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The Royal Lover's Guide to London
by Angela YoungmanLondon and the Royal Family are inextricably intertwined. Generations of monarchs have been crowned, married and buried there. Linking Hampton Court Palace to Greenwich is a royal river, which in turn has been used for royal celebrations and progresses as well as a route to imprisonment and execution. In the current century, London became a focus of Royal Jubilees. Wherever you go within London there are places and scenes linked to past and present royalty. Thousands of people come every year to see the stunning places associated with the Royal Family, to watch spectacular ceremonies like Changing of the Guard, The Trooping of the color, or simply to explore the history and heritage of Royal London. Royal London highlights everything from Westminster Abbey, the site of coronations and weddings to the Victoria & Albert Museum and Horse Guards Parade. Take a look at royal palaces such as Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and Kew Palace. Discover amazing stories at the Tower of London. Discover where the Duchess of Cambridge danced with Paddington Bear, where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge together with Prince Harry duelled with wands, the bakery popular with Meghan, Duchess of Suffolk, an apothecaries garden of which the Prince of Wales is patron and some of Princess Eugenie’s artistic venues. Take a trip to RAF Hendon and see the helicopter piloted by the Duke of Cambridge while serving with the RAF Search & Rescue or explore the football grounds supported by royal princes. Shop in the stores that are used by Royalty. Discover London from a royal perspective exploring the shops, places and venues linked to modern royalty.
Royal Oak
by John S. Schultz Maureen McdonaldStories describe Michigan's first governor, Lewis Cass, signing a treaty with the Chippewa in 1819 and resting nearby with companions under a swamp oak a few miles north of Detroit. Cass told the story of Prince Charles II, who took refuge in 1651 under a mighty oak tree after the Battle of Worcester and lived to be crowned king. Cass later designated the locality, including the southernmost townships in Oakland County, as Royal Oak. This sector became a village in 1891 and a city in 1921. Strong roots have helped the "City of Trees" maintain its viability through the years. Home to William Beaumont Hospital, assorted high-tech graphic and sound studios, and a world-class zoo, today Royal Oak draws people into its pedestrian-friendly downtown for an eclectic mix of bars, sidewalk cafés, boutiques, theaters, and upscale lofts.
The Royal Roads: Spanish Trails in North America
by Kathy PeltaThis book follows the trails established by the Spanish between the 1500s and the 1800s in the southeast, the southwest, and along the California coast. Includes bibliographical references and index.
Royal Tourism
by Nicola J. Palmer Philip LongThere are multiple and complex relationships between royalty and tourism which have received little attention in the academic literature. This book draws on historical, sociological and cultural perspectives in its collection of chapters that examine the royal tourism phenomenon in several international and theoretical contexts. Authors in this volume examine for example: the history, development and trajectories of 'royal tourism'; 'royal tourism' and national identities; the interpretation of royalty to tourists; the image(s) and representations of 'royal tourism'; tourist perceptions of royalty and royal properties and sites; royalty, tourism and national image, identity and citizenship.
Royalton, Middleport, and Hartland: Through Time (Images of America)
by Mayor Julia Maedl Frederick G. FierchNestled in the eastern end of Niagara County are the townships of Royalton and Hartland. The village of Middleport lies mostly within the town of Royalton, with a small part in the town of Hartland. When the Erie Canal was built through Royalton and opened in 1824, it connected the interior of the United States with the Atlantic Ocean, and the entire area was forever changed by the canal. The area earned a reputation as an excellent fruit-farming region and orchards appeared, along with the chemical-spraying industry. Royalton, Hartland, and especially Middleport became extraordinarily important in these two industries, and the canal was the focal point. The Erie Canal continued to be a major shipping factor for the region until the barges discontinued use in the 1950s.
The Ruby Key (Moon and Sun #1)
by Holly LisleMankind is Sunkind And rules by the light; Nightlings are Moonkind, And rule in the night; Or there will be war. Humans and nightlings are never to meet, but when Genna and her brother Dan venture into the old forest at night, they encounter a nightling who reveals a terrifying secret: Genna and Dan's village chieftain has made a deadly deal with Letrin, ruler of the nightlings, and offered up the lives of his villagers. To save their people, Genna and Dan strike their own bargain with the nightling lord, but the stakes climb even higher. Now, the siblings must embark upon a journey along the moonroads, and bring back the key to Letrin's downfall. Written in haunting, lyrical prose, Holly Lisle transports readers to the twilit realms of the night worlds.
Ruby's Inn at Bryce Canyon
by A. Jean SeilerIn the spring of 1916, Ruby and Minnie Syrett packed up their children and belongings and traveled to their new homestead at the gateway of what would one day become Bryce Canyon National Park. In the early 20th century, Southern Utah was still pioneer country. Hardy descendants of Mormon converts worked to tame the land and create productive farms. Little time was left to marvel at the scenery that surrounded their small communities. By 1919, the Syretts found themselves providing food and lodging for visitors who had learned of the canyon's scenic wonder. A tourist lodge was constructed and opened in the spring of 1920. By 1923, Bryce's Canyon was well known throughout the country and was proclaimed a national monument. From the beginning, Ruby and Minnie were committed to providing the very best in heartfelt Western hospitality. This small community continues to provide the facilities and amenities required to take care of the 1.5 million annual visitors from around the world who come to enjoy Bryce Canyon National Park.
Rude & Barbarous Kingdom
by Lloyd E. Berry Robert O. CrummeyLloyd E. Berry and Robert O. Crummey offer edited accounts of six English voyagers and their experiences in Muscovy Russia between 1553 and 1600. With modernized spelling and presentation, these accounts are accompanied by a glossary of Russian terms, introductions of their authors, and annotations that help put the travelers’ narratives into perspective.
Rudy's Rules for Travel: Life Lessons from Around the Globe
by Mary K. JensenMost honeymoons, Mary knows, do not start this way. Lying outside on the sloping attic roof in Edinburgh, listening to the soft snores of her groom, she realizes that Rudy&’s number one rule, &“adapt," once again reigns. Rudy&’s Rules for Travel takes you across the twentieth-century globe with intrepid, frugal Rudy and his spouse Mary, a catastrophic thinker seeking comfort. Whether stalled in a Spanish car tunnel, stranded atop a runaway elephant, or held at rifle-point at a Soviet border, Rudy has a rule for every occasion—for example, &“Relax, some kind stranger will appear.&” Mary, meanwhile, has her deep breathing and her own commandment: &“Expect the worst.&” The two are a picture of contrast. As Mary was being born, Rudy was a new American citizen flying US Air Force missions over his homeland, Germany. His father was a seaman, hers an accountant. And when this marriage of opposites goes traveling, their stories combine laugh-out-loud humor with poignant lessons from the odyssey of a World War II veteran. So start packing—you&’ll want to join these two.
Rugrats Blast Off
by Stephanie St. PierreThe Rugrats decide to go on a mission to outer space--in their car.
Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs
by Lyn Kidder Herb BrunellThe Sacramento Mountains are an oasis of cool pine forests, alpine meadows, and fast-flowing streams. For more than a century, the area has been a summer haven for people living in the surrounding desert. The town of Ruidoso-a Spanish word meaning "noisy"-is named for the sound of water rushing over rocks as the Rio Ruidoso runs (and occasionally rampages) through the town. The town's first resident, Civil War veteran Paul Dowlin, built an adobe mill that harnessed the river's power. Word of the area's beauty soon spread. Traveling over primitive roads, first by horse and wagon and later by automobile, visitors escaped the summer heat in what became known as "The Playground of the Southwest." Some came for horse racing or the gambling and night life offered by the town's many bars; others came to hike, fish, and later ski on the slopes of Sierra Blanca, the mountain whose 12,000-foot peak provides a stunning backdrop for the town.
The Ruins of Ani: A Journey to Armenia's Medieval Capital and its Legacy
by Krikor Balakian Peter BalakianFrom the tenth to the thirteenth centuries, the city of Ani was the jewel of the Armenian kingdom, renowned far and wide for its magnificent buildings. Known as the city of 1001 churches, Ani was a center for artistic innovation, and its architecture is a potential missing link between Byzantine and Gothic styles. By the fifteenth century, Ani was virtually abandoned, its stunning buildings left to crumble. Yet its ruins have remained a symbol of cultural accomplishment that looms large in the Armenian imagination. The Ruins of Ani is a unique combination of history, art criticism, and travel memoir that takes readers on a thousand-year journey in search of past splendors. Today, Ani is a popular tourist site in Turkey, but the city has been falsified in its presentation by the Turkish government in order to erase Armenian history in the wake of the Armenian Genocide. This timely publication also raises questions about the preservation of major historic monuments in the face of post atrocity campaigns of cultural erasure. Originally written by young priest Krikor Balakian in 1910, just a few years before the Armenian genocide, this book offers a powerful and poignant counterpart to Balakian’s acclaimed genocide memoir Armenian Golgotha. This new translation by the author’s great-nephew, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Peter Balakian, eloquently renders the book’s vivid descriptions and lyrical prose into English. Including a new introduction that explores Ani’s continued relevance in the twenty-first century, The Ruins of Ani will give readers a new appreciation for this lost city’s status as a pinnacle of both Armenian civilization and human achievement.
Rules, Britannia: An Insider's Guide to Life in the United Kingdom
by Toni Summers HargisHow do you respond to a dinner invitation that says "Eight for eight thirty"? What might induce you to get off a London train at a place called Mud Chute? When is it okay to drive over a sleeping policeman? And why do teh Brits keep saying "Who's she, the cat's mother"?Rules, Britannia is an invaluable resource for Americans who want to make a smooth transition when visiting or relocating to the UK. This entertaining and practical insider's guide contains scores of established do's and dont's that only a Brit would know.Most of us know that an elevator is called a "lifet," a toilet is a "loo," and the trunk of your car is the "boot," but who would have a clue about a "sprog" or a "gobsmacked berk"? These phrases are part of daily conservation in the UK, and leave many visiting Americans as baffled as if they listening to a foreign language.Covering such essential topics as vocabulary, house- or "flat"-hunting, business culture, child rearing, and even relationship etiqutte, Rules, Britannia will ease the anxiety that comes with a transatlantic move or extended visit, and is sure to make any old Yank feel like a regular Joe Bloggs.
Rules for Modern Life: A Connoisseur's Survival Guide
by Sir David TangDo gentlemen wear shorts? What are the rules regarding interior decor in a high-security prison? Is it ever acceptable to send Valentine's cards to one's pets?The twenty-first century is an age of innumerable social conundrums. Around every corner lies a potential faux pas waiting to happen. But if you've ever struggled for the right response to an unwelcome gift or floundered for conversation at the dinner party from hell, fear not: help is at hand.In Rules for Modern Life, Sir David Tang, resident agony uncle at the Financial Times, delivers a satirical masterclass in navigating the social niceties of modern life. Whether you're unsure of the etiquette of doggy bags or wondering whether a massage room in your second home would be de trop, Sir David has the answer to all your social anxieties - and much more besides.
Rum Punch and Revolution: Taverngoing and Public Life in Eighteenth-century Philadelphia
by Peter Thompson'Twas Honest old Noah first planted the Vine, And mended his morals by drinking its Wine. --from a drinking song by Benjamin Franklin. There were, Peter Thompson notes, some one hundred and fifty synonyms for inebriation in common use in colonial Philadelphia and, on the eve of the Revolution, just as many licensed drinking establishments. Clearly, eighteenth-century Philadelphians were drawn to the tavern. In addition to the obvious lure of the liquor, taverns offered overnight accommodations, meals, and stabling for visitors. They also served as places to gossip, gamble, find work, make trades, and gather news. In Rum Punch and Revolution, Thompson shows how the public houses provided a setting in which Philadelphians from all walks of life revealed their characters and ideas as nowhere else. He takes the reader into the cramped confines of the colonial bar room, describing the friendships, misunderstandings and conflicts which were generated among the city's drinkers and investigates the profitability of running a tavern in a city which, until independence, set maximum prices on the cost of drinks and services in its public houses. Taverngoing, Thompson writes, fostered a sense of citizenship that influenced political debate in colonial Philadelphia and became an issue in the city's revolution. Opinionated and profoundly undeferential, taverngoers did more than drink; they forced their political leaders to consider whether and how public opinion could be represented in the counsels of a newly independent nation.
Run: Races and Trails Around the World
by DK EyewitnessGrab your trainers and get ready to run around the world!Take a loop around stunning Lake Bled, jog along a section of China&’s famous Great Wall or tackle the historic Boston Marathon: Run celebrates 100 of the world&’s most amazing races and routes.Featuring a mix of iconic races and epic ultras, off-the-beaten-path trails and welcoming park runs, it&’s the ultimate inspiration for adventuring on two feet, whether you&’re a marathon devotee, hardcore trail runner or gentle jogger.So what are you waiting for? Grab your running shoes and get going as you discover: - Three types of running holidays: to attend a training camp, to attend a specific event and to explore a new destination by running through it.- A carefully curated list of 100 of the best runs in the world, chosen by sports journalists and travel experts.- A variety of distances: 5ks for those getting started, through to 10ks, half-marathons, marathons and more- A mix of organized, registration-only races and do-it-yourself runs that might inspire a future holiday.- Runs are mapped and include total distance, terrain and elevation profiles.- Each chapter covers a different continent with runs arranged within each chapter geographically. - Features top tips on preparing for a running holiday.Compiled by a team of sports journalists and keen runners, this book is packed with ideas for your next run. Further featuring top tips for getting the most out of each run – including viewpoints en route, how to make the run shorter/longer depending on your fitness level or how much time you have, and how to tackle an organized race course out of season. Packed full of awe-inspiring images and compelling descriptions of each route that will have you itching to lace up your trainers, while handy maps, elevation profiles and practical information – including things like distance and terrain – will help you plan the nitty gritty of your trip. We&’ve also included the best places to explore while you&’re there – whether that&’s epic viewpoints or post-workout lunch spots – as well as suggestions for alternative ways to tackle a route. A must-have running guide for active runners, whether you&’re keen to &“tick-off&” famous races, including marathons and quirky competitions, seeking your next challenge or simply looking for inspiration.
Run Britain: My World Record-Breaking Adventure to Run Every Mile of the British Coastline
by Nick ButterIn the spring of 2021, as the UK's latest pandemic lockdowns were lifted, Nick Butter set out from the Eden Project to become the fastest person to cover every mile of Britain's mainland coastline on foot.Battling the most extreme winds Britain had seen in 100 years, days of torrential rain and the unrelenting hills of Western Scotland and Cornwall, Nick suffered two broken bones and countless injuries, whilst taking on two marathons a day, every day, for 100 days.Covering an extraordinary 5,250 miles, running for over 12 hours a day, struggling to take in the 8,000 daily calories required to fuel his body, Nick battled sleep deprivation and extreme weight loss as he pushed his body and mind to their limit.Supported by close friends and family (including his ever-dependable right-hand man, Andy Swain, whose diary extracts feature in this book), Nick experienced spiralling lows and euphoric highs. As he traversed footpaths, country lanes and busy A roads, he passed through over two thousand coastal communities, buoyed along by supporters cheering from windows, balconies, passing cars and pavements, by school children and fellow runners, and by the stunning sights and sounds of the British coast.Run Britain is Nick's account of his extraordinary adventure.
Run the World: My 3,500-Mile Journey through Running Cultures around the Globe
by Becky WadeFrom elite marathoner and Olympic hopeful Becky Wade comes the story of her year-long exploration of diverse global running communities from England to Ethiopia—9 countries, 72 host families, and over 3,500 miles of running—investigating unique cultural approaches to the sport and revealing the secrets to the success of runners all over the world.Fresh off a successful collegiate running career—with multiple NCAA All-American honors and two Olympic Trials qualifying marks to her name—Becky Wade was no stranger to international competition. But after years spent safely sticking to the training methods she knew, Becky was curious about how her counterparts in other countries approached the sport to which she’d dedicated over half of her life. So in 2012, as a recipient of the Watson Fellowship, she packed four pairs of running shoes, cleared her schedule for the year, and took off on a journey to infiltrate diverse running communities around the world. What she encountered far exceeded her expectations and changed her outlook into the sport she loved.Over the next twelve months—visiting 9 countries with unique and storied running histories, logging over 3,500 miles running over trails, tracks, sidewalks, and dirt roads—Becky explored the varied approaches of runners across the globe. Whether riding shotgun around the streets of London with Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt, climbing for an hour at daybreak to the top of Ethiopia’s Mount Entoto just to start her daily run, or getting lost jogging through the bustling streets of Tokyo, Becky’s unexpected adventures, keen insights, and landscape descriptions take the reader into the heartbeat of distance running around the world.Upon her return to the United States, she incorporated elements of the training styles she’d sampled into her own program, and her competitive career skyrocketed. When she made her marathon debut in 2013, winning the race in a blazing 2:30, she became the third-fastest woman marathoner under the age of 25 in U.S. history, qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Trials and landing a professional sponsorship from Asics.From the feel-based approach to running that she learned from the Kenyans, to the grueling uphill workouts she adopted from the Swiss, to the injury-recovery methods she learned from the Japanese, Becky shares the secrets to success from runners and coaches around the world. The story of one athlete’s fascinating journey, Run the World is also a call to change the way we approach the world’s most natural and inclusive sport.
The Runaway No-wheeler
by Peter SteinTrucks! Counting! Tire-eating aliens! This wonderful, rhyming, super-silly book has it ALL...including Bob Staake's awesome artwork.THE RUNAWAY NO-WHEELER is a clever spin on a counting book and the perennial favorite, a book starring trucks. Tony is a sturdy, long-hauling 18-wheeler with a delivery to make, but many obstacles are in the way -- from potholes to slime to rescue missions to aliens' space rockets. In the style of counting classics like Dr. Seuss' Ten Apples Up on Top -- though in this case, subtractive counting -- Tony finds himself losing wheel after wheel with each hurdle he encounters. Will he be able to make his delivery?
Running a Bar For Dummies
by Ray Foley Heather DismoreGet insider details on how to operate a successful barRunning a Bar For Dummies, 2nd Edition shows established and future bar owners how to establish and maintain a successful business. Using clear, concise language, this For Dummies guide contains all the information you need to start your bar off on the right foot. From grand opening to last call, you'll discover the insider tricks that keep the business end running smoothly and the customers happily engaged. With updated information on marketing and social media, the book walks you step by step through the entire process, revealing the nitty-gritty details most new bar owners only discover after starting.The bar business continues to grow; however, securing running capital and having knowledge about the business are cited as the two biggest reasons new bars fail. Running a Bar For Dummies, 2nd Edition shines a light on these issues to help bar owners prepare properly. The book helps you find your way through the maze of licensing and permits, developing a business plan, and preparing for your grand opening, plus offers clear, no-nonsense guidance on dealing with tough customers. Every step of the way, Running a Bar For Dummies, 2nd Edition is a reference you can count on.Understand the bar business and important legal issuesStock the necessities, including equipment and inventoryPromote your business using marketing and social mediaManage expenses and control cash flowWhen run correctly, a bar can be an extremely profitable business, but the key to success is knowing exactly what you're getting into. By recognizing common problems and teach you how to adapt quickly to changing conditions, Running a Bar For Dummies, 2nd Edition provides the information you need to develop those skills, and get your bar started.
Running a Restaurant For Dummies
by Michael Garvey Andrew G. Dismore Heather DismoreRunning a Restaurant For Dummies (9781119605454) was previously published as Running a Restaurant For Dummies (9781118027929). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product. The easy way to successfully run a profitable restaurant Millions of Americans dream of owning and running their own restaurant — because they want to be their own boss, because their cooking always draws raves, or just because they love food. Running a Restaurant For Dummies covers every aspect of getting started for aspiring restaurateurs. From setting up a business plan and finding financing, to designing a menu and dining room, you'll find all the advice you need to start and run a successful restaurant. Even if you don't know anything about cooking or running a business, you might still have a great idea for a restaurant — and this handy guide will show you how to make your dream a reality. If you already own a restaurant, but want to see it get more successful, Running a Restaurant For Dummies offers unbeatable tips and advice for bringing in hungry customers. From start to finish, you'll learn everything you need to know to succeed. New information on designing, re-designing, and equipping a restaurant with all the essentials—from the back of the house to the front of the house Determining whether to rent or buy restaurant property Updated information on setting up a bar and managing the wine list Profitable pointers on improving the bottom line The latest and greatest marketing and publicity options in a social-media world Managing and retaining key staff New and updated information on menu creation and the implementation of Federal labeling (when applicable), as well as infusing local, healthy, alternative cuisine to menu planning Running a Restaurant For Dummies gives you the scoop on the latest trends that chefs and restaurant operators can implement in their new or existing restaurants.
Running a Restaurant For Dummies
by Michael Garvey Heather Dismore Andrew G. DismoreMillions of Americans dream of owning and running their own restaurant - because they want to be their own boss, because their cooking always draws raves, or just because they love food. Running a Restaurant For Dummies covers every aspect of getting started for wannabe restaurateurs. From setting up a business plan and finding financing, to designing a menu and dining room, you'll find all the advice you need to start and run a successful restaurant. Even if you don't know anything about cooking or running a business, you might still have a great idea for a restaurant - and this handy guide will show you how to make your dream a reality. If you already own a restaurant, but want to see it do better, Running a Restaurant For Dummies offers unbeatable tips and advice of bringing in hungry customers. From start to finish, you'll learn everything you need to know to succeed: Put your ideas on paper with a realistic business plan Attract investors to help get the business off the ground Be totally prepared for your grand opening Make sure your business is legal and above board Hire and train a great staff Develop a delicious menu If you're looking for expert guidance from people in the know, then Running a Restaurant For Dummies is the only book you need. Written by Michael Garvey, co-owner of the famous Oyster Bar at Grand Central, with help from writer Heather Dismore and chef Andy Dismore, this book covers all the bases, from balancing the books to training staff and much more: Designing and theme and a concept Taking over an existing restaurant or buying into a franchise Stocking and operating a bar Working with partners and other investors Choose a perfect location Hiring and training an excellent staff Pricing menu items Designing the interior of the restaurant Purchasing and managing supplies Marketing your restaurant to customers If you're looking for a new career as a restaurateur, or you need new ideas for your struggling restaurant, Running a Restaurant For Dummies offers expert advice in a fun, friendly format. Packed with practical advice and expert wisdom on every aspect of the food service business, this guide is all you need to get cooking.
Running a Restaurant For Dummies
by Michael Garvey Heather H. Dismore Andrew G. DismoreThe easy way to successfully run a profitable restaurantMillions of Americans dream of owning and running their own restaurant -- because they want to be their own boss, because their cooking always draws raves, or just because they love food. Running a Restaurant For Dummies covers every aspect of getting started for aspiring restaurateurs. From setting up a business plan and finding financing, to designing a menu and dining room, you'll find all the advice you need to start and run a successful restaurant. Even if you don't know anything about cooking or running a business, you might still have a great idea for a restaurant -- and this handy guide will show you how to make your dream a reality. If you already own a restaurant, but want to see it get more successful, Running a Restaurant For Dummies offers unbeatable tips and advice for bringing in hungry customers. From start to finish, you'll learn everything you need to know to succeed.New information on designing, re-designing, and equipping a restaurant with all the essentials--from the back of the house to the front of the houseDetermining whether to rent or buy restaurant propertyUpdated information on setting up a bar and managing the wine list Profitable pointers on improving the bottom lineThe latest and greatest marketing and publicity options in a social-media worldManaging and retaining key staffNew and updated information on menu creation and the implementation of Federal labeling (when applicable), as well as infusing local, healthy, alternative cuisine to menu planningRunning a Restaurant For Dummies gives you the scoop on the latest trends that chefs and restaurant operators can implement in their new or existing restaurants.
Running Away to Home: Our Family's Journey to Croatia in Search of Who We Are, Where We Came From, and What Really Matters
by Jennifer WilsonA middle class, Midwestern family in search of meaning uproot themselves and move to their ancestral village in Croatia."We can look at this in two ways," Jim wrote, always the pragmatist. "We can panic and scrap the whole idea. Or we can take this as a sign. They're saying the economy is going to get worse before it gets better. Maybe this is the kick in the pants we needed to do something completely different. There will always be an excuse not to go…"And that, friends, is how a typically sane middle-aged mother decided to drag her family back to a forlorn mountain village in the backwoods of Croatia.So begins author Jennifer Wilson's journey in Running Away to Home. Jen, her architect husband, Jim, and their two children had been living the typical soccer- and ballet-practice life in the most Middle American of places: Des Moines, Iowa. They overindulged themselves and their kids, and as a family they were losing one another in the rush of work, school, and activities. One day, Jen and her husband looked at each other–both holding their Starbucks coffee as they headed out to their SUV in the mall parking lot, while the kids complained about the inferiority of the toys they just got–and asked themselves: "Is this the American dream? Because if it is, it sort of sucks."Jim and Jen had always dreamed of taking a family sabbatical in another country, so when they lost half their savings in the stock-market crash, it seemed like just a crazy enough time to do it. High on wanderlust, they left the troubled landscape of contemporary America for the Croatian mountain village of Mrkopalj, the land of Jennifer's ancestors. It was a village that seemed hermetically sealed for the last one hundred years, with a population of eight hundred (mostly drunken) residents and a herd of sheep milling around the post office. For several months they lived like locals, from milking the neighbor's cows to eating roasted pig on a spit to desperately seeking the village recipe for bootleg liquor. As the Wilson-Hoff family struggled to stay sane (and warm), what they found was much deeper and bigger than themselves.
Running Away to Sea: Round the World on a Tramp Freighter
by George FetherlingAt a turning point in his life, George Fetherling embarked on an adventure to sail round the world on one of the last of the tramp freighters. The four-month voyage carried him 30,000 nautical miles from Europe via the Panama Canal to the South Pacific and back by way of Singapore, Indonesia, the Indian Ocean, and Suez. Written with dash, colour, and droll humour, Fetherling’s narrative is peopled by a rich cast of characters, from the Foreign Legionnaires of French Polynesia to the raskol gangs of Papua New Guinea. The author captures the reality of life aboard a working cargo ship – the boredom, the seclusion, the differences of nationality and culture that isolation and cramped quarters seem to exaggerate. But the routine of loneliness or tranquility is punctuated by moments of near-panic – shipboard fires, furniture-smashing storms, even a brush with pirates in the Straits of Malacca.