May 15, 2013 in Destination Guides, Hiking, Trekking, Walking, Nature, USA
“I changed my mind about tomorrow,” he said. “I think we should just do this one again.” I was a little bit taken aback. We go hiking together a lot and returning the same way we came is practically against his religion. And now here we were in Silver Falls State Park with miles of unexplored [...]
May 12, 2013 in Cultural Experiences, Mexico
Happy Mother’s Day! In honor of the day, honoring that most important of persons – Mom, the local newspaper here in Guanajuato published an article listing the uses of the word “madre” (mother) in Mexico. I learned a lot, and it seems to illustrate just why learning a foreign language is so difficult! Here’s a sample: [...]
May 4, 2013 in Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Personal Growth and Travel
The taxi driver is mad at me. He flips a switch to open the trunk, but does not get out and help me with bag as is customary. He doesn’t reply when I wish him a good day. Is this a case where it would have been better to lie? I had gotten the taxi [...]
April 26, 2013 in Cultural Exploration, Destination Guides, Mexico, Sightseeing
My mind was being assaulted with unexpected visions of devil masks and Picasso pictures; flashbacks of peyote-induced yarn paintings. My friend and I were completing our second day in Zacatecas and we were both suffering severe cases of PMED – Post Museum Euphoria Disorder. Like the city where I live, Zacatecas is one of Mexico’s [...]
April 10, 2013 in Asia, Cultural Exploration, Mexico, Middle East & Africa
In the ongoing battle to obtain a second language, I recently subscribed to a new podcast – News In Slow Spanish. As the name implies, it includes an unhurried discussion of current events. However, there is also a section on expressions which they refer to as the “salsa” of the language. It’s certainly true that [...]
March 7, 2013 in Cultural Experiences, Mexico
So if a papeleria is a paper store, and a fruteria is a fruit store, then a ferreteria would be… a ferret store? Nope. It’s actually something much more essential for the adventurous, expat, do it yourselfer – a hardware store. In my constant quest for home improvement, I’ve become a regular at the many [...]
February 28, 2013 in Hiking, Trekking, Walking, Mexico, Nature, Sightseeing
What would happen if the offspring of MC Escher bred with the offspring of Salvador Dali and their child grew up to study art, architecture and landscape design before taking lots of drugs and heading off into the Mexican jungle? Well, I don’t really know what would happen. But it would probably be a lot [...]
February 17, 2013 in Destination Guides, Scuba & Snorkel, Sightseeing, USA
Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau – Place of Refuge You have committed an infraction against ancient Hawaiian law. The system of justice is simple and efficient. You are sentenced to death. Since you live on an island, there is no chance of escape. Or is there? All you need to do is reach Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau, the Place [...]
February 11, 2013 in Cultural Experiences, Sightseeing, USA
Reading travel blogs has made me realize that I’m less of a planner than most. However, I’m not above taking advantage of other people’s planning. So when a friend and I were preparing to go to Washington D.C., I was delighted when she started emailing me about a place called Hillwood. Who would have imagined [...]
January 14, 2013 in Mexico, Nature, Wilderness Adventures
I had been intrigued ever since I heard it described as a blizzard of orange snow. So when a friend came down to visit for her birthday, I said, “Let’s go see the butterflies,” and we headed south to the El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. The driver we have hired guides the car slowly up [...]
{ My Keens have been treating me great! Me and my brother both went on a couple day hike and we both bought new shoes for... } – May 22, 9:05 AM
{ At the moment I'm busy complaining about the two different-sized shoe. Do you have a shoe you recommend? } – May 22, 8:52 AM
{ The suggestions are all just nonsense. You can use an anti-microbial surface that all but eliminates any bacterial growth and then you don't have to... } – May 22, 12:30 AM
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