à la carte spirit by ilona fried
Travel
Feldenkrais: Small Distinctions, Big Differences
“What I’m after isn’t flexible bodies, but flexible brains. What I’m after is to restore each person to their human dignity.” – Moshe Feldenkrais When I began a month long Feldenkrais training in Santa Fe last week, I thought I’d suspend assessing changes in my self and my movement until the four weeks had passed. It turns out … Continue reading
The Primal Power of Food Memories
The photo essay 33 Hungarian Foods the Whole World Should Know and Love grabbed my attention last week. Topping the list was lángos, a thick fried dough slathered with sour cream and sprinkled with cheese: Fat upon fat upon fat! Seeing the photograph, my saliva glands erupted geyser-like as I recalled this snack. Gulyás (goulash) was … Continue reading
Amtrak Case Study: How You Do Anything is How You Do Everything
A frequent business traveler on Amtrak’s Boston-New York route told me the following story. Early in the trip he’d go to the cafe car to buy a coffee, and the woman behind the counter asked if he had small bills. Since it was the beginning of the route, the train not yet full, he wondered … Continue reading
Amtrak Residency: The Perils Within the Fine Print
Recently, my younger brother clued me into the Amtrak Residency for writers, a program that has been celebrated in social media. Successful applicants will ride the rails for free, in a room of one’s own (bed, desk, and window), on a route of Amtrak’s choosing. Having traveled in a roomette from Boston to Denver in … Continue reading
Introvert Birthday? Solo Road Trip
I recently celebrated my 47th birthday. By myself. As I wrote last year, my birthday falls during a time when I’m prone to seasonal affective disorder which even the Colorado sunshine doesn’t fully eliminate. It’s difficult for me to cheerfully celebrate when I’d rather crankily hibernate. Planning and conveying excitement to anyone who’d join me … Continue reading
à la carte spirit by ilona fried 
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