Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Wander.
Two Weeks Relaxing in the Spanish Lake District
We have just returned home from a relaxing two weeks in the Spanish Lake District, feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world again. After working in Iceland (and loving it) we decided that we would like to have some summer sunshine and chose to go back to the place we have spent a lot of time over the past few European winters. We have made some great friends there and we also wanted to see the area in a different season. We went on a number of day trips and wanted to share these experiences with you.
By Ruth Gibson9 years ago in Wander
Senior Single Female Alone in Iceland
My solo travels have mostly taken me throughout North America; but this last trip stretched my independence and my endurance. I was originally intrigued when several months ago I saw an online mention of airfare to Reykjavik from Los Angeles for $200. Wow, I cannot fly anywhere in the US for that price, so I made a mental note. Of course, by the time I had decided that I would venture to Iceland, the price had doubled; but it was still an unbelievable deal. I booked one week in Iceland at the Radisson Blu Saga Hotel including airfare for $1500.
By Maryann Virack9 years ago in Wander
What It Means to be Canadian. Top Story - August 2017.
What do you think makes you a Canadian? Is it about just living in the country? Owning a passport that declares so? Root for the Maple Leaf’s next game? Even being a fan of hockey for that matter? Does embracing the cold weather or surviving it make you any more Canadian than the next guy? How about all those “Eh’s” at the end of each sentence? Or perhaps, it is something much more relevant than some sort of physical or arbitrary element? Truth is, identifying as Canadian means more than those preconceived ideas that one assumes. It is a personal belief defined by your own pride, love, and appreciation of this country’s ethics.
By Jose Gabriel9 years ago in Wander
Japanese Wonders
Japan is either hot or cold with one comfortable day in between. That is what I've found in my experience of living in Japan so far. About a three-hour bullet train ride north of Tokyo sits the lovely mountain town of Yamagata City situated perfectly within Yamagata Prefecture. When July comes into season in Yamagata it is a time of vibrant activity within the town. July marks the season of the Sakuronbo Cherry and the Hanagasa Festival, which celebrates the harvest and the cherries. The cherries are ripe for the picking at this time and it's quite difficult to not eat them as they are exceedingly delicious. The region is famous for its rich abundance of fruits. The quaint town of Obanazawa lies just to the north and yields watermelons, which cannot be stored in any size refrigerator. Every town celebrates their signature fruits and this naturally creates weekly farmer's markets that celebrate cultural events rather than our American practice of simply providing a space for local vendors to sell their goods.
By Sound And The Messenger9 years ago in Wander
Beach Essentials!
If there’s one thing I hate to do on holiday, it’s forgetting to bring something with me! What with the stress of last minute packing (which is often experienced by procrastinators like me), the rush to the airport and the awful feeling of "I feel like I’m missing something," sometimes, forgetting something is inevitable! So today, in an attempt to help stop that dreaded moment of realisation from ever occurring again, I thought I’d share with you my top essentials for the beach!
By Beccandbeyond9 years ago in Wander
The Man Who Never Returned
Into the darkest untamed jungles of Amazon went Percy Fawcett, the man who never returned. The Enigma of Col. Percy Fawcett has fascinated the media and explorers ever since he vanished in the Amazon rain forest some 90 years ago. He was considered the greatest explorer of his day. Like Amelia Earhart a decade later, both leave a lasting legacy of mystery surrounding their disappearances. To first find out what motivated Percy Fawcett to undertake such perilous journeys only to vanish without a trace is to closely identify with the man himself.
By Dr. Williams9 years ago in Wander
Leaving
Summer is my favorite season. Even here, in Norfolk, when the humidity and heat become oppressive. Some days I walk down to the ocean in the early morning as the sun rises to watch the mist rise off the Chesapeake Bay. The haze disappears by the time the sun has peaked over the horizon, fading into blue sky like cigarette smoke from Poseidon.
By Gary Jacob9 years ago in Wander
Best Party Cities For Backpackers
Backpacking is often called one of the best ways to see the world, primarily because it allows people to enjoy the full spectrum of the local color. Backpacking allows you to meet new people, try new foods, and get a real up-close look at how life is abroad.
By Skunk Uzeki9 years ago in Wander
The Opening
I couldn't believe that I was in India. Looking over to my left was an alarm clock blinking 10:30 am. At this time the TV was still on, its introductory screen slowly coming in and out of actual sound in the room and my consciousness as well. I had flown into the dark, bustling city at 3 am just hours previously. It seemed that Chennai didn't need sleep, but I definitely did. Hundreds had lined up outside the airport to take guests to places around the city. I had found my connection somehow and then there was a taxi ride on a dirt road surrounded by rush hour traffic. It was dark all the while, although something in the air sensed the early day was beckoning itself in. The flight previously had been equivalent to about two days of flying. The experience was possibly close to being flushed down a toilet and arriving in another world. "Was it possible to be water logged by time?" I felt that right then. Outside people were now working in the blazing daylight. I was in the cool interior of a room. India was packed tightly around me, but there was no judgement. Everybody lived together, weaved in together, made sense together. This was apparent and it was new and unique. I was there to attend "The Oneness Partners Course" with Oneness University. It was a process that I had started four years prior. A deep Chennai sun blossomed slowly over the sky lighting up the world for millions of people as they began another day in their life. I just happened to be present as well in that part of the world. My life was weaving in with India I realized right then.
By Sound And The Messenger9 years ago in Wander
Quest of the Phoenix 2017 (2)
I rose at about 6:45 and hit the road by 8:30. The plan was to follow the directions I’d looked up on my phone to the local Firestone. However, the area around my motel consisted, in addition to construction sites, also of a bizarre sea of interlocking parking lots with no real “town” amongst them and streets and street signs that operated in ways I hadn’t seen before, so I ended up bungling around for awhile in that area, then driving across a highway into the actual downtown area, which was just as bad, involving narrow one-way streets and wandering lanes. After a bit, I just said “screw this” and opted to hit the freeway for Omaha.
By Nathan Sturm9 years ago in Wander
