While organizing my new apartment in Chicago, I stumbled across a cute (and very seldom-used) journal I had purchased in Colombia in an attempt to write daily. I then wrote…
Meditation on the Road…
When I used to hear the word “meditation,” the only picture that would pop in my head was of Buddhist monks wrapped in orange sitting diligently while apparently thinking of…
A Detroit DROUGHT
Go Girl is not just about true stories of harvesting Colombian coffee and poignant memories of Madrid. Go Girl is about women on the run and working their bums off…
Cultivating Colombian Coffee
When I tell people that I just moved back from Colombia, there are a few questions thrown at me in any order: Was it safe? Are you crazy? Are there…
My First “Real” Adventure
Looking at my last three or four years of travel, I’m amazed how far I’ve come as a traveler (Moscow, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Colombia, Vancouver, Mexico City, and more)….
Tejo: Finding My Inner Frat Boy
If you like playing bags (or cornhole, corntoss, whatever) or horseshoes AND harmless explosives, go to Colombia and locate a “Tejo” court. I am 100% positive you will be pleasantly…
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…
Nicole’s 2010 Top 10
After reading Meg’s Top 10 list last week, I have seated myself down to reflect on a whirlwind 2010 that took me on foyr major travels and numerous roadtrips. Here’s…
Following Márquez in cartagena
Dostoevsky had Moscow, Dickens had London, and Neruda had Valparaiso. Many writers have painted beautiful (or beautifully depressing) snapshots of cities, making us feel like we’ve visited and walked the…
Colombian Grocery Stores: Samples Galore!
My balcony overlooks the beautiful parking lot of Éxito, Colombia’s Walmart. It isn’t the best view of Medellín, but needless to say, I’m an Éxito regular. I go six times a…
Pride and Pageantry, Colombia
Miss Sea Party, Miss Panela (Sugarcane), Miss Fish Season, Miss Potato, Miss Coffee Farmer, Miss Good Shepherd… these are just a few beauty pageants you could attend if visiting Colombia….
The Best Place in the World for Christmas?
All of the guidebooks are right. Medellín, Colombia is hands-down one of the best places in the world to celebrate Christmas. Christmas in another country can spark a bit of…
Free Things to Do in Any City
Since my budget is pretty much within the “nothing to under $5” range at the moment with a dwindling savings account and very unreliable “paychecks,” I’ve been trying to get…
If This Sweater Could Talk…
I am having a common predicament this morning. I sit on my floor contemplating which part of the day to dress myself for. My options: the hot and sunny morning,…
The Love-Hate Relationship
My relationship in Colombia makes me crazy. One day I love it, one day I hate it. At times I’m so in love I’m beaming and the next hour I…