Fear

My experiences, and choice, to solo travel often comes up in conversation. Inherently there are a collection of different responses. Ranging from “glad I don’t have a daughter” exclamations to eager questions of practically, solo traveling tends to invoke an emotional response. Undoubtedly questions about fear dominate all others, “Weren’t your parents scared? Weren’t you…

Visiting Korcula Island, Croatia

Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Croatia with my family and some really amazing family friends. I was already planning a trip to Europe and it turned out to be the perfect beginning. At first I was some what nervous at the size, 10!, of the group. How was a group that…

Little Corn, Nicaragua

My trip to Little Corn was more then slightly ironic. I spent 3.5 weeks in Nicaragua, and most of my time was spent taking classes and studying. Towards the end of my classes I decided to spurge a bit and go to an island in the Caribbean, Little Corn. After my research the island seemed…

Homestay, Esteli Nicaragua

As I have mentioned before I had a wonderful time staying at Doña Victoria’s house while in Esteli. As a grandma, many of the members of her family live on the block and her house is full of laugher and love. She and her family treated me as an extension of the family. We danced, celebrated…

Leather Workshop, Esteli Nicaragua

While walking to Las Mujeres Ambientalistas we stopped at a local leather working shop. This shop in the front was a store selling saddles, rope, and more, and in the back held a workshop where young men, most working to pay for school, manipulated, cut, and stapled leather; making items for the store front.  

Horseshoe Making workshop, Esteli Nicaragua

After our stop at the leather workshop we made a quick detour to a horseshoe making workshop. In the back of a house, just after the kitchen, two men worked in a rhythm heating, pounding, and cooling the metal until it was ready. Once ready it was placed in a large canvas bag, already bursting…

Off-The-Beaten-Trail Guide to Nicaragua

I always try to find the most possible information whenever I plan to visit a new location. Where should I stay? What should I do? What shouldn’t I do? Unfortunately, very often I am either unable to find enough information, or the information I do find keeps me on the beaten “back packer trail”. Occasionally,…

Love letter, Nicaragua

Dear Nicaragua, Words cannot express the sadness that has descended into my heart since entering the airport. I have but a handful of minutes until I must leave your embrace. I wish I could stay. From the very first moment my feet touched your ground I have felt an attachment. This attachment has grown from…

Oyii Cartagena

I could not have ended my trip in a place better than Cartagena. Although my visit started off on a precarious foot (bus driver took me to get off on the wrong stop and I ended up walking 1 hour with all my bags in 90+ degree weather). I ended up having a fabulous time….