Giant local parking lot, with not a building or a person in sight… I recently moved back to the US after living abroad as an urban Peace Corps Volunteer in…
Close of Service: Goodbye, Peace Corps Colombia!
On Dec 6, 2013, I rang the bell marking the “Close of Service,” or COS, of my Peace Corps Service in Colombia. My service, like most things anticipated since forever,…
Pumpkin Pie Thanksgiving Abroad
This year will mark my third Thanksgiving in Colombia. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I have a conveniently large group of North Americans to celebrate with. Every Thanksgiving, Volunteers and…
Veterinarian Visits Abroad
Spread the word about castration! -Zanycat 😉 On a sunny morning a few weeks ago, I walked down the street receiving more than my fair share of strange looks. In…
The Secret to Having an Awesome Adventure Vacation
Happiness studies have shown that pre-vacation anticipation gives as much or MORE happiness than the vacation itself. Within days of returning, vacationers don’t report being happier than those who never…
Providence Island and Its Seven-Colored Sea
It’s not easy to get to Providence Island, but after experiencing what it has to offer, it’s even harder to leave. Providence is the smaller of Colombia’s two sublime islands…
4 Reasons to Be an International Gym Rat
Do you workout while you’re traveling? How about when you live abroad? Image from guardian.co.uk article. Last month, I did something I never thought I’d do during my time as a…
Friends, Young and Old: Changing Your Perception of What Makes a Friend
Five months ago, I was sitting on the sofa at a friend’s house. I took a sip of my Bloody Mary and then frowned a little, looking around. There were…
Nature v. Nurture: On Noise and Dancing
After a year and a half of Peace Corps service in Barranquilla, Colombia, I think I’m closing in on about as “integrated” as I will be. Two things I still…
Minca Magic
Sometimes magic is hard to find. Then there are those lucky days, when it’s simply everywhere. A few weeks ago, I traveled to my favorite place on the Colombian coast…
Barranquilla Carnaval, 2nd Time Around
It’s not everywhere in the world where months of raucous, citywide, business-paralyzing parties are not only permitted, but heavily encouraged. As the home of the second biggest Carnaval in the…
A trip home, and some thoughts about (Peace Corps) success
Huddled over a cayenne-and-cinnamon-spiced mug of almond milk-hot chocolate, wriggling my toes in striped wool socks while snow fell outside, I knew I was home. Home for a week-long visit,…
For the love of…meat?
I have a confession to make. I feel I have to make it before the holidays, since I’ll be home with my beloved family and friends who should probably know…
Heard ‘Round the World
In the Peace Corps, we are not supposed to discuss politics. Not local ones, not ones back home. In the most neutral of times at my site in Barranquilla, Colombia,…
Coffee fun for everyone
Even if you don’t drink coffee, Colombia’s Coffee Triangle is a magical place to visit. I hesitate to write this. If I do, you might race and get your plane…