Eating Lasagne for the First Time

Recently we had a few friends to dinner. They were from another African country, and at least one of them had never heard of lasagne. Since lasagne happens to be one of my favorite dishes to make (and eat!) I knew that’s what we would have for dinner. For me, lasagne is always served with … More Eating Lasagne for the First Time

Meanwhile Russia Hates America. So Kiss Me, I’m Irish!

Let’s face it. There’s nothing light about Russia’s most recent threat to reduce America to ashes. But there is also nothing new, thankfully, and all the blustering leaves ordinary Americans and ordinary Russians scratching our heads and wondering why we can’t just have a cookout (that’s a “braai” for you ZA’ers) with some hot dogs … More Meanwhile Russia Hates America. So Kiss Me, I’m Irish!

Top 5 Reasons Kurt Needs a New Wife

This is a bit of an odd Manuscript Monday, I’ll admit, but the post is a riff off part of the manuscript in which Kurt and I had some tough conversations on what life would be like without children. As it turns out, my husband is much more comfortable in a life without kids, whereas … More Top 5 Reasons Kurt Needs a New Wife

The Not-So-Cunning Linguist, and African Song

This morning after dropping Kurt off to catch his carpool, an alert on my phone reminded me that I had forgotten to switch it to Do-Not-Disturb for my peaceful early-morning routine. Curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked at the notification in WhatsApp, to find only an image, from Tendai, one of my … More The Not-So-Cunning Linguist, and African Song

Survival is Relative (by Amanda and Leslie)

Marla’s note: These two crazy friends of mine have an awesome blog titled Survival is Relative. Since they didn’t put a title with this post they submitted to help out while I’m away, I gave it the same title as their blog, since that’s such an awesome title anyway. (Did I mention that it’s awesome?) … More Survival is Relative (by Amanda and Leslie)

The Moment You Become a Different Person Abroad

By Kayla (Keyla? Keila? Teila? Kebar?) Washko                 Identity seems to become more fluid when you live abroad. The exact moment that you begin to change is hard to pinpoint—perhaps it’s when you learn to barter at the local market, or finally decide to face your fear and go bungee jumping or white water rafting … More The Moment You Become a Different Person Abroad

Drinking Like the Trophy Wife of an Oil Tycoon

The blog name is Traveling Marla right? So I’ll stick to the theme, see, I promised Marla I wouldn’t get her blog closed by picking touchy subjects like public exposure. (I had a great post about public exposure.) Anyhow, I’m gonna tell you about my last trip to Turkey, lovely country. It was a little … More Drinking Like the Trophy Wife of an Oil Tycoon

The Joys of the Unpublished Writer: Figuring it All Out

Hello, Traveling Marla readers! Marla asked her guest posters to take over her blog and make it ours. But truthfully, if I had control over Marla’s blog, I wouldn’t change a thing. Let’s be honest here: really only Marla can write her blog, because it is such a lovely reflection of the unique person she … More The Joys of the Unpublished Writer: Figuring it All Out