I’m sorry that Tom, above, made you explain, but I appreciate that you did because you are so right; most of us just dream about doing the brave, hard-won thing you did, thinking we aren’t able. Thanks for reminding me (in my 40’s and still waiting) that anyone can make their dreams happen. You give me a reason to keep my hopes for travel alive. I’m…

Foreigner

A sound suddenly vibrates through my bones, a shuddering ring waking me to reality. My gaze reaches up toward the bell tower rising high above the stone church; it’s midday. The ripe sound of the bells and the warm rays of sun beaming down are unforgiving to my frail feeling body. The nape of my neck feels…

Conversations with strangers

I took a trip to Parvati Valley last year. I saw this stranger in a small hilly village called Rashol and had this conversation with him without speaking at all.

“Dear stranger,

3840

I’m shifting back to drive, hailing an Uber to Hayes the whole half mile away when Alexa informs me it’s 50–55 with sun and dutifully fueling up on $9 juice that doesn’t contain juice but is surely the most intelligent and energizing form of algae and almond. I’m archiving Trello tasks by the minute: making 6:30…