Jill Culiner has crossed much of Europe on foot, travelled by bus, train, car and truck. Imagine having lived in a Hungarian mud house, a Bavarian castle, a Turkish cave dwelling, on a Dutch canal, and even in a haunted house on the English moors. Jill has lived this life. And her artistic work is exhibited in cultural centers, galleries and museums across Europe and Canada. 

Jill is truly a kindred-spirit who is a joy to talk to. Her stories reflect her love for life and are juicy tidbits we can all relate to.  Her tales of the history of The Fusgeyers, the thousands of Romanian Jewish men and women who were unwilling to tolerate anti-Semitism and left their country on foot between 1899 and 1907 and headed for the new country, are moving and inspiring. 

These men and women were destitute but resolute, and supported themselves by giving theatrical performances, or by selling stories and poems. In North America, some worked as peddlers, shopkeepers, café and restaurant owners, actors, and writers in the famous Yiddish theatre; others worked in the gold and silver mines, helped build the railway west, or created the Jewish agricultural communities in Western Canada.  My kind of people!

Jill walked in their footsteps across Romania and followed the immigrant trail through Hungary, Austria, Germany, Holland, England, and North America. Her book, "Finding Home," is a detailed account of this amazing Romanian Jewish history and a touching reminder of the courage of our ancestors.

Also on Speaking of Travel,  Owner and Innkeeper Angela Harrell of Cumberland Falls B&B and co-owner of Hike Bike Kayak Asheville shares info on why you will want to include a “Bed and Breakfast” as your vacation option. 

A must listen!

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