Carol Foster, humanitarian, once said "food is such a gift". The more I travel, the more I am starting to see other people realizing this too, advocating for good local grub. While traveling, this is not only a fun, subtle way to support the community, but also the best way to get to know the local life.As farm-to-table trends grow there are more opportunities to experience culture through food. Here are a list of my favorites: 1. Wood's Hole, MA Visit Jessie. She'll treat you right. Go see John and Nat, see what they've got for you. Woodshole is a community that is almost self-sustainable. Home to the Oceanographic Institute and many fishermen, this town revolves around the ocean and has that community feel that just takes you in its arms and makes you feel right ... read more

Halloween or not, these places are creepy all year. 1. Murder Castle, Chicago, IL, Weird and Haunted Chicago Tours The tour takes you into the building for an intimate look at the torture hotel of H.H. Holmes, considered to be United States first serial killer, where he practiced his sick talents at the 1893 World's Fair Columbian Exhibition. Not your fancy? Weird and Haunted Chicago have many more tours that are much more…palatable. Book here: http://www.prairieghosts.com/holmes.html 2. Voodoo Market, Lome, Togo Play some tricks, get some treats at this extensive voodoo supermarket. BBC Image Collection: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/05/africa_togo0s_voodoo_market/html/1.stm 3. Explore with abandon: Visit the abandoned buildings and towns near you! In a house: Russia Country Manor On a train: Abkhazia Railway In a subway: N... read more

One of the characteristics that attracted me to Boston, Massachusetts was the pride that radiates from this city. Bostonians LOVE Boston. Akin to the patriotism and passion I have seen from fellow travelers toward their home countries, Bostonians are proud of their city, their culture, their history, and have known to be a bit..overprotective of their territory. Despite haults in traffic, riot warnings, liquor license restrictions on bars, and a couple worried phone calls from my father; I would have been damned to not be downtown Boston during the Stanley Cup Final watching the game in the belly of the beast. On June 15th, I crammed myself on to the Red Line and booked it to Boylston St. where the sidewalks were filled with fans in black and yellow scouting for good spots watch the game ... read more

I picked up the wooden cat mask and held it up to my face. Brittany in turn raised its dog counter part and we stood solemn facing each other, masked, until we both broke out in laughter. It is like Breakfast at Tiffany's. she remarked. Actually, being in New York City was like Breakfast at Tiffany's, and The Cruise, and Annie Hall, and the many indie films that showcased the creativity and quirkiness of all that makes up this city which was my only reference about the area previously. Everyone I knew was either in Brooklyn or in the process of trying to move there. I had gone to visit the artists who had formerly been my school mates and collaborators, my security net, who all migrated to New York, an environment to exercise their fresh ... read more

Lunch had never been so decadent. Mid-day meals have always been sort of a drag for me. Usually I would choke down a Powerbar or do my best to jazz up a turkey sandwich by applying some sort of condiment like spicy mustard. In Lima, I was driven through streets of graffiti covered buildings dodging stray (but curiously clean) dogs, out to the popular local spot La Doceava, a cevicheria located on the outskirts of Miraflores. Interrupting thoughts of a "bad part of town" before I could suggest we turn back, blue umbrellas bloomed over white clothed tables on a cobblestone patio morphing the dusty wrong-turn into a swanky outdoor lunch area. Visited by construction workers and movie stars a like, this little gem was a local hotspot all of my guidebooks failed to mention because ... read more

Forget Cowboys vs. Aliens, on Dec 3 I witnessed a battle even more iconic and random, the battle between Santa and Zombies! In the movies, the city is abandoned, the street tattered and desolate. However, it was a brilliant sunny day in Lima, I was with my father taking a walk. We were heading to La Comar to hit happy hour, cutting through Parque del Amor where Santa Clauses were dressed up posing with children for pictures, handing out coupons to have gifts delivered Christmas day which was shortly approaching. The early spreading of Christmas cheer put a spring in our step, as we made our way into the grand plaza with its main walk cutting into the side of the cliffs of the coast in tiers of bars and shops. Approaching the staircase leading ... read more