Flying

Las montañas: Returning to Guatemala, 1

February 26, 2024 First Person ForeignBeauty

So, I booked a trip. I’ve been lucky to book so many before, but this one took some plotting. All of the layovers on the US dollar looked egregious: red eyes on opposite coasts, or[…]

Airplane Mode (1): Back to Myself

July 1, 2021July 2, 2021 First Person ForeignBeauty

June 30, 2021, 7:26am: The voice of Natalia LaFourcade pulsed through my mind as the puddle-jumper soared into the desert sky. If you are able, please listen to this song while you read: It honors[…]

Ready or not, USA (1)

April 26, 2019April 28, 2019 First Person ForeignChanges

Now, I imagined this day a million ways (my departure) and none of them could have prepared me for what it actually was. Dropped off by friends, then up ’til the last second in the[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): My Good Name at the Saturday Market

March 27, 2019March 27, 2019 First Person ForeignBeauty

My favorite güipiles (woven blouses) have birds on the the pattern. Santiago Atitlán is my favorite style of güipil. Always stripes down the blouse and then colorful birds sewn across the neckline. But even the[…]

First Time Back | A Peace Corps’ Brain on Fire

August 12, 2017August 27, 2017 First Person ForeignBlank Slate

On July 1, my cousin got married. After 9 months outside the US of A, I was returning for 5 days. In late March I bit the bullet and bought the ticket from Guatemala to[…]

WATCHING, WRINKLED | Day One: Staging

September 30, 2016 First Person ForeignChanges

WATCHING AND WRINKLED. 10:32pm That Night: At the end of Day One in the Peace Corps AKA Staging, I ironed my teal shirt. In real life I don’t iron. But It’s my last night in America.[…]

“So This is Ketchikan,” (The First) Conversation in Alaska | 1 of 50

September 25, 2016September 25, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I texted Danielle- “Just landed!” at 4:05pm on Friday April 15th. “Okay! Slight change of plans. We will be picking you up with a boat as of right now. Some of us have to do[…]

The Man from Eagle River, Conversations in Alaska | 2 of 50

September 25, 2016September 25, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

On my flight returning from Ketchikan to Alaska on September 19, I am asked: “So where’s home?” A very kind gentleman asked from seat 22C. We had a seat between us, which he commented was[…]

Crash and Grab vol. 2 | Returning Home and Coming Back to Un-Home

July 5, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

From: Into the Woods The Musical There are Giants in the sky! There are big tall terrible Giants in the sky! When you’re way up high And you look below At the world you left[…]

Crash and Grab vol. 1| Returning Home for a Wedding

July 5, 2016July 5, 2016 First Person ForeignBeauty

So, Thursday May 26, I went home for a wedding. The travelers among you can understand the compunction of “going home for a wedding” or going to a destination wedding. Traveling for all weddings is[…]