All I wanted was a private place to change into my jersey; a bathroom, a dark corner, an empty alley. I'm not picky or overly modest. This shouldn't be so difficult. I bought this jersey from a guy on the street and was so excited to put it on and just blend in, as if it were possible for a blanch white American girl in a pony tail to blend into streets crowded with hundreds of hot, perspiring, faux-hawked, die-hard soccer fans. Everyone was streaming to the same place--the stadium in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. My third grade level Spanish and sweet smile were getting me nowhere. No shop owners would let me in to change. Finally a waitress took pity on me and said I could use their bathroom. The game was going to start any ... read more

"You want to take me on a cruise? Are you kidding me? Next thing I know you'll want to take me to Hawaii or lord forbid VEGAS!" "Just calm down Andrea," he says. "I thought you might actually benefit from a vacation. You know, something relaxing, self indulgent....easy." Those are the last three words that come to mind when I plan a trip. I thought to myself, "I'm a traveler, not a vacationer." Travelers come home completely wiped out from exhaution due to bad beds in cheap hotels. Travelers come home depressed because their adventure is over and they're faced with their reality. Travelers come home sick from eating street food too tempting to resist. They come home with a backpack stuffed with filthy t-shirts and socks worn inside out. They come home feeling accomplished, more ... read more

Thirty-two hours on a train with a five year old! I always tell myself, "Its not about the destination, but the journey." Oh Gosh. This train is creeping along the west coast. We're already behind schedule due to a mudslide and been rerouted on a bus. Our journey started in Seattle and our destination is Burbank, California. Yeah, that's like 3 inches on the map. Now we're currently just outside Portland, Oregon. I keep looking forward to the beautiful scenery. The ocean, the mountains, but so far we've passed about six psychics, four junk yards, three saw mills and ten christmas tree farms. I'm itching to talk to someone...anyone. I tend to make friends with the person in line next to me at the grocery store, so you can imagine all the possibilities on a train ... read more

Lima is brutal. Rough. Dirty. If you're not worried about having your bag ripped off your shoulders then you're certain you'll fall into one of the millions of giant potholes. The pollution is unlike anything I've ever experienced. I could just taste the fumes. Its enough to make you feel lightheaded just taking a walk. Lima is typically the gateway to Cuzco though which is the gateway to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is just as amazing as you'd think it would be. Wear sunscreen though and slather on the bug spray. I'd been dreaming about Machu Picchu for years and it was truly fabulous but the best part of my trip to Peru was meeting Kecia. We actually met in a bar in the Miami airport. And, really, aren't those the best places to meet people? ... read more

Photos from Tamil Nadu.... read more