Back in the paleotechnic dawn of the 21st century, my mother’s request was understandable. “Just call me once a week to let me know you’re alive,” she said, as I wandered off across… Continue reading
Someone lived here. That’s the thing that boggled my mind, as I leaned into the wind, peering at the fuzzy shapes of dunes through the mesh of my cheap hooded shirt pulled across… Continue reading
Iceland, for me, was a vacation from traveling. I had few cultural experiences there (one that threatened projectile vomit), met few Icelanders (guys in a bar explained how to avoid dating one’s cousin… Continue reading
They tell me this is one planet. All the same one. But I’m not sure I believe them. Because I remember walking down a backstreet in San Salvador, where children stopped their… Continue reading
He made the pupusa girl smile. Her mother laughed, and I probably blushed. Their reactions were the most common, smiles and laughter, and I saw them again and again on face after face… Continue reading
The buses all had places to go, and gas to burn to get there. The expressionless faces of passengers (some things are universal) turned towards me through rattling window panes as I waited… Continue reading
El Salvador uses the US dollar, and since going to the ATM is always a good opportunity for robbery (by thugs, or even worse: the banks) and/or excessive “I’m Jason Bourne” playtime, I… Continue reading
At first, it seems like one’s travel computer going on the fritz on the eve of a trip would be a bad thing. It probably is. But right this second, the lack of… Continue reading
I told a Salvadoran friend of mine that I would be passing through his country, and asked what he thought I should do there. His response surprised me. “You’re going to El… Continue reading
I couldn’t find a child. I’ve never had that problem before. Of course, I’d never had this particular mission either, but it was an irregular day. After MPicchu, I had just enough… Continue reading
What do you do when you’re thirsty and footsore after ten hours of walking, relaxed after watching the sunset in the hot springs, and surrounded by new and brilliant friends? You drink chicha!… Continue reading
