Author: Tricia A. Mitchell
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Making a ‘Split Decision’ in Croatia
With a need to escape the borders of Europe’s Schengen Zone, we packed our bags for the winter and made a ‘Split‘ decision to head to Croatia’s splendid seaside city of the same name. Incredibly, the city has been continuously inhabited for 17 centuries, ever since Roman Emperor Diocletian had his retirement palace built here.…
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Exploring Santorini’s Caldera and Nea Kameni Volcano
The Greek island of Santorini is enchanting thanks to its sapphire-blue water, snow-white buildings, and multicolored cliffs that resemble French mille-feuille pastries. Aside from its phenomenal landscapes, this Cycladic island has a dramatic geological history since one of the most powerful volcanoes in recorded times erupted here more than 3,600 years ago. Archaeologists believe that Santorini…
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Passports with Purpose 2013: Help Build Schools in Mali
An overview of the 2013 Passports with a Purpose beneficiary, buildOn, and ways you can get involved with the organization's noble school-construction efforts.
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A Bavarian Horse-Blessing Ceremony in Unterammergau, Germany
As we walked from the town of Oberammergau to the neighboring village of Unterammergau, Germany, numerous horses trotted past us. The animals’ beautifully decorated manes and tails blew in the late autumn breeze. Not to be outdone by the horses’ distinguished appearances, the owners also sported fine Bavarian attire. Men wore grey woolen jackets finished…
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Tails from a German Horse-Blessing Ceremony
During the last weekend of October, the village of Unterammergau, Germany honors St. Leonhard, the patron saint of agricultural animals. The event begins with a horse procession through this community of 1,500 people. It culminates in an open-air church service, during which more than one hundred horses are blessed. Unterammergau is the neighboring village of…
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Mount Kofel Dressed in Snow – Oberammergau, Germany
“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” John Steinbeck The experience of awakening to the first snowfall of winter is magical, especially when Mother Nature delivers as she did today in Oberammergau, Germany. (There was nothing to shovel, but confectioners’ sugar-like dustings on the surrounding…
