Soles of a Nomad

Wondering if you really need to learn about a country before you visit? You don’t have to become a historian or linguist—but even a little background can turn your trip from surface-level sightseeing into something far more meaningful. This post lays out two compelling reasons why doing some pre-trip learning helps you connect more deeply with the places you visit—and offers practical, reasonable-effort ways to get started.

What I actually pack after years of travel: the useful, the random, and the stuff I’ve finally stopped bringing. Plus: the binder clips I’d never leave home without.

Travel isn’t all beaches and bliss. This brutally honest list of 14 cons of travel digs into the risks, realities, and contradictions that come with the road.

Is it overkill to study hieroglyphs before heading to Egypt? Maybe. But even a little prep—on gods, tombs, or museum treasures—can make your visit unforgettable.

Luxor dazzles with ancient beauty—but modern-day touts can test your patience. From horse carriage hustles to relentless street pitches, here’s what it’s like dealing with touts in Luxor, and why calmly standing your ground matters more than you think.

I planned a 33-day trip. Indonesia gave me 30. What followed was bureaucracy, boredom, and a cautionary tale. Don't repeat my mistake—read on.

Forget the misleading blog budget claims. Here’s how we traveled Southeast Asia for a year on $100/day—with all the real costs and strategies included.

Bangkok may be huge, but it’s surprisingly easy to navigate. Here’s my ultimate guide to getting around Bangkok—from Grab and taxis to the Skytrain, MRT, and boats.

One shirt. Two armpits. Zero hot water. This is backpacker laundry done the hard way — with soap, sweat, and shivering.

We took the night train from KL to Penang for the romance, the legroom, and the savings. The ferry was smooth. The walk? Let’s just say… sweaty.

After traveling with our three daughters from the time they were babies to teenagers, we've learned a few tricks. Here are 10 tips that helped us survive—and even enjoy—traveling the world as a family.

Relentless touts in Vietnam taught me that humor and kindness go further than frustration — and made for one of my favorite travel memories.

My Friend in Namche Bazaar Making Friends Around the Language Barrier   I met the man in the above photograph in Namche Bazaar, Nepal....

Life on the Mekong River It is a Competitive World Out There   Everything is a competition.   There, I said it. You know this is true. I...