“D,” W says over the phone, hiccuping sobs, “J’s dad. He’s passed.” Muffled cries, inaudible words. “Oh my god,” I manage, feeling the pit of my stomach tighten and tears instantly fill my eyes. I think I hear her ask me to come to where she is. Even if I don’t, it doesn’t matter. It’sContinue reading “When tragedy strikes the expat life”
Category Archives: Asia
Lessons learned from seven months as an expat
Today marks seven months of being an expat in Thailand. To say my life has been a blessing these past seven months is not an understatement. From exploring Sri Lanka to blissing out in Bali to rescuing elephants and all of the beautiful moments in between, I have loved nearly every moment. What have I learnedContinue reading “Lessons learned from seven months as an expat”
The rescue of Lucky the Elephant
“Diana! Mindy! Get off of the truck!” We hear Lek yell from the ground below at us, as we sit huddled under a wooden bench in the bed of a truck beginning to fill up with water. We are soaked. And, the elephant standing mere feet from us on the truck, doesn’t look too thrilledContinue reading “The rescue of Lucky the Elephant”
The faces of Ratanakiri
The little boy’s face in front of me is smeared with dirt, coupled with snot. But, he doesn’t care. Instead, he pushes his tiny, dark face closer to me. Closer to my lens, and smiles big. Click. I turn the camera towards him, displaying his chubby little face for him to see and he eruptsContinue reading “The faces of Ratanakiri”
The seedy side of Bangkok: Nana Plaza
The girls stand around poles, clad in tiny bikinis, looking entirely uninterested at the crowd of mostly expats (and sexpats) who sit around the stage, sipping watered down drinks and gawking. Daniel and I were unsure about going to the Nana Plaza complex, a part of Bangkok’s red light district, but after a bottle ofContinue reading “The seedy side of Bangkok: Nana Plaza”
To rescue elephants
It is pitch black when Lek knocks on the door of my room at the guest house. “Ok, we go,” she says softly through the wood. “The elephants are ready.” I’m up. Today — this morning — we are on a mission: to rescue two female elephants from their lives of work and deliver themContinue reading “To rescue elephants”
Escape of the Week: Udawalawae National Park, Sri Lanka
The sunrise in Sri Lanka casts a pink and orange glow across the peach dirt, warming me despite the slight chill in the air. In front of the guest house we’ve stayed at, there are two larger-than-life Jeeps, with their sides and roof ripped off and rows of plastic benches replacing the normal seats. We’reContinue reading “Escape of the Week: Udawalawae National Park, Sri Lanka”
When leeches attack
I remember the scene from “Stand By Me” so vividly. My childhood crush, Wil Wheaton, is stomach-deep in water and emerges with big, fat, juicy, blood-filled leeches on his skinny frame. Frantic, he and his cohorts rush to pull the vampire insects from their bodies. Then, the worst possible thing happens: there is a leech.Continue reading “When leeches attack”
Giving thanks
I’m sitting in the kitchen of the house where I grew up. Around me, I can hear the happy chatter of my mom, dad and brother. I hear the jingle of metal from the tag on Barkley, our old and gorgeous springer spaniel’s collar. I look outside at the naked trees against the bright blueContinue reading “Giving thanks”
Devdan: a glimpse of Indonesian culture in Bali
The lights dim and then burn the eyes, a man and woman appear on opposite ends of the stage. Staring longingly at each other. What transpires next is a mix of sensuality, passion and dancing that leaves the audience entranced. The couple merges together, holding onto thick ribbons hung from the top of the stage.Continue reading “Devdan: a glimpse of Indonesian culture in Bali”
D Travels 'Round 