“Scenic route” said the sign on the side road, and nothing more. Too quaint to pass up in this quaintest of countries, so I took it, motoring on up into the hills for miles, until the road faded into a shadow of a goat path, replete with real goats. I shivered. It was just after … Continued
After 12 hours in the air, the plane finally kissed the ground. One bounce, then back in the air, as if deciding whether to stay or keep carrying her weary passengers to farther lands. I prayed in my heart she would stay ground-bound. Tanzania was far enough for me. Tanzania would surprise me almost every … Continued
“Open your mouth. Open your mouth and let the words fall out.” This phrase repeated through my brain like rubber track on a treadmill, calming and taunting me in an endless cycle. As a child, I always dreamed of learning another language. I wanted to share secrets with people of another country, culture, world, and … Continued
Trees on the Ridge When I looked over the photos I took at Bryce National Park memories come flooding back. I can remember one of the walks from the car to the path, there were small banks of snow I had to cross as well as muddy areas I had to skirt. To most people … Continued
Burnt Offerings After Adelaide, South Australia, was hit by severe wildfires last month, it was with some reluctance that I visited one of the scenes of the fire. The new year catastrophe had cost South Australia dearly. The final tally was 27 houses destroyed, 125 outbuildings razed to the ground and over 130 … Continued
Saad R. Siddiqui A Life Changing Delusion in Pakistan Clamorous sounds of car honks and persuasive yet furtive shop owners reverberated in my ears and blended into the polluted air. The thick and dry air parched my throat as the sun’s heat engulfed the city of Karachi, Pakistan. I walked along the unpaved “sidewalks” … Continued
Sydney wasn’t at the top of my most desired places to go on my trip around the world. Africa was first, since that was the reason why I had planned the trip in the first place, but I definitely thought I would love Thailand more than Sydney. When I arrived in Sydney, it was freezing … Continued
On Hold It’s nine thirty in the morning. Intrudingly bright sunrays are piercing their way through the curtains, almost peeling them back, forcing me to face the day. Waves crash on the hard-packed sand outside the house, which statuesquely stands alongside Pacific Coast Highway between Santa Monica and Malibu, in which I’m staying. Aside … Continued
The Meriken Park in Kobe, Japan’s port area is a lovely place to enjoy an evening or pay a visit to the iconic red Kobe port tower. It is a place filled with tourists and locals enjoying the view of the ocean with ritzy hotels and a mall surrounding them. However, … Continued
From the Cliff in Indonesia Before I traveled to Bali, Indonesia, I thought I knew what paradise was, since I was born and raised on Oahu, Hawaii. The rich, exotic culture, which is steeped in vibrant Hindu traditions, the lush and mountainous landscape, and premier surf spots are only some of the aspects that entranced … Continued