Being Dog’s Best Friend

When I was 21, I spent five months living in India. It was only the second foreign country I had ever been to, and the first was Australia, which didn't really prepare me for what I was about to encounter. The conditions people existed in—both their own physical bodies and the environment around them—were horrific. … Continue reading Being Dog’s Best Friend →

железная дорога (2002 – 2006)

Yes, I realize I'm fudging the alphabet a little here because this should technically be under the letter Z, but since the Cyrillic letter looks like an X, let's just go with it. This post is the Railroad! While You Are There: You can do everything on a train. A train is a world unto itself. … Continue reading железная дорога (2002 – 2006) →

Wagah Border Park, India (November, 2000)

While You Are There: If you are anywhere in the vicinity of this border crossing in your lifetime, for example if you are visiting Amritsar and the Golden Temple, find the time to go see the ceremony. And tell me if the Niagara Falls cafe is still there. https://youtu.be/TAx5LlPDcbM Why It's On My List: If you've seen … Continue reading Wagah Border Park, India (November, 2000) →

Indian Step Wells (August, 2000)

While You Are There: Bring a book and hang out for a few hours in the cool escape from a hot day. Play with the local children. Imagine the women in their brightly colored saris lounging and chatting. Soak up the history. Why It's On My List: I had never read about or heard of such a … Continue reading Indian Step Wells (August, 2000) →

Ferries!

While You Are There: Your on-board experiences will vary widely, but whether you are living it up in a private cabin on a ship with plenty of booze and entertainment, or crammed in a cold and leaky vessel with a bunch of local fisherman, enjoy it! It's not your everyday experience. It's part of being … Continue reading Ferries! →

Amritsar and the Golden Temple (November, 2000)

While You Are There: Sleep on a mat on the floor with the pilgrims, eat in the communal kitchen, make a karah parshad offering in the temple, close your eyes and listen to the the singing, walk around the pool, people watch, strike up a conversation with a student from the Miri Piri Academy, relax, make a … Continue reading Amritsar and the Golden Temple (November, 2000) →