A few things I wanted to clear up about my Travel Community profile. Currently my profile has eliminated my "Favorite Country" section and I've had a few questions about my profile picture... so here goes:

My favorite country that I have been to thus far is Switzerland. Switzerland was a little piece of heaven in the middle of Europe- a country that has remained neutral in war for over 100 years, has natural beauty, and some of the most friendly people you will ever meet (not to mention the goods- chocolate and Army knives to say the least). During my short three day visit I took a gondola to the top of the Alps, I attempted (and had a short lesson from a local) to play the alphorn (I wasn't half bad!), I tried the chocolate, and best of all experienced a Swiss Folklore dinner in a small town about twenty minutes outside of Lucerne. The entire town helped to put on the dinner- children from ages 5 and up sung us their local songs, as well as American favorites. The mothers fixed us a homemade meal consisting of eggs over easy for the vegetarians, and turkey and gravy for the rest. The sides included fresh vegetables and homemade hash browns- a very satisfying meal to say the least. After some dancing and even a bullwhip lesson, we were taught about the use of snuff in their culture- a type of tobacco that yes this might sound vulgar, is snorted. It is apparently very common in their culture, even including children as young as thirteen. They were eager to share with those who were interested, but obviously pressured no one, they taught the national anthem and their traditions for how to snort. Although I didn't participate, I did learn. I learned about their culture, about their lives, and what is meaningful to them. I learned that Switzerland is a beautiful place filled with beautiful people inside and out, and it was a short lived honor to visit for three days. I'd recommend checking it out!

However, I wish there were an option where you could put your most desired travel destination as well. I have two (I mean I really want to see everywhere, but these two will be the first on my list when I finally get the resources to do so). I want to visit Vietnam and Thailand.

My father served in Vietnam from 1970-1972. Although he was in war- and probably shouldn't have been liked by the locals, they were so open to him. He claims to have never been more humbled by a culture. The people were open and sharing about their culture- even during a time of mass chaos! They shared their food, their culture, their fears- and that aspect of sharing- giving and taking between cultures- changed my father. It taught him about how the world really works, that the world is a place of exchange- and that's not just of goods. I want to be able to experience Vietnam on my own, see it through my own eyes, and pay my respects to a country that changed my father for the rest of his life.

Now, Thailand. Why not? I have never seen a place so full of culture, color, life and excitement. A place that is so humble (I have a lot of respect for Buddhist culture) yet so vibrant. A place that not only has beautiful landscapes and animals (elephants!), but lives everyday to the fullest- a culture that understands the importance of exchange and the gives and takes in life- a place that I really feel that we could all learn from.

Finally, my profile picture... I've had a few questions of who is the blonde girl. Yes, that is me. During a portion of my undergraduate career I was a swimmer whose hair would turn blonde, and in the off season I would just maintain it that way. I really love the picture- it's me in Oahu just being in awe of my surroundings while dangling my digital camera in one hand and video taping with the other. I couldn't think of a more appropriate travel photo for my profile. However, since, as you have probably seen in my other photos I have gone back to my natural roots.