It's great to be back in the States after a 11-day tour of Southeast Asia! The beauty of that part of the world is simply breathtaking, the people were some of the warmest I’ve ever met, and yet the poverty and living conditions alternately break my heart and make me so thankful for what we have in America! Incidentally, a trip somewhere in the world is something I try to do with several of my dearest friends each year or so, as part of our shared quest to see 50 countries by age 50. In case you're wondering, my country count on this trip has hit 45 with visits to Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos!

Even halfway around the world, my mind is never far from chips...here is a picture of me in Luang Prabang, Laos next to taro chips being dried in the sun. We bought a giant bag of them for about $1 US - what a deal!

Ramona