The Currency of Pad Thai

Pad Thai

That most delicious of foods – Pad Thai

I just can’t stop thinking about pad thai.

Lovingly tossed rice noodles, mixed with fish sauce, tofu, vegetables, egg and chicken (or shrimp) and topped with a sprinkling of chili powder, bean sprouts, ground peanuts and freshly squeezed lime juice. It is hands-down the most splendid dish on the planet.

However, even though I love to eat these noodles as often as possible, the reason why thoughts of pad thai so constantly occupy my mind actually has much less to…

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Travel Rule: Buy Something, Throw Something Away

The Freedom of Traveling Light

The Freedom of Traveling Light

It took me 20 minutes this morning to find the charger for my cell phone. I had to sift through my big backpack, another small backpack and a whole pile of crap that I had stuffed into two corners of my bedroom.

As I was digging around, I had to lower my head in shame. It occurred to me that lately, I have failed to adhere to one of the most important rules that I follow when traveling.

Located somewhere around Page 3, Section B, Paragraph 1, in my imaginary…

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Why Live at Home When You Can Live in...Mexico

My budget apartment in Sayulita

My Apartment in Sayulita

This afternoon I interfered with nature by rescuing a centipede from a violent gang of tiny ants that were pecking away at its head. I then relocated my hundred-legged friend to a different part of my balcony where it was able to wander around freely. So proud was I with my act of heroism that I crossed my arms and leaned back against a plastic deck chair, staring out towards the ocean, envisioning an endless stream of future rescues.

I then accidentally tipped the chair a bit and the puddle of…

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Mexico: Secrets from a Cesspool

A vicious gang and dangerous streets

Here in Mexico…it’s all dust and drugs…as well as deadly swine flu outbreaks, unrelenting violence, incessant corruption, dangerous third-world transportation, stomach-churning tacos and poisonous drinking water.

It’s really just one giant cesspool of a travel destination if you ask me. That is why I urge you, every single one of you, to stay away…as far away as you possibly can. I’m saying this because I care. It is your personal health and safety that are my topmost priorities.

So just stay away. Yep, that’s right…it’s a cesspool…

…full of excrement…

…nothing pleasant about it.

Hey…are you still there? Excellent.…

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Why I Don't Own a Tie

I hate ties.

Once upon a time I did own one. I’ll even admit it was an attractive tie – shiny maroon swirls overlapped with small black squares. I sure did receive my fair share of compliments whenever I wore it, often being labeled a ‘trendsetter’ by my colleagues (although it might have been ‘bed wetter’…I’m not exactly certain).

Nonetheless, I didn’t hesitate to add that one tie to a large pile of clothes I was sending over to the local Goodwill last year. I cheerfully dropped it, maroon swirls and all, in the bag with a “thanks for the…

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