Florida Culture for the Week of January 16 by Josh Garrick

In my previous post (No-Cost Academic Travel) I described the concept of a working vacation–a 2 to 6 months overseas posting taken while on temporary leave from your teaching job (perhaps during sabbatical or summer break) while earning enough money to finance your stay in the host country.  This is not unlike what many recent college graduates do when they opt to spend a year or two in the Peace Corps, VISTA, or Teach

Unique Photography of Ancient Parthenon at EGAD! Art Lab
January 20 during 'No Stone Unturned' Art Exhibit by American Josh Garrick

Living in Vietnam, you’ll quickly see that life is much different than what you are used to at home. Family and culture are very important to the Vietnamese. Showing respect at all times towards parents and older generations is expected, especially for the oldest male in the family. The oldest male is the most important and considered the head of the family. Next in line in order of importance would be the oldest son.

When I ‘planned’ my last visit to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, I decided to arrive without a plan - no itinerary, no specific purpose, and no set destination. I was just going to fly into Mérida and take the local transportation wherever it would take me. I wasn’t going to teach. I wasn’t going to research. I was just going for a nice visit on a whim and a dare; and I decided I would find places to stay as I traveled the Peninsula.