Why I travel
Take me back. Take me back to rotting garbage on dirty streets, where water is a luxury and stink a certainty. I want to feel unwashed and threadbare sheets on hard beds, and… Continue reading
Tag Archive: America
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Oakland last night: “ethnic” food, architecture, and a gigantic Jesus
The various houses of worship I have seen throughout the world have all impressed me in some way, with their assortment of characters, aesthetics, and iconography. From the Buddhist prayer flags of Myanmar… Continue reading
Is it weird being back in America?
“Is it weird being back in America?” I wasn’t sure how to answer that question. “Not…really.” Adjusting to Stateside norms was pretty easy; I did grow up here, after all. I can handle… Continue reading
Lavender squirrels smoking cigarettes. (See, commas are important.)
I still forget, or maybe just don’t believe, that I actually live here now. Live someplace now. How is that different from visiting it? Should I buy a map and study the streetplan?… Continue reading
A new chapter, and feeling good about it
The flight was smooth, the dogs were adorable, and the sunset looked triumphant. I met the new guy, to whom I am the New Guy, and ate tacos. Eight hours of sleep on… Continue reading
A precise patriotism
Today’s plan kind of sucked. But I’ve had this rental car for too long already, so I’d drive one hour up to San Francisco Airport, then bring a good book or two for… Continue reading
The coffee is always ready at The Alley Cafe
I’m in San Francisco’s Easy Bay, spending my last two days in America at my sister’s house, where her hairless cat is addicted to love like nothing I’ve ever seen. I’m afraid I’ve… Continue reading
Where I’ve been living and what I’ve been loving.
With only a week left in the US, and less than that in Santa Cruz, I have reached the time for goodbyes. I’m eating last meals with friends new and old, and savoring… Continue reading
I hope it doesn’t come as a surprise
Yesterday I went for a walk on one of the dozen stunningly beautiful beaches a few minutes up the coast from Santa Cruz, where the majestic waves of the Pacific Ocean were roaring… Continue reading
I’m deporting myself. (And fair warning, a lot of sex talk.)
I remember thinking that eating in a restaurant or seeing a movie alone were the loneliest, saddest things on Earth. I got over the first one many years (and many passport stamps) ago,… Continue reading
