Ruth Lee's Web Log - Travel Views,What's New?

Nepal?s Changing Politics

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:24:00 -0400

Here is a Yahoo article that describes the situation in Nepal today regarding their handling of Tibetans who escape China and enter their country. Their procedures are toughening as the Maoist Party gains more strength. How long can they remain independent with China moving in as it is???

KATHMANDU (AFP) – Nepalese police this month tried to forcibly repatriate a group of sick Tibetan refugees, some of them children, the International Campaign for Tibet alleged in a report released Saturday.

The Washington-based campaign group said the seven refugees, among them a seven-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy, hid for days in a forest in Nepal after escaping police who had threatened to send them back across the border. [More]

US Report on Human Rights in Tibet

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:15:00 -0400

Before I left for my recent trip to Asia I received various greetings and blessings relative to my trip to Tibet. Seems that Americans like to think Tibet is some far-away place living in bliss and contentment and the Dalai Lama is just drumming up business for himself traveling the world saying it isn’t. Please read this extract from the web site of the US Department of State relative to how our country views the situation in Tibet. Many thanks to Kathy for providing the link to this material…

2009 Human Rights Report on China that includes the following on Tibet… http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/eap/135989.htm#tibet

(When I sent this out to old friends and clients via e-mail I added stressors to call attention to important areas, but it is too long to share here. If you would like a copy of that mailing, let me know.)

Off We Go Into The Wide Blue Yonder

Sat, 15 May 2010 10:16:00 -0400

For many months while recovering from the side effects of chemo, I traveled in time and centered my mind on a trip to Nepal and Tibet. I would read and relax and enjoy my being okay and being able to plan yet another vacation in a distant land. Yes, I have been 'called' to be in Tibet, and did not want to go to Nepal at all, but now as I prepare to leave I am excited to travel through Nepal, too. Even meeting someone I met on Facebook for a brief time along the path.

Join me now and relax and imagine you are traveling in my backpack….

[More]

Travel Views and News

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 10:44:00 -0400

Over my lifetime I have been amazed at how many Americans set out on a vacation or trip without any idea what may be provided at their destination. In fact, some want to learn once they get there, but not me. I like to know why I am called -- and what else I might find that is not already a part of my mind. So, I am grateful to Larry for discovering this web site.

Dear Ruth,
This is an amazing online library of digital media from around the world. What does that mean exactly? It means that you will find amazing recordings, texts, photographs, and more from around the world, thus allowing you to take a walk into the culture of another country from the convenience of your computer chair.

[More]

Amazing Coincidence

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:37:00 -0400

Last month by some amazing twist of fate, Facebook contacted people who apparently were hidden away somewhere in cyberspace as friends of mine at some point in time. I had no idea so many people would be asked to befriend me there, but it seems several were quick to respond and I was not so quick to acknowledge that they accepted my request for friendship. I am still working on FB mail that came in on 1/23/10!!

So, lo and behold, I open a letter yesterday from then and visit the FB profile of someone I do not recognize by name…or even by the little picture—at first. I skim the notes sent to him and notice one from a professor from Rice University to the effect that he wanted 'my friend' to be aware that everyone in the US knew of the disaster at Machu Pichu and he sent him best wishes, etc. [More]

10 Steps to Perfect Packing

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:44:00 -0400

Here is the best advice i've seen in a long time on packing your bags for travel. Learn how to travel wrinkle-free, every time. Based on Travel Smith’s popular presentation at The New York Times Travel Show.

The primary goal of packing well is to fit everything you want to take in your bag, and have it emerge at your destination looking good. [More]

No space, leave the place

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0400

Thanks to Cheryl, we all now know the answer the following question… Can you tell when you are in a hotel room, restroom, motel, fitting room, dance club, etc. whether the mirror you are peering into is in fact a mirror or is it 2-way glass?

Here's how: [More]

June 1 2009: Stricter ID Requirements for U.S. Entry

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:28:00 -0400

Effective June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens entering the United States by land or sea (in addition to entry by air) must present a valid passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

Other photo ID (such as a drivers license) and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) will no longer be allowed. Children under the age of 16 who are U.S. citizens, however, will be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card.

You can obtain more information at : http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html.

Thoughts on Terrorist Attack in Cairo

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:45:00 -0400

If you have not heard about it and read the complete account, the following is excellent to get you ahead of the curve in current events happening every day.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090223/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt_blast

Now, in addition to the report shared above, remember that Egypt really does not have anything like the other nations around it have to keep the money flowing in, except for its ancient cultural structures and museums. Why would you want to go to Egypt if there were no pyramids calling to you or the tombs of the ancient pharaohs and queens along the Nile?

[More]

John of God Plans Abandoned

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 07:05:00 -0400

Last summer I started making plans to take a group of pilgrims to see the internationally-known faith healer known as John of God at his compound in Brazil. Last July all things seemed possible and I started meeting with those who could help us achieve such a trip with the least amount of difficulty, yet enable us to visit and talk in depth with John of God and his staff. The planning stalled and was not developed enough when I was struck with illness this fall and had to let go of most of the work I love to do, and now it is apparent this trip is ended as well. [More]

Feedback on Recent Retreat to Ecuador

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:15:00 -0400

Even if you were not in Ecuador with us last month, you can follow this letter from Micky. I finished my e-zine (Where in the World is Ruth Lee Now?) this morning and hopefully you will all get it by the end of the week. This letter will probably make more sense to you then, but did not want to possibly forget it by then.

Hi Ruth

Returned to Naples last night after a wonderful month in Cotacachi (Ecuador). Rented a new apartment real cheap, around the corner from the El Meson. Mercedes and I furniture shopped, and she is handling the decorating. My neighbors are from NC on permanent residence. [More]

Adios Amigas and Amigos...

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:39:00 -0400

I am checking over things today and leaving tomorrow morning for Ecuador. While away i have set up a posting for each day to keep you alerted to where we are and what we plan to do that day, too.

This is such a special retreat and one that we will remember for the rest of our lives. It is also the only time we will ever meet as we do now. Each retreat has been great and thrilling and interesting and meeting others of like mind was exciting, but this time we are fortunate that 75% of our attendees are back again, having attending retreats in the past.

We will be trundling around Ecuador in a bus since there are 15 of us! You never know when you start out where it will lead you, but i heed the call! Thank you all for prayers extended to all of us there.

Ecuador Equinox Retreat Update

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 12:04:00 -0400

Plans are moving along at a rapid pace for our upcoming spiritual retreat in Ecuador this June. Only three vacancies remain, and we have done almost no advertising of any kind, it is that good! For more information go to:

www.CoachingFromSpirit.com/retreat

Shortly I will publish here a list of things we would like to take with us to Ecuador to fulfill our humanitarian goals there. Right now I am merely introducing some of the people who are already making a huge difference in Ecuador.

Micky Enright, our guide to Ecuador this June, sent me some great photos of Dr. Vaca (described below) and Gary and Meri Scott, the Founders of the Land of the Sun Foundation, taken while on a recent trip to deliver humanitarian services in the highlands of Ecuador.

Gary Scott writes:

“One of Cotacachi's wonderful citizens is Dr. Vaca. He is a Russian-trained MD (he lived in Ukraine for eight years) and is our doc of choice when any guest or staff member is ill. Pure compassion and skill. Recently he invited Merri and me to join him for a day at the clinic he stations once a week in a remote mountain village (Mohanda). The village sits high in the mountains up a winding road above Otavalo...not far as the crow flies. Some crow! The distance makes all the difference in the world. See why we go, and some wonderful pictures of the trip at: http://www.garyascott.com/2008/03/15/2043.html

(If you decide to contact Gary and Meri Scott in Ecuador, please mention that you are a friend of mine.)

John of God Trips to Brazil in 2008

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 04:43:00 -0400

If you ever wanted to visit John Of God in Brazil, I can recommend Rev. Patty Pipia, NW Unity Church in Chicago, to lead you through the process.

You may recall that i covered Rev. Patty's pulpit last May when she went to Brazil with a group to see John of God. She usually takes three groups a year to work and seek healing from John of God or help others heal at the Casa. The following are the simple facts of such trips...For more information, call or go to the web site. Let us know here if you do go to Brazil with Rev. Patty this year. [More]

Seven Wonders of the World Revisited

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 08:14:00 -0400

About 100 million votes were cast by the Internet and cellphone text messages, said New7Wonders, the nonprofit organization that conducted the poll. [More]