You will not see the same number of posts this week. You may see fewer. I am posting at will.
From January 8-29, I will be traveling in Asia, checking a few points off my bucket list, including Angkor Wat in Cambodia. During that period, I will repost a few golden oldies, and I will add new ones when I have internet service.
I will not leave you bereft of conversation and discussion.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Have fun at Angkor Watt! I visited there over the Christmas holiday back in1967 when I was teaching in the Peace Corps in a Malaysian state in northern Borneo. My visit came before it had turned into a tourist spot. I remember renting a bicycle and riding all over on dusty roads. I haven’t been back since that time.
Enjoy the trip!! Asia is fascinating!
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Wishing you wonderful travels in a very happy New Year!
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Bon Voyage!
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Awesome!!! Have fun!!!
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Have a great trip!
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HAPPINESS by Carl Sandburg
I ASKED the professors who teach the meaning of life to tell
me what is happiness.
And I went to famous executives who boss the work of
thousands of men.
They all shook their heads and gave me a smile as though
I was trying to fool with them
And then one Sunday afternoon I wandered out along
the Desplaines river
And I saw a crowd of Hungarians under the trees with
their women and children and a keg of beer and an
accordion.
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Please travel safely and enjoy this wonderful opportunity to travel. Happy holidays and New Year. Thank you for the conversation you so artfully elevate. … Avi Poster
>
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If you have time, I suggest you hop across the border and visit Southeast China and cruise down the Li River near Guilin. The air is actually fresh and clean there.
If you do, don’t stay in Guilin where the air is not clean. Stay in Yangshuo.
Yangshuo, a county and resort town in southern China’s Guangxi region, is known for its dramatic karst mountain landscape and outdoor recreation. The town is set amid pinnacles like Bilian Feng (Green Lotus Peak), which has a hiking trail to the top. Tour boats offer cruises on the Li River past picturesque countryside from the town of Guilin to the north. Once in Yangshuo you can go see the Liu San Jie Impression Light Show.
http://yangshuo-insider.com/liu-san-jie-light-show-in-yangshuo/
If you get that far, there is also the Dragon’s Back near Guilin, and for those of us who can’t climb steep trails, there are porters that will carry you in a sedan chair.
https://www.nomadasaurus.com/hiking-the-dragons-backbone-at-longji-rice-terraces/
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Enjoy , hav a nice trip.
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have
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Try a sandwich at Num Pang in Manhattan and let us know if they are as good as the real thing in Cambodia or just an American approximation! Best wishes for what will hopefully be a grand trip!
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Are you a New Yorker, Greg?
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No, just get a pretentious foodie who gets there on an occasional business trip. I live in NE Ohio.
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Please don’t bring me a tee shirt.
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Wow, incredible, have a great trip!
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What a memorable adventure! Safe travels!
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Wishing you safe travels for a well-earned vacation (although we KNOW you will NOT be resting!!) Enjoy!
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I haven lef5 yet. If I have an Internet connection, you will get reports.
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Yeah for you, Diane. You deserve all the fun and good cheer you can get! So happy for you. 👍
I am dealing with a plugged up toilet…ugh. At least I get a senior discount.
Sometimes I think an outhouse is just easier and better … but the COLD would stop me.
Again….
Blessings to you, Diane. And thank you for all you do!
May 2018 be the year of PRO Public Schools and Public School Teachers.
Good news: The plumber here right now still communicates with his 4th grade Teacher. He loves public schools and public school teachers. Yeah!!!!
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I hope that you will enjoy every moment of your trip, Diane. I am sure many others join me in looking forward to reading bits and pieces about your adventures. Safe travels!
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Diane, you have an admirable and uncommon ability to live life to the fullest while working harder than anyone.
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Thanks, FLERP. The hourglass is running down and I want to do what I can while I can
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Dear Dr. Ravitch:
In all third world, the safest way for tourists, especially seniors is to watch out for water, all exotic food and drinks. Our western people’s stomach cannot tolerate as good as local people’s stomach in oriental world.
To be safe than sorry is the best way to apply whenever we are far away from home.
I have written and tried to post in the past and yesterday, but I have no luck. Hopefully, this time, I will have a chance to successfully post this piece.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and Mary. Have a wonderful vacation and best wishes throughout year 2018. Lots of love, hugs and kisses. May King.XOXOXO
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Dear May,
I have missed you! WordPress arbitrarily blocks readers. I hope they are not blocking you.
I was advised by a clinic not to drink an6 water or anything with ice when traveling in Asia. We are actually taking a river cruise on the Mekong River and the boat carries purified water.
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Enjoy. Angkor Watt has always seemed to be a good place to contemplate the human condition.
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Have a wonderful trip, Diane, and a Happy New Year!
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Have a safe journey, Diane!
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Diane, my daughter and her husband were in Angkor Wat in October, on R&R from their State Department positions in Kabul. Here are her recommendations:
1) Dinner reservations at Cuisine Wat Damnak – sshe suggests making an online reservation right away.
2) Ta Prohm temple
3)An evening circus, called Phare. The money they raise goes to teaching young people.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297390-d3864861-Reviews-Phare_The_Cambodian_Circus-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html
4) Senteurs d’Angkor – a shop which sells local products such as candles, soap, teas and spices. They make it a point to employ women. There’s a shop in town and also on the way to the airport.
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