I lean to open sliding doors and step onto the red-tiled lanai. It’s 6 a.m. A canopy of bamboo, trees, and pastel awnings portrays rural privacy. The mango Abby and I planted two years ago curtseys in a breeze, begging applause for her growth. I wonder if she’ll ever bear fruit. Most days, I walk … Continued
As I sit in my airplane seat, I look at the backpack full of workbooks in which I must address. “Alright, I should use these four hours wisely. I have enough time to finish at least one workbook. I can do this.” It seemed only a matter of seconds before realizing the plane was in … Continued
How have three months gone by so quickly?! How is it possible that I only have a month and a half left before I return to the States?! When I left to come here at the end of January I expected to get homesick at least once (maybe not right away but after my Dad … Continued
Costa Rica is known for its exotic surroundings, distinct culture and adventurous activities. When my plane landed in San Jose, Costa Rica that day, I knew that the trip was going to be a memorable experience. As I left the plane and walked through the busy halls I couldn’t help but admire the designs … Continued
After spending two days in Kalinga, a remote village in the mountains of the Philippines, watching Wang-Od (the oldest known tatoo artist) hammer her ash covered thorn into the flesh of other travelers, Marius and I decided to descend the mountain path. The slope was steep but the farewell was steeper. With a heavy heart … Continued
I’d been living in a place of winter, of summer snows and spring shadows. Edmonton is a place where dreamers fall into reality, shave away their hearts on sleeves and hibernate in economic security and bored fantasies. At least, that’s what it was to me. Life on the road left me broke and with nothing. … Continued
The rain has finally stopped. As Hannah helps me with my harness, she turns to the stormy sky, smiles and says, “Lucky you. It’s a beautiful weather to skydive.” Indeed it is. Weights of grey clouds hang high in the sky of Pattaya, but the lustrous blue sky behind them are yearning to break through. … Continued
The Musings of a Backpacker in Canada There are many things that I have come to realize throughout the last few months of travels. Things that under normal circumstances, surrounded by familiarity and comforts, one would likely never think about. With everything I need stuffed indecently into my 75 liter backpack – spontaneity is no … Continued
Break Me Push Me I’d love to see you try We may fall But we can get back up We can be pushed alongside the edge But we can watch our steps We can endure Hell And still have a Smirk on our face We are the fallen, We are the beaten We are the … Continued
An Early Morning Wake Up Call “Even Jesus was not glorified in his own place but rather judged. “ -Unknown It has always been a struggle to prove oneself from where you’re from, people tend to overlook what known you can do because they’ve known you for so long to remember your mistakes but … Continued