Small, well-organized living spaces have always fascinated me. Think sailboats, motor homes, campervans, and more recently the trend of tiny… Read more #VanLife
Author: Rachel
I am a retired educator, having spent the better part of 20 years working with children with special needs. I loved my time in the upper elementary grades but made the move to middle school for the final three years of my career and thought those kids were awesome! Other hats I have worn are professional baker, jewelry maker, retail manager and waitress. I have traveled extensively in Europe and through various parts of Asia and the Middle East. I am happiest when I am exploring a new place and meeting people.
Kia Ora
“Kia ora,” the tattooed man with a wide smile greets us as we step up to the coffee counter. Kia… Read more Kia Ora
Africa by the Numbers
61. At the risk of tempting fate, we are once again feeling relief at returning state-side without picking up bed… Read more Africa by the Numbers
M Is For…
Morocco. This is the ninth African nation we have visited this year, and it’s a welcome shock to the system.… Read more M Is For…
Why Sierra Leone?
At the beginning of this travel year through nine African nations, we knew Sierra Leone had to be one of… Read more Why Sierra Leone?
Over Hill, Over Dale, Overland
“Hello family!” said the big man with a wide smile, giving us a queen’s wave. I was seated on a… Read more Over Hill, Over Dale, Overland
Crossroads of Kenya
Just shy of the Nairobi airport at 1:30am, our taxi driver pulled up to a toll plaza and told us… Read more Crossroads of Kenya
Kaya Kinondo: The Sacred Forest
A broad smile and a melodious “Jambo” (“welcome”) greeted us as we wedged ourselves out from the back of our… Read more Kaya Kinondo: The Sacred Forest
A Small Island in a Vast Ocean
“Iorana, welcome,” a smiling woman said, bearing flower leis and a sign with my name on it as we exited… Read more A Small Island in a Vast Ocean
An Unexpected Guest
Nobody plans to get sick. As a person who assumes good health, and typically ignores any indication to the alternative,… Read more An Unexpected Guest
Weather Patterns
“There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing,” said my son’s preschool teacher many years ago during… Read more Weather Patterns
From the Andes to the Ocean
“Yeehaw” flooded my ears in tandem with a full body dousing of cold water. I had two breaths in which… Read more From the Andes to the Ocean
Border Run
I know it sounds a bit absurd, but we decided to take a vacation last week. It must seem like… Read more Border Run
Giving Thanks in Pucón
How does one celebrate a 100% American holiday far from U.S soil? If you have been following our blog posts… Read more Giving Thanks in Pucón
20,000 Years of Art (and Other Surprises)
In Spain we were not just travelers; we were time travelers. We had the chance to sleep in a 15th… Read more 20,000 Years of Art (and Other Surprises)
Pilgrims
When I lit an altar candle in the cathedral at the end of the Camino de Santiago, it was not… Read more Pilgrims
Friends, Food, and Sobremesa
When we ate our first paella in Spain, we had no idea that it is much more than a well-known… Read more Friends, Food, and Sobremesa
Little Island, Big Island
With the sand and dirt of Menorca barely knocked off our hiking shoes, we convinced our good friend Patti to… Read more Little Island, Big Island
Island Time: 7 Days in Menorca
“First time in Menorca?”, the smiling Hertz agent asked as he handed us the keys to the car. “Sí. Yes”,… Read more Island Time: 7 Days in Menorca
¡Fiestas!
Dancing with the devil, building human towers, and being chased through narrow streets by frantic bulls are only a few… Read more ¡Fiestas!
Holidays
This holiday season, normally a time for seeing family and friends, we find ourselves in a stranger’s home, in a… Read more Holidays
Rhythms
It was as dark as midnight when our overnight plane began its descent into Madrid a few minutes before 8:00… Read more Rhythms
5 Things I’ve Learned About Spain (without even being there)
For those of you who have been awaiting news of our visas, we have a great update! We were approved… Read more 5 Things I’ve Learned About Spain (without even being there)
Vis-a-Visas
“So, where is your next destination?” We had barely touched down on U.S. soil when our friends and family began… Read more Vis-a-Visas
Takeoffs and Takeaways
I gaze steadily out the small oval window of seat 22F as our plane takes off from the Quito airport… Read more Takeoffs and Takeaways
Soundscapes
From our very first night in Ecuador we knew our sensory experience would be unlike anything we had ever experienced… Read more Soundscapes
La Vida Chill
It is just past dawn and the bedroom air is already warm and sticky, promising another hot, humid day at… Read more La Vida Chill
New Year’s Eve, Loja
In all honesty, the older I get the less interested I am in wild revelry on New Year’s Eve. Full… Read more New Year’s Eve, Loja
Food for Thought
One of the most obvious and accessible ways to get a sense of a place and its culture is through… Read more Food for Thought
Why a duck?
When Olive Duck came into our lives it was as a joke. We were dropping off yet another car-load of… Read more Why a duck?
Seeing the World, One Year at a Time 