In 1987, Rita, newly divorced, set out to live her dream. She sold all her possessions and became a nomad. She wrote a book about her ongoing journey and, in 2001, insisted on putting her personal e-mail address in the last chapter—against all advice. It turned out to be a fortuitous decision. She has met thousands of readers, stayed in their homes, and sat around kitchen tables sharing stories and food and laughter. In this essay collection, Gelman includes her own further adventures, as well as those of writers and readers telling tales of the shared humanity they experienced in their travels. The stories are funny and sad, poignant and tender, familiar and bizarre. They will make you laugh and cry and maybe even send you off on your own adventure. Also included are fabulous international recipes such as vegetarian dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), chiles en nogada (stuffed poblano chiles topped with a white cream sauce with walnuts and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds), and ho mok (an extraordinary fish-coconut custard from Thailand). Happy reading—and bon appétit, selamat makan, buen provecho! “Rita serves up a tasty smorgasbord of stories—funny, heartwarming, and quirky. These tales remind us of what we seek in our own life's journey: a meaningful connection with people we meet and joy in finding new friends in unexpected places. Whether you choose to stay home or start packing, these stories will stir you." —Maya Frost, author of The New Global Student   “Charming - a wonderful gift for your nomadic friends. The book will inspire you to travel, to cook, and, to get your own stories committed to the page!” —Julie Conover, PassportToAdventure.com , Host & Producer   “Rita and friends take you on a virtual and culinary global adventure that is sure to evoke a range of emotions. A must-read for both the armchair and active traveler.”—Beth Whitman, author of Wanderlust and Lipstick guides for women travelers.   “Rita Golden Gelman’s book pulsates with life’s flavors—both in the stories and the recipes that accompany them. Remarkably, all royalties will be donated through two Rotary clubs to provide scholarships for young adults in a Delhi slum.    As a Rotarian myself, I salute Rita and savor her book. So will you.” —Karin Treiber, PhD, Rotarian, Minneapolis, Minnesota. “Thanks to Rita and her friends, the world just got a little smaller.  This inspirational book simultaneously illustrates how large and small our global community has become.  By sharing recipes, customs, and lives, we are ushered through an exotic world of experiences.” —John O. Hishmeh, Executive Director, Council on Standards for International Educational Travel “These wonderfully poignant stories speak to the inner-nomad in all of us, reminding us of the joy and warmth we feel when sharing laughter, tears, and meals across cultures.” —Sara LaRosa, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Tonga 2006-2008 Rita Golden Gelman is the author of more than 70 children’s books, including  Inside Nicaragua , which was one of the ALA’s Best Young Adult Books of 1988, and  More Spaghetti, I Say!,  a staple in every first-grade classroom. As a nomad, Gelman has no permanent address. Her most recent encampments have been in Mexico and New York City. My Favorite Organization Ever Rita Golden Gelman Being a part of Servas is like having family all over the world. It's actually better than family. People join Servas because they want you to visit them when you are in their country. Not always the case with family. Since I have no home, I'm always a traveler and never a host. Servas visits are for two nights, and everyone (hosts and travelers) is screened in a face-to-face interview. Servas charges a small annual membership fee, and travelers pay a deposit for host lists in the countries they want to visit. During the visits, however, no money changes hands. My first Servas visit was with Gabi and Batsheva in Tel Aviv in 1988. Before the trip, I saw their names in the Israel host book; I wrote asking if I could stay with them when I visited. They welcomed me as they would an old friend. They fed me, toured me, guided me, and shared their stories as I shared mine. I helped with the cooking and clean-up and bought a meal or a snack here and there. After only one day we felt so close that we decided their single son, then living in the Dominican Republic, and my single daughter, then living in New York, should marry! Never happened, but we did have fun planning the meeting and discussing the wedding. It was wonderful getting to know them. Their love for each other made being with them a pleasure. Gabi and Batsheva met in an orphanage. Their parents were killed by the Nazis. During and after the war, the surviving kids were taken from Europe to an orphanage in Palestine. The two found themselves among the oldest children there and ended up working on the same projects and caring for the younger kids together. They fell in love. Batsheva