Next Trip!

[Laura]

For a while we had a "next comp" thread over on Dance Forums, and that worked out pretty well. About about a "next trip" thread here?

I'll start...my next trip is to visit my parents in New Hampshire for Thanksgiving. They live in a very small town about 2 1/2 hours northwest of Boston, not far from where Dartmouth College is.

It's a suprise for my dad -- he has no idea I'm coming, and he won't know until he comes home from a meeting he has the evening of my arrival and sees me there sitting in the living room!

Rather than cooking a big dinner for the three of us, we'll be going to a nice local inn with very good food for Thanksgiving dinner. It should be a nice trip.

[Jonathan]

Great idea Laura!

My next trip is at the end of the month, to Washington DC, for the Society for Visual Anthropology's Visual Research Conference and the American Anthropological Association's Annual Meetings (I'm presenting at both).

I found a neat litlle bed and breakfast within walking distance of the event hotel and at 1/3 the price too!

[Laura]

That sounds cool. I love B&B's. We stayed at some great one on trips to Hawaii and also New Zealand. What part of DC will you be in? I used to live nearby, in Alexandria, VA.

[cocodrilo]

My next trip is next Friday- I will be going to Kyoto. Purpose of the trip is to see a buddy of mine speak on a panel at an NGO meeting, but I figured since I'm there I might as enjoy the seasonal colors. The "momiji" (Chinese maple) are changing to vivid reds and oranges this season, and Kyoto is said to have some of the best places for what the Japanese call "koyo" (leaf viewing). I have been to Kyoto dozens of times, but never during this season. I am planning to go to Sanzen-in Temple, in the northern part of Kyoto, which has a beautiful Japanese garden. The next day I will go to Kiyomizu Temple, a World Heritage Site. I absolutely love this place- I go there every time a friend or relative visits from abroad, Definitely a must-see, especially in this season!

[Laura]

That sounds wonderful! If I hadn't decided to go see my parents, then I too would have tried to have seen some gorgeous leaves in Japan. Oh well -- next time!

My parents get great amazing colored leaves where they live in New Hampshire, but by the time I get there for Thanksgiving they'll all be gone. Every few years, though, they have a "White Thanksgiving," so maybe I'll get lucky and see snow then.

I was talking to my mom today and found out there is a historically restored Shaker village near where they live. I've never seen it (but love to look at Shaker furniture and arts and crafts), so we're going to go when I'm out there at the end of the month.

[Jonathan]

[cocodrilo]

I hear the east coast has some gorgeous fall foliage. Someday I hope to get out that way and see it!

[Laura]

My "next trip" after my "next trip" is to go to Bermuda with my Mom in May. We take a "just girls" trip together every year, usually a cruise because she loves cruising. I do too, but my husband hates it, so I get my "fix" by going with Mom.

I've never been to Bermuda but my mom went a couple of times back in the 70's. She's been researching our upcoming trip and is going crazy with the planning -- we're both into touring gardens and historical homes, and museums and arts/crafts places, and she tells me she's finding so many interesting things to do in Bermuda that she's not sure we can fit them all in during the 5 days we'll be there!

[Jonathan]

Hmmm, looks like I may end up making a fairly last-minute trip to Columbus for part of the Ohio Star Ball next week...

[cocodrilo]

My next trip is to Cambodia and Laos. I have spent the past 6 months planning this, making all the arrangements entirely on my own(there is no way in HELL I would ever be a travel agent, let me tell you!). Planning on spending 2 weeks starting in Siem Reap (where Angkor Wat is) then heading down to Phnom Penh for a few days. After that, up to Vientiane (capital of Laos) and up to Luang Prabang(the entire TOWN has been deemed a World Heritage Site!). I am going on this trip alone- so excited, I can't wait!

[Laura]

You are going to have such a good time. A friend of mine loves Laos, especially Luang Prabang. Full report when you get back!

[cocodrilo]

I've also heard lots of good feedback on Laos from friends. Aside from cool markets and temples, the place is supposed to have some of the best French food in Asia, and since I will be spending Christmas there, I am going to treat myself to a nice French dinner!

[Laura]

A suprise trip just fell into my lap. I'm going to San Diego next weekend. I've never really been before, so if anyone has any tips as to what to do on a Sunday or a Monday, please let me know! My husband is going to a conference and I'm tagging along.

[cocodrilo]

[Jonathan]