All the Way Around it

Chiang Mai was a cute little town full of quaint and sagging old temples, late night carnivals, and even a Starbucks. We rented bikes and explored the old and new city, watched a parade, and learned the secrets to making the perfect dish of Pad Thai, but all of these wonderful things were dulled by [...]

Chiang Mai and the lill kitties.

Mar 3 2012 / 8:09 pm / Thailand

“In going where you have to go, and doing what you have to do, and seeing what you have to see, you dull and blunt the instrument you write with. But I would rather have it bent and dull and know I had to put it on the grindstone again and hammer it into shape [...]

Believe it or Not, I Still Have a Blog!

Feb 8 2012 / 7:35 am /

For the millionth time I cursed my choice of overnight transportation (will I ever ever ever learn??) as I drearily looked out of the window of the mini-van I’d agreed to ride to the Sinai Peninsula on the Red Sea. Fortunately, the sun was rising up behind a stunning mountain range and my discomfort was [...]

Dahab

Jan 14 2012 / 4:48 am / Egypt

Central Europe has a staggering beauty I’d never realized. When I was outlining this trip, I’d pretty much agreed to only go places I’d imagined going someday, places like Spain and Holland, possibly Germany, the Greek islands. It was only when I was experiencing a devout sense of tedium in my one billionth city that [...]

Bled

Sep 12 2011 / 9:10 am / Slovenia

Frankfurt is not a place that gets much credit in the guide book for being awesome. It’s Germanys version of Wall Street, but with less shouting and a more drab cityscape. However, what it lacks in character it makes up for with one very special and unique item: Nick Certha. Nick, my appointed Exchange Cousin, [...]

Pretzels and Parties

Aug 22 2011 / 1:05 am / Germany

Camp Portugal To be honest traveling in Europe, though awesome, had been getting me down. I couldn’t seem to shake the company of teenagers trying to get wasted and cross monuments and cafes off their Lonely Planet guide, something I would have loved 3 years ago but now have apparently no patience for. I realized [...]

Camp Portugal

Aug 10 2011 / 2:54 am /

I hadn’t planned it at all, but it just so happened that i was in Spain with nothing to do the week of San Fermin, or as you may know it, the Running of the Bulls. Hemingway, who just happens to be my favorite author, along with countless other authors and musicians, write endlessly about [...]

Awesome 30: Running of the Bulls

Jul 21 2011 / 8:32 am / Spain

Sometimes, things are too awesome for words, but I will try, for the sake of 30DaysofAwesome. My dad and stepmom had told me that the Palio was something that could not be understood, and they were correct. This 3 minute horse race has found a place among My Favorite Experiences, up there with getting Samoan [...]

Awesome 23: Palio

Jul 8 2011 / 2:38 am / Italy

It took a few days in Sienna before I officially chose the Contrada I would be rooting for, but from the moment I learned the different mascots I knew (and I’m sure you all did too) that I would choose the kitten, Pantera. If you’ve ever taken a science class, you know cats are not [...]

Awesome 22: Another One about Panthers

Jul 2 2011 / 4:19 am / Italy

We rose with the sun, and after an awesome Italian breakfast of fresh croissants and cappuccinos, we headed back to the town square for another practice race. We found out that if you don’t get there in time, they will shut you out of the square and you’re left fighting for a spot along the [...]

Awesome 21: Palio Day 2/Sunflowers!

Jul 2 2011 / 4:13 am / Italy