Lisbon. 9 am. The air is crisp and clear. We walk down the Rua da Oliveira ao Carmo, and there it is: the ruins of the Convento do Carmo. With naked arches and piers pointing loose to the sky, … Read More
Not far from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon lies a green oasis: Lantau Island, one of the largest islands in Hong Kong. We saw it from afar the day we landed. Through a misted … Read More
It took the ferry eight hours to bring us to Santorini from Athens. As we docked at the ferry port of Santorini, we gazed at a 300m high steep cliff. The view is impressive from afar, but is even … Read More
Like curious schoolgirls, we sat under the armorial shields and dark oak bookcases of Duke Humfrey’s Library, and listened to our guide, a slim senior woman with shrewd blue eyes, as she revealed the bibliographical pilgrimages of the oldest collection … Read More
Mother Marie-Joseph Max, a ninety-something Benedictine abbess was resplendent with joy. She shared her knowledge with us with extreme generosity, and made history come alive. The following material was gathered orally. Fleeing the Kulturkampf: from Germany to Luxembourg The Benedictine … Read More
If you happen to be in Luxembourg on the 2nd of February, chances are you’ll come across groups of children in the streets holding a paper lantern. Perhaps you’ll even have a few kids ringing at your door. Don’t be surprised … Read More
When I was a little girl, I used to watch Chinese TV shows telling stories about the Tang or the Ming dynasty. About warrior families, emperors, princesses, and palace intrigues. What really impressed me were not the storylines (it … Read More
Chan Chan absorbed part of my soul and has haunted me for years. It’s a city that will live on forever, because once seen, you can never forget it. When I was 16, I won a scholarship financed by … Read More
It was 5 pm as we crossed the Brancion Pass. The road turned northward and abruptly stopped after 300 meters. No trespassing with cars. We parked on the spot, and continued on foot. We followed a never-ending line of … Read More