It hits you like a brick wall, the humidity engulfing your senses with a mixture of street spices and cold hard cash. The London red double decker buses fly through the twisting streets, paved a century before. Beneath your feet, the MTR snakes through the dirt like an octopus reaches for it’s prey. The sinister … Continued
The Escalante was the last river discovered in the lower forty-eight. To call it remote is a weak understatement. It is a deep , vast maze of Utah slickrock, petroglyphs, snakes, mountain lions, and ancient ruins left by the mysterious Anasazi. I arrived alone, one year to the day after my heart had crapped … Continued
Being Brave in Brazil for the Sake of Others I have always felt a need to help people, especially those in need, and those who are being oppressed. Living in Australia, being a white, middle class, heterosexual male, I am probably among the least oppressed people in the world, so I have often found myself … Continued
Spain: These Legs are Made for Walking I knew this trip was one I really wanted. After all, I’d been planning for almost two years. I’d applied for two or three different credit cards, just for free air miles to get me across the world. I spent all summer long reading books about this … Continued
I’ve decided that now I have two birthdays’ dates: the day I was born and the day we have arrived in Gravina in Puglia, Italy: July 24. Father of three and grandfather of one, my husband became a very sentimental person and decided to get the Italian Citizenship to honor his grandfather Felippo Losacco. Could … Continued
The sun is setting as I wander through Seurasaari Island in Helsinki, Finland. Bright leaves are scattered over the pathways. A breeze is picking up from the sea and rustling through the branches of the trees to caress my face. I keep my hands in my pockets because when they are out now they begin … Continued
My wife Cheryl and I settled on a two-week British adventure: one week in London and a second week driving around southern England. Despite having driven in England once before, doubts started to creep into my thoughts about one minute after booking the trip. Would a 64-year-old brain still retain the ability … Continued
Hidden Wonders in the USA Who would have thought an island in the middle of a river would have anything worth seeing. But you really have to visit Blennerhassett Island in the middle of the Ohio River in Parkersburg, WV. From the main land side it looks just like an overgrown island of nothing but … Continued
“Shhh, it’ll be okay,” I’m consoling the bawling woman, “be strong. You’re brave.” Till 30 minutes ago I didn’t even know she existed and here I am now, playing Big Sister to her in the air-conditioned confines of a Delhi hospital. It’s neutral ground for us both—she has come from a coastal Indian town whereas … Continued
Kiev is the heart of the Ukrainian soil. Its even, soothing beats are born in the humble whispers of the growing wheat, echo in the quiet murmur of the Dnieper, and clearly announced by the festive ringing of the bells. Your own heart skips a beat when you first set foot in the city and … Continued