EarthSpark, Energy and Me.
(The young lady above is studying by candle light in Les Anglais) Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily representative of the organization. Also, I got a little long winded and detailed, again, no one’s fault but my own. The Org / The Hope ‘EarthSpark empowers communities by eradicating energy poverty. … Read more
The way the Haitian ball bounces
Before the trip I checked in with the org to see if there was anything I could bring; some token gesture for the folks in Les Anglais that I’d be working with. I jokingly, hopefully, asked if I should bring a basketball. Allison thought a soccer ball would be more appreciated and I had no … Read more
Haiti – The Characters
As I start this I’m sitting in an office in Port Salut, with a ferocious headache thanks to the smoke pouring in through open doors and windows. Closing them, in the stifling heat, is not an option. The inhalation of this poison is thanks to the guy in the house next door who is keeping … Read more
The Road is flooded and the hotelier is a taxi driver
The First Week. The Road is flooded and the hotelier is a taxi driver. The kids all stare as they walk. I’m literally off the grid and beyond the bridge. I had lobster my second night. A girl just walked by in a Seattle Mariners hat. It’s Michael Vick v. Peyton Manning on the futbol … Read more
Riga 810
‘What did we expect of Riga? Something more drab, with less panache. But good G/d, this Riga, when we plowed through its suburbs and into the core of the place, was glittery and so alive.’ – Y.S.K.O.V. Dave Eggers writes, I read. A seed is planted, a possibility created, a destination determined. The far and … Read more
Wednesday Night in Kiev
*NOTE* My goal was to stay up to date during my travels. I came up short. I told myself I would finish a post for each leg of this trip and I plan on following through, from a very comfortable couch in PHX where I’m residing for 3 weeks until the next leg of the … Read more
Warsaw: King Daddy Dogs*
A few weeks that feel like months, and countries that feel like continents, ago I reached out for help planning this trip and some kind souls responded. My Dad suggested a beautiful itinerary that I hit almost none of. A favorite Deli Mom gave me sound and detailed suggestions that I tried to heed, but … Read more
Praha-ha-how I hate hostels
Background – New Year’s Eve 2010, Cape Town, South Africa: I boldly proclaim, “No more hostels.” That was it, I swore them off. Call me Mr. President, because my promise lasted 9 months. By October I was loving life at Fatima’s Nest in Tofo Mozambique, happy as a clam to be sleeping in my tent … Read more
Aunt Helen and STRASBURG – where next to nothing is illuminated
Fair warning – What follows are 2,000 words that could have been summed up in 3: Promise, Confusion, Disappointment. To this day, one of my fondest grade school memories is getting sick at school. Both of my parents had their stores at the time and weren’t exactly around the corner. Aunt Helen was, so her … Read more
Well it would be Pride weekend in Amsterdam wouldn’t it?
Here’s the thing about going first class on the early train from Paris: you say you’re going to catch up on your sleep, but then there’s free wifi and they keep offering you food, and really that’s no time to be sleeping then is it? No, of course not, there’ll be plenty of time to … Read more
