One question I get asked regularly is, "How did you become a writer?" Well, it's kind of a funny story. My path wasn't really ever in the cards to become a writer. Sure, I had always loved writing, scribbling notes onto napkins and journaling every day. But writing for money? That idea didn't … [Read more...] about On Becoming a Writer and Following Dreams
travel
2013: My Year in Review
When I celebrated a low-key New Years Eve at a friend's house last January, I could never have predicted where I would end up. I didn't know that I would be on the road for over 100 days or that I would be featured in AFAR and National Geographic Travel (twice!). I didn't know I … [Read more...] about 2013: My Year in Review
My Favorite Eats of 2013
Why yes, it is that time of year where I get to relive my gluttony favorite meals from my travels of the year. I sure got around in 2013, so my favorite eats are certainly varied. And I've gotten worse about how many pictures I take of my meals, meaning they are much more frequent. To those who have … [Read more...] about My Favorite Eats of 2013
Is Turkey Part of Europe?
Our modern concept of Europe is relatively new. It's common to say, "I'm going traveling in Europe for the summer," but what does that mean? What is this collection of independent nations we now call Europe? My background in international politics had me thinking about what Turkey's place in the … [Read more...] about Is Turkey Part of Europe?
On Being Part of the Tribe
You probably won't see members of my tribe in native dress. They might not look all that different from you. You might not be able to notice that they're part of a tribe at all, but I can almost immediately see it in their eyes. I'm part of a tribe of travelers. We are different than other … [Read more...] about On Being Part of the Tribe