THE WATER PALACE IN GRENADA When I was a student, I spent a year in France teaching English as part of my degree course. As chance would have it, I met a Spaniard called Jesús who I spent a lot of time with. He came from Cádiz , which is a coastal city in the … Continued
I have been warned about peacocks going crazy during monsoon season, but on this early June morning, I could not have imagined a louder or stranger sound as the one that awakes me. Soon enough, the door opens, and my host, the beloved grandmother of a dear college friend, urges me to my feet with … Continued
Our plane descends through the clouds and land becomes visible beneath the wings. Great swaths of trees and houses fall away as the plane banks and turns towards the airport. The windows tilt to the sky and the sun spikes in, causing passengers to lower their window shades. I swallow and close my eyes, my … Continued
It is Thursday. We are in Ethiopia, a falling-down bearing-up sort of place where every day, it seems, is a story. Even today, when there is nothing for us to do but walk to the main road in search of a mobile card for my cheap borrowed cell phone. We walk through the alley, itself … Continued
Inspiration. That’s easy, isn’t it? Eating the freshest sushi that Tokyo has to offer. Feeling the cleansing spray of Iceland’s mighty Gulfoss waterfall on your face. Watching a rainbow arc over New York City from the top of the Empire State. Each pretty inspiring, in their own way. All of them I’ve done and consider … Continued
Africa. While there, I am acutely aware of my impermanence on the continent. Beginning from that foundation limits my tendency to procrastinate; it pushes me to live each day fuller. However, as I reflect on my relationship with the continent I wonder whether it is the physical space – or something more – that inspires … Continued
For the dung beetle – a native of this land – the race was on. Before long, the midday heat would ignite the earth so much that the tiny soles of his feet could barely tread the burnished ground below. And so speed was of the essence. He darted to and fro – a daily … Continued
“I’ll show you beautiful, unspoiled Simbuang, “Stanis assures me. He is an anthropologist who hails from Toraja, Indonesia and has helped me interview mothers of young infants, several To Pakianak (traditional midwives) and bidans (contemporary midwives), and To Minah Tato Dena, a spiritual leader of the people who practice Aluk to Dolo, the religion of … Continued
If you thrive off the fast-paced, high-pressured lifestyle which most big cities subject you to, then don’t even think about living in Italy; a country where the trains never run on time, shop owners enjoy three-hour lunch breaks, places close without warning and every meal is slow cooked certainly isn’t for everyone. It took me … Continued
Many different places I’ve been to in my travels have been inspirations in my writings. One place that continues to come back to mind is Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Through being a performing poet and touring writer poetry has granted me the ability to travel to many cities across North America and I haven’t returned to … Continued