 My name is Benjamin Moses Lieb, and this page tells a little about me. My favorite thingsLanguages. Making Music on fiddle, banjo, guitar, euphonium. Singing with my pals. Globetrotting. Dancing swing, tap, contra, clogging, Cape Breton, square, Salsa Rueda. Soccer. Teaching. New cultures. International (spicy!) food. How do I spend my time?Doing the things mentioned above. Unless I’m “working,” of course, which for the past 8 months has consisted of 2 things: 1) Getting my web design company up and running, and 2) Maintaining and designing other people's web sites. Before that (2003) I was Teaching ESL in Quito, Ecuador at the Experiment in International Living. Before that (2002), I was preparing on-line course material for VPI & SU through IDDL, for whom I was a developer (GA), while I was getting my masters degree in language acquisition and education. I also have a steady job doing the photography for and developing the North American Gem Carvers, and McPhee Glass websites. Where do I live and what’s it like?After returning from Ecuador (Jan, '04) I decided to move to Asheville, NC. It’s a wonderful place in many ways. I was attracted to Asheville for its artistic community, its many dance opportunities, and because it might have the highest per capita number of fiddler players in the world. Since my arrival here I've become involved in International Link (a non-profit international community center) and the dance community. I have also become employed by Mission Hospital as a Spanish interpreter. Traveler's paradox?
It's a personal goal of mine to travel the world and get to know its peoples, its cultures, its history, its languages. I've been to and lived in many places and have just returned from South America. But how does one maintain close relationships, family, and community, and trott the globe? Aye, there's the rub. I've given a lot of thought to this question and have found no easy answer. In my mind I envision that I'm traveling along a "hub" or "spokes." The four winds may take me to the far reaches of the Earth, but I always bring myself back to my center, my community, my people. Without this, experience living abroad and everything else is without meaning. |
