summer!! (Your mask, that is!) When you stay at Chamberlain West Hollywood, Montrose West Hollywood or Le Parc Suite Hotel, not only will you enjoy the sexiest boutique hotels in West Hollywood with stunning rooftop pools, but you’ll also get rewarded for staying longer with the Rooftop Rendezvous Offer! Plus, whip out your vaccination card to receive a complimentary bottle of rosé to kick-start your vacation fun at the rooftop pools! Nightly rates start at $244 per night in July and August, and you’ll get hotel credit good for dining, rooftop drinks, valet service and more the longer you stay!
The post Busy & Buzzy WeHo is Waiting for YOU! appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
July 12, 2021
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
The Great Migration
[image error]Africa! The last inhabitable continent for me to set foot on. Ironic, as according to 23andMe, it’s where 94% of my DNA comes from–the bulk of that being West African which is no surprise–being the descendent of slaves.
This journey would take me to the East Coast of Africa in Kenya. It is a long journey from L.A., a 10-hour flight to London with a 24 hour layover followed by another 10-hour flight to Nairobi. We landed at night which doesn’t make for great views of the landscape. We were shuttled to a hotel while we awaited yet another flight in the morning. It was a beautiful hotel with a guarded, gated entrance similar to what you see in Mexico or the mega-resorts in Hawaii. The biggest difference was how entering the lobby forced us to go through security similar to that of the airport. X-ray machines and metal detectors.
After a great night’s sleep, the real adventure was about to start. We took a taxi to a much smaller local airport. Thankfully, our driver was a very friendly and helpful guy. He took us to our terminal where we quickly found out it was the wrong one. He didn’t just leave, but hung with us and talked to the agents in the terminal, called over to the correct terminal and made sure we got to the right place.
Once we got there, he waited until our airline rep greeted us. It was the best service I’ve had from a taxi. Our airline rep handed us our boarding passes–the blue group as opposed to the orange group. Our boarding passes were reusable cards with no identification of who was the actual passenger. Getting to the Maasai Mara is not for the faint of heart.
When it was time to board the small 10-person plane, they rolled out our luggage and a set of tires. I asked the rep what the tires were for and he quickly explained they were in case one of the wheels on the plane blew out. Spare tires for a plane! What kind of operation was this?
[image error]My view from the planeIt’s apparently normal for these parts, as other airlines in the terminal were doing the same thing. They also told us where to sit based on our weight to keep the plane balanced. I wasn’t sure this tiny plane was going to work for me. I took a deep breath and boarded.
As the plane started to descend, I could see a few scattered giraffes and zebras running in the distance. My heart began to race with excitement and then terror when I realized we were about land on a dirt road. The pilots were experts. It was a pretty smooth landing despite the dirt road and the very small plane.
It was time for another surprise. This was not our camp. We were the next stop, which meant taking off from this dirt road and landing on yet another!
The second stop was ours. We had arrived at the Governor’s Camp in the Maasai Mara–well, at least at their landing strip. The staff gathered our luggage into the Range Rovers and we were off.
After a short drive, we arrived at the camp. A parking lot was filled with other Range Rovers that were converted for safari. We were assigned to tent number 37, the last one. By last, I mean the tent at the edge of the camp, closest to the wild. Our front porch was just steps away from the grass plains. It should also be noted that Governor’s Camp has no fences. Over the course of our trip it was not uncommon to see a couple giraffes stroll by our front deck, or a troupe of baboons scurrying past in the grass.
[image error]A giraffe strolling by our tent in the afternoonThey say tent, but the only thing that resembles a tent is the walls. Imagine the thickest canvas tent walls you can find. It had hardwood floors (with a crawl space underneath), a tiled bathroom with full working shower and sink, and electricity for the lamps in the room and to charge your cell phones and camera batteries. It is a tent only in the “glamping” sense.
We met with friends for a drink in their nice bar/lounge area before having a great buffet lunch over looking the Mara River that sits just below the camp. It was teeming with hippos. As we ate, a warthog wondered into camp and paid little to no attention to all of the people looking on in amazement. It was a quick lunch as we were all hungry to go on our first game drive. I should also mention that for a place that is a camp in the middle of the Maasai Mara, the food was delicious–every meal was good with the exception of a rogue cake dessert at one dinner.
Our safari guide was amazing. On our very first game drive we saw elephants, lions, hyenas, lots of water buffaloes, a cheetah, and the elusive leopard. He was just as excited as we were but he also realized he’d made his job much harder as we’d seen so many amazing animals on just our first drive.
[image error]Baby elephant grazing[image error]8 lionesses: 3 you can see while 5 others hide in the grass[image error]Water buffaloAs we returned to the camp for dinner, they reminded us that once the sunsets we should not walk anywhere without one of the armed guards. They also told us never to run if faced by a predator. They warned, “the only thing that runs in Africa is prey.”
That was very apparent the first night at dinner, as a hippo came onto the bank. The guards chased her back into the water pretty quickly, but the sight ensured I would not be leaving the tent after dark with or without a guard. Hearing the hippos grunting and sloshing around all night just outside the tent was also good reinforcement.
One morning at breakfast we heard other guests talking about screams they heard from their neighbor’s tents. The staff came to tell the story of a lion that got under one of the tents (remember the crawl space under the hardwood floor). They heard it growling, and naturally started yelling and the guards came and chased it away. Did they shoot it? Nope. They scared it away with just their flash lights. It’s illegal to shoot the lions in the park, but these guys know what they were doing. Despite the crazy story, it made us feel safer knowing that they could handle a lion if one wondered into camp.
We did have to leave the tent in the dark one morning and it was worth it. We booked a sunrise hot air balloon ride, which meant we had to leave before sunrise at approximately 4:00 a.m. Per the instructions, we unzipped the door to the tent and shined the flash light out until the armed guard arrived on our front porch.
As he walked us from our tent to the Range Rover, I anxiously shined my flashlight out into the vast darkness of the prairie. We drove from Governor’s Camp to Little Governor’s from where the balloons launched. The only thing is, the Mara river is between the camps. The Range Rover pulled up to our stop–the top of a somewhat long staircase. At the bottom of the stairs was a row boat big enough for 8 people. There was a rope stretched across the river which the boatman used to pull the boat back and forth to cross. This was slightly scarier than the 10-person plane with a spare tire in the cargo hold landing on a dirt road.
It was still night as the river was racing past, and as we boarded the small boat in the dark a very large hippo emerged and opened its mouth as wide as it could be for submerging again just feet behind the boat. Because I’m telling this story, you can assume we made it across safely.
We stood around and watched in amazement as they filled the 4 hot air balloons. But what was much more amazing was when we boarded them and took flight. The balloons were fantastic and the pilot got low enough not to spook the animals but to get a great view.
[image error]Flying low over the Maasai Mara[image error]Bird’s eye view over the Mara RiverIt was because of this ride we got to see the elusive rhino, a mom with her calf, out for a morning stroll. We saw a crocodile in the river and gazelles on the plains. It was amazing!
We landed in the tall grass where our Jeeps awaited to whisk us off to a breakfast picnic set up in the shorter grass. That breakfast might be the best breakfast I’ve had that wasn’t prepared in a formal kitchen. Fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, and the most amazing pancakes with delicious honey and, of course, champagne. This is where my perspective of things changed.
As I stood admiring the view standing near the pop up omelette station, the chef came over and asked where I was visiting from. He asked if I knew my heritage. I told him I didn’t know much but I know I had some Nigerian ancestry.
To which he replied, “no matter where you are from, you are my brother. It is nice to see one of my brothers enjoying the beauty of my country.” He talked about how rare it was to see people who looked like us on safari. He encouraged me to bring back all my friends to show them the beautiful land he calls home.
Growing up in a small border town in Southern California and just living my life in America, I have become used to being the only black person in the room—or one of few. It was this moment that I realized that all of the staff were black with the exception of the balloon pilots. The guards, the guides, the chefs—everyone. With few exceptions, the only non-black people were the guests at the camp.
We spent the final day of our safari seeking out the animals we hadn’t seen on the other side of the reserve. The great migration of wildebeests, zebras, ostriches, and jackals. We also got to see hyenas fighting over the carcass of a hippo.
[image error]The great migrationThen it was time to jump back in our tiny plane and leave this amazing place to head back to the city. We were off to Mombasa.
We stayed at the Mombasa Beach Hotel. Driving through the city during rush hour to the hotel, I took note that 100% of the people we saw were black. The hotel was a large resort-style hotel with restaurants and bars. It was also right on the beach attended by a guard who ensured only hotel guests entered the property from the beach. He also seemed to be guarding a pile of shoes. Apparently, it was better to leave your unattended belongs with him (including your shoes) than on the beach. We met people from Wales and Ireland, among other countries.
As part of our trip to Mombasa, we went to a village where a friend’s family had donated the construction of a water well. We were going there for its unveiling and a small commemoration ceremony. As part of it, we also handed out clothing donations sent from families in the US. It was a humbling experience.
The people of the village all lived in mud huts with no working plumbing nor water. Every day, the women of the village walked 3 miles to get water for the entire day from the river. This was a juxtaposition to having been in a tent in the middle of nowhere with a tiled floor and fully working plumbing—to a village just a few kilometers’ drive from the heart of the city.
Everyone was so appreciative to receive t-shirt’s and jeans and dresses. They asked us to take pictures on our phones even though they had no way to receive them. Some of the girls had poses that could rival the women of America’s next top model.
[image error]Children from the village[image error]Kenya’s next top modelsThe main event was the cutting of the ribbon on the water well. As they cut the ribbon and began to prime the pump everyone watched in anticipation. Then it happened—water began to pour out. The first cup was poured and the leader of the village declared it was sweet water.
Occasionally when a well is dug, the water is saltwater or bitter and the well must be replaced. As the water poured from the well, villagers ran to their homes to get vessels to fill with water. They were so happy.
[image error]The joy of water in villageThe mama (head woman) of the village demanded we allow her to give us a tour of the village. She was so proud to show us around their home. The village leader was not only happy for his village, but for all of the neighboring villages. He declared that all of the villages that were close would use the well rather than taking the long walk to the river.
As we drove back to the hotel from the village and I looked at all of the faces of the people who looked like me, a wave of sadness came over me. It was the realization that despite the hardships of being black in America, I had running water and live in a house with plumbing.
I have all of these things because my ancestors were kidnapped and enslaved. They survived the middle passage, where an estimated 15%—approximately two million or more—died crossing the Atlantic Ocean in slave ships being transported to the Americas, while the rest endured years of torture, racism, and hardship. My grandparents were part of the Great Migration in America that led to blacks leaving the rural South (in their case, Louisiana) to the other parts of our country and, because of the combination of those things, I have the luxury of not living in a mud hut.
It’s an interesting paradox to try to wrap your head around. Nonetheless, I’m grateful for the experience. If anything it reminded me to appreciate what I have and to remember what those before me went through to ensure I could have what I do.
I do plan to return to Governor’s Camp with friends. It’s an experience that stories and pictures don’t do justice. I want to honor the chef’s wishes to see more of his brothers and people like him on safari. I also think it is important that we all continue to contribute to foundations that are working to bring water to places in the world where it doesn’t easily come by. More information on the well donation program in Kenya can be found here.
The post The Great Migration appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
July 9, 2021
Finding Freedom and Fireworks in Our Hearts with Cantor Emma Lutz
Shabbat Shalom! Thank you to Cantor Emma Lutz from Stephen Wise Temple for sharing her wisdom this past week about Fireworks, blessings and finding our way back to adventures. What she wrote really spoke to me and I asked for her permission to share it here:[image error]MONDAYAs we continue to enjoy more normalcy after a challenging and unconventional year, the blessings of our life unfold renewed before us. This week, I will share some of the brachot (blessing) formulas that come from our tradition for special and eye-opening moments. Every single year of my life—except the year that I lived in Jerusalem and celebrated in Gan Atzmaut, Independence Park—I have enjoyed Fourth of July fireworks with my father. Of course, I learned early on that Independence Day is our time set aside to honor the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, officially forming the United States of America. And even with my pride in living in such a remarkable (if complicated) nation, I think of the Fourth of July as the day when I watch the night sky light up while laughing, joking, singing, and holding hands with my dad. I hope that yesterday you were able to enjoy seeing the night sky light up with fireworks, creating a new memory with loved ones, holding gratitude for our country’s rich history and for the gift of our independence, and perhaps experiencing awe and wonder for the greatness that is the sparkling sky above us.
Our ancestors’ fascination with the sky and attempt to understand the great light shining down on us appears in the very first verses of our Torah. We read in Bereshit that God created the heavens and the earth first and immediately after, God created light; God quickly divided light from darkness and experienced the inherent goodness of it (Genesis 1:1-4). There is something so affirming, comforting even, about these first verses of Torah. As human beings, we stand small under the vastness of the great sky. And yet, as Jews, we trust that as we stare out into the sky, we are connected to God, connected to the first moments of creation, connected to something so much greater than ourselves.
Of course, fireworks are manmade and temporary, but I love them because they draw our attention skyward in celebration and wonder. Our rabbis certainly did not have a blessing for fireworks, but they created blessings for the great lights above us, including lightning, comets, meteor showers, and shooting stars (and other natural wonders). May we continuously draw our attention to the sky and ponder the mystery of creation and our place in it with immense gratitude for the inherent goodness of God’s light.ברוך אתה ה’ אלהינו מלך העולם עושה מעשה בראשית
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, oseh ma’aseh b’reishit
Blessed are You, God, who re-enacts the work of creation— Cantor Emma Lutz[image error]TUESDAYAs we continue to enjoy more normalcy after a challenging and unconventional year, the blessings of our life unfold renewed before us. This week, I will share some of the brachot (blessing) formulas that come from our tradition for special and eye-opening moments.
Both wisdom and mysticism are embedded in the highly organized, ancient grammatical system of biblical Hebrew that also crafts our blessings. Hebrew, as you might already know, is formed on a system of three root letters attached to every word, creating organic connections between words with the same root. The Hebrew word for blessing, bracha, which comes from the Hebrew root bet reish chaf, is linked to the word to both breicha, or wellspring, and berech, meaning knee. I love these associations because, of course, we often bend our knees in the ritual of prayer, and it seems only fitting that our blessings are identified with a great wellspring, ever-flowing if only we open our eyes to life’s generous offerings.
In addition to adhering to a brilliant set of grammatical laws, Hebrew letters also hold numerical values. The letters for blessing—bet, reish, and chaf—are assigned the values 2, 20, and 200 respectively. The word bracha (blessing) is made up of a series of twos, signifying the multiplicity of our blessings and insinuating the power of reciting a bracha to bring even more goodness into the world.
When I think of one of the most special blessings in life (albeit mundane or overlooked because we ideally have access to it every single day), I think of food. Enjoying food is an opportunity to nourish our bodies, but also a time to share with others and to create new memories around meals, multiplying the blessings of our health and our joy. While we often recite HaMotzi, our prayer for bread, there are many Hebrew blessings for specific types of cuisine and one prayer that can be recited over almost any type of food. This week, take an extra ten seconds at meals to express gratitude for the wellspring of sustenance available to you..בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהַכֹּל נִהְיָה בִּדְבָרוֹ
Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam shehakol niyah bidvaro.
Blessed are You, God, at whose word all that is offered to us came to be.— Cantor Emma LutzWEDNESDAYAs we continue to enjoy more normalcy after a challenging and unconventional year, the blessings of our life unfold renewed before us. This week, I will share some of the brachot (blessing) formulas that come from our tradition for special and eye-opening moments.
When I became a mother for the first time in January 2020, new blessings unfolded before me in so many magical and unexpected ways. And two days after finally accompanying my daughter to receive her eight-week shots, allowing us the new freedom to take her out of the house safely, our city and much of the world beyond went into lockdown. Like so many parents, grandparents, and caregivers, we spent a year-plus finding ways to entertain and teach our child exclusively at home. As we have slowly regained normalcy, our lives have opened up in so many seemingly routine but now extra special ways. After so much loss, life’s blessings still abound.
Last month, for the very first time, we went with Ruby and her friend, Ziggy, to the zoo! For many months prior, we read books at home about all of the different kinds of animals, from basic birds to giant elephants to the rare okapi, Ruby’s favorite. Watching her and Ziggy’s eyes open widely to the new wonders of the animal world after spending the majority of their life at home brought tears to my eyes. We missed so much, but we have so much to look forward to, and these beautiful children (like all of us) are so grateful and excited for all of the exploration ahead.
There is a hilarious and endearing Yiddish term that my grandparents used to describe us kids when we were particularly rambunctious—vilde chaye—lovingly likening us to wild animals. Each of us, kids and adults alike, might feel a bit like newly freed animals who are tentative but excited to explore the world again. For those of us enjoying the zoo, taking trips to Yosemite and other national parks, or gazing upon animals outside our windows, our tradition teaches us to recite a special blessing upon seeing unique animals, an invitation to acknowledge the majesty of the sacred creatures with which we share God’s earth. Wishing you adventurous time out of doors this summer and many opportunities to utter this special blessing!.בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוה אֱלהֵינוּ מֶלֶך הָעולָם משנה הבריות
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, m’shaneh habriyot.
Blessed are You, God, who makes creatures different.— Cantor Emma Lutz
View this post on InstagramTHURSDAYAs we continue to enjoy more normalcy after a challenging and unconventional year, the blessings of our life unfold renewed before us. This week, I will share some of the brachot (blessing) formulas that come from our tradition for special and eye-opening moments.A post shared by (((Cantor Emma Lutz))) (@ergolutz)
Now that the world is slowly and, God willing, safely returning to a new normal, many of us are planning long-awaited trips to visit family and friends, to enjoy the calm and beauty of a beach, or to see a new city we have long-yearned to explore. Travel is an opportunity for us to open up our lives to new experiences and to create sacred memories that sustain us through difficult times. Even a short or nearby trip can help us change our perspective, reset, or feel a deeper sense of appreciation for what we have at home.
When I was nineteen, I took my first trip to Israel, which changed my life in so many ways. While preparing for that trip through Birthright and my UC Davis Hillel, I was given a small Traveler’s Prayer (Tefillat HaDerech) that I still carry in my wallet to this day. Every time Adam and I get on an airplane, we hold hands and recite the special prayer for travel. I have missed this ritual, a moment that not only helps me set an intention for a safe journey, but a special time set aside to fall into the rhythm of the comforting Hebrew words, to connect with my husband, and to express my deep gratitude for the great opportunity to wander God’s earth.
For those of you who are planning to travel near or far in these summer months or anytime in the future, I hope that this blessing will open your trip in thankfulness, safety, and presence. Nisiah tovah, safe and happy travels!יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה’ אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ וֵא-לֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁתּוֹלִיכֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם וְתַצְעִידֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם. וְתִסְמְכֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם. וְתַדְרִיכֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם. וְתַגִּיעֵנוּ לִמְחוֹז חֶפְצֵנוּ לְחַיִּים וּלְשִֹמְחָה וּלְשָׁלוֹם וְתַצִּילֵנוּ מִכַּף כָּל אוֹיֵב וְאוֹרֵב וְלִסְטִים וְחַיּוֹת רָעוֹת בַּדֶּרֶךְ וּמִכָּל מִינֵי פֻּרְעָנִיּוֹת הַמִּתְרַגְּשׁוֹת לָבוֹא לָעוֹלָם וְתִשְׁלַח בְּרָכָה בְּכָל מַעֲשֵֹה יָדֵינוּ, וְתִתְּנֵנוּ לְחֵן וּלְחֶסֶד וּלְרַחֲמִים בְעֵינֶיךָ וּבְעֵינֵי כָל רוֹאֵינוּ וְתִשְׁמַע קוֹל תַּחֲנוּנֵינוּ. כִּי אֵ-ל שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה וְתַחֲנוּן אָתָּה: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’, שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה.
Y’hi ratzon milfanekha A-donai E-loheinu ve-lohei avoteinu she-tolikhenu l’shalom v’tatz’idenu l’shalom v’tadrikhenu l’shalom, v’tagi’enu limhoz heftzenu l’hayim ul-simha ul-shalom. V’tatzilenu mi-kaf kol oyev v’orev v’listim v’hayot ra’ot ba-derekh, u-mi-kol minei pur’aniyot ha-mitrag’shot la-vo la-olam. V’tishlah b’rakha b’khol ma’a’se yadeinu v’tit’nenu l’hen ul-hesed ul-rahamim b’einekha uv-einei khol ro’einu. V’tishma kol tahanuneinu ki E-l sho’me’a t’fila v’tahanun ata. Barukh ata A-donai sho’me’a t’fila.May it be Your will, our God and God of our ancestors, that You lead us in peace and help us reach our destination safely, joyfully and peacefully. May You protect us on our leaving and on our return, and rescue us from any harm, and may You bless the work of our hands, and may our deeds merit honor for You. May you hear our requests and our prayers. Praise to You, Adonai, who listens to prayer.
— Cantor Emma Lutz[image error]Cantor Emma, Thank you for all of the blessings and for including the traveler’s prayer!
Thank you for the music and your stories to guide our way! LisaMORE WISDOM FROM CANTOR EMMA:
Remembering our Scars, Finding our Strength with Cantor Emma Lutz
Feeling Our Way with Cantor Emma Lutz
The post Finding Freedom and Fireworks in Our Hearts with Cantor Emma Lutz appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
We Said Go Travel
- Lisa Niver's profile
- 57 followers
