Angry art on a canvas of debris
Four weeks after Hurricane Melissa, Judith travels through western Jamaica to visit a school and community rebuilding amid the devastation.
Read the storyBarefoot Island Girl JA writes
Stories from the road,
and from the heart.
Travel, reflection, culture and the moments that ask us to pay closer attention.
The Nothingness of it All
The deafening sound of silence in what was once a bustling, crowded, vibrant seaside town, lingers in the air and fills the void. I haven't seen even one stray dog. Not one johncrow flying overhead. Just a single man…
Read the story
Dirt-stained feet
I was awakened early this morning by tears spilling from my eyes. I couldn’t unsee what I saw yesterday. That’s the problem with seeing and hearing things – you can never undo the senses. I had been traumatized by my…
Read the story
"Ghetto" people all a we
Navigating roadblocks from David airport, while praying to make it home in a reasonable time, we studied the landscape from the back of a taxi driven by one brave taxi man who had paid way too much for gas and was cha…
Read the story
Lessons from 61 rotations around the sun
As I celebrate and give thanks for seeing daylight at the beginning or end of 61st year of living (depending on who you ask), I bask in the glow of life and cherish the memories of my friends and family who left this…
Read the story
A Bocas Christmas saved by the stars
There is something romantic and idealistic about leaving it all behind and living on a less developed island in a houseboat or over-the-water cottage. But reality and dreams don’t often meet at the same intersection.…
Read the story
Launch out into the deep
As Mike and I walk by the beach on the outskirts of the sleepy beach town of Puerto Armuelles on Panama's Pacific coast, we watch as a group of fishermen ready themselves to go out to sea in the evening light. Painsta…
Read the story
To the Bat Cave
I have visited Grand Cayman no less than 20 times over the past 10 years on behalf of my client who has offices here. My trips usually consist of meetings and long work days followed by delectable meals in internation…
Read the story
Yearning for the Simple Life
Adulting is such hard work! I've been at it for 40+ years and still can't seem to master the art. I look around and wonder loudly to myself, "when did life get so complicated?" At what point did I not see the train co…
Read the story
Through the forest and over the hill to Grandma's House
There’s a children’s story I vaguely remember that has the lines through the forest and over the hill to grandmas house. Age is a helluva thing and I’ve forgotten which story it came from but that’s how I felt walking…
Read the story
We're not in the same boat!
I'm so tired of hearing people say "we're all in the same boat" as a way of getting others to think like they do, or in an attempt to bring us all together as one mind, body and thought. Or appearing to show empathy o…
Read the story
Penguin Sliding towards a Dream
I'm not necessarily a fan of very cold weather and God knows I hate the heat, but recently I have been reliving my Antarctica experience through my exhibit and longing for that sense of wonder and awe that filled me w…
Read the story
Changes in Latitude - escaping the sameness of life
The local joint where everybody knows your name like Cheers. The familiarity of knowing your neighborhood, your favorite Sushi restaurant, the barber you know by name and whose children you have watched grow up. These…
Read the story
Blue Skies, Crystal Caves & a Mechanical Fish Head
I look out the window at bright blue skies as I get ready for the workday. Don't be fooled - the rain is coming as it has done for weeks now. I'm one of the lucky ones though - I work from home. Having downsized recen…
Read the story
Free Public beaches, monkey on my back and a fond farewell
As we get ready to end our amazing month in Costa Rica, the sun greets us with gusto. When they told me it that I’d be traveling in the rainy season I guess I thought it was Jamaica’s rainy season or even Florida…afte…
Read the story
Sloths, Monkeys & Manuel Antonio
Its 6:30am in the middle of October and the Pacific town of Manuel Antonio is already buzzing with life. The National Park opens at 7am and with it, the coconut vendors, park guides, myriad shops and restaurants also…
Read the story