Finding Peace In Yemen Abdulraoof paces the burnt-black rocks under a dragon blood tree, its sap oozing from the bark — a natural healer. This mysterious land, where 37% of plants and 90% of reptiles exist nowhere else, feels like a secret Earth kept for herself. An Egyptian vulture stands nearby, curious about our invasion. Our guide runs his fingers across the tree, gathering blood-red resin on a fingertip. As we hike in the searing Socotra sun, Abdulraoof takes light and steady steps in...
20 days ago • 1 min read
Acts of Humanity In Valencia As you have probably seen by now, Valencia experienced devastating floods this past week. The storm arrived Tuesday morning. Warnings didn't come until Tuesday night. Over 200 people are dead. 1900 people are missing. And questions have largely gone unanswered. Yesterday, President Sanchez fled the city after the windows of his SUV were smashed with fists and rocks. It was a proper response to unforgivable negligence by the government, both national and local. I...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
The World Nomad Games (At a Glance) When a horse handler caught the eye of my camera, he put on a little show. On September 5th, I arrived in Astana bagless and approaching 30 hours without sleep. The airline left my luggage in Istanbul, but I was too excited to be consumed by the inconvenience. I ventured into the city, knowing I still had a camera, passport, and a semi-operational human body. Kazakhstan is the birthplace of tulips and apples. It's inhabited by over 120 ethnic groups. Many...
3 months ago • 3 min read
The Only Two People You Should Try to Impress A mother and her daughter at Carnaval de Valencia - March 2024 As a teenager, I was always trying to impress someone. Whether it was the crowd at a sporting event or a girl at the mall, I sought validation in the words and reactions of others. I couldn't conjure self-acceptance, so I continued seeking. Hey, look at me! Yeah, no thanks. If we must impress anyone in this life, let it be two people: The child self and the older self. First is the...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Conquer the Fear of Flying When I was six, my family went to San Diego to visit relatives. I had the aisle seat on the outbound flight, and my brother had the window. Seated between us was a fella who snored like a beached walrus. Naturally, we decided to mess with him. First, we removed his watch and put it on the opposite wrist. Then, we emptied the contents of a ketchup packet on his upper back. Somehow, he didn't wake up. Had the guy been conscious, his in-flight experience would have...
5 months ago • 1 min read
The Childhood Feeling I Miss Most It was Friday. The bell sang to us. We were lined up single file: A dozen or so 8-year-old girls and boys awaiting the nod that meant 30 minutes of freedom. It was as if we had been spring-loaded into the barrels of cannons. Our teacher held the igniter. We collectively wiggled in anticipation. The nod came, and the heavy door was flung open with ferocious force, prey to a hoard of tiny hands. We burst through the door like skydivers, reaching a sprint pace...
6 months ago • 1 min read
Filling My Cup In Albania I turned the ignition for the third time. Nothing. The host from the guesthouse saw me pacing by the car as she tended the garden. The Albanian Alps loomed over the valley, appearing as sheer rock walls. I tilted back, catching glimpses of clouds dancing across frosted mountain caps. I let out a sigh. The November wind offered winter warnings. The host walked over. Moments later, people emerged from their houses. A handful of Theth's 370 inhabitants soon surrounded...
6 months ago • 1 min read
Surrendering Attachment A photo of Sabora Gridulce taken at El Saler Beach in Valencia I have wanted to live in Spain since I was 20. I was very close to falling short of that dream. I submitted a 30-page business plan and secured two Spanish work contracts, only to be rejected without explanation. Then, I applied for a non-lucrative visa and encountered countless roadblocks. I had to complete three background checks, send hundreds of emails, take two trips to Chicago, and spend thousands of...
7 months ago • 1 min read
The Visualization Exercise I Will Never Forget Ten years ago, my friend approached me in the kitchen at the financial firm where we worked. He asked if he could walk me through a psychological visualization exercise. “Sure. Let’s do it.” I had no idea what I was signing up for, nor did I care. I would have donated four quarts of blood before returning to that particle board desk under the fluorescent lights. It was a powerful exercise that revealed abandoned desires, hidden fears, and...
8 months ago • 1 min read