It's been nearly two years since I arrived in Ghana, with the intention to open a backpacker's hostel/guesthouse. Over the time I've been here, that idea has morphed and turned into something much more aligned with my values. I realized that by making it non-profit, I could funnel proceeds into community development work, which is … Continue reading Settling In: building an NGO in Ghana
Category: Travel
On the Cushion: 10 Days in Silence
Gosh. It's been five days now since I completed my first 10-day silent Vipassana meditation course and I'm still struggling to put the experience into words. As with all intense experiences, the rush of it fades quickly with time, so I fear that the longer I wait, the less able I'll be to really capture … Continue reading On the Cushion: 10 Days in Silence
Returning to Normal: the final Ftour
So, it's now Day 2 of Eid al-fitr, the celebratory days at the end of the fast. I made it. Well, almost. Last time I wrote, it was Day 14, less than halfway, and I was having serious doubts about how much longer I would last. Day 18, I caved. I have a client who's … Continue reading Returning to Normal: the final Ftour
Breaking Fast: Ramadan in Morocco
Day 14. 1:33pm. Already hungry and I've been thirsty since I woke. No headache, though (yet), and I'm not too dizzy, so I'll take it. It's a weird thing, this Ramadan. Everybody talks about it as if it's this beautiful, enjoyable time... until it actually is Ramadan, and then we just talk about our various states of … Continue reading Breaking Fast: Ramadan in Morocco
Kept in Guantanamo: The case of Omar Khadr
Most days, I am so grateful for the technology that allows me to stay in touch while I'm living abroad. However, some mornings, I still feel the distance. I feel the 8 hours time difference, when I need to talk to somebody, but I know my friends and family won't be awake for another 6 … Continue reading Kept in Guantanamo: The case of Omar Khadr
À la Capitale: my move to Rabat
It's just after 9am, and here is a list of some of the things I've already done this morning: Watched the moon set and the sun rise - somehow I fell asleep at 8:30 last night, so I was up crazy early! Read a handful of articles on the UNHCR's recent work in the Western … Continue reading À la Capitale: my move to Rabat
Back in the Kingdom: Returning to Maroc
So after some mishaps in transportation to the airport, I managed to make it out of France and back to Morocco (oddly, no questions asked about my new passport!) So far, I'm not nearly as anxious as I thought I might have been. Though, I've yet to make the transition to Rabat, where I'll actually be … Continue reading Back in the Kingdom: Returning to Maroc
In a BlaBlaCar: en route to MarseillesÂ
I cannot believe how quickly these past two months have gone by. It's incredible how content I've been; I feel like it's flown by, as if I've just arrived. But now I'm preparing to head back to Morocco, and I'm still a mixture of both super excited and super anxious. On one hand, it's so … Continue reading In a BlaBlaCar: en route to MarseillesÂ
In the French Alps: le deuxième workaway
Oh man, I have been dying to write this post. But I've been too busy enjoying myself to sit down on my computer and do it! And honestly, I tend to only write when I'm confronted with extremely challenging things that I need to deconstruct a bit. And there's finally been none of that! But … Continue reading In the French Alps: le deuxième workaway
In the south of France: getting away from my Workaway
I saw a moth the other night, and it reminded me of my mom. Specifically, how terrified she was of them, and how she would shriek if she happened to find one trapped inside our house, helplessly beating itself against a lightbulb, trying to escape. They often remind me of her, but this night I … Continue reading In the south of France: getting away from my Workaway
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