Cuba is more a complex mixture of sound and emotion than a simple name. It’s an exhale from a sad heart after a fleeting visit with loved ones, tears blurring eyes straining for one last glimpse as Cuba disappears in the distance. It’s the clap of delight after a fiery adios from the sun while on a rooftop overlooking an ocean of decay and neglect. Also, it’s

Normally I visit a new country I’m trying to see as much as possible in the given days I have. Weather didn’t allow that on my trip to Panama. Every single island or beach on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts had a weather forecast of wind and rain. Typically, Panama in late September is a great time to visit, but a series of hurricanes in the region made the weather anything but typical. One ha

 Living abroad frees your mind of preconceived notions like a good facial scrub clears your pores of impurities. It opens your eyes to possibilities you never imagined. I, having traveled to many lands, was under the assumption I am more open minded than most… then I visited Panama City.   I previously lived in

I personally know business people who travel upwards of 250,000 miles a year. I've even heard stories of a consultant based out of Los Angeles that flies from L.A. to Sydney three times a month every month. That's insane when you personally know what a 15 hour flight does to your body! To do that 3 times a month all year round!!?? No thanks. I'll pass on that. Over 80% of my travel is for leisure.

Cuba is more a complex mixture of sound and emotion than a simple name. It’s an exhale from a sad heart after a fleeting visit with loved ones, tears blurring eyes straining for one last glimpse as Cuba disappears in the distance. It’s the clap of delight after a fiery adios from the sun while on a rooftop overlooking an ocean of decay and neglect. Also, it’s

Normally I visit a new country I’m trying to see as much as possible in the given days I have. Weather didn’t allow that on my trip to Panama. Every single island or beach on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts had a weather forecast of wind and rain. Typically, Panama in late September is a great time to visit, but a series of hurricanes in the region made the weather anything but typical. One ha

While I didn’t have as many outstanding experiences in Sri Lanka as I did in Myanmar, if you visit Sri Lanka, you should definitely try to frequent these establishments or experiences these sites. Colombo - 1 night As I was in Colombo for less than 24 hours I have no suggestions. My hotel for that one night should be a fallback if no other accommodation is available, as in check to

On the upper most peak of Lion’s rock there is a single entrance and exit. It can get congested like evening rush hour as tourists walking up interlace chaotically with the tourists walking down. Waiting my turn to dive into the human commotion I noticed a group of teenage monks doing what teens do, talking a little too loudly, laughing a little too much, and taking

 Living abroad frees your mind of preconceived notions like a good facial scrub clears your pores of impurities. It opens your eyes to possibilities you never imagined. I, having traveled to many lands, was under the assumption I am more open minded than most… then I visited Panama City.   I previously lived in

Every single country, region or city on this planet came into being as a result of a collision of outside forces. These acts molded and shaped not only physical locations, but the culture of the people who inhabit them. When you understand that, then you know Sicily and recognize the depth of her mystique and allure.

I lived in France for about a year working with a French company in 2004. My first assignment was in an EXTREMELY small village that had all of 50 residents. Yes, you read that right, 50 people! The company I was with doubled the size of the population while we were there. These were two part observations for France as I knew what I observed for small village France would not be the same once I go

Traveling isn’t just about seeing, it’s also about experiencing. One can visit the most scenic of locales and other than a few photos and souvenirs, leave with nothing of real value. Even the memories seem, less. While a random conversation at a grocery store, a shop owner inviting you for a coffee, and a barista explaining which fish & chip shop has the perfect fish batter in a small seas

I personally know business people who travel upwards of 250,000 miles a year. I've even heard stories of a consultant based out of Los Angeles that flies from L.A. to Sydney three times a month every month. That's insane when you personally know what a 15 hour flight does to your body! To do that 3 times a month all year round!!?? No thanks. I'll pass on that. Over 80% of my travel is for leisure.

“In the eye of a hurricane at sea, the ship is pitching, rolling, yawing and surging, so it takes awhile to realize the wind isn’t howling anymore. In fact, it’s stopped completely. You have the momentarily hopeful thought you’ve moved out of the storm. Then you realize only the wind is quiet, but the seas are not getting any smaller, you’re about to get your ass kicked in the very near

  Preface I can recall the exact moment when pen met paper; my first entry on the first page of my first journal. Since that day, many years have passed and the vast majority are well documented. I say that so you know this is no work of fiction. Every emotion, action and conversation are born of truth. Time often bends memories to fit our own narrative, but ink is the

While recounting all of the countries we’d lived and visited, a good friend asked me, “From or to?” Unsure I’d heard him correctly, my reply was, He laughed and repeated his question very slowly, enunciating every word like I was the village idiot. “FROOOOM, OOOOOR TOOOOO?” I believe, “Negro, no more alcohol for you!” was my response. He explained his

Was less a dream actually and more a collection of moments saturated in the musk of remembrance strung together with the frayed strings of the sadness of what will never be. I pulled you to me confidently and you fit perfectly along the contours of my silhouette. I titled your head back ever so slightly with the bridge of my finger and kissed you... A slow, incredibly long all-encompassing kis