Who would ever think that I was to write about cabbages and condoms! Most of my readers will by now be shaking head, hands and hats. Most likely they will also be rattling their mobile phones and IPods and pads at the same time eager to connect to Facebook to check if this story is pure imagination or just a twitter. It all started with a visit to the Hill Tribe Museum and Education centre in Chiang Rai in northern Thailand which is a great little museum with lots of information and nice display. As part of the visit you are invited for a complimentary cup of coffee or tea at the time of leaving. This cuppa is served downstairs from the museum in a restaurant called “Cabbages and Condoms”. Trust me this is the real and proper name of the restaurant. However I did not pay any … [Read more...] about Cabbages and Condoms
Meet Zaw May San Win
I don’t know why but I am drawn to op shops. I started roaming op shops when I was in my twenties many years ago like my friends were roaming the streets making it hard for little old ladies to feel safe while window shopping after sunset. In Denmark where I lived at that time the op shops were more like antique shops. It was like entering Aladdin’s Cave with old dresses embellished with beads and gemstones. There were piles of ancient Chinese coins thousands of necklaces and other jewellery. Embroidery yarns and sewing cotton. Wooden flowers and I just love Sunflowers. Carved ivory stolen from majestic elephants, stuffed animals by the millions, gold and silver candelabras, sparkling diamonds. The place was full of magic carpets on which you sit and fly to exotic places you only dream … [Read more...] about Meet Zaw May San Win
My Meeting with Clover Charlotte
At the market in Mareeba shopping for vegetables my eyes caught sight of the most beautiful cloth doll sitting in front of tiny quilted blankets at one of the stalls. I was immediately attracted to her and I could not help zoom in on her. She drew me close. Wow what an amazing creation I thought. Her face was just adorable not to mention her impressive hair style. I wish I could have one like that. Her dress was as gorgeous and her quilts to die for. The bright colour made me feel cheerful and in front of her was a pink crochet round piece like a doily with a green felted ball on it. Then a young tall and just as beautiful woman said to me that Megan made her and that she was the Princess on the Pea. The penny dropped. Of cause it is the Princess on the Pea! I know her from my child hood. … [Read more...] about My Meeting with Clover Charlotte
Prince Ankhhaf from the 4th Dynasty in Egypt
I found this rather sick looking cloth doll in an op shop while sniffing around for a good barging. Tucked away in the box of worn out men’s undies with the odour of a rather ammonia smell this doll was just coming to the surface as I walked past. She caught my eye dressed poorly in an old cotton dress half eaten by moth which thrives in ammonia conditions. I felt sorry for her quick smart and took her to the counter and we both checked out. I had big plans for her. As soon as I was back in my camp I unpeeled her layers of filthy clothing gave her a good scrub up in the tub. Pulled out the good old sewing machine and made her a large coat. I fixed up a head dress and a scarf and before I could count to 237 she turned into a prince. No kissing the frog. She just transferred into a … [Read more...] about Prince Ankhhaf from the 4th Dynasty in Egypt
How The Rats and Tommelise got to travel with us
One year before we left home getting ready for a 10 months trip overseas there was much to organize. The list was so long that sometimes just looking at it made me exhausted. But we got all the important stuff in place. Peder even got his cataract removed so he could see where he was going. Meeting with our dear craft friends at Lake Eacham for the last time before takeoff one of the Coffee Droppers (yes that is what we call ourselves as we have a reputation of dropping coffee in books to make forever lasting stains for others to enjoy and be annoyed about. It is a great way of being remembered by many a folk) said to me to bring a mascot for the trip and take photos of it as we visited special places around the world. Well the idea sounded exciting. I never thought of this before and … [Read more...] about How The Rats and Tommelise got to travel with us
A Creative Writer’s Travel Guide
Travelling the world is a serious business. You stuff your backpack with all different guide books, road maps, maps of the world more glossy Phrase booklets you might think you need until your are loaded to the eyeballs. However you never seem to have the right directions anyway on how to get lost in a hurry. Many a time I find travel books a bit boring and those with the glossy pictures of all the fancy places you can go visit doesn’t appeal to me. It is too upmarket and the places are crowded as this is where all the readers go. Some travellers follow the travel guides to the fingertip. Some travellers won’t even enter a restaurant if it is not mentioned in Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide, Eyewitness Travel Guide or on Trip Advisor etc. Now with such a critical view of the travel … [Read more...] about A Creative Writer’s Travel Guide