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I was drawn to Vietnam for the color, but fell in love with it, in part, because of the warmth of the people. This little boy was a favorite. Driving down the road en route to Sapa, we happened across a group of stunningly attired Dao women and children. They graciously invited us to come see their preparations for a tribe-wide harvest festival taking place in the next couple of days. We were delighted at being allowed a glimpse into the routine. As exotic as their appearance was, however, there was something very familiar about the scene with the men building games for the festival, the women washing dishes for the feast, and the children playing, eating and showing off for us. This little boy, deftly eating rice with his chopsticks, was a favorite. He played for the camera and allowed us to snap away.

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Boy with Chopsticks
by Sally Silverman, Wyncote, PA

Sally's Dream Trip
The colors, the tastes, the sounds and cultures of India

As long as I can remember I have been drawn to the colors, the tastes, the sounds and the myriad cultures of India.

My dream trip starts when we land in Delhi. We'll take a day to tour the narrow roads and colorful bazaars of the old town, before heading for Rajasthan. Here, my husband and I will wander the pink-walled city of Jaipur and the lakeside splendor of Udaipur, be awed by the Taj Mahal, intrigued by the tribal people of the Jamba region and allow time to experience the Pushkar Camel Fair. We'll live like royalty at palace hotels, including a tented suite at the Oberoi Rajvilas, and dine like Maharajas on succulent skewered meats wrapped in roti, rich red curries and vermillion-hued tandoori.

Then we're off to the stunning Pashan Garh Panna Wilderness Lodge, to track the majestic Bengal tiger from the back of an elephant. En route we'll stop to view the legendary erotic carvings at the ancient temples at Khajuraho.

From the arid north we'll head south to Kerala where we'll explore the tranquil waterways in a houseboat, stopping to wander plantations fragrant with cardamom and nutmeg. We'll bear witness to ancient Jewish, Chinese and Portuguese roots in Cochin and, with luck and good timing, witness the joyous festival of Onam, full of flowers and song. I can almost taste the fresh seafood, and will make a mission of finding the perfect, fiery hot coconut prawn curry.

We'll also seek out opportunities to share our good fortune in ways that are valuable to the communities we visit. Connecting with people and giving back will make our experience that much richer.

Having feasted our senses, we will head for home, filled with memories of India's vibrant, colorful and complex cultures.

Sally's Travel Tips

• Research the local calendar before you leave. You don't want to miss a fabulous, festive celebration because you landed the day after it took place.

• Surprise the locals in the country you are visiting by learning how to say, in their language, "It's a lovely day" or "Thank you" or "What a beautiful child." They will be flattered and appreciative, and, because you are engaging them, it will enrich your experience immeasurably.

• Buy local crafts as souvenirs. Choose items that will really be integrated into your life when you get back home—a beautiful bread basket, a ceramic olive oil carafe, hand-woven napkins—and they will be constant reminders of your travel experiences. For me it's craft jewelry and, whenever possible, I take a photo of the artist holding the piece to enhance the memory.