CHINA'S MONGOLIAN WINDS

Entering China's canals by boat -  a portal.

When the Mongolian winds blow the clouds away in Sozhou, a city just west of Shanghai, the beautiful countryside reveals astonishing mountains, seemingly built by the Gods, temples dedicated to rulers and emperors of the past, and lush vistas and landscapes:  This is China --  ancient and vast, the the trip of a lifetime. 

That was the first awesome impression that I had as I traveled to China for 9 days in late October. I was part of an elite group of travel planners on a site inspection of the country,  checking out the trip for my  travelers. As a result, I am now also be featuring a luxury trip to China including hotel, meals, all airfares, taxes and tours out of Detroit, all at a cost of $2799.

Our trip featured luxury motorcoach transportation from one city to the other. Driving in China is fast and hair-raising, with the majority of the  1.6 billion people always on the move in the world's most incredible rush hour, a chaos of buses and trucks and more bikes than one can even imagine. Yet our drivers were extremely cautious and very courteous, caring about our comfort at all times.

China's formal tourist attractions are so varied and so widely dispersed that my first trip was basically a preview of this exciting country. Still, I experienced the incredible diversity of China, the third largest country in the world in terms of area. (Russia and Canada are in the top spots.) As I mingled among the Chinese, very few spoke English, we met only very friendly, hospitable folk. Everywhere I went they took my picture or snuck selfies with me being none the wiser.

The winds are blowing outside my door right now, and I am longing to return to Golden China, a most incredible place on the planet.  

CONVENIENCE IS THE COLOR OF VERA BRADLEY

Vera Bradley bags. The women in my sparse family love them.  

Travel bag is ideal for carrying 3 bags, boots & video gadgets.

My niece who got me into Vera Bradley in the first place and her mother, my sis-in-law who is quite the saint as she is married to my brother, a handful, swear by them. Those two have bags, purses, wallets, wristlets, clutches & accessories for every possible thing you can imagine.  The color they put in their lives shades their personalities, too.

And, it spilled over to me. Now I have Vera Bardley bags, too. It'sa family thing.

Basically, I am a one purse woman and always have been. My “Go Bag” -- has everything including the kitchen sink  that is with me constantly as well as a bag for daily work items not to mention my laptop bag. Yes, I am the bag lady.  Being on the road and on the go constantly means that I have to keep as organized as possible. Bags are the best way for me to do so. And, I welcome all bags of every color, size and type.  

Yet, the only way I can do it is with this giant Vera Bradley carry-all.  All of my bags go into this large container. It sure helps keep items contained especially when some of the items in the bags spill over. And, what's really sensational are the bright colors.  

In case you don't know, Vera Bradley is the leader in colorful cotton quilted patterned bags and luggage for women in all sizes.  Back in the early 1980s, while awaiting a flight in Atlanta, longtime friends, Patricia Polito Miller and BarbaraBradley Baekgaard noticed a huge lack in feminine-looking luggage. So they developed a line, which really took off with word-of-mouth advertising, the best kind.  

When my sis-in-law gives me these beautiful bags, I generally say to myself, 'oh boy, this will get so dirty and beat up, do I deserve this?' The answer is yes I do. And so do you. 

For the person who has too much on their platter and puts others first, this is just a small way we can honor ourselves. 

“The purest and most thoughtful minds are those which love color the most.” 
― John Ruskin, The Stones of Venice

Ring in the New in an Old-Fashioned Way

Celebrate 2016 in Amish-Mennonite Country!

Looking for an unusual  way to start the New Year?  Then plan to set aside raucous, noisy partying and too much of everything, and step into the past on an overnight tour of northern Indiana's Amish-Mennonite culture.

That will happen when you board the motorcoach and begin your trek back in  time during a traditional observance of the New Year.. You'll have your own private, professional escort on a comfortable, all-amenities drive to the picturesque village of Goshen, where you can shop both quaint and up-to-date shops, like 10,000 Villages and the Book Store.

Then on to the Round Barn Theater where you'll take in the Old Year's final performance of Mary Poppins, gathering afterwards in the Restaurant Barn for a post-theater buffet featuring finger food snacks, punch, chocolate confections and other treats including champagne. That will be followed by the Mary Poppins cast themselves, adding fun, laughter and delight as they present its 16th annual Cabaret.

As midnight approaches, the countdown to 2016 approaches. There'll be the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne, and then, with buttoned-up overcoats, you and your tour mates will visit the quiet town of Goshen to take in the glittering display of fireworks ushering in the New Year.

Off to a good night's sleep at one of the comfortable Inns where you'll be staying, and a delicious New Year's Breakfast in the Geranium Room or Milk Parlor at the respective Inns. But the Year has only begun! There will be a guided tour of actual Amish farms and stores, a buggy works, plus a visit with an actual Amish family, where your guide will introduce you to the fascinating Amish culture and customs. And don't be surprised if your guide whips out his banjo and entertains you with traditional and Gospel songs!

"It's one of our most unique trips for people who want a different kind of holiday," says  Rose Szwed, Tour Planner of Step On Bus Tours."And it's a wonderful learning experience about America's history and culture."

Cost of the New Year's Tour is $199 per person double occupancy, or $249 per person single occupancy. For more information, contact Rose Szwed at StepOn Bus Tours, 248-619-6692 or at steponnbustours@gmail.com

GET RID OF E-ITEMS SAFELY AND HELP A SCHOOL, TOO.

The Detroit Free Press printed this article in Jan. 2015

Rather than blatantly tossing stuff I no longer use in the trash, I seek ways to re-home it. Like all of the cords and electronic items no longer in use. There are boxes of it from our office computers and gizmos throughout the years.  

I could never safely remove the important parts from cords and computers. But someone can and they can make money for a school's programs. Giving back to the community never felt so good. 

So on March 7, St. Mary School, 2 Union St, Mount Clemens, MI 48043, is hosting a computer and small electronic recycling event from 9AM - noon at Union Street and South Gratiot. All things computer, monitors, attachments, printers, ink cartridges, keyboards. audio, video equipment, cameras, calculators, hard drives, CDs, DVDs, cords, wire, clocks, music players, batteries, phones and more will be accepted.  

All information is to be removed. Someone there will help you.  Suggested donation is $5 per family in support of the school.  

So, what happens to the stuff. Well, what you don't know is that the items are filled with heavy metals, and no, not the group.  Let's forget about long term exposure to fragments of these toxins like lead and mercury, but the stench that they give off.  Don't smell it? Your body does and it absorbs these odors. 

Billions of computer parts are tossed into our landfills and that infiltrates our water supply. There are many environmental concerns and we will hear more about it in the near future.  

However, St. Mary School is able to turn our e-trash into cash. Let's help them while cleaning out our homes of the cords, cameras and e-junk we no longer use.  This is a convenient and practical solution for  to the ever-growing problem of commercial electronic waste disposal.

St. Mary School is definitely not close to my home or office. But, I believe in their philosophy. I want my old trash turned into treasure that they can use and create income for their school programs. 

I have several boxes, computers, monitors, and the list goes on.  They will dispose of it safely and make money doing so. As a business owner, I laud these young entrepreneurs. 

I thank the Detroit Free Press for printing this article.  More importantly, to my traveler who told me about this great program so I can free up two shelving units! Rock on. 

HISTORIC BUILDING HOME TO STEP ON BUS TOURS: AN ENJOYABLE & EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL AGENCY

Office of Step On Bus Tours 

Magicians, architects, writers, barbers and the landed gentry have had a role in the historical development of the Ferndale Arts Building, originally created as the Pioneer building back in the early 20s, when Gatsby was king of the Roaring 20s.

 

 Historic Building Tours are part and parcel of trips offered by Step On Bus Tours. In keeping with its historic building and educational trips, it makes sense for us to be located in the Ferndale Arts Building, once known as the Pioneer Apartments.  It's been converted into studios and offices for small businesses.

I love this building because it just oozes history. Not too many people know this, but back in the 80's, Romig Magic was located in this building, which was the hub for magicians.  This was the place where big magic  talent gathered and performed for each other.

Located in the basement, we enjoy its small office because of the charm, whether it is the built in drawers and shelves or the bench in the closet. Affectionately, it is called "The Vault."

The cozy office was once a hotel and apartment. The former bedroom has two windows that look out onto the building's enclosed courtyard. During the winter,  snow falls but not a lot because it is so protected. In summer birds swoop and fly in the small space.

Unlike most offices in the building, the units has  it's own bathroom. May sound unusual to some, but most offices share a lavatory and with the public. We prefer the cleanliness of our own loo.

There is an outer office where her assistant works. Plaster walls about about a foot deep. It would make a great air-raid shelter. Total space is about 250 feet.

Constructed in 1924, Builder Ralph Merriman saw opportunity for a hotel close to Detroit,yet far enough to enjoy a rural landscape of the day. Throughout the years, the building housed many government officials, developers and decision makers.

Historical Tours are the centerpiece of our trips, which are thoroughly different because I spent the time to delve into the details of history, mystery and gossip so I can give a well-researched commentary to my travelers. I'm a history buff. It's what my tour-goers enjoy hearing about. So to be true to myself, I felt I needed to be authentic and locate my business in a historic structure.

A mural on the side of the building depicts the funkiness of the people of town.  It's just an upbeat place to be because there is a lot going on. The mural truly shows the variety of people in the city and that's what Step On is about – diversity.

Tastes Of A Polish Kitchen:

Famine and wars have been a common occurrence in Poland for centuries, so that the very memory of bread's

Polish Village Cafe is always busy. Tasty food.

scarcity over the years has made it the holiest of edibles. .

When the Nazis invaded Poland, the first thing they did was demand that all flour grinding stones, which were in the families for generations, be taken to the town square and demolished.  This way, the country was publicly brought to its knees, with no way to grind wheat into bread..

Despite such history, Polish cooking requires the use of bread crumbs in recipe after recipe, for binding, thickening, lining of baking pans,for garnish and for preparing a range of delicious offerings for the typical Polish table.  At the New Martha Washington Bakery, Hamtramck, a variety of Polish breads, treasured and loved, are available -- from a sweet Bobka to hearty peasant loaves. Visitors can't help but stare at the rows of beautiful and plentiful cookies in the display case.

And then there are Paczkis --  "Fat Tuesday" traditions that are gaining in popularity throughout the country -- when long lines of buyers  can curl around the block waiting to buy the pre-Lenten treats. (Lent begins on February 18 this year.)

Next it's the Poppy Seed Cake that's the up-and-coming hit. To make these, delicious long rolls are filled with poppy seeds, candied orange peel, walnuts, raisins, honey, sugar and brandy, not to mention the rest of the pastry dough. It's a sweet treat and very difficult to find in the suburbs.

This is not the bakery to ask about gluten free pastries, by the way, since East European bakers traditionally use wheat flour.

Soups are an essential course in the Polish menu. Barszcz Zabielany ( known as Borscht) has a foundation of beets with cream and is usually served in teacups. Zupa Ogorkowa -- Dill Pickle Soup -- features sliced pickles sautéed inbutter and flour with stock. Czarnina, or Duck Soup, was usually made with the fowl's trimmings and its blood. Poles who lived through hunger, food lines with nothing at the end of them and starvation, as a result, learned to thriftily eat everything. Very sweet, the soup also contains prunes, apples or pears, raisins and sweet cream.

It's really hard to believe that the cuisine of Poland was once thought to be extravagant and excessive.. Actually it has its simple, practical side.

For example, take lunch at The Polish Village Cafe, Hamtramck. It can start start with Mizeria, cucumber salad, a versatile salad and side dish followed by soup, as above. Next is the Polish Platter filled with Kielbasa, Pierogi, Golabki  (which translates into "little pigeons"). There are also Stuffed Cabbage Rolls filled with ground beef, rice onions and egg topped with a creamy tomato sauce. Mashed potatoes and a vegetable fill out the plate. And don't forget the Kapusta -- sauerkraut

The waitresses all wear brightly colored skirts and short blouses. They speak Polish to each other.  The Polish Village Cafe, has a unique enjoyable atmosphere, relaxing vibe, good homey food, good value, friendly service and good overall experience.  A walk down four steps to a wonderful ethnic restaurant dotted with pictures reminiscent of the Old Country, twinkling lights and a lot of wood wainscoting -- definitely an Eastern European setting.

One reviewer on Yelp said: " the fried pierogi are everything you need in life. Everything." Another said: Kielbasa on top of a potato pancake is just sinfully good.

Let's not forget  that Poland is on the Black Sea.  From its coasts, caviar, smoked fish like salmon and whitefish are specialties --  not to mention herring with picked mushrooms.  Pike with horseradish sauce is a common entree.

Through the generations, Polish women who have learned how to cook vegetables that grow underground in the cold earth, always start cooking in cold water. "Hot water will shock them, toughen the fibers in some and will not bring out the flavor. Always cover the kettle with a lid. Do not boil too rapidly.

Potatoes cooked at a full rolling boil will have hard centers. Did you ever mash potatoes and continue to find hard little lumps in them? They are the hard centers caused by boiling too rapidly.

Immaculately clean, the bustling Polish Market oozes with delicious foods of all kinds, many directly imported from Poland. This is a wonderful selection of deli meats, candies, dry goods and veggies at very inexpensive prices.  Come to Polish Market and you'll get a huge bag for just a few bucks. Rows of tea, juice, canned picked veggies, grains, pastas, cookies, biscuits, and delicious Polish candies. Soups to go wait patiently in the refrigerated section next to schnitzels and sauerkraut.

In the refrigerated/freezer section you can get frozen pierogies of all flavors--from cheese, potato, or sauerkraut to meat, plum and blueberry (my favorite -- served with a bit of sour cream and sugar. Heaven!). Also there are soft cheeses, butters, and other dairy products. You can pretty much do all your grocery shopping here, even if you weren't coming for specialty Polish goods. Watch for a delicious little butter lamb!

Paczkis, Pierogi & Polkas: Now You Can Be Polish For a Day

Lifestyes decades past. 

Kiss me I'm Polish, "Smaczne", and Let's Eat Poonchkis! They've all become part of the American lexicon in recent years. Louisiana has the Mardi Gras. We have Paczki Day, as our tour chronicles the Polish experience in Detroit. 

 

And now you, too, can be polish for a day during the day trip "Paczkis, Pierogies and Polkas," come February 12.  You can visit beautiful old churches, historic neighborhoods and lively venues like markets, restaurants, bakeries as well as memorial sites so close to the history and traditions of the Polish community in Detroit.

On this fascinating excursion, our group will board the bus to the beat of "Roll Out the Barrels."  From there to the Bakery to shop and eat Paczkis, then to the Polish Art Center for an egg painting demo and a brief talk about the rising price of amber. We'll also see shelves laden with handmade Polish stoneware imported from Boleslawiec, Poland.  That's the first-quality pottery from the award-winning Ceramika Artystyczna factory.  Stoneware from that source is appreciated the world over for its simple, functional form, and its unique and beautiful, characteristically Polish decorations.

Today from that small village, skilled artisans individually handcraft and hand paint each piece with the same unique stamp technique used for over 400 years, preserving the charm of Old Central Europe.  Polish stoneware from Ceramika Artystyczna is an exceptional thing of beauty and has won numerous awards for its beauty and design.  Each piece the stoneware on display is specially hand-selected by Ceramika Artystyczna for the U.S. market.

As the tour progresses, maybe some will buy Czarnina, Duck's Blood Soup, or some Head Cheese from the Polish Market. Or some peasant bread and tubes of caviar. From there a brief tour of St. Florian Roman Catholic Church – which is a Polish-language church and teaches religious education in Polish.  From there a hearty lunch at the Polish Village Cafe. At this point travelers will have wished that they would have worn their stretchy pants as the Polish Platter is passed, featuring Pierogi, Kielbasa, Kraut, Mashed Potatoes and veggies including Dill Pickle Soup and dessert to quell even the wildest appetite.

And that's only the beginning.

This uniquely Polish Tour includes: Visiting two historic churches built over the years with actual parish members as your guide at each venue:  St. Florian's, Hamtramck and Our Lady of the Scapular, Wyandotte.  Tours will cover both interiors and exteriors of the structures.

Historically, many Poles have changed the world for the better.  For example, we'll see astronomer Nikolas Copernicus' bust in front of the Detroit Public Library's Main Branch.  We'll chat with docents about Thaddeus Kosciusko, Poland’s beloved war hero, highly honored in this country for his military genius during the American Revolution.  We'll even learn that every state in the union has a statue of Kosciusko.

A guided tour of the Polish Market will introduce us to an abundance of typical Polish food specialties – from pierogi to pickled pigs' feet and how to make delicious recipes and unusual things like “Pisanki” (intricately decorated eggs) in your own kitchen. There'll also be an interactive amber jewelry display, and a show of specialty crockery. You'll be able to see how to create delicious Polish dining in a festive atmosphere.

And the group will learn Polish words at each location as well as a special Polish song we'll sing throughout the excursion.

This is a tour where history is piled on history, and explained by our gracious tour guides, wait staff, retail store owners and, appropriately, Catholic priests as the occasion arises.  It’s worth every minute.

During the brief intervals on the bus there will be very short DVDs and a talk about the Poles in Michigan.  We'll even learn some more Polish words at each venue.

As a special treat, we'll stop at a famous Blind Pig:  We don't think there is another bar like this is all of Detroit.  Some people call it a "dive bar."  Why they use that descriptive is maybe understandable, but the reality is that this place is just a humble neighborhood bar, rivaling the personality and character that we've experienced in neighborhood pubs in London and Dublin.

In short, no pretension here at all.  The staff is kind and friendly to us as soon as we walk through that door.  This is place is a treasure, a true gem in Detroit.  Do yourself a favor and go here.  You don't want to miss out.

Monika (last names are rarely used here) will dance for us at a Blind Pig, a Detroit Legend in the old Polish neighborhood in Southwest Detroit, owned by Manay who has lived above the bar for 80 years.  Monika our Polka Queen will show her true talents when she dances for us – with or without a partner. That's when she will reveal how she gained herself a scholarship some years ago..

While Mardi Gras is all the rage, Polish Americans get the festivities going a bit earlier, not just with Paczki Day, but with food, lively music and visits to their Catholic Churches, in preparation for the Lenten season to come (starting Ash Wednesday, February 18).

"With a group tour like ours, the experience is so much more enhanced because there is a guide at each stop geared to show and tell about the features of each location,” said Rose Szwed, Tour Guide for Step On Bus Tours.

“These are things that wouldn’t be available on a self-guided jaunt.  That's why I researched each and every aspect of the tour, to create an enjoyable and memorable excursion that will keep everyone’s attention.”

What people don't remember is that Poland has for centuries suffered drastic takeovers by other countries (you know their names).  Finally, their strong spirit was captured with Lech Walesa and his Solidarity Movement, which changed Poland, changed Europe and even the world.

Many of the travelers have been on this trip before because it is so moving, but also so much fun. "I've been going on this trip every year because it's so much fun," said Barb Maison, a regular tourist with Step On Bus Tours. "Rose changes this trip every year. There is always something new. She finds the most unusual things to show and tell us about. It's just so much fun"