War is brutal. That much I knew. But seeing images of the destruction of both Vietnamese and Americans during the war at Saigon's War Remnants Museum, I wanted to know why we went. Was it to support our allies the French in the South? Or to fight the dreaded spread of communism? I didn't live … [Read more...] about The American War Legacy in Vietnam
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27 Things to Do Before Turning 27
Today is my 26th birthday, thus ushering me into the age known as "late twenties." My 25th year was one of personal growth and physical fitness. I learned to accept my figure, but despite that lost weight and gained muscle after two a day workouts many days of the week. I ran my first half … [Read more...] about 27 Things to Do Before Turning 27
Traveling During Turmoil
The sound of the mounted police riding past my Charleston house sent shivers down my spine years later, despite the fact that there was nothing afoul with their patrol. It brought me back to the first time I ever saw mounted police, in Paris on New Years Eve 2006. But since my very first trip … [Read more...] about Traveling During Turmoil
10 Lessons from Three Months in Southeast Asia
Anthony Bourdain related going to Asia for the first time like finding out there's a new color you never knew existed and I feel the same way. It's overwhelming and surprising and always a little bit stressful. There's constantly something new to experience, from the bizarre looking fruits … [Read more...] about 10 Lessons from Three Months in Southeast Asia
Where I Slept in Southeast Asia
I didn't sleep in the same bed for more than a week for the last three months, including some luxury hotels, some guesthouses and my fair share of boats and trains. Most were to my liking and we soon learned that for $20 USD per night, we could get comfortable rooms, free breakfast and free WiFi … [Read more...] about Where I Slept in Southeast Asia