Few activities are older and more deeply rooted in tradition than tea. Thousands of years ago, tea was an auspicious and expensive treat — royalty sipped tea over important discussions. Over time, as it became more accessible, new …
Nicaragua was the first country where I really lived abroad, and it holds a special place in my heart. I gush about it to anyone who will listen, even today, years later. As I write this …
When I decided to move to India and live there, I went simply because the country had always intrigued me. Plus, the idea of moving there excited me. My friends are accustomed to me packing up and …
One of my favorite parts of travelling is escaping into a different world and immersing myself in other cultures. And, of course, my iPhone, camera, laptop, and Kindle are immersed right alongside me. While I like the idea of …
Through my work in the travel industry, I’ve seen many travelers draw clear lines in the sand around the nature of their vacation. Some plan for only luxurious beach getaways, others a backpacking trip, and …
I’ve been running quite a bit lately to train for an upcoming half marathon. I’m a very competitive person, so any time I mention the race in conversation I have to fight the immediate urge to explain why …
I recently started working with a social enterprise in India; it’s mission is to improve the lives of the urban poor. They sell items like solar lights on an affordable payment plan to people living in …
I would like to consider myself a thoughtful person. I like to weigh options, analyze everything and know all possible outcomes before making a choice. It sometimes drives my friends a little crazy … but …
There’s a lot of information out there about how to volunteer, where to volunteer, and why we should volunteer. Something that doesn’t get talked about enough is when not to volunteer. I’ve volunteered for a long …
Animals and tourism don’t often play well together—at least not responsibly. Even Ringling Bros. Circus retired its elephants after nearly 150 years due to public concerns about treatment. People are becoming more aware, but sometimes …