Tomorrow I head out on another adventure - straight to that beautiful jewel of a treasure - Peru. Peru holds Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines and so much more. And bonus - my friend Barb is going with me! Yes people, the dynamic duo is heading out to see what South America has to offer. As always, I am sharing a picture of what my luggage looks like. We are going during the rainy season so rain gear takes up a bit more space than I'd like. However, with this being the low tourist season and temps in the low 70s, I know we are going to have a great time. First we'll have a layover in LA, then fly to Lima for a day and then over to La Paz, Bolivia. After looking ... read more

I chose Moab as a base of adventure while on my little mini-vacation this summer. I camped out in a walk-in campground right off the main road. Camping was a cinch, though the weirdly snobbish yuppies filling up the place were a bit, well, weird. So, consider this an open letter - just smile at someone if you see they are camping alone. It doesn't cost you anything and trust me, I'm not going to ask for help if you accidentally make eye contact, so you are in no way responsible for me. You just might make me (or someone else) smile, and relieve the loneliness of a long day on the road. The second night at the camp site a wicked thunder and lightening storm lit of the night sky for hours. I've never seen ... read more

Another beautiful day in Mexico City. I've made it back to my room just in time to best a wicked-lovely rain storm and to settle in before I catch my plane tomorrow. Today I started off into Casa Azule, Frida Kahlo's house where she lived with Diego, hosted Trotsky and painted much of her work. You know by now that I tend to get a bit weepy when I find myself in a place I've dreamed of visiting. My eyes welled up with tears the whole visit. She was so much more prolific than I had fully realized and the Mexican people are rightly proud of her. I love folk art, I like the soft edges, imperfection and rawness you find within. After the museum I went to the San Jacinto Bazaar where I was able ... read more

I'm sitting on the roof of my hostal in the Zona Rosa of Mexico City. Huge skyscrapers and various shaped buildings block my view of this noisy city, and block that noise as well. I have had an amazing reception in the city so far. Hell, even on the airplane my little abuela sat next to me, sharing her cookies, while we all congratulate a successful engagement proposal that just happened a couple seats ahead of us. Flying in you can really see the swampy past that Mexico City has risen above to become the center of activity on the country. As soon as I landed and wandered around a bit trying to find the Metro a wonderful lady took me to the Metro station and then, not only did she show me how to handle ... read more

Seriously, every bus ride I've taken in a developing country is like this: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wuypE6ISPag I'm typically flopping around, while simultaneously folding myself up origami style, while the local next to me is serene and still. We woke up early to catch a local bus from Allahabad to Varanasi. With no a/c and apparently no shocks, it actually wasn't a bad trip. The country side is really a sight to see, with most of those in rural India living in extreme poverty. It is really hard to wrap your mind around; the brick kiln towers, agricultural land, dirt floor houses with satellite dishes, just so much. While travelling you tend to waver between complete culture shock and acceptance, often within the same day, the same hour. India seeps into your bones and just when you think you've ... read more