When we travel there is a particular aspect of human civilization that most people tend to try to avoid.  Poverty.  Most people don’t want to see it, smell, or experience it in any way.  I can completely understand and relate to this.  For the most part, when people are traveling on vacation, it’s a brief […]

My home and my life are full of the random crap that I’ve picked up along the way, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  It’s interesting to me to look around and see the assortment of things I’ve hung on the walls around me.  Artwork from the Pacific Northwestern U.S. hangs on one wall, […]

Her name was Keiko, – at least that’s what I imagine it to be.  She never told me her real name.  Our time together in the Narita International Airport outside of Tokyo was brief, but her touch would stay with me forever. I was traveling back from a trip to China in the early years […]

Last week while I was working, I looked up and was struck by the change in the sunlight coming in through the blinds.  I realized it was the start of autumn, and the itch to travel took hold.  The next few weeks are the perfect time to hit the road for a New England expedition.  […]

Recently, I spent a few lazy summer days traveling around the great state of Alabama.  The motto of the state is “Alabama the beautiful,” and it really is fitting.  The geographic diversity of Alabama is nothing short of amazing.  From the white sugar beaches in the south, the flat farmlands of the black belt, the […]

When flying, tradition and social norms dictate that certain rules must be followed by you and your neighbor: Greet each other when first meeting, but names are not necessarily to be exchanged. Apologize if you have to climb over one another to get to your seat. Politely make small talk about how crowded the flight […]

If you want to gain insights into a different culture’s, well, culture, there are a variety of ways to go about the process.  For some people, it involves trips to museums while traveling in a new city.  Others read ferociously about their destinations. While some brave souls simply choose to wander the streets of their […]

If you’re looking for a quick getaway this time of year, Iceland might just be the perfect choice for the ambitious traveler.  It’s a four-hour flight from the East coast, and you can get a direct flight from Boston or New York City.  A long weekend is really the perfect way to experience the culture […]

Hmmmm.  That’s a good question. I first traveled to Europe in 1992, going to England and France.  Since then I’ve traveled not only  throughout Europe, but also through Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.  I’ve also traveled all over North America. Today, I find that people are regularly asking me for information or for advice about […]