“The continent is too large to describe. It is a veritable ocean, a separate planet, a varied, immensely rich cosmos. Only with the greatest simplification, for the sake of convenience, can we say ‘Africa’. In reality, except as a geographical appellation, Africa does not exist.” – Ryszard Kapuściński Visiting...
Camino Life Lessons – Walking the Norte
The sense of accomplishment on finishing a 354 km (226 miles) walk on the Camino de Santiago really can’t be put into words. As we began our last day of walking toward the town of Santiago the entire feeling of the walk changed, I was overcome with excitement and...
“Buenos Dias, Buen Camino”
As mentioned in my previous International Travel post, I believed that walking the Camino de Santiago would really sum up the spirit of the year’s travel journeys and it is turning out to be exactly that. “Solvitur ambulando” (Walking solves all) No I haven’t finished my posts about Africa...
Johannesburg – An Introduction to Africa
Visiting Africa to most people means safari camps, game treks, lions and elephants – in other words a grand adventure. My view of the country was no exception to these preconceived notions and these were the visions swirling around in my head as we made the nearly 24 hour...
Yosemite’s Most Breathtaking Hike
Yosemite National Park – arguably one of the most spectacular National Parks in the United States is literally right in my backyard when I come home. We sometimes forget how amazing the things that are closest to us can be and for me Yosemite is a prime example of...
Tikal – Mayans & Rebels Meet
Deep inside a Guatemalan rainforest the peaks of long ago limestone structures pierce the dense, green canopy of the jungle while howler monkeys wail to greet the rising sun. La densa selva de Petén alberga una de las ciudades más importantes del mundo maya, Tikal, que se distingue por...
To Know is to Love Guatemala
To best learn a language you have to also immerse yourself in the culture of the country. When you are truly interested in the people, their customs and want to see the country is when people will open up to you and provide not only great information but also...
Xela & A New Language
“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things.” ‒ Flora Lewis After a nearly four hour van ride from Antigua I was deposited in front of my new home for the next four weeks in Quetzaltenango,...
Semana Santa en Antigua es Increíble
Antigua Guatemala is a place filled with contrasts. This beautiful town of over 45,000 residents boasts cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, historic significance and wonderful tradition in a valley surrounded by volcanos some of them still active. This was my fist stop in Guatemala – and if you don’t count...
Joshua Tree NP – Whimsically Eccentric
Joshua Tree National Park is popular with the more thoughtful traveler, since there is no spectacular central attraction as is the case with many other Southwest parks, just many square miles of wild, unspoiled desert scenery. “Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources,...