Six of us were stranded, teetering on a tiny ledge above Pacaya’s lava flow near Antigua, Guatemala. The rock under our feet was solid—but heat radiated up through every crack. I felt like a pot roast in a slow cooker. Can you imagine it? Our tour guide had ungracefully deposited us on this tiny perch—a …
As I sat on my first chicken bus in Guatemala, a wave of realization washed over me. It was one of those rare moments where the surrounding world seemed to crystallize into something more meaningful. I don’t travel for the thrill of navigating the precarious rides on chicken buses—while some travelers use them primarily for …
Learning was a driving force that caused me to jet off on a round the world trip back in 2008, and I love sharing cool little facts and tidbits that I’ve learned over the years (it’s a key characteristics most people either love or hate about me!). And it’s what led me to a detailed …
I won’t say that it’s the most asked question I get when I’m on the road, but it certainly ranks right up there in the top ten, perhaps after the standard “where are you from?” and “how long are you traveling for?” People want to know why I’m vegetarian. And not just why, but also …
Semana Santa in Guatemala isn’t just beautiful—it’s immersive. The colors, the crowds, the scent of incense in the air—it’s a celebration that sweeps you up, whether you’re visiting for the religion, the culture, or the fun. It’s an event where the vivid colors of alfombras—those intricate, ephemeral carpets—come to life on Antigua’s charming cobblestone streets. …
In the dim haze of a Guatemalan night, mere days before Easter, a quest for water unfolded like the plot of a short story. Imagine the quiet labyrinth of Antigua’s cobblestone streets, a handful of travelers, and me, drifting through the silence at 2 a.m. Shops were closed, and vague directions to a 24-hour tienda …
The buzz throughout the city is infectious on the Wednesday before Easter. Although Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations don’t “officially” kick off until the morning of Holy Thursday, the colorfully picturesque town of Antigua, Guatemala has been milking this holiday for the past two weeks—I’ve seen countless early Semana Santa processions and mini-carpets as offerings. …
Travel pushes your boundaries and encourages you to live at the edges of what you find comfortable. So often in life we live with the safety of routine. But when traveling, I have tried new foods that I had never dream of sampling. I’ve tackled adventures that intimidated me. My adventurous approach to travel failed …