In the midst of depression, it is hard to find any thing to be thankful for, let alone any place. In fact, the depression itself feels like a place, tangible and real. I slid into that place, that slippery slope, following my father’s death. At first I was fine, or thought I was fine. I … Continued
Our school has an event every year where all of the students select a week-long course, which can be travel for educational purposes, travel for volunteering work, or programs to increase physical abilities. It can be overseas or national, but many of the programs are overseas programs. This is my first year participating in this … Continued
It is a jungle without trees. No monkeys grooming each other, but pigeons pecking bread crumbs, the exhilarating smell of exhaust and a couple of lions, carved out of stone. One of them holding the coat of arms of Utrecht which is the fourth largest city in The Netherlands. Its name partially derived from Latin, … Continued
The End of the World According to the locals and to anyone I have spoken to since, it was a rare occasion. Tarbert, on the Isle of Harris, experiencing the perfect trinity; no rain, no wind and no mosquitoes. Free wheeling into the village for the first time, I had spied a lonely jetty and … Continued
In colourful, historic, vibrant Salvador, Bahia you expect to be enchanted by Pelourinho where Michael Jackson famously filmed ‘They Don’t Care About Us’, or pray at the powerful alter of Sr. Bomfim. My heart was captured by this magical State that pulsates to the beat of drums, is shrouded in the mystery of the Afro-Christian … Continued
Once again, my well-worn clothes were carelessly thrown and appropriately squished into my backpack, somewhat empty promises to new-found friends of seeing one another again were exchanged and the usual fear of leaving something important behind crept into my brain. My hands performed the reflex routine of dancing around my bags, feeling for the essentials. … Continued
The sun sinks down behind the calm Sea of Cortez at sunset with ripples of pink, orange, and purple dancing across the waves. The colors remain in the clouds until the last bit of sunlight has disappeared to give way to the bright stars visible from the beach at night. For years, I have … Continued
Thanks for the Ride We had just gotten married, so I was standing on the side of the road with a cardboard sign. My sign said “Grand Canyon,” with about five smiley faces. My new husband stood just behind me trying not to look axe-murdery. There weren’t many cars passing, but when they did we … Continued
Some might say that the big adventures are the reasons to travel and throw yourself at the edges of the earth–climbing the volcanoes, exploring ancient tombs, surfing incredible waves. However I would argue that learning to enjoy the small moments is what traveling is really all about: finding gratitude in each moment when it is … Continued
Travel has taught me not to make plans. Travel has taught me to be grateful for the spontaneity of living a life without expectations and without limitations. To not make plans or to not have expectations does not mean to not have goals, but anyone that has traveled one tiny toe off the beaten path … Continued