We Have Lift-Off!

Announcing our inaugural World to the Wise Cultural Tour! As part of our mission to promote cultural intelligence and gather the “culturally curious,” we’re starting with the gem of Europe: Paris.
Would you like to be part of our very first group experience? Years later you’ll be able to look back and say, “I was there!”

DATES: May 15-25, 2009

We’ll spend the majority of the time in Paris, taking in the sights Paris is obviously known for — the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, Eiffel Tower, etc. — but we’ll also benefit from specially planned events where opportunity is given to interact with some of our Parisian friends — music, dialogue and laughter are essential ingredients at World to the Wise! As we discover more about French culture — its past and present, we’ll find ourselves understanding our own culture better as a result.

In addition to taking in the City of Lights, we’ll also take 2-3 day trips out from Paris to show you some of the diversity of the nation. It would be a mistake to assume that all of France is like Paris — just as Americans would be quick to say that New York is not representative of the rest of the US!

This is a great time to travel — the US dollar is in a relative position of strength and will go farther than it would have even a few months ago. The total cost, including airfare, is $3250. In addition to airfare, this includes 9 nights in a boutique hotel, ground transportation both in and outside Paris, two meals per day, museums, and special events.

Because of the shortness of time (for which we sincerely apologize — many of the details have taken some time to fall into place), we need you to reserve your spot as quickly as possible. You may do so by e-mailing us at admin@worldtothewise.net or by leaving your name and e-mail address in the comment section of this blog. We must have at least 10 participants register by Thursday, April 9 in order to make this happen. Half of the total cost will be due at that time. We will communicate all details, including flight and deposit information, immediately upon hearing from you.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you do not have a passport, you should apply for one IMMEDIATELY. Get information here.

We look forward to hearing from you and creating this adventure together!

Switzerland for Dummies

A 3-minute crash course on the pearl of Europe:

Bonjour from Switzerland

You haven't heard from me in a while because I'm on a two-week concert tour in French-speaking Switzerland with some old friends going back to the time I lived here with my family. Every time I come back, I'm flooded with nostalgia -- our youngest son was born here, we developed friendships that continue to this day, and it is arguably the most beautiful spot on the planet.

I'll be dividing my photos and videos between my Facebook page and this blog, so feel free to toggle back and forth. For now, here's a short vid shot just before our first concert:

The Art of Storytelling

Perhaps the oldest art form is one that needs to be reclaimed in our generation: storytelling. For years, Melea Brock has been weaving her own stories as well as some borrowed from other times and other places.
For the first time, Melea will be performing a live tele-Storynight tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 26) at 9:00 pm Eastern time. No matter where you are, you'll be able to listen in -- from your car, your home phone, or your computer. Melea has such an engaging manner about her that adults as well as children are drawn in -- and you'll find her stories charged with meaning.

All you have to do is go here to register.

Make a fire and some hot chocolate, gather the kids or friends, unplug the iPod and tune into Melea instead. It will be one of those moments suspended in time.

Ready or Not, Here Comes India

Whether or not the sleeper movie Slumdog Millionaire had won the Best Picture Oscar, its work would have been done: to shine a global light on a culture whose influence is spreading at disproportionate speed. Even though this is not a Bollywood film in the strict sense of the term (written and directed by Brits), its Dickensian depiction of life in the world's fourth largest metropolis is feeding a cultural frenzy. You can now book a "slumdog millionaire tour" in Mumbai, and Bollywood films are flying off the proverbial shelves. (More than four times as many films are made per year in Mumbai alone than in the entire Hollywood film industry.)

And you ain't seen nothin' yet, say many Bollywood veterans. "It's sad but true that we very often wait for the West to recognize a genius," laments Preity Zinta.

Seen the film? Leave your comments!

Happy Birthday Mr. Washington

On this date in 1732, George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. If you saw last year's mini-series on John Adams, you saw a strong yet humble leader in Washington. On this anniversary of his birthday, I leave you a striking clip from the mini-series which opens a window to us of the awesome (in the original sense of the word) responsibility Washington had glimpsed in the office he was assuming. Who would not be sobered by such a burden?

Happy Birthday, Mr. Washington.

Today's WorldQuiz

What is the only remaining sovereign grand duchy in the world? It has a population less than that of Nashville, Tennessee.