Fish

The Traverse and the Reunions: Returning to Ketchikan (2)

July 23, 2019July 23, 2019 First Person ForeignAlaska

“Alaska lulled me here on some sort of fantasy.” I thought as I ran up and down the hills of the residential streets. I pushed myself to scale them because I am trying to keep[…]

TOURING GUATEMALA (4) (and my 300th Post!!): The Last Microbus and The Livingston Lull and Goodbye

April 22, 2019April 22, 2019 First Person ForeignBoat

When Amanda and I started planning our trip in January, she suggested to me that we rent a car. Now, please enjoy the story: On the morning of April 6 we left Semuc Champey for[…]

TOURING GUATEMALA (3): Unplugged in Semuc Champey

April 19, 2019April 19, 2019 First Person ForeignBeauty

We woke up on our third day of travel in Flores, and made it onto the bus without a problem. This time we would not wait for the bus to come to us, like the[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): Taking My Chances on the Border of Guatemala at the Border of Service (2)

March 15, 2019March 18, 2019 First Person Foreigncoffee

I stepped out onto the patio with a toothbrush and retainers in hand, still in my pajamas at 10am, in a place I am just getting to know: a coffee farm in Huehuetenango. What did[…]

Riding on Buses with Married Men

June 25, 2018June 25, 2018 First Person ForeignCultural Difference

I had to take 4 buses and 5 hours to get to Tanya for her birthday. To get there I walk out of my house on the corner (after saying bye to Abuelita, Host Mom[…]

“Alaska, You’re the Best Kind of Breaking My Heart!”

September 28, 2016September 28, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I’m going to tell you something about Ketchikan that no one knows: the clouds are drippy faucets in clever marshmallow costumes. A few years ago I fell in love with John Green. He writes Youth[…]

But How Small Is This Town?, Conversations in Alaska | 4 of 50

September 25, 2016September 25, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

Ketchikan has vacuum-shrunk-and-sealed to the size of a small hamster wheel, fishbowl of gossip and once you spawn, EVERYBODY GON’ KNOW ‘BOUT IT. I, personally, do not speak from experience on that situation. I have[…]

“Baby?” Conversations in Alaska | 5 of 50

September 25, 2016September 25, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I stood in a dear friend’s living room in July. I asked “What’s been going on?” I was hung up on a Fisherman, she was hung up on fertility. Different boats. This is what followed: “It’s[…]

Drumming in Zimbabwe, Conversations in Alaska | 3 of 50

September 23, 2016September 25, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

A fella greeted me from behind the counter. He said “I can’t run the register but I can go ahead and make your food. What are you getting?” I don’t eat out much in Ketchikan[…]

The Kiss | Conversations in Alaska, 22 of 50

September 12, 2016September 13, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

He picked us up from the mayor’s house. We dropped off Brie at her place up Creek Street. Let’s call him “The Philosopher.” We go see the Chickens he is petsitting. He picks one up[…]