My hitchhiking from Maastricht to Dortmund goes well and I arrive in Germany earlier than expected. Two hours until I am expected at my host's apartment - I guess it's a good time for a celebratory beer. I find my host's place to get my aimless wandering out-of-the-way and then head to the
Climbing Up (And Pooping On) Mount Fuji (Part II)
Didn’t read Part I? Climbing Up (And Pooping On) Mount Fuji (Part I). TL;DR: I'm now sitting in the freezing cold on top of Mount Fuji waiting for the sunrise after a crowded and frustrating climb up from the fifth station. I open my eyes. Yup, just as I suspected, still dark. Have I
Photo Gallery: Budget Travel (Beds Edition)
Many people think that because I travel, it somehow means that I have some vast reserve of gold hidden away in the mountains (which is why I had to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, duh). Alas, my trusty treasure trove fails to support the lavish habits of many travelers and vacation-goers - namely,
That Time Some Reindeer Tried To Kill Me
After arriving at the ICEHOTEL and finding out that I had to wait over two hours for the next tour (in Engish), I decided to tag along with two Canadians I met to some church and museum at the end of the street. The church and museum apparently were both focused on by the Sami people (the
52 Hours Of “I’m Never Doing This Again”
A Greyhound Bus from Los Angeles to New Orleans. So much uncertainty. Do joyous memories, character-building life experience and lifelong friends await me on the road? Or is this as terrible an idea as it sounds? TL;DR: it was a terrible idea. THE ITINERARY Los Angeles to San Diego.
Why Airplanes Are The Worst
Oh, the aeroplane. Fast, convenient, anxiety inducing, metal tubes that whisk passengers through the sky to their destinations like uncomfortable magic carpets. Airplane travel forces us to sacrifice comfort in the name of convenience, it imposes a seemingly arbitrary set of rules upon
How To Find The Best (And Cheapest) Hostel Every Time
Hostels are great for all types of travelers. They range from grungy party-centric frat houses to family-friendly homes complete with childcare. Finding the "best" hostel can be a trying task. Does "best" translate to nicest? Cleanest? Most fun? Most centrally located? To most travelers, "best"
The Time A Japanese Stranger Stole My Pride
I did not walk 2,600 miles from Mexico to Canada for glory. I didn't do it for charity, I didn't do it for exercise, not for fun, not for attention, not for personal growth. I did it for another type of growth: beard growth. And I was incredibly successful. Only five days after my Pacific Crest
I Love American High School Girls
Since arriving in Japan, I have spoken very little English, and even less Japanese (since my current vocabulary is limited to a few dozen words). So as strange of an introduction as it was, it was nice when an older Japanese man stepped into my train compartment, and said, "Welcome to Japan!"