Reliably, as I emerge above tree level, my heart lifts. Some kind of magic. First, is the sheer pleasure of the machine working well. I get stride, breath, and heartbeat into a sustainable rhythm, where I can just let it roll. I feel the heat rising from my body, everything
On any good hike, there are endless problems to solve. Which way to walk, what about the weather, how best to ford the river, how to get through the marsh with dry feet, how to approach the rock scramble, how to re-locate the trail after bypassing the too-soft
Netherlands, Germany, Denmark were all a smooth continuum of loveliness. Certainly I noticed when crossing borders, primarily from the change in language. Ok, how is it that these countries, all so close together, have entirely different languages? I am still amazed by the phenomenon of language at all. That we
Getting the van was a four hour hassle too tedious to recount, and my first day of driving was prolonged by traffic, needing to put air in my right front tire, and wanting to stop to clarify my destination so I would know exactly where to go. The plan was
Amsterdam — my home away from home — is a beautiful city, and so livable. Everything is accessible by bike within 20 minutes, it has fabulous green spaces, a vast variety of ethnic foods, great public transportation, and endless culture and entertainment. Whenever I am here, I am struck by the contrast
Crazy landscape. One minute bucolic farm land, the next, sharp jagged lava fields. Not to mention the afore described geothermal areas where the hills spout jets of steam. No trees. Very weird to feel like we are above tree line but be right by the sea. We are driving the
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Land of ice and fire! On the drive from the Reykjavik to our first night’s accommodation, Mirabel regaled me with stories of all the stupid things tourists are famous for doing in Iceland, despite clear warnings. These include hiking without weather preparation and getting caught in sudden down pours,
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Moving about the world as a singleton, I can feel that all my edges are exposed. There is no protected flank, no safe harbor in the near distance between me and a companion. It’s not just experiencing everything alone, it’s that there is a keenness, an unbuffered astringency
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These last few months, I have made friends with solo living at home. Here, I have people who love me within a few blocks in every direction. Dawn to my East, Lyric and Mehdi to the West, Jody to the North, and Jason, Vickie and Atticus down South. Also from
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I am preparing to spend 10 weeks in Europe, much of it on my own. This will be my first venture traveling solo, and is an information gathering expedition about whether that can work for me. I won’t be alone the whole time, as I get to start out