Colombia. Drugs. Violence. Guerrillas. Death. Corruption. There is a common misconception within the US- and other first world countries- that these words are synonymous. I decided to write my Master's thesis on La Violencia, or "The Violence", in Colombia to prove that this notion was terribly false. From 1948 to 1958, the country experienced a massive … Continue reading Streets and Scenes of Bogota
Japan is one of the most wondrous countries I've been to. The food is great, the people are very polite and fashionable, trains are always on time, beer is sold out of vending machines, neon signs overwhelm your eyeballs, tattoos are still taboo, and beauty is everywhere. It's a crazy, spectacular, mind-boggling island that would … Continue reading Himeji-Jo in Japan
Back in 2005, I had the chance to visit one of the world's oldest UNESCO World Heritage sites. Teotihuacan, located about 45 minutes northeast of Mexico City, Mexico, was built by the Teotihuacanos sometime between the 1st and 7th century, A.D. Its massive structures include the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Moon, and … Continue reading Nuns at Teotihuacan
Stark Street Blues "Romancing the Stone" = Romanticizing the Zone I don't really remember that movie, but I do recall how much I wanted to be here. How much I wanted to go there how I worked and worked and saved and sacrificed money and time and friends and jobs and careers and family and … Continue reading Stark Street Blues
Admittedly, the beginning of 2013 was quite a dreary one. As I wrote in the past, the months of February and March meant the end of an engagement, but also the beginning of a completely new life for me. I realized what it truly meant to love myself, and what I had been giving up in a futile attempt to … Continue reading 13 Unforgettable Moments in 2013
The Lama Temple, formally known as the Yonghe Temple, is one of the many historical sites in Beijing, China. Constructed in the late 17th century primarily as an imperial palace, it later became a place of worship for Tibetan Buddhists. It is known for its 85 foot, or 26 meter, statue of the Maitreya Buddha. While … Continue reading Lama Temple Wishes
Dia de los Muertos is a holiday observed in Mexico on November 1st and 2nd, where people celebrate the lives of those that have passed away. Altars are set up everywhere in honor of the dead; food, alcohol, cigarettes, pictures, and anything else that the dead may have liked are set out as an offering, for … Continue reading Dia De Los Muertos in Mexico
Vietnam was always high on my list of places to visit. As far as I can remember, my father had always talked about the Vietnam War. He was drafted just after he and my mother married at the age of twenty and nineteen. They married so young in hopes that my dad wouldn't receive that dreaded … Continue reading The Aftermath of War
Talking with one of my friends a few weeks ago, I expressed how there were so many things I still wanted to do in life. Her bright eyes widened, looking into mine, and she exclaimed, "You're not dead yet!" I had to laugh at this- laugh at myself. For some reason, it always seems to me … Continue reading You’re Not Dead Yet! Bucket Lists: Part I
I was watching "Howl" last night, the movie starring James Franco as Allen Ginsberg. It is comprised of three main narratives: Allen being interviewed in his apartment, Lawrence Ferlinghetti being tried in court for publishing Ginsberg's poem "Howl"- which was considered obscene- and a trippy animation vision of the poem, word by word. There are also minor … Continue reading What’s an Angel-Headed Hipster?
