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Ellen Gittelsohn
Feb 205 min read
Be Part of the Experience
"I hope the weather improves for you," said Norma, our Airbnb host. "I think business is slow because it's too hot," said Lucy, who owns...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Jan 274 min read
Costa Rica
Osa Peninsula Paul, Yitzi, Claire, and I spent two wonderful weeks together in Costa Rica, beginning with six days in the Osa Peninsula....
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Ellen Gittelsohn
May 8, 20242 min read
Opening Up to the Bigger Picture
What does it mean to focus on the 99% of reality? A challenge such as listening to someone complain about something or someone, may...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Mar 20, 20242 min read
Ha Long, Hanoi and Home
Our Ha Long Bay Peony Cruise experience included becoming relaxed in a van, with 12 other Westerners traveling from Ninh Binh, because we...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Mar 10, 20242 min read
The Wonder of Ninh Binh
When people ask us about our trip, we typically explain that we are on our third winter escape workation. This doesn't explain why we are...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Mar 4, 20243 min read
Walks, Rocks and Rivers
Above is the Tam Tòa church ruins, in Dong Hoi, as a Vietnam War relic. The church, built in the 17th century, was destroyed by American...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Feb 22, 20243 min read
Tourists to Locals
At the end of this post is another Paul's videos! Flashback to Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City Part 2. Wednesday we took a side trip from Hoi...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Feb 14, 20243 min read
The Year of the Dragon
Thank you for your blog comments. Please let me know if you are receiving my replies. This is the main weekend for celebrating Tet, the...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Feb 8, 20241 min read
Paul's Awesome Vietnam Videos
This page will be updated periodically with Paul's Vietnam videos. Hoi An Ancient Town Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Part 2 Landing in...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Feb 7, 20243 min read
Hoi An Ancient Town
Saigon is a towering metropolis (9 million) with more opulent hotels than I have ever seen contrasted with minimalist street life. Hoi An...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Jan 31, 20243 min read
Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon
Both names are seen frequently because some people prefer the older pre-communist name of Saigon. The first night we look a little...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Jan 22, 20242 min read
Meditation Plus
For this months Havurah meeting someone in our group beautifully led us in a deep centering meditation based on the 48 Mussar Middot...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Dec 15, 20231 min read
Jewish Spirituality Havurah Extra
Shabbat and the second night of Hanukkah were joyfully celebrated as an addition to our regular Havurah meetings that will be on the...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Nov 20, 20231 min read
A Spirit of "Yes!"
One of our group members began the Havurah meeting with a chant. The melody is composed by Rabbi Shefa Gold. The chant is from Psalm...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Oct 23, 20231 min read
Beginning the Jewish Spirituality Havurah
The Jewish Spirituality Havurah had an inspiring beginning last Wednesday, Oct. 18 and we are still open for new members! My aha moment...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Sep 21, 20232 min read
Peach Salsa
This month's cooperative dinner was burritos made with fresh peach salsa. I was able to use tomatoes from our garden but, alas, our peach...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Sep 1, 20233 min read
Wedding Inspired
My roots as a Jersey girl often bring me and some portion of my family "down the shore" in the summer. This year we followed up on...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Jul 21, 20231 min read
Cooperative Dinner: Hummus
This months cooperative dinner used a special homemade hummus as the sauce, Sami's Bakery awesome Millet and Flax Pita Pockets for the...
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Ellen Gittelsohn
Jun 28, 20231 min read
Cooperative Dinner: Forbidden Rice Salad
I've decided to start posting about cooperative dinners because they have been a success! What is a cooperative dinner? I make a sauce...
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