I stared out of the dusty train window at rows and rows of wooden houses. They seemed to go on for miles and, as the train slowed down, I assumed we must be nearing the train station – and arriving at my first destination after a 62 hour journey from Vladivostok. Instead, we just kept […]
Discovering Buddhism & Buryatia in Ulan Ude Read More »
How would your life be different if you had never learned to read? If you live in the United States or Canada or Australia or any of a number of other first-world countries, it is kind of hard to fathom never learning to read. I know I can’t imagine it. I was a
Passports with Purpose: Help Build Libraries in Zambia Read More »
Prior to this trip, the longest I had ever spent out of the country at one time was 23 days back in 2001. As of today, I have been traveling for 92 days. Three months. I thought a lot about writing this post because, well, sitting on a train for 32 hours with “roommates” who
10 Things I Think About 3 Months on the Road Read More »
In an effort to get back on track during the last week of the 30 Days of Indie Travel Project, I am combining Day 26 – Photo – and Day 27 – Wanderlust. Day 26: Post a photo of your favorite place and tell us what you love about it. This is a tough one
30 Days of Indie Travel Project: Photo and Wanderlust Read More »
I am a little behind after nearly 60 hours on a train over the last five days. So here we go with Day 25 of the 30 Days of Indie Travel Project.* The theme is Family. Family shapes who we are, but sometimes the family we create plays a bigger role in our lives than
30 Days of Indie Travel Project: Family Read More »
As I walked through the Galeria Mall in the center of St. Petersburg, I couldn’t help but wonder where I was. I passed a GAP. And a Nine West. And a Payless Shoe Source. Not to mention Nike, Adidas, Puma and Timberland. If it wasn’t for the Cyrllic lettering on the signs everywhere, one could
Shopping Like a Local in Russia Read More »
Happy Thanksgiving! Of course, Day 24 of the 30 Days of Indie Travel Project* is about giving thanks. Seeing what others have – and don’t have – around the world often helps us appreciate our own good fortune. What are you thankful for this year ? First and foremost, I am thankful for my family
30 Days of Indie Travel Project: Giving Thanks Read More »
Technology is the topic for Day 23 of the 30 Days of Indie Travel Project.* Where would today’s travelers be without smartphones, GPS, iPods, iPads, or even the internet? Share one item of tech you can’t live without or tell us how technology has changed the way you travel. I am not a big techie.
30 Days of Indie Travel Project: Technology Read More »
As I travel, I have come to expect to see the golden arches of McDonald’s nearly everywhere I go. So I find it interesting to see what other American fast food chains have set up shop abroad. I was surprised to see such a variety here in Russia – including a Baskin-Robbins in Vladivostok and
American Fast Food in Moscow Read More »
Day 22 of the 30 Days of Indie Travel Project is about Transit. The word travel comes from a French word meaning “work” and sometimes, getting there is work. Between crowded buses, long airline delays, overnight trains and crazy rickshaw rides, transportation can be stressful, but it can also be a rewarding part of
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