travel
The ultimate test of a compatible relationship is whether you can stand to travel together.
The Trove
The message came in as Raul was waist-deep in the desert, sifting through sand. Shaking the rusty sieve, he cursed under his breath as yet another shard of pottery was uncovered. This was hopeless. Flinging the jagged piece of clay to the side, Raul wiped his hands on his khakis and looked up at the brightening sky. Eight nights in the desert and he’d found nothing but some fragments of ancient pots and a splinter or two of animal bone. Another treasure hunt, another complete bust. It had been the same the past five expeditions in a row and Raul’s frustration was growing. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he stroked his calloused thumb over the soft black cover of his notebook and pulled it out. He wiped his hands again--he could barely remember a time when he wasn’t perpetually covered in dust--and found a blank page.
By Elaine Radosevich5 years ago in Humans
A Nomad’s Notebook
Chains of marigold flowers dance in the window as the bus trundles over bumps and potholes. Glass beads and a golden Ganesha swing to and fro above the driver. Even the roof is decorated in a riot of coloured paints, all clamouring to brighten the passengers’ spirits, despite most of them being fast asleep. Tabla drums and the wistful tune of a bansuri flute play through speakers above the dreaming heads, their rhythm bouncing even more than the bus’s wheels on the uneven road.
By Sarah Hatch5 years ago in Humans
Stardust
Wanderlust has directed my life… I was always the first in line, always the first to take another roller coaster ride. In 2019 I made the decision to end the nomadic lifestyle I had become addicted to and find a place I could call home. While the idea of sleeping in the same bed was a tempting alternative to the chaos, I questioned my sanity to want stability.
By Aryn Archer5 years ago in Humans
The Black Book Adventure
I rubbed my thumb over my name, Dan Gray, on my train ticket. A flutter of excitement raced through me. Europe, a place I had dreamt of backpacking across since I could read, write, and google. I had made a backpacking-across-Europe list at nine and remade it so many times I’ve lost count. I wanted to see it all. Unfortunately, I couldn’t. Despite saving for this trip since my first job at twelve, it still didn’t add up to much. I had to shrink that dream list to the highlight reels. But I didn’t care, I was here! My stomach cinched at that thought. I. Was. Here.
By Brittany Klassen-Rau5 years ago in Humans
Diving for Change
32-year-old Steve and his buddy, 30-year-old John, lived for their trips to Mexico. The two had met as accountants with the same firm. In a typical year, they planned three trips to San Carlos on the Sea of Cortez. It was the closest area to their city of Tucson, Arizona with decent SCUBA and sportfishing.
By Julie Lacksonen5 years ago in Humans
In Case of Loss
Assembled from a template, we have no identity. Packaged into crates, we are permitted no agency. Sold for scarcely more than a roll of quarters, we become the property of the young and old, literate and illiterate alike. Easily acquired, easily disposed, and yet, we serve as trusted repositories for a rainbow of mainlined emotions.
By M Sidney Beckman5 years ago in Humans
Against the Wind
Pamela hated driving. Actually, she hated other drivers; she knew perfectly well they were all out to get her. Two accidents caused by total idiots had taught her well, and she had developed a healthy disrespect for those who shared the road with her.
By Paula Shablo5 years ago in Humans
The Challenge
It was a sunny spring afternoon. Norman sat on a park bench eating his daily lunch of ham and cheese on white bread from a brown paper sack. This afternoon was a steep departure from Norman’s standard lunch routine. You see, Norman was just fired from his job. Norman is an unremarkable man with an unremarkable life. As he ate, Norman contemplated his future with the same short-sightedness he contemplated every decision he’d ever faced. He considered another mundane job just like the last two he had been fired from. Norman had always done what was required of him. Unfortunately, only the minimum had had ever been required and so the minimum is what he gave.
By Kristine Drews5 years ago in Humans
