This is story #8 in my Short Stories from the Road series. Introduction found here At the tender age of seven, I went with my family on a vacation to Puerto Vallarta. Being my first time out of the country, I was a wide eyed child attached to my mother’s right thigh observing all the […]
This is story #7 in my Short Stories from the Road series. Introduction found here Ants in Laos, frogs in Cambodia, crickets in Thailand, dogs in Vietnam… just kidding, I never ate dog. While the opportunity did present itself, I could not oblige as I love my furry friends a little too much. I never […]
This is story #6 in my Short Stories from the Road series. Introduction found here Central Sulawesi, Indonesia Aaron was gone, his minibus rounding the bend and heading South. My travel companion of the last few weeks continued on his own journey and I found myself alone, again. Every minute that passed created more space […]
This is story #4 in my Short Stories from the Road series. Introduction found here Holy cow, that’s a big lizard. Crossing the trail not 10 feet in front of me acting like he owned the place, which I suppose he did, was a giant water monitor at least 6 feet long. I had an […]
This is story #3 in my Short Stories from the Road series. Introduction found here The sign stood looming before us. “BEYOND THIS POINT YOU SHOULD ENGAGE A GUIDE” I wouldn’t have used the word “engage,” but I think they got their point across regardless. After a quick glance at each other, Austin and I […]
This is story #2 in my Short Stories from the Road series. Introduction found here “You think I’m pretty?” Tom, our Lao guide asked as we all looked on in confusion. “…without any makeup on!!!” His rendition of Katy Perry left us all shaking our heads and smiling. It’s all we could do. This would […]
When people hear about my trip to Southeast Asia, the first question out of their mouth is, “What was your favorite place?” Now anyone who has gone on an extended traveling spree will understand that that question is basically impossible to answer. How can you sum up such a large portion of your life and […]
My flight was booked. I was headed to Vietnam. Now it was time to get excited, not to mention anxious. This was way back before One Way Ticket Phil had ever crossed my mind. I couldn’t even yet call myself a traveler. I was green. I’d sort of backpacked once previously, but never alone. And […]
My normal traveling plan is to plan as little as possible. Plans are for the uptight, the less adventurous, for my parents. I love my parents, but they love to know exactly what the deal is. It gives them peace of mind. It removes the stress. I completely agree with that last point. Not planning […]