“Thank you for your medicine, your positive energy and the joy you bring to Mexico.”

The sun had set hours ago behind the Teotihuacan pyramids, as Gorilla, our tour and spirit guide bid us farewell.  Our bus wound it’s way around vibrantly decorated homes towards the highway. 

The scenery slowly began to change; from the simplistic, cheerful dwellings of Gorilla’s neighborhood, to the grey-toned concrete of the modern world.  But even as we left, I don’t think there was one pe...

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After much anticipation, yet relative ease, I've made my way to Sao Paulo, Brazil.  After a somewhat long wait in the customs line, I wearily wobbled towards the luggage carousel, and I'm sure the Avianca attendant standing near the belt instinctively knew I was in need of help.  He asked to see my baggage claim ticket and his brow instantly furrowed as he read aloud "American Airlines".  

"Your bags," he began apologettically, "are in Bogota."  Having been through this exact scenario more tim...
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Our first leg of our Taiwan tour begins in Kaohsiung, a city lining the southwest beach of the island.  Near our hotel is a large park surrounding the cultural center where groups of people gather to practice tai chi, ballroom dancing and group exercise of several kinds.  This morning I leave the hotel early in the morning to photograph some of the massive statues that surround the park.  After circling the park twice, I'm drenched in sweat and look for a place to rest for a moment.  


Near ...
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If you find yourself in Moscow in winter and a local offers to show you around town, a word of advice: either wear every piece of clothing available in your suitcase, or (when in Rome…) down at least three shots of vodka before heading out.  Both of these options will help you combat the intense cold, although the latter may leave you hugging the ol’ porcelain throne the few next days.  

Unequipped with my own advice, I threw on only one pair of long johns beneath my jeans and sweater,...

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I smell the sweet sent of roasted almonds drifting from the nearby park as I crane my neck to look up at the vibrantly painted onion domes of the Church of Our Savior on Spilt Blood.  Our cast has lovingly named it “the Ice Cream Palace” and although I’ve stopped by at least once everyday since we arrived in Saint Petersburg, I’m no less awed by its stunning façade.  

 

A couple dressed in 17^th century clothing poses for photographs with tourists near the exit of the church (for a ...

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Note to self: when in China, a morning walk through the park can lead to recruitment with the local Chinese dance group.  By some ironic twist of fate, I woke up this morning (my only day off while we are here in Shijizhaung) around 7:30 am.  After taking an uncomfortably lukewarm shower (apparently even that early there’s no hot water), I got dressed for the day and pulled on my kaki pants.  In my haste to pack my suitcase in Shanghai, I had wedged them into the only open cranny, an...

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It’s a rainy day in Kunshan, not exactly ideal conditions for watching the solar eclipse that supposedly occurs today.  And so I retreat, for the third time since waking up, back to the billowy comforts of my hotel bed.  I realize how glad I am to have this hotel room, a small haven away from the (at times) shockingly public streets of China.                

I remember seeing my first half naked child at the local grocery store defecating into a nearby trashcan, and wonderin...

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