Blog: The Soul of a Journey

How I tried to lose weight and learned to love my curves instead

My early summer was fun, chaotic, and action-packed, with two Women’s Adventure groups in Indonesia plus more flights and changes of lodging than I usually have in a year. So I set myself up with an entire month of solitude afterward, and I decided to make that month a fitness retreat for myself, with a strong focus on weight loss.

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Travel Ethics Meets Colonialism

I’m on the coast of Bali, enjoying a sweet little resort for a week. It’s the perfect spot to relax and get some work done — and yet, I’m having a lot of mixed feelings about being here.

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Jogja: Javanese Hospitality

The first time I was in Yogyakarta (aka Jogja), I was struck by how friendly people were. People exchanged genuine… Read More »Jogja: Javanese Hospitality

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On Bali & Book Writing

I’m still working on bringing the older posts over to this new home with Indie Travel Guru, and there’s a… Read More »On Bali & Book Writing

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Secret Garden Hostel at Cotopaxi

My favorite hostel in the entire world is The Secret Garden hostel at the Cotopaxi Volcano about two hours from Quito,… Read More »Secret Garden Hostel at Cotopaxi

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Cuyabeno: Visiting the Amazon Rainforest

Tarantulas, shaman, anaconda, monkeys… the Jamu Lodge in the Amazon rainforest provided a fantastic adventure for Craig and me to… Read More »Cuyabeno: Visiting the Amazon Rainforest

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Touch the Sky: Hiking Pichincha

Pichincha is a volcano that sits conveniently at the edge of Quito. A teleferico lets you ride halfway up in… Read More »Touch the Sky: Hiking Pichincha

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Sunday afternoon in Quito

Every Sunday in the Historic Center of Quito, the streets are closed to traffic and opened to bicyclists instead. The… Read More »Sunday afternoon in Quito

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Budgeting for Joy

Last night, Craig and I had whiskey-scented lobster with caviar for dinner, while enjoying world-class service and a spectacular view… Read More »Budgeting for Joy

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Bogota: How a world-class evening fell into our laps

This morning Craig and I packed up everything we own, slung it on our backs, and caught a cab to the airport. Leaving Cartagena for Bogota, Columbia felt bittersweet, but I think two months in a place is the right tempo for me. I’ve always been happiest when I was either anticipating a trip or in the middle of one; this way I’m perpetually doing both!