Travel Theme: Perspective
Spatial relationships are a funny thing. Look at something from directly above or dead center. Now look at it from down low, up high, or off to the side, and you’ve instantly got… Continue reading
Category Archive: Adventures
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There Goes My Gallbladder
Day 1: The Procedure “Take a deep breath for me,” says the anesthesiologist, placing a mask over my nose and mouth. I inhale. Blurred images from the day swim behind my closed eyelids:… Continue reading
Ziplining in Braulio Carrillo
I once went camping in Yosemite – where somebody presumptuously pitched a tent and inflated an air mattress for me, “the city girl.” (For the record, I was totally ready to rough it.) A… Continue reading
The Pura Vida Experience
Pura Vida /poo-ruh vee-duh/ Spanish for “pure life.” Costa Ricans use this expression to mean many things: Hello! How are you? You only live once, eh? What bad luck. Have a nice day!… Continue reading
Tirimbina Rainforest
The cicadas sing incessantly all around. In a nearby tree, a toucan pecks at the eggs of another bird. An Ornate Hawk-eagle*, perched on a leafless branch, scans the terrain for snakes. 50… Continue reading
Look Mom, I’m on YouTube!
“Jump to the left,” says the VP of Engineering. I jump. I’m a good sport. I’m confused, but I’m more curious. “Now step to the right” says the VP again. I step to… Continue reading
Benvenuta in Italia, A Short Story
Jolting awake with the thunderous sound of a loaded 747 kissing the runway, Caroline begrudgingly opened her eyes and silently cursed airplanes for inhibiting sleep. As she slowly collected her thoughts, the captain’s… Continue reading
Volcano Venture: Mount Pinatubo
In 1991, the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines, impacted millions of people and disrupted the local economy for many subsequent years. Over two decades later, however, the lahar (volcanic ash) that was once… Continue reading
Ziplining at Anvaya
If you happen to find yourself in Subic, check out Anvaya Cove. And if you happen to be at Anvaya, you may as well zipline. Grab your adventure buddy (I’ve got mine here)… Continue reading
Midwest Zest: Cincinnati
Cincinnati is one of those places that, in my opinion, gets an undeservedly bad rap. “There’s nothing there,” you might hear; but did you know that it was once commonly referred to as… Continue reading
A Foreign Perspective
It’s a tad cliché to talk about taking things for granted, but that doesn’t make it any less true. Sometimes you have to be reminded of beauty around you. In all its forms.… Continue reading
Digging Into the Italian Coast
I’m absentmindedly shoveling away another bucket of dirt, and another, until I hear a familiar “Basta.” Enough. I stand upright and use my shovel for support as I catch my breath. When I… Continue reading
Dude, Where’s My Train?
It’s not uncommon to grumble about the Italian train system because it’s not uncommon for trains to be late. It’s not uncommon to be on a train, mid-commute, and experience delays. It’s not… Continue reading
Carnevale di Viareggio
I’ve recently been in Venice when people were dressed for a 15th century masquerade ball. I’ve recently been in Bassano del Grappa to witness a group of walking Lego blocks and a group… Continue reading
Becoming Italian
Everything reminded me of Italy. Prior to this trip, I somehow managed to frequently find an Italian connection in names, words, places, people, and restaurants. In California, I got excited over a “Tuscany… Continue reading
Which Way?
In my youth, I wanted to be a lot of things – CNN news anchor, recording artist, MTV VJ, professional dancer, lawyer, Broadway star, Disney voiceover, novelist. As time went on, I lost sight… Continue reading
Mile-High Style, Part II
I’ve lucked out with another upgrade. This time, it’s on a newer plane that has individual compartments for Business Class passengers. And large TV screens that pop out perpendicular to the panels they… Continue reading
Sagada Sunrise
Fog clouds linger in the valleys below as the sun rises leisurely over the mountain range. We spectators huddle together, shrugging off the cold. I’m waiting for the sunrise in Sagada today. With… Continue reading
Terraces and Clouds
Up the mountainside and along a winding road, we make our way up to Banaue. By now, I should no longer be shocked that some of the houses we pass are the size… Continue reading
Meandering in Macau
Macau’s tourism front is eerily reminiscent of Las Vegas – you’ll see The Venetian, MGM, and Wynn, to name a few of the countless hotels you’ll see. Did I mention the casinos and… Continue reading
Hair Grows
It’s gone! My hair…it’s all gone! Well, not all of it. Just 12 inches. Just one foot. Just 30.48 centimeters. Surprisingly, the sudden snip-snip-snip wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be.… Continue reading
Volcano Venture: Taal
Steam rises from the rocks as we pass the halfway point to the top of Taal Volcano. The sun beats down on us from high overhead, making the gradual uphill climb feel… Continue reading
The Start of Something New
Every exit is an entry somewhere else.” – Tom Stoppard “Finding myself” isn’t quite an appropriate term for what I’m embarking on. Last week was my final week at the office, at least… Continue reading
Home for the Holidays (and Perhaps an Epiphany)
I’ve been remiss in blogging. Since my last post, I’ve decided to take a career break. I’ve been considering it for some time now, and the timing just seemed right. I left home… Continue reading