Dears, Beyond. That’s the only word I can think to describe our first day in Oman. Maybe someone else can come up with a better one. All I know is that I got to live this: Oliver, the manager of this villa guest house — which features a mermaid painting on the wall — encouraged us to…

Dears, Taxi cabs tend to be the tipping point for me in foreign countries. The factor that determines a good stay vs. a challenging one. Be it known, however, that this tipping point constantly shifts. Good cab experience = good day and good host country. Bad cab = bad day and… In Seoul, circa 1988, the anti-American…

Dears, Oh man, oh man, oh, David and I are going to Oman tomorrow. The country is exquisite, as reported by everyone who visits. Allan went last spring for a long weekend and to reenter the U.A.E. on a new visitor’s visa–and that’s exactly why David and are going. My job should begin in mid-October at which time…