Exploring the World
International travel has been one of the great teachers of my life. Walking through ancient streets, standing before monuments, and sharing moments with people from different cultures has expanded not only my understanding of the world but also of myself. Each journey has left me with new stories, new perspectives, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty and resilience woven into every corner of our globe.
Recent Posts
Leif Erikson Statue – Iceland
In the capital city of Reykjavik, standing prominently in front of Hallgrimskikja, is this statue honoring Lief Erikson. The tall bronze figure faces west toward the Atlantic Ocean, a fitting direction for the explorer believed to have sailed from Greenland and reached North America nearly five centuries before Columbus. The inscription on the base reads: […]
Kew Gardens – London
On a free afternoon from teaching, Marty and I took the train out to Kew Gardens. It was restorative to step away from the city and let a train carry us toward this green space. The gardens felt expansive and peaceful, with wide lawns and winding paths. Kew began as a royal garden in the […]
Miradouro do Pico do Ferro – Portugal
Marty and I enjoyed driving around Sao Miguel Island. Though it is a relatively small island, traveling from one end to the other brings constant change of scenery, lush green hills, dramatic coastlines, and something quite different. The island itself was formed by volcanic activity, built up over time from eruptions beneath the ocean. In many […]
Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria la Antigua – Panama
While we were staying in Panama City, we made our way to an older section of the city known as Casco Viejo. It sits right along the water on a small peninsula, not far from the modern skyline. Just beyond these old buildings, you can see the tall, glass towers of the newer city, but […]
Winnie Nelson – Soweto, South Africa
We traveled to Johannesburg to teach, and before the seminar, we spent the day in Soweto. A high priority for me was to visit Nelson Mandela’s house. It is his history that I know the most about when it comes to South Africa. Arriving on Vilakazi Street, this is not a distant landmark set apart […]
Triple Natural Bridge – Aruba
Along the rugged northern coastline of Aruba, the landscape changes dramatically. The calm, clear waters of the island’s beaches give way to something far more powerful, wind, waves, and rock shaped over time. It is here that we came across what is known as the Triple Natural Bridge. This formation is a series of smaller limestone […]
Tracks into Auschwitz – Poland
There is much we can share, and I will eventually, about visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau, but for now, I will talk about these tracks. They stretch forward in a straight line, disappearing through the gate and into the camp. It is a simple image, steel rails and gravel. But standing there carries a weight that is difficult […]
Park in Itapetininga – Brazil
When we traveled to Brazil, we had the opportunity to teach in the town of Itapetininga, a place that reflects a quieter and more traditional side of the country. While it may not be widely known, it has a history that connects to an important period in Brazil’s development. Itapetininga was founded in the late […]
John Lennon’s Wall in Prague – Czechia
On our visit to Prague, Marty and I stopped to see one of the city’s most colorful landmarks. Covered in layers of bright paint, messages and artwork, the wall is alive with expression. This famous spot is known as the John Lennon Wall. It stands near the historic Charles Bridge and has become a symbol of […]
Government Palace – Helsinki, Finland
On our walking tour through Helsinki, we passed this stately yellow facade of the Government Palace. This building has been at the center of Finnish government for over two centuries. Designed in the early 1800s, the building was originally constructed when Finland was under Russian rule. It was first used by the Imperial Senate of Finland, making it one […]
Arch of Hadrian – Athens, Greece
Marty and I stood in front of the Arch of Hadrian in Athens, with the modern city stretching out behind it. The steady rhythm of everyday life continues around a structure that has stood here for nearly 2000 years. The arch was built in 131AD to honor the Roman Emperor Hadrian, during a time when […]
Ferryland Lighthouse – Newfoundland, Canada
Ferryland is one of those places where history feels present and layered into the land itself. Marty and I made our way along the coastline of Newfoundland, where the road fellows the edge of the Atlantic, and each turn reveals another stretch of rugged shoreline. Arriving in Ferryland, there is a sense that this place has been […]
