Surviving without Driving

I’ve had a car with me throughout my life, in high school, through college, down to my first apartment in Washington, DC, and certainly to my new place in North…

finding home: wanderlust?

Since my first move abroad in 2002, I’ve heard the same things over and over: “I wish I could do what you do.” “I’m living vicariously through you.” “You’re so…

From Suramérica to Suburbia

It is inevitable to experience “reverse culture shock” after spending a long period of time abroad.  Culture shock is the experience of a new language, food, people, and trying to…

On Returning

There are three people waiting for me when I get off the plane at the airport in São Tomé e Príncipe: Dany, the driver for Ned (the director of STeP…

No Mentions of Thomas Wolfe

I’m home for the holidays. It’s funny. In the past five and a half years, I’ve lived in two different cities in two different countries. No matter how well I’ve…