by Mary Kay Seales My then-husband, Marc, turned me on to No Reservations, Bourdain’s Emmy Award-winning show, which ran on the Travel Channel from 2005 to 2012. The first episode aired on my birthday, July 25, 2005, and was titled “France: Why the French Don’t Suck.” We watched it together with my daughter, who was … More A Personal Tribute to the “Most Conscious” Conscious Traveler: Anthony Bourdain

Not Recognizing the Forest for the Trees One thing always surprises me. Many of the beautiful old houses in Seattle in neighborhoods adjacent to the waters of Puget Sound face inward, away from the spectacular views of the choppy blue water and snow-capped Olympic Mountains, two of the features which make Seattle one of the most beautiful cities … More Cape Flattery: At the Corner of Nowhere and Forever

by Mary Kay Seales I honestly think the best thing a woman can do for her self-confidence is to travel alone. Depending on yourself for survival and being your own best friend, especially in places outside your comfort zone (read: other countries) WILL make you grow some serious cahones. Besides the usual things to take along … More 5 Must-Haves for Solo Women Travelers

By Mary Kay Seales with guest poster, Peter Klika Elephants are revered by Hindus as a symbol of the god, Ganesh, the god with an elephant’s head. He wasn’t born with an elephant’s head, of course. He was born a normal boy to the great god, Shiva. However, one day upon returning home, Shiva saw … More Not a Beast of Burden