Articles written by Tracy Bee

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About me - Tracy Bee

Previously the Site Steward for Helium's Southeast Asia Travel and Hawaii Travel sections, she is a woman on the move. In fact, she may pop up anywhere. Her affliction for embarking on global exploits is virtually unmatchable. She can often be seen racing

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Entertainment > TV Genres & Trends Why people get sucked into soap operas: 1 of 27

In America, Soap Operas define daytime television. It is virtually impossible to turn on the television in the afternoon and not encounter one of these daytime dramas. From noon until late afternoon, business tycoons like Victor Neuman and other equally cliched, yet somehow captivating, characters dominate the airwaves on AB...
Travel > Travel Planning & Advice Are guided or solo tours better when traveling?: 1 of 20

I am a faithful believer in the doctrine of solo travel. I have resolutely avoided becoming just another tourist. I have traveled throughout the world yet never once have I been part of an organized tour. Guided tours are most often about spectacle - the arrival in new places and photographing of its strangeness, only to tel...
Travel > Africa & Middle East Destinations Travel destinations: Egypt: 1 of 14

Egypt is nothing short of spectacular. Everywhere you look, your senses will be indulged. I recently spent nearly six weeks touring Egypt, and even with that much time was unable to take it all in. If you plan to do anything more than a basic Egypt tour, plan for at least two weeks. Although, even then, your exposure to the ...
Travel > Africa & Middle East Travel Diaries Travel experiences: Egypt: 1 of 9

After weeks of touring around Egypt that ended magnificently on the Sinai Peninsula, I caught a minibus back to Cairo. I must say, despite traveling solo, I felt incredibly safe in Egypt. The Egyptians are incredibly kind and gracious to visitors. So, while others worried about me, I was completely calm. Well, unless I was s...
Travel > Travel Planning & Advice The tourist versus the traveler: 1 of 9

Who could argue with the legendary Mark Twain? Here's what the famed wanderer had to say about travel's significance: "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in...
Travel > Destination Guides (Other) The most beautiful cities in the world: 3 of 13

Truly, there are too many beautiful cities in the world to contain in one article. However, to make such a selection easier, I can narrow them down based on thbeauty of their striking monuments. GRANADA, SPAIN Granada has always held a special place in my travel memories due to its magnificent Alhambra. Beginning in the 800s...
Travel > Europe Travel Diaries Travel experiences: A trip to London: 4 of 17

Is it possible to experience London in five hours? The sprawling, colourful, culture-filled capital that is London, all in a mere five hours? Indeed, it is. While I was living and working in London not so long ago, a Canadian friend - who was be in London for less than half a day during a quick stopover after enjoying a Medi...
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Out of bounds: 9 of 33

Advance, advance, reach out of bounds and advance. Nearby may be your wellspring. To find it, you must advance. Reach out of bounds. Individualize your circumstance. Advance, advance, my inner voice tells me to advance. In my heart I feel a flicker. A thought ignited to a flame. Now its warmth feeds through me. Finally, I ha...
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Why travel: 21 of 72

There is one question that will always upset me. Yet, I always seem to hear it. Friends and family seem to love it. The question - "why travel?" This question pulls at my heart-strings. I equate it with asking "why live?" Unless someone is waxing philosophical, you'll rarely hear anyone questioning the point of life though. ...
Politics, News & Issues > US Elections Does the press pick presidents?: 8 of 24

In 1787 Thomas Jefferson stated, "were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate to prefer the latter." He saw the newspaper as a "free organ of communication designed to instruct the people." Indeed, in his legacy, the paper appe...