Ireland: A Summer in Review
September 8, 2016 As far as last days go, today is one of the best. Usually I’m up at o’dark thirty to catch a taxi or a bus to the airport for a too-damn-early flight. Today I catch the airport express at the civilized hour of half past one, and arrive at the airport with plenty of time to walk …
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Ireland: To Every Thing There is a Season
August 24 & 25, 2016 It is a glorious summer afternoon in the West Country. Puffy white clouds scud across a brilliant blue sky. Raspberry bushes laden with ripe berries line one side of the road, and cows graze on the other. Every now and then a pungent country smell wafts over us: fresh-cut hay, a barn airing in the …
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Scotland: A Vacation in Edinburgh (and a weird visit to the National Museum!)
August 4 – 7, 2016 There are some places that, once visited, forever after feel familiar and welcoming. Edinburgh is one of those places. I have no set schedule and no definite plans for this weekend other than to A) meet up with Stuart and Amanda, and B) overload on bagpipes and men in kilts at the Royal Edinburgh Military …
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Ireland: First impressions of Belfast, Part 3: The Peace Wall
July 27, 2016 Your steps are light and springy as you leave the Crumlin Road Gaol. Your first day in Belfast has gone like clockwork, and now there’s only one stop left: the Peace Wall in west Belfast. It’s a calm, balmy Friday evening as you head south towards Cupar Way. You cross Shankill Road and enter the Shankill neighborhood, …
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A Liminal Stopover in Boston
June 13 – 15, 2016 After a long layover in Quito and a delayed flight into Houston, I’m now sitting in first class on my flight to Boston. I no longer know what time it is, or which time zone I’m in. All that exists is the supremely comfy first class seat and a very solicitous flight attendant who serves …
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Making Plans for 2016
January 29, 2016 Five days ago, my friend and I were enjoying our last full day in Belize, biking around Caye Caulker and having one last breakfast at the Caribbean Colors Art Cafe. Today I am bundled up in jeans and a sweatshirt. Underneath the sweatshirt my tan is peeling. I’m not sure if it’s post-birthday fallout (I turned 33 …
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