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rhondasarantis

In 2015 I booked an adventure in Bali doing things I love: art lessons, stamping and dying indigo fabric, cooking classes, beaches, temples, massages, etc. I told my daughter, Chanel, "I'm going to B destinations this year--Belize and Bali--and doing C next year." We giggled. And then I thought--THAT'S BRILLIANT--I'M DOING IT! I've got time. I'll finish when I'm 84!
Bali was cancelled because some volcano was throwing ash causing the airport to close. So I started properly by visiting a country that started with "A!" Hope you'll join me for the fun as I work my through the alphabet visiting countries.
Plan B: I'm to going to visit an A country so I can begin my ABCs properly. WHAT "A" COUNTRY SHOULD I VISIT? (Btw, Bali isn't a country anyway.)

F

Salon de Provence

Another travel day.  I left from Albi while it was still dark.  I’d grown accustomed to the rolling river valleys of central France that are thickly forested.  The landscape morphed […]
Salon de Provence

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Gargilesse-Dampierre

When I decided to go to France, I determined to see some “charming” villages.  I may have been influenced by Pinterest and the following lists: 15 of the Most Beautiful […]

F

Mont Saint Michele

Mont Saint Michele looks ethereal when it dramatically appears above the horizon. Almost disturbing from miles away. This impression seems to be in harmony with its origins. Bishop Saint Aubert […]
Mont Saint Michele

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Lalibela, Ethiopia

An Ethiopian mother watched with fascination as a swarm of bees surrounded her infant in the 12th century, AD.  The bees inflicted no harm on the boy.  She interpreted this […]
Lalibela, Ethiopia

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The Queen of Sheba

When I decided to go to Ethiopia, my only reference was the Queen of Sheba.  My sister, Cindy, and I fondly remember our Grandma Pope–if she perceived an insult–declaring “she […]
The Queen of Sheba

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Yerer, Ethiopia

We knew immediately it was a Market Day because we passed a multitude of donkeys bearing burdens. And oxen. And horse-and-buggys. And people. They walk from Yerer to Debre Zeyt […]
Yerer, Ethiopia

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Ethiopia

There are 80 languages in Ethiopia and over 200 dialects, so I shouldn’t have been surprised when I delivered my well-rehearsed “selam tena jistilign” (hello) and the young woman shook […]
Ethiopia

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Ethiopia?!?

How did Ethiopia happen?  Well, I have a dear friend that works for Engage Now Africa and they are building a school in the village of Yerer in June.  And I’m […]
Ethiopia?!?