Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

Luang Brabang: Reflections on a Journey through Laos

Laguna Blanca School in Laos Founder and head of PWT, Alethea Tyner Paradis, muses on the end of a journey through living history and the hope for future peace and healing. Breezy riverside Luang Prabang is a refreshing cleanse for our war-conscious-weary souls. The heart of downtown is cradled by the lazy S-curves of the Mekong River, bamboo bridges and boats… [Read Full Article]

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

Tuesday Travel Tip: Avoiding Culture Shock

Dog, sold at the market in Hanoi, VietnamCulture Shock is an affliction that affects all travelers to varying degrees; it is a form of anxiety that occurs when we lose the familiar social cues and norms with which we daily orient ourselves. Dr. Lalero Oberg, cultural anthropologist, explains: “These cues, which may be words, gestures, facial expressions, customs, or norms… [Read Full Article]

Friday, March 30th, 2012

Making New Friends at the Peace Works Travel Village

Santa Barbara students in VietnamDay 8 - Hanoi/Peace Works Travel VillageToday, our second full day in Hanoi, we ventured to the outskirts to visit the Peace Works Travel Village. As we were further informed by the headmaster through translation by our tour guide, Peace Works Travel Village is a completely free school for victims of Agent Orange. The school is… [Read Full Article]

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

Elephant Rides and Lessons in Living History

Laguna Blanca School in Cambodia From the time we heard the plan for today, all anyone could talk about was the fact that we would be riding elephants. After what was comparatively a late start (we left the hotel at 7:30), we headed to the temples for the third time. We were soon on the elephants and bobbing peacefully along… [Read Full Article]

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

Tuesday Travel Tip: Crossing the Street in Vietnam

Crossing the street is one of those things, like lacing your shoes, that hopefully, by the time you’ve reached adulthood, is second nature. We’re trained to cross the street safely from the time we can walk. Form holding your mom’s hand to journeying on your own, the method is the same: pause at the corner, look both ways, make sure… [Read Full Article]