Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Wander.
Into the Inaka
There's this feeling I have even now when I look back on the experience of leaving Tokyo and going north to Fukushima, which was the place where I would teach. It's a feeling of warmth and adventure and mystery. I remember the rolling hills that were lush green in the summer and the perfect square plots of rice fields that ran past like bars of rest on a musical piece. The city disappeared and then it seemed that there was never a city. Everything rewound 60 years. There were old thatched huts, but we were on an interstate in an air-conditioned bus and so this naturally brought me back to the present. I was with around 40 other teachers and we were all starting out the year in Fukushima. It was 2009 and just changing to the Indian start of summer. It was late summer when the green couldn't be more dark and this hinted that the next movement would be the withdrawing of chlorophyll from everything green.
By Sound And The Messenger9 years ago in Wander
Exploring the City of Cardiff
If you’re looking for an easy mini-break from London, the city of Cardiff is definitely worth checking out. The capital of Wales is a simple train journey direct from London’s Paddington station, or it's about a three-hour drive (depending on traffic). A modern city with incredible history, there’s a lot to explore in Cardiff.
By Gareth Johnson9 years ago in Wander
I Just Saved You $46,900 Excl. Taxes, or Have I Actually?
Someday soon, you will be arriving at an airport in Central America. Your 9-5 job has exhausted you and an escape began to form in your mind. Months or years of saving has left a hefty sum in your pocket and now is the time to splurge on the one thing on your mind: your feet digging in soft, pearly-white sand. An ocean breeze blows your hair back and just as you exhale and think of how grateful you are to simply be alive... a handsome man in a uniform brings you a colorful, fruity cocktail. Alternatively, a cute woman with the prettiest eyes and most intoxicating smile arrives with a stack of neatly-folded towels. A towel is handed to you as she says "Buenos días," in an accent oh-so-sweet, you imagine crossing paths later that day, only to propel yourself in a holiday-fling with her. Bottom-line: you feel acknowledged. "This is bliss."
By Thomas Rivet9 years ago in Wander
Live Like a Local and See the World
I have to admit that I am a terrible tourist. I love travelling, but I hate feeling like an outsider — I want to know where the best cafe is, I want to buy fresh bread and make a sandwich for lunch, I want to lie in a park and share a picnic with friends.
By Gareth Johnson9 years ago in Wander
A Trip to Arkansas
My kids and I went on a trip to Murfreesboro, Arkansas. We started out early in the morning before sunrise since we live in Northeast Mississippi. I chose to take Highway 82 West since it goes all the way across Mississippi, and into Arkansas. We also dropped off some computers at a friend's house in Winona, MS to be fixed while we were on our trip. What's fun about going on a trip like this is finding your way on a map, and seeing places you have never been. Not the Interstates...just regular State highways.
By Juanell Hopper9 years ago in Wander
Creepiest Abandoned Amusement Parks in America
Amusement parks are fun!... right? While some look at the actual amusement that comes from the parks, others find it difficult to look past the creepy aspects of that come along when entering these parks. They are designed for a fun and thrilling time, but how can one focus on that if they are filled with clowns, mascots with who knows what kind of person underneath those masks, dirty toothless men running the rides, and thousands of strangers that you have never met before. And if you did not think that amusement parks could get any creepier than that, imagine walking into an abandoned one. A whole amusement park all on your own that has been rundown and rusting for years. Well, unfortunately for those who are not fans of creepy places, and fortunately enough for those who get a thrill out of visiting places like this, then do I have some destinations for you. Here are some of the creepiest amusement parts in America, after the fun ended.
By Corey Gittleman9 years ago in Wander
Unfriendly Skies
One thing that I can’t stand is how we seem to have lost even the illusion of “customer service” with such an important industry as Air Travel. Over the years the process became more miserable, and the space became more crowded. Somewhere along the way, we became cattle that could pay their own way. I recently traveled from San Diego to North Carolina with my girlfriend, Gigi and the Wee Lad. As things fell apart en route, Southwest Airlines made no moves to help the passengers with contingencies. Our trip ended with me keeping watch over a sleeping nine-year-old and his mother, in a strange airport.
By Mickey Finn9 years ago in Wander
Re-Entry
I'd be lying if I told you that when I arrived in Narita Airport in July of 2009 that it was a new experience. The summer of 2009 marked the third time I had ventured to Japan. The first time was when I was bridging the gap between middle school and high school and the second time was as a Sophomore in college. The experience is always new though, and that is precisely why it always feels new. Ten hours on a plane renders most vegetables less than fresh and humans in this way are very much like vegetables. There was lots of soon to be teachers at the airport that day and we all were filed into a group where we awaited our introduction to life in the JET Program. It was maybe afternoon when we landed in Tokyo and usually, a flight of that length puts everyone into a philosophical state. It was all quite a surreal experience realizing that I would be living in Japan for at least one year, compounded by the reality that I was certain that teaching in this way was as new as new could be. We all were loaded onto buses and then were transported to a nice Tokyo hotel where orientation would take place.
By Sound And The Messenger9 years ago in Wander
10 Things To Do This Summer
1. Read Lots Of Books Summer is the perfect time to sit outside and tuck into a good book. You can also get a nice suntan at the same time which is an extra bonus. Get warped into another world as you turn the pages. If you have an e-reader like a Kindle, take advantage of all of the cheap and free books available. If you walk past a shop selling books, have a browse. Take your mind on vacation with some great poems and stories.
By Chloe Gilholy9 years ago in Wander
