Beat Nomad
Traveling
How Blogging in the Third World is Frustrating Business
Remember when, back in the day, you’d start up your dial-up internet, most likely with AOL, and your computer would make these obnoxious whrrring sounds, a long, high-pitched eeeeee-rrrrrr, and maybe at some point your family would yell at you to get off the internet because they needed to use the phone? Remember how tediously … Continue reading
Why Travel?
A pensive post on love of travel as I explore La Reunion and Mauritius… The first time I stepped foot on an international flight, I was still in diapers – that annoying toddler that cries, poops themselves, and makes noise at inconvenient times. I promise you I’ve since improved my travel etiquette. The second time, … Continue reading
La Reunion, See You in a Week!
So… readers… I don’t really know any better way to put this… buuut, in less than a week from now, I’ll be in La Reunion! I’m doing my happy dance right now as I type (I know, I’m talented, right?), so, clearly, I’m stoked. I hardly ever write blog posts about future travels, unless I’m … Continue reading
I Am Expat, Hear Me Rant
Sometimes my inner monologue runs something like “AAARRRRRGGGGHHAAAA fdajfdijaldfda pffffftttttttt…..” Usually, this occurs when someone says something totally benign and innocent, but is unaware that they’re the tenth person to say the same phrase on that particular occasion that I have boldly left my house. It ranges from remarks about my language skills – how … Continue reading
The Sustainable Van Question
About a week ago, I passed the fifteen-month anniversary of being in Madagascar, meaning I have less than a year before moving on. So, in lieu with all this “what next” talk, I wanted to throw out an idea I have been toying with, initially as a joke, but that got a few positive head-nods … Continue reading
Scenes from a Beaten Path: Thailand
The humidity felt like a second skin as my new friend and I sat collecting “Chang” and “Leo” cans on a hostel porch. A strange distant sound interrupted our conversation. “What was that?” “It sounded like an elephant…” “Impossible, we’re in a city.” Twenty minutes later two men passed in front of our porch, leading … Continue reading
From Madagascar to Thailand: Getting Off the Red Island
“Okay, let’s get the fuck outta Dodge,” Liz said as we hopped on our mountain bikes and started the long journey from her village at the foothills of Andringitra National Park and up north. We had an hour of biking on rough, dusty roads, then a packed full bus to the nearest town, and another … Continue reading
On Not Missing Home
Twisting around the jumbo-sized pots on glowing, orange charcoal and plastic buckets and basins full of water on the hotely‘s veranda kitchen, was the dining room. Stepping through the narrow, baby blue corridor lined with a wooden sill and about three tables with stools, felt like walking through a family home. The curtains were well-loved, … Continue reading
How Travel Teaches Minimalism
This time next week, all my possessions will be in boxes and backpack again as I prepare to leave Seattle. Yet, last night when I invited a few friends over for a party — all my things still happily lapping up fresh apartment air on shelves and floor space — several of them joked about … Continue reading
Couchsurfing Beyond Travel: Getting Involved in Local CS Communities
The Seattle Freeze “So, you’re new here?” the obviously drunk girl in front of me in line for the bathroom asked, “have you ever heard of the ‘Seattle Freeze’?” “No, I haven’t,” I replied, and as though she were purposely continuing the mystique of the question, she merely said “look it up,” and went to the next … Continue reading
Essentials for the Coffee Addicted Backpacker
In a pinch, boiling coffee in a pot works well enough (the concept is akin to making tea), but with some crafty, portable coffee making options out there, why not be classy? If you have the space, here are 5 portable, affordable brewing ideas:
5 Things I Learned From Sleeping on Couches
Like most of the website’s some 2.5+ million members, I first joined Couchsurfing.org in order to travel differently, meet people living in the places I planned to visit, and possibly host a few. Over the past three years, couchsurfing (CS) has definitely facilitated more than a few adventures and sent some wonderful characters my way, … Continue reading
Fitting Home into a Suitcase
Hidden amongst the homosexual allegories and darkly bizarre scenes in William S. Burroughs’s famous work, Naked Lunch, a conversation between expats takes a quick prod at Americans abroad. “You know how American’s are Kiki,” the character Hans begins, “They love to travel and then they only want to meet other Americans and talk about how hard … Continue reading
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