Not Quite Hi Ho Silver in the USA A grainy Kodachrome slide shows me sharing a saddle with a park ranger somewhere in California. My look of sheer terror tells the whole story. At the age of five, I made a lifelong decision to avoid horses. When I was 12 peer pressure caused me to … Continued
‘Well, if you feel like you should go volunteer in South Africa, then go.’ I starred at the screen of my iPhone, reading the words from my mother over and over again in disbelief. I had been talking about volunteering in South Africa for months, but for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to spend the … Continued
There is a special magic about first times. The first time that I screwed up my courage, took the leap of faith and jumped outside of my comfort zone, I landed in Xalapa, Mexico. Unaccompanied, I traveled to a place where the only person I knew from home was my faculty advisor, Dr Tony Serna. … Continued
“If I live through this, I will consider myself reborn” I thought, clinging to my 14 year old daughter’s shirt to avoid sliding off the Rajnee the elephant. We were riding the leathery gray giant as she swayed her way up a stone staircase. Bella and her 10 year old sister Sophia sat between the … Continued
We lean against the damp brick wall in the candlelit building, rushing water and chanted intonations echo around us. One by one, the candles are put out and our attention is guided inwards. We meditate together, standing in the silence. Cold waters gush up from the ground. Three knocks on the thick wooden door and … Continued
It was my last day in Varanasi – I would catch an east-bound train that night. I awoke early and headed into the twisting warrens of the old city to visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple. I was told that I should go early in the morning before it gets “crazy”. And to bring my passport … Continued
Landing in Egypt, the total tourist destination that was Sharm El Sheikh did not evoke a sense of bravery or boldness. In fact driving through Sharm El Sheikh was like an American dream of hotels and swimming parks. The sense that we were just passing through, this is what evoked that thing deeper inside of … Continued
What are the odds? This is my new favorite game. My friends introduced it on our recent road trip from Tennessee to Idaho. One person in the group thinks of a task for someone else to complete, and challenges that person by asking “what are the odds” that he/she will do it. If they are … Continued
I never much liked the word “vacation.” Sure… the implication is wonderful. Vacant. Devoid of the stress and worry of real life. It can be that way. When you’re lying on the right stretch of beach, doglegged just enough around a grove of exotic trees to obscure the other tourists and most of the … Continued
Don’t mess with Texas “Don’t mess with Texas”, that is the first thing I’ve learn before visiting Houston. But like what Chris Brogan said “ welcome to day one, you are the superhero you’ve been waiting for.” What I did not expect is to learn and say, “Don’t mess with me”. As a cabin crew, … Continued