So you’re thinking about visiting Iceland — for the starkly beautiful landscapes, a glimpse at the Northern Lights, or to learn more about the Viking sagas. But Iceland as a culinary destination? Well, you should visit Iceland for all of the reasons above, including some of the freshest and best food you’ll ever eat. Brown break baked in a geothermal vent! (Cafe at Fontana.) You can even get ice cream in Iceland! (Gelato from Valdis) Some foods consumed traditionally in Icela

ISTANBUL 2013, DAY 1 The concept of expectations – realistic, unmet or absent, has been much on my mind lately. Facebook memes, self-help books, a well-paid therapist and well-meaning friends – all have helped to make “detachment from outcomes” my quarterly psychological goal, the ultimate objective being my evolution to a fully-functioning adult complete with healthy relationships. I’d spent the summer looking forward to a September photography workshop in Istanbul with the

INDIA 2012  DAY 1 – Wednesday, October 18, 2012 It’s said that the official language of India is Hindi, but in reality, it’s honking. It’s hard to imagine the variety of horn sounds that are produceable by transport vehicles – and this is from a Los Angeleno who has heard every variation of La Cucuracha ever played by a truck. (I learn later that some Indian truck drivers have a selection of horn tones that they play according to their mood that day!). And yet, on my first ni

INDIA 2012 Yatara is the Hindi word for travel, and it is derived from Yatana, which is their word for suffering. It means you’ve been taken out of your comfortable existence and forced to adapt to ever-changing conditions. Now this is not necessarily a bad thing, and the Indians are experts at it. I’ve never witnessed such an unending demonstration of graceful resourcefulness. Our group of 11 women and two men (including our instructors) had a very intense eight days to lear

INDIA, October 2012 A little over a year ago, I found myself suddenly living alone for the first time in 25 years. Why India? Well, why not? This might seem like a devil-may-care attitude, or maybe that’s my delusion. Maybe I just seem irrational. What I have, really, is a well-developed sense of denial — but so far it’s served me well. I think of myself as tolerant and resilient, so therefore I can be adventurous. Yes! I’ve been through hell and back! I can handle anything!