Vietnam: Finding Hanoi
This is an entry in the We Said Go Travel Writing Contest written by MaiLynn Stormon-Trinh from Nevada now living in New Zealand. Thanks for your entry MaiLynn! Hanoiis a city to be felt, not explained. It is a city of paradoxes. It is visceral, it is complex, it is elegant, it is ugly. Modern. [...]
Hue and the Rebirth of a Tragic Icon
Most people know the story of Hue and the role that the former imperial city of Viet Nam played during the Tet Offensive of 1968. For several days, after a surprise attack on the city, the flag of North Viet Nam flew over the Citadel in defiance of the Americans and their South Vietnamese allies. [...]
In Westside Today: Local Brentwood Science Teacher Does Good
Thank you to Amy Sommer for her article in Westside Today! I will be on NATIONAL TELEVISION on Saturday September 29 on KTLA’s Career Day. The article begins: On Saturday, September 29, 2012 KTLA’s “Career Day” will invite viewers in to science teacher Lisa Niver Rajna’s classroom and see first hand how she inspires her [...]
The Cham People and their Towers
I was fascinated to learn about the Cham, or Champa people of Vietnam. Some theories state the ethnic group originally arose in Borneo and immigrated to Southeast Asia. In the long run this may have not been such a wise move. They were victims of Pol Pot’s genocide in Cambodia and are ill-treated elsewhere in [...]
The Hotel Contintental, Saigon
Back in 2005 at the end of our first trip to Southeast Asia, we washed up in Saigon, like countless foreigners and expats before us. The 70s were long gone and the war but a distant memory, but we thought, if we can swing it we should stay at the Continental, famous during the American [...]
10 Questions from Contiki!
Thank you to Contiki Blog for a wonderful interview asking me TEN GREAT QUESTIONS including: When and where did you first travel by yourself, and why did you choose that particular destination? Will you be shocked to know it was ARIZONA! Which destinations are you consistently drawn to, and why? (Places you’ll always come back [...]
Where is the Ho Chi Minh Trail?
Thank you to Dave’s Travel Corner for posting my article, “Where is the Ho Chi Minh Trail?: Here is the beginning of the article: Disoriented is a term that means being lost or unclear about where you are. It originated from when the East or the Orient was considered the center of the world. If [...]
Staying Healthy on the Road
Before we leave for a trip, many people ask us if we worry about being sick on the road. George and I have both been ill a few times in our travels so we asked Jordan Hoffman, a traveler and a California Licensed Acupuncturist to share his tips for good health. In December 2011, I [...]
Camels in the Courtyard and other articles around town
Hello from Lisa! I wanted to share some articles I have published recently on other sites. Read Breaking Stalin’s Nose, a great book for students about culture and standing up for what you believe in by Russian Jewish author, Eugene Yelchin and my first article in PRINT for the Jewish Journal. Science and Brain Research: [...]
Spirit of Adventure
Article first published as Spirit of Adventure on Technorati. Last Sunday, I woke up and wanted an adventure. When I am in another country, “Adventure” with a capital A is always right around the corner. I knew if I tried I could find an adventure in the big city of Los Angeles. In the movie, Up, [...]
