Author Archive
Posts by Vivien Lougheed:
Weathered wood cabins with solar panels and cedar-shake roofs frame the man-made Nam Tien Lake that shimmers like dancing diamonds in the tropical sun of Laos. I follow the scent of frangipani blooming along the walkway and bordering the lush green jungle beyond, to the dining hall where a donation box invites me to…
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On May 6th, 2015, the Canadian government passed the Anti-Terrorism Act (Bill C-51.) According to the Angus Reed Poll taken days before, 82% of the people interviewed supported the bill. Of that group only 18% had read and/or discussed it with others, while 20% knew nothing about it. Of the rest, 25% had seen a…
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I travelled independently in Iran for two months, a few years ago. It was compulsory for all women to wear a hijab and a chador or abaya when in public and at that time, the entire costume was to be black. The hijab is a tight head -covering that holds all head hair out…
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Silver King Basin! Just the name was a draw for me to explore Babine Provincial Park located north of Smithers, BC. I enticed four of my friends to join me in late July when valley snow would be gone and the alpine flowers would be prime. I showed them a park map with a four-day…
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Locally, National Poetry Month started with a celebratory proclamation by Mayor Lyn Hall. Public Library employees, Gillian Wigmore and Darcie Smith organized numerous events to encourage members of the community to learn about and maybe even write some poetry. Poetry Parlour sessions were planned for every Wednesday until the 19th. Wigmore read a poem…
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November 25th at 10:29 pm Fidel Castro took his last breath, much to the sorrow of those who benefitted from his life’s work — the citizens of Cuba. He was 90 years old and had held the responsibility of his citizens in his hands from 1959 until his illness in 2006 when he turned over…
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John is an English professor, raised in Vancouver by loving and attentive parents who believed good manners were important and emotional displays were embarrassing. Onions, garlic and pastas were considered seditious and alcoholic drinks toxic. Entertainment included Gunsmoke, Ed Sullivan, and standing around a pump organ droning hymns. During his years at university John acquired…
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For a Muslim, going to Mecca fulfills the second of the five pillars of Islam and going during Ramadan, Islam’s holy month, doubles a Muslim’s chances for a front-row seat in the afterworld. My plan was to go by boat from the Suez Canal to the port of Suakin, Sudan on the Red Sea on…
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