Happy Autumn!

Few images are more iconic than the open road.

One of the grand and simple pleasures this country has to offer is a road trip-and so I am off to see, for the first time, Niagara Falls.

I will be leaving New York City in a rented car (It won’t be anything as classic as the one pictured here-a pristine 1971 Le Mans Sport which according to the loving owner has retained its original condition.), and seeking a route where lakes, agricultural plains, small towns and cities will be my inspiration.

My quest is to experience Americana: to discover local history, cuisine,  geography and culture while welcoming conversations with others who live on this land.

I will do my best to keep you posted while I’m on the road.

Best wishes for those celebrating, on Wednesday, the new year 5775!

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Thank you for taking the time to read my post! Welcome to the tales of a woman solo traveler and thoughts to make today the start of something new. I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images and join me in my quest for growth, wonderment and self-improvement.

Traveling in countries where I do not speak the language offers certain challenges, particularly when finding something to eat. But with street food, quantity and cost can be conveyed with fingers and the ingredients are usually self evident. Ease, however is not the main appeal. Primarily, it is a means of being part of the local culture and daily life. The people preparing and eating the food are almost always locals. I have spent countless, pleasurable moments sitting on stools, a curb, perhaps at a tiny table or just standing while eating something fresh and usually made to order.

The sellers may offer just a few items, sometimes only one, so it is often his or her speciality. You can almost be certain it is going to be good.

One of my fondest memories lingers from Thailand, many years ago. On two or three occasions I ordered Som Tum, the green papaya salad, from the same seller; his cart was just large enough to hold the few ingredients in a small display case. I would say “Som Tum” with a smile and he would get to work, slicing, cutting, mixing, preparing and then the moment came. He would hold up a very hot chili pepper as his way of enquiring how many I wanted. The cuisine there can be notoriously spicy. The locals might ask for four or more, but I would timidly raise a single figure to indicate only one. I suspect he already knew my answer, but each time he chuckled kindly as he put the finishing touches in place.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! Welcome to the tales of a woman solo traveler and thoughts to make today the start of something new. I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images and join me in my quest for growth, wonderment and self-improvement.

Mongolia has a long standing tradition of hospitality; food and lodging is offered to anyone, free of charge. Nomadic cultures necessitate it for survival. Some gift, when possible, might be offered in exchange.

Khovsgol Lake is a popular vacation destination (by Mongolian standards) in the north. I found a ride to one of its shores dotted with tourist camps, which I had hoped to avoid.

Walking further up the coast, accommodations became rare so I was relieved and delighted to meet a couple who sold fish and offered me a private “guest ger”. They provided me with wood for the stove, a thermos of hot water to make tea, a jerrycan of water for washing, sheets and blankets; all I would need for a comfortable stay. They asked for 10,000 tugrik (about$6/night). A delicious lunch of fish, potatoes, onions and salad was prepared for a small additional fee. It was a quiet and beautiful location. Our communication was limited to the three or four common words we shared but their kindness was evident.

Taking a walk some distance from my ger, I noticed a few yaks, two horses and as I neared, an older man cradling a baby.  An older woman soon joined him.  I continued my approach, smiled, greeted them with a hello and was quickly ushered in to sit on the hard seat/bed in their sparsely furnished ger. Without hesitation the woman offered me tea, a large slab of fresh baked bread and two bowls. One contained delectable, mild, yak butter and the other was soon filled with freshly made yogurt. I savored each sip and bite and had to gently refuse her additional helpings. There was an ease between us and somehow we made our inquiries understood.

We lingered awhile longer. Soon after, with a thank you, I headed back to my ger returning a short time later with some small gifts: a writing pad, pen and soap. She received them with delight. I said goodbye and while I was walking away she called, hurried towards me and placed two smoked fish (a regional delicacy) in a bag for me to take on my way.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! Welcome to the tales of a woman solo traveler and thoughts to make today the start of something new. I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images and join me in my quest for growth, wonderment and self-improvement.