Categories
Asia 2013 Philosophy Singapore Thailand

How to Design an Airport

Dear Airport Designers, I respect the work you do. Really, I do. Airports are complicated places that have to serve a multitude of needs. Getting passengers on and off planes. Immigration. Baggage facilities. It’s tough work, I’m sure. But you could really stand to learn a thing or two from Asia… Yes, Asia is putting […]

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Arts NYC

RIP 5Pointz, NYC’s Graffiti Mecca in Photos

I don’t know about you, but I am a HUGE fan of graffiti! Ever since I spotted the graffiti of protest on Israel’s “Security Wall” in Bethlehem, I really began to understand just how powerful this form of art can be! Lately, New York City has been on a graffiti craze, with the famous British street […]

Categories
Asia 2013 Malaysia

Mall Walkers Unite!

Who travels halfway across the world to go to a mall? This guy! Raise your hand if you’re guilty of this too! Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone (unless, of course, you happen to mention it in the comments, but that’s totally on you). Well, I’m here to tell you that there’s no shame. Don’t […]

Categories
Canada Great Outdoors

Heaven on a Kayak in Parry Sound

“Who here has been in a kayak before?,” our leader asked. When only one of the fellow bloggers in my group raised their hand, our leader moved swiftly. “Tandem kayaks would probably be better,” she told the rest of us, as with two people the chances of you flipping the kayak are much smaller. I […]

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Asia 2013 Indonesia Travel Stories

“Crashing” A Sacrificial Funeral in Tana Toraja

Please note that this story contains graphic images and descriptions about the slaughter of animals, a tradition that is very important to the Torajan people. “There! Rambusolo!,” my new Indonesian friend said as he pointed to a crowd of people gathered amongst the rice paddies. We’d been riding this motorbike all day trying to find […]

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Asia 2013 Indonesia

Tana Toraja: A Culture Whose Views on Death Will Blow Your Mind

A roof swept up like the shape of a boat. It’s the first thing you notice when you wander into a village in Tana Toraja (pronounced Tah-nah Tow-rah-jah), a small region in the highlands of the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. The exterior walls are piled high with horns of various buffalo, signifying the wealth […]

Categories
Iraq Middle East 2012

How to Drive in Iraq

You know that episode of Seinfeld where Kramer adopts a section of the highway? He decided he wants to have double wide lanes for a leisurely driving experience, except it creates complete and utter chaos on the roadway… That’s what driving in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region is like! I, for one 24 hour period, rented a […]

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Crazy Road Trips Iraq Middle East 2012 Photos

Road Trip Iraq: Kurdistan’s GORGEOUS Hamilton Road!

Picture this. You’ve rented a car and you’re going for a little joyride in northern Iraq. You pass the turn off for Saladin’s Fortress, which, these days, finds itself surrounded by land mines. And then you turn onto one of Iraqi Kurdistan‘s premiere sights…the Hamilton Road. Right about now you’re probably thinking…I drove all this way for a road? But […]