I recommend anglophones on travel—who have the luxury of a native language quite commonly spoken by nonnative speakers—stick to what I call “global English.”

WanderingLeslie FarnsworthMay 29, 2024travel, language learning, CultureComment

Switzerland’s Herens Cattle Breed and the Battle for Cow Queen

In the Valais, the traditional cow breed, the Herens, has renown for its fighting spirit and the hierarchies inherent in its herds. And boy, do they let them fight.

WanderingLeslie FarnsworthMay 22, 2024Switzerland, Culture, historyComment

The Röstigraben and the Polentagraben: Switzerland’s Regional Language Differences

Most people do not know that Switzerland has four national languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansch.

MigratingLeslie FarnsworthMay 15, 2024Switzerland, language learning, CultureComment

Membership-based Communities of Support for Local Bookstores

A way for bookstores to build an additional revenue stream, increase and reinforce their customer bases, and attract customers and other members of the community more often.

ThinkingLeslie FarnsworthMay 8, 2024books, businessComment

Month-in-Review Highlights: April 2024

So much flew at my head from so many directions in April that I don’t even know how to organize an update for this summary.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthMay 1, 2024postmortem, goalsComment

Travel that Changes You Rarely Relaxes You

If you’re one of these people who wants travel to change you, you have to give up notions of comfort and ease. Before you balk, let me explain.

WanderingLeslie FarnsworthApril 24, 2024travel, culture, adventureComment

The Story behind Switzerland’s Specific Pet Laws

From having moved internationally more than once, I can say that every country has its own laws about animals. The Swiss laws around pets, though, are unlike anything I’ve yet encountered.

MigratingLeslie FarnsworthApril 17, 2024culture, SwitzerlandComment

Books I've Read: Q1 2024

Somehow, we’ve wrapped the first quarter of 2024? Which means I’ve compiled and tidied up my reading list for the beginning of the year, too.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthApril 10, 2024books, literature, culture Comments

Month-in-Review Highlights: March 2024

I’m more than a little flummoxed to have wrapped the first quarter of 2024, but at least my goals and plans are so far on track. Here’s what I managed—the highlights, anyway—in March.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthApril 3, 2024postmortem, goals Comments

Finding the Best Tour Guides on Travel: Four Tips from my Experience

I wondered how I could winnow out how I’ve found the best tour guides I’ve had on my travels and managed to boil down my experiences to four key tips and tricks.

WanderingLeslie FarnsworthMarch 27, 2024travel, cultureComment

The Decline of the Executive Expat: Three Factors that Killed the Golden “Expat Era”

The era of the classic corporate expat—and the traditional expat in general—has declined precipitously in recent years for three primary reasons.

MigratingLeslie FarnsworthMarch 20, 2024culture, expat Comment

The Story behind the Avignon Bridge and “Sur Le Pont de Avignon”

The history behind the famous medieval bridge in Avignon, France—still shrouded in mystery, after all these years!—and the song about it that every French child knows.

WanderingLeslie FarnsworthMarch 13, 2024France, history, Culture Comments

Month-in-Review Highlights: February 2024

Sure, February this year gave us an extra day—but even without the twenty-four hours of leaping, I’d say I made the most of the month.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthMarch 6, 2024goals, postmortemComment

Alpine Culinary Traditions: Fondue in the Frozen Months

A good winter fondue in the Alpine regions of Switzerland and France is a treat savored with friends and family, especially welcome after several hours in the snow.

WanderingLeslie FarnsworthFebruary 28, 2024Switzerland, France, food, culture Comments

Crepes, Coins, Celebrations: The History and Traditions of la Chandeleur

Who wouldn’t want a feast of crepes? La Chandeleur in France has a long history and a few fun traditions to go with the piles and piles of sweet crepes on everyone’s plates.

WanderingLeslie FarnsworthFebruary 21, 2024France, culture, history Comments

Perfect Taste and Texture, Gooey-Crispy Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

Voilà: My now absolutely all-time favorite, will-eat-the-entire-batch-in-an-afternoon, go-to homemade chocolate chip cookie.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthFebruary 14, 2024food Comments

Month-in-Review Highlights: January 2024

Somehow, January ended. Felt long in some ways, sure, but mostly shockingly short. Nonetheless, I got a lot done and made a good start on tackling my 2024 objectives.

JournalLeslie FarnsworthFebruary 7, 2024goals, postmortem Comments

What We’re Missing with Beauty: It’s Not in the Products

Frankly, we really should apply the principles of healthy eating—what we put into our bodies—to what we put on our bodies.

ThinkingLeslie FarnsworthJanuary 31, 2024beauty, culture, marketingComment