My Travel Tales

People often ask me how I get anything out of the Christmas story anymore since I am a progressive Christian who doesn't take the Bible literally. They assume that just because I no longer believe that things happened exactly as they are portrayed in Scripture, that just because I don't believe in a literal virgin birth, for instance, there is no truth or message or meaning or power I can experience from the stories.

But of course they are wrong - in fact, by removing the burden of literal factuality, the stories from my faith tradition have more meaning and power than ever before, including and most especially, for me anyway, the story of the birth of Jesus.

Before I go any further I should make a distinction between truth and fact. I am indebted to Jesus Seminar scholar, author, and New Testament professor Marcus Borg for sharing this distinction with me, which is that something doesn't have to be factual in order for it to be true. In other words, something doesn't have to have actually physically happened for there to be truth in the story. Think of Aesop's Fables or other stories we grew up with as children. For instance, a lion didn't necessarily have to have actually had a thorn removed from his paw by a slave in order for the truth (or moral) of the story to be true.

That said, from the very beginning of Luke's gospel we are asked to understand the story of Jesus' birth in the context of the world's principalities and "powers that be" of that time - because for Luke, one cannot fully comprehend the depth and power and meaning of the story of Jesus' birth without recognizing the world situation into which he was born - namely the brutal and bloody domination of the Roman Empire over Israel.

Thus Luke begins his tale of the birth and life of Jesus with these words, that "in those days, a decree went out from the emperor, Augustus, that all the world should be registered." Or in other words, an order was issued from the Roman emperor to register all Jews so they could be taxed, and further abused by their foreign rulers.

Scholars now say there was no such registration during the time Quirinius was governor of Syria, and that Jesus was probably born in Nazareth, not Bethlehem. But whether or not it literally happened the way Luke tells it, the truth of the story is still clear - that the baby Jesus was born into a very dark and dismal world. The Romans claimed that they were bringers of divine peace and that the Emperor himself was the divine son of God - but nothing was further from the truth for Luke. So it was important for him to convey that the true Prince of Peace, the Light that broke into the darkness of the world, was not born in a palace wrapped in royal Roman garb, but in the humblest and poorest of circumstances. Very simply put, the one who came to seek and save the "least of these" did so by becoming one of them - by being born into their situation, by growing up with them, by immersing himself as an authentic part of their community.

So what can all of that mean for us 2,000 years later? The 13th century preacher and teacher Meister Eckhart said that Christmas isn't just about a one time event, but is also about the birth of Christ within each of us. In other words, Christmas is not primarily about the past - it is about the present and the future.

Thus I find it interesting that John's Gospel opens not with the story of Jesus' birth, as Matthew and Luke do, but with the story of the Light coming into the world, reminding us that we have all been given power to be the children of God, to be lights to the world. And I think that's what Eckhart was saying. John wrote that "the true light…enlightens everyone." So that whatever darkness may envelop the globe, whatever gloom may be present in our own lives - it is never strong enough to suffocate the light. It wasn't 2,000 years ago, it isn't now.

They say the smallest match can light up a room - if that's true then the smallest gesture of kindness, or act of compassion, or good deed can light up the our entire world. For instance, I am reminded of a story that ran years ago about an 11-year-old boy with cancer who lost all his hair as a result of chemotherapy. When it came time for him to return to school, he and his parents experimented with hats, wigs, and bandanas to try to conceal his baldness. They finally settled on a baseball cap, but the boy still feared he'd be teased for looking "different." With all the courage he could muster up, he went to school wearing his cap - and discovered that all of his friends had shaved their heads so they'd be just like him. I first heard that story several years ago in the fall, months before Christmas. But even then it struck me as a sort of Christmas story.

During this holiday season, may we all catch glimpses of light shining out from shadowy corners of our day-to-day existence.

On a dark and dusty bookshelf on the island of St. George, I found a treasure. For the exchange of one dollar, it became mine.

"That looks like a great read!" a delicately seasoned voice said.

Turning to see who had spoken, my eyes greeted a handsome silver-haired couple.

My thoughts had been a million miles away. Caught by surprise, I was momentarily speechless and wondered what to say.

But alas, my slow response didn't deter this couple from gently drawing me into the present. And 30 minutes later, they seemed like dear old friends!

"Kathi, come to our party tomorrow night!" the gentleman said.

"Yes," the wife said. "Do come and join our November revelries! It is always such fun! We have hayrides and square dancing and fish off the grill!"

She reached into a beautiful drawstring bag and pulled out a festively designed and engraved invitation.

Going to a party had been the last thing on my mind. When I fled Tallahassee for that long weekend getaway, I expected to find a slow island rhythm - after all, it was November. I mistakenly thought: Who would want to be on the beach in November? Please don't get me wrong - I love winter beach days. But that might be because I'm a snowbird who grew up with picnics in the snow and sunbathing on the roof when the temperature hit 50 degrees.

Dipping my index finger into the snow-white sand, I traced the shape of a large cross with one side for the plusses and one for the minuses. From the left to the right, I listed and summed up my thoughts.

Left side: My heart had been set on spending the last night of my vacation curled up in my flannel jammies on the snowy white, down-filled chaise lounge back at the beach cottage, savoring the printed pages of my new book.

Right side: This invitation sounded so good. While the theme for the party popped with pizzazz, it was really the contagious charm of this couple that led me to rethink my plans. How could I not be drawn to people who had so graciously made me feel a tiny sense of belonging?

I found my answer. Hopping up, I brushed off the sand and sprinted toward my car.

"How about 10 pounds of that stone crab?" I said to the clerk of the waterfront fishery, as I pointed to the iced bed of the famous and exquisite-tasting Florida delicacy.

Later, in the vibrant red and turquoise fish-themed kitchen of the beach cottage, I rolled up my sleeves and started cracking.

When I arrived at the beach plantation with my large, oval wicker basket of stone-crab claws, flaming tiki torches greeted me and illuminated the pebbled path. Mouthwatering char-grilled aromas merged with the salty breezes that blew off the Gulf. The large beach mansion rocked with the sounds of rawhide and buckskin music. Hay-filled wagons were parked nearby and a large bonfire could be seen in the distance.

Looking back on this experience, I shake my head in praise of the serendipitous moments of life and the amazing lessons that can be learned from them and how the things we sometimes think are treasures might only be just the passageway to the real treasure! From this couple, I discovered kindred spirits who showed me a glimpse of what it is like to be the very best possible version of oneself. Now, in my book, that is a treasure, indeed!

MORE IDEAS FROM KATHI

The annual Florida stone-crab season has arrived! Our Florida coastal waters are home to one of the world's finest culinary treasures. Generally, from late October to April, Florida stone crabs are available in fine seafood markets. They are already cooked because stone crabs need to be cooked immediately after harvest; otherwise, the delectable crabmeat will stick to the inside of the shell.

Just crack all the sections of the shell with a hammer or a nutcracker and pick out the meat. Don't do all the work yourself, though. Let your guests get in on the fun, too! Stone-crab parties make for a spectacular November party theme.

Their taste is pure heaven - so sweet and light and delicate. Florida stone-crab claws are one of the rare foods of the world that need little embellishment.

© 2006 Kathi Dameron, Kathi Dameron and Associates This article originally appeared in the Northeast Chronicle, a Florida newspaper on November 8, 2006.

Note To Publishers: You are free to publish this article in your e-zines, however, please keep copyright and resource box intact. Thank You!

~Take My Breath Away!~

You've already know about AA, AAA, ABC, ADT and so on. If you're going to the mountains, you might want to add AMS. It stands for Acute Mountain Sickness or more commonly, Altitude Sickness.You say, why are you bringing up sickness when I'm going on the trip of a lifetime - isn't that just bad karma? Think of it as a vaccination - sort of like a trip into the Amazon jungles. You wouldn't think of going there without, say… thirty or more shots, would you? So if you're going to the high altitudes, why not prevent sickness!

~What Causes Altitude Sickness?~

Mountain scenes are indeed breathtaking. As you reach higher altitudes, barometric pressure decreases so every breath you take contains fewer molecules of oxygen causing you to take more breaths to get the oxygen you need. Of course this happens when you exert yourself walking up any hill, but at low altitudes, the shortness of breath usually resolves itself soon after you rest. Not so in a high altitude.

As the amount of oxygen in your lungs decreases, the blood becomes less and less efficient at acquiring and transporting oxygen, so no matter how many breaths you take, you are unlikely to attain a normal blood level of oxygen. It takes your brain a few days to figure out it has to breathe more.

Although everyone reacts differently, anybody can get AMS, even those who are physically fit, with lots of high altitude experience, young or old, male or female.

~The Easiest Way to Prevent Altitude Sickness~

The most common reason for getting AMS is directly related to how quickly you ascend, so if you plan to go high, your best guarantee is to go slow. If that's not possible, at least know the symptoms and what to do, and you should be able to feel better quickly and avoid the severe, life-threatening forms. Drink lots of liquids, exercise moderately, eat small meals high in carbohydrates and low in fat and take a few herbs.

Other important steps to take include avoiding alcohol, sleeping pills and narcotic pain medications in more than modest doses.

~Medical Definitions of Altitude~ High Altitude: 5000 - 11500 ft

Very High Altitude: 11500 - 18000 ft Extreme Altitude: Above 18,000 ft.

~Signals that your brain hasn't caught on yet that you're not at sea level~

Nausea Dizziness Insomnia Headaches Bloody nose Fatigue or weakness Loss of appetite Confusion Staggering

~How to decrease the effects of AMS~

Ascend slowly and let yourself acclimate to each altitude. Drink plenty of fluids - water and juice. Avoid alcohol. Minimize caffeine intake. Decrease salt. Eat a low fat, high carbohydrate diet. DESCEND! (But only if its really bad).

~What the Doctor Says~

According to Dr. Lynne Drakos, acupuncturist and doctor of Oriental Medicine, a must for altitude adjustment is Siberian Ginseng. She also suggests eating foods high in iron, including molasses, green leafy vegetables, beets and red meat for the moisturizing value they give the body.

We have found taking doses of antioxidants seems to help also.

Ask yourself some basic questions: What kind of woman is ideal for you? A good start is to make a list of your own personal characteristics. Are you outgoing or reserved? Are you more intellectual or athletic?

Your first homework assignment is to write down on a piece of paper ten characteristics, at a minimum, that describe you. There are no right or wrong answers to this question.

However, I will give you a clue. The characteristics that you use to describe yourself are exactly the characteristics you will be looking for in your potential mate.

Next describe the type of activities you like to do in your spare time. Do you play a musical instrument? Do you like the arts? Are you a homebody or are you constantly on the go? What are your hobbies?

Again for your homework, write down on that same piece of paper ten things, at a minimum, you like to do in your spare time.

Then there are a number of other questions that are important for you to answer: Are you looking to have children with your potential mate? Do you have any children? Are they living with you? How do you feel about meeting women with children? How many children would be acceptable to you?

What is the importance of religion in your life? How do you feel about your potential mate's religious orientation? Where do you live? Do you live in a city or in a rural area? How will your potential mate feel about your community?

Do you own your own home? Do you have a proper place for her to live? Do you have enough money to support a wife and family? Does your potential mate plan on working when she comes to your country? Do you want her or need her to work?

It is important to understand that there are no right or wrong answers to these questions. They are simply to aid you in your self-awareness. They are a starting point. No doubt you will refine your thinking as the process goes on.

This is perfectly normal, but it is important for you to formulate the kind of questions to ask your potential mate. These questions will serve as icebreakers and will give you more insight into the thoughts and values of the women you will meet.

Australia is not only the land where you'd want to make your dreams come true. It is also about families, the values attached to it and love. The Australian Government recognizes the importance of family life and such, have devised the Parent Migration visa that enables the parents to migrate to Australia permanently to be able to reunite with their family.

This visa type is suitable for any person either inside or outside Australia who is old enough to be granted an Australian aged pension and who has children in Australia who are Australian citizens or Permanent Residents.

In applying for this type of visa, there are several requirements that must be met, one is that the applicant must be aged or old enough to receive an aged pension, in Australia, this requires that the males must be aged 65 and the females must be 63 and older. In addition, the applicant must meet the Balance of Family Test which requires that all parent visa applicant must have at least half of their children already settled in Australia, or they have to prove that most of their children are settled in Australia than in any single overseas country. As stated, the children to be considered in this type of test includes natural, adopted and step-children. This is irrespective of whether they are dependent, self-supporting, married, single or divorced.

A note that must be taken into consideration is that the step children may only be included in the Balance of Family test is they are natural or adopted of the applicant's current spouse or if they are under 18 and a natural or adopted child of a former spouse of the applicant, or a former spouse of the applicant's current spouse, and the applicant or the applicant's spouse has a legal responsibility to look after the child.

To be able to check your progress in your application, the Immigration Department of the Australian government put out a checklist that will enable you to track what you have already accomplished. The said documents are available at (www.immi.gov.au/migrants/_pdf/103-checklist.pdf). If you are having a hard time in trying to figure out the steps that you have to do just so you could accomplish all of the requirements, then let National Visas' agents help you in filling out your application forms.

National Visas has developed into a world leader in online immigration services. National Visas understands the confusion, frustration and time associated with the visa application process and delivers a fast, friendly, expert immigration advice and assistance for people seeking a visa for Australia. National Visas Migration Agents are registered to provide Australian immigration advice, as required by Australian law. National Visas Registered Migration Agents adhere to the professional Code of Conduct (Administered by MARA) along with undertaking continuous professional development (CPD) training on a yearly basis.

Anti jet lag diets have been around for some time now, but do they work?

Perhaps the best know anti jet lag diet is the Argonne Diet, developed at the Argonne National Laboratory in 1982. Over the years thousands of people have downloaded copies of this diet online and it is reputed to have been used by an impressive list of people including the late President Ronald Regan, the US Secret Service, the CIA and the US Army and Navy. In addition, it is purported to have been used by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Canadian swim team.

However, when you realize that the only evidence to support the effectiveness of this diet is a study conducted by the US military, this list of 'supporters' doesn't perhaps seem quite so impressive.

On the surface the US military study does appear to support the effectiveness of the diet, although the report (published in 2002) pointed out a number of problems with the study and stated that "larger and better controlled studies need to be used to verify the usefulness of the Argonne diet".

Perhaps the biggest problem with this study however lies in the reasoning behind the study and in the group of people used for the study.

The US military deploy hundreds of thousands of troops around the world every year and jet lag has a significant effect upon their operations. Preventing jet lag is thus something of a priority issue. However, curing jet lag on this scale can also be a very expensive business and so looking for a simple, inexpensive, convenient and readily available solution, with few if any side-effects was essential. It is not perhaps surprising therefore that they focused their attention of the possibility of using a diet as nothing could be simpler, or cheaper, to implement. It also represented a natural solution, without any of the emotional or medical problems so often associated with the usual pills or injections.

Perhaps more significant though was the group chosen for the study. Volunteers were taken from 186 National Guard personnel being deployed to Korea. Of these, 95 used the diet on the outbound leg of the journey and 39 used the diet coming home.

Two questions seem to arise here.

The first question is whether or not results seen in a group of National Guard personnel could reasonably be expected to appear in the general traveling population. I think most people would agree that this can hardly be said to be a representative sample.

The second question is why only 39 people volunteered to try the diet on the return home when 95 people had used the diet on the outbound journey. Surely, if those using it for the deployment had found it effective then you would expect more than 41 percent of them to have wanted to use it again coming home.

These questions are of course important but perhaps the real question that we should be asking is why a diet should be effective at all as a jet lag cure.

Jet lag results from the inability of your body to adjust its own internal clock fast enough to bring it into line with local time when traveling. For example, when you arrive at your destination and the clock says it nine o'clock in the morning and time to start the day's work, your internal body clock may still be reading two o'clock in the morning (the time back home) and telling you that you should be in bed.

So just how is a diet supposed to help solve this little problem?

Well, the simple answer of course is that it can't. Yes, what you eat and drink can play a part in helping your body to overcome the effects of jet lag and can assist in reducing jet lag symptoms. Diet, however, is only one small element in the equation for solving the problems of jet lag and simply making some adjustment to what you eat and drink before, during and after your journey, along with other preventative measures, is all that is required.

Curing jet lag through the use of so-called anti jet lag diets is a nice idea, but, unfortunately, it's myth rather than reality.

Copyright 2005 Donald Saunders - http://help-me-to-sleep.com

If your vacations are all starting to look alike - same beach house rental or trip to Disney World - consider the world of unusual travel. If you're like most people, you probably know that there are such things as "Dude Ranches", but did you know that you can take trips to explore underground caves? Not into caving, you say? How about a gourmet tour? Spend your vacation traveling to the great restaurants of the world with other people who love food. Still not interested, you say?

How about - riding across the desert on a camel; finding little-know magical spots in Europe while cruising the canals on a barge; learning to speak French while touring Normandy? Did I hit on one for you yet? If not, try - sailing on a yacht up coastal New England fishing villages from Connecticut to Maine; chase storms with experienced storm-chasers; go panning for gold out west; tour the vineyards of Tuscany; take a cruise down the Amazon River into the rainforest.

Not up for these, you say? Maybe you'd just like a change of accommodations. How about a castle stay in Scotland? A wilderness lodge in Alaska? Camping on the banks of the Colorado River?

Did you know - you can still ride the Orient Express from Paris to Venice to Istanbul? Take a covered wagon trip across the prairie? Crew a sailboat? Learn to scuba on the Great Barrier Reef?

What about a theater trip to London, where you see at least one show a day, and meet with the cast and directors to discuss the production. You can learn to drive a dogsled across the frozen expanses of Alaska, learn to rope cattle at cowboy school, go on an archeological dig, or improve your photography while visiting places of breathtaking natural beauty.

Still not for you? Maybe you would want to consider an antiquing trip, a spiritual getaway, a hot air balloon adventure. You can take a reindeer safari, a birdwatching trip, a tour of ghost towns, visit the great museums of Europe, learn to paint in Italy or France, go windsurfing in Greece or the Caribbean Islands.

If you have an interest, there is almost certainly a tour built around it, most likely many. In addition to special interests like those listed here, there are singles cruises, spa vacations, gay/lesbian trips, meditation tours, pilgrimages, and much more.

Don't have anyone to go with? An adventure tour is ideal for you. You'll always have companions and a guide to smooth the way. Meet other people with similar interests, and come home with new lifelong friends. The truth is, you can often have a better time traveling solo with a tour - it's a fine opportunity to learn more about yourself.

If you're in the mood for a trip of a lifetime, break away from the commonplace and think about what would make a perfect vacation for you. Maybe all you really want is to lay on the beach and drink tropical concoctions, but if you feel like something more, look over this list, listen to your heart, and do something incredible. You won't regret it.

I just love dogs. I love all breeds of dogs and even those of the Heinz 57 variety. I grew up with Doberman Pinchers that my father bred and trained as a hobby. All I know about dogs I learned from watching my Dad work with them.

Mexicans love dogs too. If the people of Guanajuato are any indication of all Mexicans, then our south-of-the-border neighbors have a love affair with dogs. They are everywhere here. I don't know how many exactly but at night, around 9:45 p.m., the canine chorus begins. For a town of about 100,000 people, it would appear from the nightly howl-fest that there is a dog for each person. I don't think that is true but that is how it seems.

Mexicans keep their dogs on the flat roofs of their houses. I have not a clue why they do this. It could be there are not many grassy yards here so where else are they going to keep them? These are the roof dogs of Mexico. Unfortunately, some Mexicans have a different concept of love for their dogs and keep them in such poor conditions, the average American would rush to the phone to call the 1-800 number for PETA.

When we first moved to Guanajuato, it had a horrible feral dog problem. The streets were full of these poorly conditioned curs running through the streets looking for garbage to eat. However, I am happy to report that the problem has improved in recent days. The city is managing this problem better and the feral dog population, though not perfect, has declined.

This problem in Mexico is often city-specific and is due to lack of funds to deal with these strays. I have been told that some cities manage this problem more efficiently than others do. In some cities, the problem is nonexistent. I believe this is true because, in our travels, we have seen some city streets empty of strays.

An interesting dog-related phenomenon you will see in Guanajuato is that, when you are walking down the street, you will see many Mexicans walking with their heads down. Now and then, they do a little jig or jump about as though they have some neurological issue. What is happening, I soon found out, is that they are trying to avoid what happens in a city where there are few grassy parks or yards for the citizens' dogs to do their daily dirty business. They are trying to avoid dog poop!

This is a problem that vexes the tourists but what are our poor canine pals to do? It isn't their fault. There are practically no yards in this steppe, mountain desert climate. When the owners take them out in the mornings and evenings, they use the city sidewalks to deposit their poopies.

This can make for an interesting walk. I am happy to report that I have yet to have the privilege of stomping through a precious canine's little sidewalk gift. My wife, however, has–much to her dismay. Therefore, we have worked out a walking strategy I recommend to all the tourists who perchance come to visit us in Guanajuato.

You must walk in single file. The lead man (or woman) is responsible as the lookout. You must constantly scan at least 6 feet ahead of you, never taking your eyes off the sidewalk. If you see that you are approaching a turd bomb, you need not yell or make a spectacle of yourself. Use your hands to signal that you are approaching danger. If the caca is on the left, use a slashing motion with your left hand and point at least 12-15 inches away from your thigh area. Then, be sure to dance gingerly out of the way so the person following you will have plenty of time to play dodge the doggie bowel movement.

Welcome to Guanajuato! Ya'll come and see us!

Most of us bring to mind Nelson Mandela or Mel Gibson's Lethal Weapon 2 when we think of Cape Town, South Africa. But as visitors year round know, the region is an outstanding vacation spot as well as efficient business center, and right in the city center, you'll have a wide range of choices for accommodation.

If you're looking for a budget hotel, you might like the Cape Town Lodge on Buitengracht Street, right on the edge of the Central Business District. 114 rooms with cable television, movie rentals, and air-conditioning in a hotel with a restaurant, bar, and room service offers terrific value for the price. Cape Town Lodge also offers a terrific central base for city attractions, as well as for treks to outlying regions of the Western Cape. For those daytrips, it's proximity to the railway station comes in handy, and within walking distance lie some utterly delightful cultural attractions such as the William Fehr fine art collection of paintings, prints, and drawings spread between the Castle of Good Hope and Rust En Vreugd, both just a few blocks away.

For a bit higher price, you might find the high standards of hospitality at the Holiday Inn Cape Town to be to your liking. Also located centrally, this hotel offers some more sophisticated amenities including babysitting services, conference facilities, a fitness center, and even a beauty and barber salon. As with most city center hotels, you'll have quick access to Museum Mile: the Castle of Good Hope, Rust En Vreugd, and also the South African Museum, focused on natural history, and the Bertram House Museum, with a collection of some of the finest pieces of English and Chinese porcelain in existence.

Every city center hotel offers visitors the opportunity to check out Museum Mile and Greenmarket Square, what was once a farmers' market that has now become the most enjoyable flea market in the city. The best time to explore the market is Saturday mornings, when even dancers and singers set up shop and entertain for tips.

Along with the cultural exhibits, in close proximity to St. Georges Hotel is, of course, St. Georges Mall, filled with specialty shops, eateries, and more. The St. Georges Hotel is known for its luxurious accommodations and top-notch service…at a reasonable price! Within walking distance to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

The Inn at Little Washington in Washington, Virginia has consistently been rated one of the top ten little hotels for years. There are no signs to point you in the right direction, but when you see the white building with flags flying you will know that you have arrived at the Inn. A stately Dalmatian with a string of pearls around its neck will greet you as a member of the staff takes your bags leading you to a little alcove for refreshments of biscuits and Herbal Tea.

The smiling face in the portrait of Brillat Savarin, from the 18th century, hangs high above the fireplace seeming to give his approval. Through French doors is a lovely courtyard with tables lovingly set with crystal and silver, giving you a hint of what is to come. The stunning collection of art and antiques, flowers everywhere, sumptuous fabrics and wall coverings tantalize the eye.

The delectable little Inn, established in 1978, was the creation of Patrick O'Connell and his partner Reinhardt Lynch. Just for some reassurance of this quality Inn, it was the first enterprise to be awarded five stars for their accommodations and five stars for its restaurant from the Mobil Travel Guide. AAA awarded the Inn its highest rating, the 5 Diamond Award, for both accommodation and food. It is the first Inn ever to receive that award from AAA.

The brilliant London stage and set designer, Joyce Evans, created the gorgeous 15 bedrooms and suites without ever coming to America. Almost all of the furnishings where purchased in England. She then numbered each item and shipped them to the Inn. Once at the Inn they were put together like a giant puzzle. The suites are two stories with balconies and views of the beautiful gardens.

Recently they added the Mayors House. This lovely accommodation has a private courtyard, two fireplaces and the bedroom has a beamed ceiling. The Inn adds just the right touches to make the magic of the place. Huge bouquets of flowers will fill an armoire in the reading area of one of the rooms. Or a canopied sofa will be covered in exotic fabrics in vivid colors. Every single room is unique and beautiful to the last detail.

It is like a dream when you step into the dining room. Absolute pure luxury awaits you. Each table is very romantic with silk lampshades in a rose color floating overhead. Reinhardt Lynch is the host and he keeps a watchful eye as Patrick's dazzling creations arrive at the 30 cozy tables. If you can believe it, each course outdoes the last one. The Sommelier will marry a wine with your ordered meal from the wine cellar containing over 14,000 bottles of wine. The Herald Tribune as dubbed this restaurant one of the top ten restaurants in the world.

Craig Clairborne has honored the Inn with the classification of the best in the world. Patrick, while classically French trained, believes in healthy, imaginative meals or as he puts it, "the cuisine of today." For the past 14 years the Zagat survey has rated it number one in all categories.

The Inn installed a new kitchen in 1998 and many refer to it as the most beautiful kitchen in the world. There is an enormous Vulcan range that was built to order in France topped with a huge hood of brass. They even have two tables in the kitchen which they call the inner sanctum, where patrons can watch the action.

The service at the Inn is impeccable with an eye to detail. Travel & Leisure readers always rate it as the world's best. You can partake of breakfast in the sunny Terrace room by the garden or have it sent to your room. A wonderful touch is that the staff will pack you an exquisite picnic and map out a scenic route through the countryside where you can view some of the best scenery in the country. Just make sure you return in enough time for the afternoon tea.

The Inn at Little Washington has won top honors from all the organizations that judge food and accommodations. They have been consistent, year after year.

Just across the street from the Inn is a recently renovated old tavern that was built in 1740. No longer a tavern it now serves as The Inn Shops. There are 5 beautifully decorated rooms that offer everything from tableware to delicacies from the Inn's kitchen. All of the 5 rooms retain their original identities from the 1800's. Food provisions of all sorts are offered for sale in the old kitchen. Things like jellies and jams or spices. The original dining room offers glassware and china. The old general store has become an art gallery. In the old Tavern Room you can choose from period pieces, silver or pewter.

The Inn at Little Washington is a must see. When you are in the Washington, Virginia area why not treat yourself and be a guest. You won't be sorry.

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Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Travel. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruiseGold.com You can read more of her articles at http://www.ArticleBazaar.net