Gallagher's Travels: Letter From the Editor: March 2006

Letter from the Editor

March 2006

Dear Friends,

Frequently, people ask travel writers "What is your favorite Place" and I for one can't come up with a direct speedy answer.

Kuala Lumpur

Plus, I'll certainly never live long enough to get everywhere and will likely miss some mega popular destinations like Hawaii as well as the obscure outpost. It's probably easier to list the places I wouldn't consider returning but that isn't fair either as someone loves, lives and works there and perhaps others enjoy visiting.

Usually the big memories are from a special event involving the real lives of local people. In Kuala Lumpur, a fascinating city, I spent an evening with a huge extended family celebrating the 50^th wedding anniversary of the grandparents.

Cathedral, Palma de Majorca

Occasionally I get myself in some kind of disaster adventure and the natives bail me out!

Natural landscape beauty or areas with particularly talented people in the arts, history, agriculture or manufacturing unique to my life experience are always big highlights. I'll never forget the Olathe Boot Factory in Olathe, Kansas – originators of the American Cowboy boot or turning on the lights with a few pesetas in the gothic Cathedral in Palma de Majorca.

Aled Owens

In Wales one cool morning, watching and learning from one of the worlds sheep herding champions and most pleasant presenter, Aled Owens, (www.aled-owen-sheepdogs.co.uk as he demonstrated herding with his dog on the misty green hills and then sheared a sheep provided an unforgettable visit. (www.ewe-phoria.co.uk)

I've loved France, Spain, the UK and Ireland, Malaysia, Central America, the Caribbean, Canada, the US and tons of other destinations. That must mean there is no absolute favorite…although I do return to France and the UK more than others.

Travel is an education in: history, cultures, street smarts, cuisine, manners, world news and more for me. There isn't anything better for your children's understanding of geography and the world then through travel.

TOP

Bercy Village

We're continuing to add coverage on Paris, Florida, Canada and many more fun places. Features from new contributing journalists Robin Tierney, on art and traveling with pets plus an interview by food expert Dara Bunjon have been added.

I've been exploring big and little towns of the Mid Atlantic in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina following the Atlantic coast. Look for more information forthcoming from those trips. A bit further afar are my reports on excursions to the tiny British Virgin Island, Anegada and Bercy Village in Paris.

TOP

Grant Wood's Spring in Town

The culture menu in Washington DC is always amazing and the last few weeks have provided a proliferation of especially sensational exhibits. We've been rushing from the Renwick Museum ( americanart.si.edu/renwick.cfm), with a very surprising Grant Wood exhibit showing his incredible versatility, then stopping at National Gallery (www.nga.org) for the gigantic and entertaining “Dada” exhibit, on to the Sackler and Freer (www.asia.si.edu) for a rare opportunity to see the work of Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), the Hirschhorn (hirshhorn.si.edu) with photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto and the Corcoran (www.corcoran.org) features Robert Bechtle: A Retrospective .

Hokusai's The Wave

Now that's just the tip of the iceberg not even touching embassy and gallery exhibits. I must receive twenty e mails a week listing various affiliate organizations events for singles, seniors, all ethnicities, dancers, theater buffs, wine aficionados, sculptor or print lovers and regular eating out. Now not known for my athleticism those people don't even have me on their list! However all is not lost as I am “training” for a week long walking trip in Ireland this fall.

Cherry Blossoms

Soon Washington will be overrun with tour busses and tourists as the Cherry trees creep towards their full glory—baring weather disasters like wind and rain—and that festival swings into a week or more of frenzied activities. I'm sure your city is just as busy with as many choices and I hope you take the time to enjoy it all.

Happy Trails!

Mary E. Gallagher

mary@gallagherstravels.com

TOP

Gallagher's Travels

Letter from the Editor

March 2006

Pick a Destination

Features

Breaking News

HELPING THE HUNGRY

Contributing Journalists

CURRENT MOON