Even though the rain has ceased, Spring has sprung, and cherry blossoms are in full bloom throughout the city of Portland, their pink and white petals boasting vitality, my mind still wanders. I suppose this will always be the case; if my feet cannot roam, my imagination will. Meditations of the Caribbean pervade me: warm … Continue reading Things Remembered, Names Forgotten
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
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
If you know me, you know that I am not much of a morning person. I have missed out on a lot of things in life that take place in the AM. You know, plane flights, breakfast, sunrises at Angkor Wat, trips to the Mekong Delta. This is one thing I struggle with while traveling, … Continue reading Early Morning Llamas in Machu Picchu
This past summer, one of my best friends and I set on a road trip in my car, whom I affectionately call "Betsey". I'd been wanting to take this trip for years. I'd done the south-bound trip on the I-5 in California far too many times, and wanted something different. With the windows rolled down, the … Continue reading Seattle’s Fremont Troll
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
In the year 2005, I was lucky enough to volunteer at a wild animal refuge in Tambillo, Ecuador. La Hacienda Santa Martha rescues endemic animals that are being trafficked, kept as pets, used in circuses, or abused in other forms. It is a wonderful establishment tucked away in the flora of north Ecuador's … Continue reading The Sole Ecuadorian Jaguar
After spending almost eight months living in Argentina and backpacking around South America, I decided enough was enough. I needed to see the glaciers in Patagonia no matter what. I booked a flight and headed out the next day from Buenos Aires. A big mistake I made was failing to reserve a dorm room, as … Continue reading The Beauty of Perito Moreno
Located about six hours northwest of Tokyo, nestled in Yamanouchi, Nagano, the Jigokudani Monkey Park is a semi-wild primate sanctuary. The Japanese Macaques are very calm creatures that roam freely around the park, playing with each other, grooming each other, munching on bananas, and indulging in the natural hot water spring in the center of … Continue reading Japanese Macaques
