| Journey Into Kurdistan
Eva Bell
© Copyright 2021 by Eva Bell
|
 Photo by kimia rezaie on Unsplash |
In
January 1977, the
Shah of Iran was still on his throne and entry into the country was
not as difficult as it is today. I was on my way to a small Mission
hospital situated high up in the Zagros ranges, which catered to the
health needs of the Kurds of Iran. . . .
Sleepless Near SeattleJohn C. Hollinger © Copyright 2021 by John C. Hollinger  |
 Photo by the author. |
Rain,
coffee, granola, and grunge. As we hit the outskirts of the Mecca of
all these things, none were on our Seattle to-do list.
This
visit would be a targeted suburban strike: two goals, three to four
hours. In and out, quick and easy. Or not. . . .
More. . . .
Culture Shocked (West Coast Bias)John Smistad © Copyright 2021 by John Smistad |
 Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash |
Lioness in the Maasai MaraCathleen Gianetta © Copyright 2021 by Cathleen Gianetta |
 Photo by the author. |
My
husband and I traveled to Amboseli and the Maasai Mara in Kenya in
October 2019, just before the recognition of the
COVID-19 pandemic. This story is one of many amazing experiences we had with the help of experienced guides.
Not far from the dirt road, in the shade of a sausage tree, the lioness sat perfectly still with an air of calm, but also with a sense of command that perhaps resulted from the tension in her muscles that gave an impression of high alert. . . .
COVID-19 pandemic. This story is one of many amazing experiences we had with the help of experienced guides.
Not far from the dirt road, in the shade of a sausage tree, the lioness sat perfectly still with an air of calm, but also with a sense of command that perhaps resulted from the tension in her muscles that gave an impression of high alert. . . .
The Feeling of Nationality Beyond the Boundary of Nation (Country)Milan Rijal © Copyright 2021 by Milan Rijal |
 Photo by Rach Teo on Unsplash |
The
recent U.S.
Bangla Aircraft crash in Tribhuvan International Airport reminded me
of my trip to Thailand. It was a matter of pleasure and honor for me
to have the opportunity to represent Nepal in the international forum
as a young apprentice. It was back in October 7, 2017, I was making
my first international flight heading to Bangkok. My flight had been
reserved in the Thai Airways by the travel agent named 'Sunshine
Travel Agency' of Jawlakgel. . . .
Folly BeachKamuka © Copyright 2021 by Kamuka |
 Photo by Bre Smith on Unsplash |
Travel
is about so much more than external travel. I was born in South
Carolina but I grew up in Wisconsin and have lived in New York City
for 30 years. Time travel seems impossible they say, but the past is
always with us. I’ve always wanted to connect with South
Carolina where I was born. . . .
Bite, Chew, Swallow, RepeatJohn C. Hollinger © Copyright 2021 by John C. Hollinger |
 John and Heike. Photo by the author. |
When
you think of Maine, cookies and cream might not be your first thoughts.
But after an unexpected challenge for the ages, John now knows that
Maine is all about makin’ Whoopie… Pies.
With Heike riding shotgun, Boo asleep in the back, and Tino sunning himself on the dash, John navigated the backroads of Maine. In addition to being transportation across exciting new lands, our little red Kia Rio hatchback had also been acting as our home away from home the past two months. . . .
With Heike riding shotgun, Boo asleep in the back, and Tino sunning himself on the dash, John navigated the backroads of Maine. In addition to being transportation across exciting new lands, our little red Kia Rio hatchback had also been acting as our home away from home the past two months. . . .
Driving Down Highway 101Deon Matzen © Copyright 2021 by Deon Matzen |
 Photo by Georg Eiermann on Unsplash |
Sounds intriguing?
Sounds like fun? I must admit, it was only a small section of 101,
the Pacific Coast Highway. We are camping in late October. Not in a
tent, but we are camping in a trailer. We started in Port Townsend,
Washington this morning and have traveled to the Long Beach
Peninsula, the southern and western-most region of Washington State. . . .
What No One Told MeHeidelberg, Germany 1969Deon Matzen © Copyright 2021 by Deon Matzen |
 Photo by Yutacar on Unsplash. |
It
was autumn and my sister and I were off to Europe for a grand tour,
more like modest, but still a great trip for two young women on their
own. I had been working for about three years after I had graduated
from college and had finally saved enough so I was treating myself to
a trip, to a special vacation. . . .
Camping in Torrential RainsDeon Matzen © Copyright 2020 by Deon Matzen |
 Photo by the author... |
We
couldn’t have expected much other than torrential rains
visiting this time of year. It is late October. Not much happens on
the Long Beach Peninsula in October. It is Thursday and the hot deal
tonight is prime rib at the Lost Roo. . . .
More...
A Trip Through CultureNischal Samrat © Copyright 2021 by Nischal Samrat |
 Photo of the author. |
Never
had I known that a single day field trip could be experienced like a
fortuitous cultural unearthing opportunity at a young age. I can
still feel the reminiscence of my indelible field trip of my fifth
grade. It made me understand the rich cultural roots of my ancestors,
marvelous places yet to be visited out there in this enormous world,
and how the modernization has led an impact on our culture and the
new generation of citizens. . . .
To Taste the Moments of Coffee: the Roots & Resiliency of a Rio de Janeiro Café OwnerKate Morin © Copyright 2021 by Kate Morin |
 Photo by Agustin Diaz Gargiulo on Unsplash |
As
an ICU travel nurse on the front-lines of the pandemic, I took 4
months off to rest, recover, and live in Rio de Janeiro. During my
time here, I met a lovely woman named Anna. This is Anna’s
story amidst the backdrop of current day Rio de Janeiro. . . .
Portal, North DakotaNikki Everts © Copyright 2021 by Nikki Everts |
 Photo by the author. |
“So,
do you have a gun?” The young US customs official asked me as I
stood across the counter from him and his two colleagues.
“No!” I replied. His question made me feel cranky and offended. I was a middle aged, verging on old, woman tired from a week of driving in the summer heat without air conditioning. Raised in the US, I had moved to Canada in my twenties and fully accepted my adopted country’s persona of non-violent civility. Couldn’t the young man see that I was a Canadian and therefore unlikely to be carrying a firearm? . . .
It's A Small TownA Generous Act Can Bring TroubleMarcia McGreevy Lewis © Copyright 2021 by Marcia McGreevy Lewis |
To
say that my partner never met a stranger is an understatement. He
chats easily with many generations and has found his way across the
globe by doing what he calls a “shout out.” People are
always happy to give him directions, and the response he gets is
heartwarming. He talks to nurses, barbers, uber drivers, bellmen and
food servers. Board chairs, tech geniuses and doctors--no problem. He
truly cares about getting to know people, and they pick up on his
genuine interest by rewarding him with gratifying interactions. . . .
A Long "Summer" Vacation to RememberJustina Ogodo © Copyright 2021 by Justina Ogodo  |
What
do you see when you do groceries in the produce section? I see
hot peppers, and I remember. This story is set in 1974 when I was a
young girl. I was born in a small seaport city with a humble
background. At the age of six, we moved to a bigger city. Like every
city dweller, my siblings and I were unfamiliar with rural life where
most of our extended family resided. Because of our city dwelling,
our cousins in the village often thought differently about us, much
like those living abroad in the Western world, Europe, North America,
etc. My father planned my school long holidays for 1974 for my sister
and me. I was ten years old. We would spend the entire vacation with
our uncle on his farm situated in a rural part of the country. . . .
More...
Reptilian BrainZandi Eberstadt © Copyright 2021 by Zandi Eberstadt |
 Photo by Dominik Lalic on Unsplash |
. . . .Every
doctor talks about me like I’m the problem. Panic DISORDER.
Well, maybe I’m not the problem, the issue is a world that
expects people to live in crates without being anxious. To lug
ourselves around underground tunnels like rats. . . .
Coping With PTSDKelly Maida © Copyright 2021 by Kelly Maida |
I
have already felt like a misfit and that I did not fit in before I
was diagnosed with PTSD. And ever since I found out almost five years
ago that I have Ptsd, I feel now more than ever that I really don’t
fit in. I feel the biggest problem is society does not even
understand ptsd at all. . . .
In Armenia You Would Never StarveElena Bubeeva © Copyright 2021 by Elena Bubeeva |
 Photo by Gor Davtyan on Unsplash |
“If
you were given a chance to see gorgeous mountains higher than the
Alps and embrace Stalinist-style architecture, would you say no?”
asked Alex in a rush. It was summer as I sat idly in Hamburg. He just
received a response from the Chair of Expeditions Committee. . . .
More...
The Revolution or the Co-existence?Somaya El-Absawy © Copyright 2021 by Somaya El-Absawy |
 Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash |
To My Beloveds(You know who you are)Kirthana B. Raj © Copyright 2021 by Kirthana B. Raj |
I
haven’t written anything remotely good in the past year and
this was not the piece I intended to begin with, see I have all these
messy webs of stories, poems, essays about pandemic, about all the
new people I got to shake hands with, the new things I got to learn,
the social media and hundreds of others but this is important because
this is all I keep thinking about (so we write what we must, not what
we want). . . .
My Aunt Went To Victoria FallsNatisha Parsons © Copyright 2021 by Natisha Parsons |
 Photo by the author. |
Although this story is written as a story told by a niece, telling of
her aunt’s trip, the trip was taken by my daughter and myself
as a seventieth birthday gift from her to me.
My
Aunt enjoyed telling me about her visit to Victoria Falls in
Zimbabwe. They had a lovely, though short, journey in a South African
plane. She went with her best friend forever. . . .
It's Never EnoughJoyce Benedict © Copyright 2021 by Joyce Benedict |
A most unusual afternoon luncheon in a New York mansion brings a valuable, life lesson to a young married woman. . . .
The Route To My RootSamuel Edward © Copyright 2021 by Samuel Edward |
|
This
nonfiction piece is a travelogue which narrates the
story of how the contest of who gets elected in the revered elders'
council was settled by means of the most traveled person. Here, the
writer had garnered enough experiences through his extensive travels
through countries in the West, East, North and South of Africa. His
traveling adventures subsequently won the crown for him as he emerged
the winner from the pile of
contestants. . . .
The Shine In UsSiti Nabihah © Copyright 2021 by Siti Nibihah |
 Photo by Phil Desforges on Unsplash |
It
has been a pretty good day. So a little dirt on me is fine. It’s
fine. Not that it matters much anyway, with four days passed since my
last bath. I grimaced slightly without looking down on my feet. They
felt damp and cold. Tufts of muddy grass must have taken a grip in
between the spaces of my toes. I wriggled them discomfortingly and
hoped they hadn't touched anything more unpleasant. Clearly, tracing
the vast fields of Altanbulag Sum in Ulaanbaatar at ten degrees
celsius in flip-flops was not a very good idea. . . .
A Trip Back To TimeIlhamul Azam © Copyright 2021 by Ilhamul Azam |
|
“Hey
Ilham, get up!” says my sister while shaking my dozing body.
This
time I didn't ask to let me sleep for five more minutes as the
excitement of going to the most beautiful place in Bangladesh had had
its enchantment for a few days in me. I and my sister get ready on a
foggy morning, this is the first time we see the first sunshine
peeking through our balcony. We don’t have sleep dangling from
our eyes, rather we look forward to having an adventurous experience
incorporating the primitivity of Bandarban. . . .
Though I’d arranged
the time and place, I still found myself hiding in a boutique near
the train station when he showed up. He was in a nice shirt with dark
pants – a slim figure amid the crowd of people filtering
through the station’s entrance. I could see him from the
boutique’s window as he sat down on a bench nearby in the humid
summer heat, resolutely scanning the crowds for me. . . .
|
What Happens Here Barry Purcell © Copyright 2021 by Barry Purcell |
 Photo by Nicola Tolin on Unsplash |
Everything I know about Las Vegas I have learned against my will. My first time, in 2003, was part of an extended honeymoon with my first wife which also saw us take in Hawaii and San Francisco. Originally we had planned to get married in Las Vegas, but it turned out that she did not want our marriage to be a post-modernist statement, filled with irony and self-referential humour. In retrospect, I can see her point. We spent two blurry days in that salt lake neon cabaret, blurry because this city will not allow you to slow down. . . .
The Story of a Mountain GirlNawshin Anjum © Copyright 2021 by Nawshin Anjum |
 Photo by the author. |
There
is a river on one side and mountains on the other side. The green
water of the river seems to merged into the sky. And the mountains?
They will surely touch the sky today. The mountains seem to have
conquered horizon after horizon, standing proudly with heads held
high. They must meet the clouds today. And the blue sky also seems to
have welcomed and wrapped them in a sheet of clouds. The yellow-white
wild flowers on the mountains are like the ornaments on a velvet .Can
you imagine this heavenly beauty? . . .
The KootenyFrank J. Stewart © Copyright 2021 by Frank J. Stewart |
|
It
was 1964 and it was a proper morning of mountains and rising sun.
Quail in the bushes, the Raven discovering some irritant on the beach
below A new day awaited and the young man had decided on a course of
action. It was a moment that he had been awaiting and had done much
preparation for. This was the day that he and his cousin would go to
the high River. The north Kootenay of British Columbia. . . .
Trip Through The Western Part of New MexicoGeorge Pintar © Copyright 2021 by George Pintar |
|
I recently read an
article about the severe traffic congestion on the roadways around
the Albuquerque area, which reminded me of a trip I took from Grants
to Deming. I had anything but congestion on this trip. I was lucky
to see more than a handful of oncoming cars and only a few more
pickup trucks. . . .
El ViejoGiles Ryan © Copyright 2021 by Giles Ryan |
 Photo by DaYsO on Unsplash |
Once you've had a long and
deep immersion in another culture and language it will mark you, and
some things will abide long after, including attitudes and indeed
behaviors previously unknown, so that you become just slightly
someone else, and the effect may not always please you. I have
another proof of this on the Camino. . . .
Re-ConstructionLew Goddard Edited by Anne Goddard © Copyright 2021 by Lew Goddard |
|
I
jumped when Jaxon burst through my
field office door. “Boss, he hollered, come with me, ---hurry!
He turned and ran back to the construction site. . . .
A Prince of ThievesCrime and Antic of a US deported Jamaican YouthWinston Donald © Copyright 2021 by Winston Donald |
|
The
Green Line bus came down the hill with such a speed, missing the
retaining walls of my grandmother’s home by just a foot and braked
suddenly at my gate. The accompanied jolt threw the baggage , boxes and
some jute bags of pumpkins onto the recently
asphalted rural road . I disembarked from the bus and looked to my
right to see the little thief picking up another person’s
property. “ Pumpkin thief” , I shouted jokingly and Prince looked up
with the typical ominous grin , frontal teeth glistening with gold ,
red and green, typical colours that are part
of a Rastafarian attire. The sly look on Prince’s face hid
his devious character that preyed on the village butchers, baker,
shopkeepers, small farmers and even my grandfather the parish
cabbage farmer. . . .
Simon'sLew Goddard © Copyright 2020 by Lew Goddard |
 Photo by Kayle Kaupanger on Unsplash |
This
story is the continuation of another story of the homeless, The
Streets. That was about the time when Simon was on the streets and was
forced to survive. That
story was just the beginning to his new and different life in the big
city.
Simon
has obviously made a name for himself after becoming the manager of
what use to be Helpers and is now Simon’s. . . .
|
Lost and Found
© Copyright 2021 by James L. Cowles
|
|
It was there all this time, I guess, huh(?), but, how could I miss it? I must have walked passed it a thousand times, but if it was there, I missed it. But, every time? No way! Someone must have known I have been looking for it for months; someone who felt guilty they took it, so now they put it where I could find it? But, who and, and, well.... why? . . .
Guilty or Not GuiltyHiliary Chukwu © Copyright 2021 Hilary Chukwu |
|
There
was nothing left. The doctors have tried all they could, they have
exhausted their medical options and nothing seemed to work. The boy
would not still come around. Dr. Smith walked out of the theatre and
the look on his face said it all: all hope was lost! He was the most
senior surgeon in the clinic, so if he could not handle it, then
that’s it. There was no need asking him how Jire was doing, but
his helpless mother had to ask anyway; even if just for the very sake
of doing so. . . .
Never AgainHiliary Chukwu © Copyright 2021 Hilary Chukwu |
|
So
I had to embark on this journey over the weekend, again without my
car and again because my mechanic failed to deliver the job I gave
him to do on the car since two weeks; going on three (a story for
another day). I had to take my nephew back to the village. He had
visited to spend the long holiday with my household. . . .
A Cedar PilgrimageAngelina Saule © Copyright 2021 by Angelina Saule |
|
‘We’ve
made it,’ breathes my mother. With our heads bobbing somewhere
above numerous peaks, with a carpet of thick white cloud approaching,
we’ve finally come to the Tomb of Job (‘Maqam Nabi Ayoub’
in Arabic). The massive checkerboard of negotiations crisscrossing
the mountain ranges are behind us or below us, which, depending upon
the perspective, seems to have dwarfed the daily human activity of
the town Jezzine, where we had just stopped by a friend’s for a
robust coffee. . . .
Webber002Lew Goddard Edited by Anne Goddard © Copyright 2021 by Lew Goddard |
|
It
was just about midnight and he was on his daily, I should say
nightly, walk through an area where the residents were in bed and he
encountered no one. It wasn’t described as a stroll; in fact,
it was a very rapid walk that extended his long legs and stretched
powerful muscles. Muscles that were developed and refined over a long
period in his life. His trip was five miles return summer and winter.
Winter in this city, never saw snow. . . .
Transatlantic CrossingsFrancis Edwards © Copyright 2021 by Francis Edwards |
|
My
grandmother for years and years filled my questioning ears with her
revelations of going forwards and backwards from England and America
on ships. She used to be invited to sing on board many Cunard Ocean
Liners leaving Liverpool, UK to Philadelphia, U.S.A. up the Delaware
River or to New York City. You can imagine how fascinated I was as a
little boy. I knew how to get her talking about her experiences every
time I took down from the mantel piece a wooden replica of an ocean
liner she purchased from one of her trips and held it in my
hands. . . .
The Trip that Was...and Wasn'tAlice Burnett © Copyright 2021 by Alice Burnett |
 Drawing sent by author. |
“Alice,
a white skirt would be nice to travel in on the plane!” said my
mother.To my eyes, a white pleated skirt was the height of fashion,
and I was thrilled. Most of my clothes had been hand-me-downs lately,
and I hadn't minded, but I had just turned thirteen, and fashion
began to matter. “And I'll wear my good suit.” My mother
was all atwitter, and wasn't thinking clearly about the practicality
of such outfits. That's just how people travelled in those days, the
early sixties. . . .
1971 - Hiking the U. S. - A MemoirDon Lubov © Copyright 2020 by Don Lubov |
 Photo by Atlas Green on Unsplash |
Boredom and loneliness could not stand the
adventurous light of this day. They both scattered like unwelcome
insects blinded by the sun. Destiny roared into my apartment like a
freight train on steroids. Bam! Bam! There’s a knock at the door. It’s eight
a.m. on a Saturday. . . .
For EvermorePriyadarshini Chanda © Copyright 2021 by Priyadarshini Chanda |
|
Being
a member of middle class family and being cautious regarding
financial stability at the end of every month, going to extensive
trips was something rare for person like me. But after my fourteenth
birthday for a birthday gift, my parents arranged a trip to the
nearby mountains for three long days. . . .
Of Indian Food and Bhutanese BuddhaMansi J. Sood © Copyright 2021 by Mansi J. Sood |
|
Has
your love for food changed someone else’s
course of life forever? Mine has.This
is a story about my love
for
Rajma-Chawal which led to me becoming a successful matchmaker in a foreign country. . . .
Rajma-Chawal which led to me becoming a successful matchmaker in a foreign country. . . .
MoltedPaul Farran © Copyright 2021 by Paul Farran |
|
Following
Paul
Farran’s survival from a Taliban suicide attack, we accompany
him during his transformational hike along the Camino de Santiago
across Northern Spain, from where he shares his introspections,
struggles, and revelations as he perseveres in his efforts to recover
from trauma. . . .
Searching for SlothsŽiga Povše © Copyright 2021 by Žiga Povše |
 Photo by Richard Loller. |
We are standing next to our car in
the middle of a wide dirt road when a loud bang scares the hell out
of me. I turn around and the biggest iguana I have ever seen lies by
the roadside; it fell from a tree and bounced off the tin shack onto
the road below. Junior, a local surf instructor who agreed to take a
day off to be our guide to the southwest of Costa Rica, runs after
the iguana and brings it back. . . .
Scratching the SurfaceFiona Kamal © Copyright 2021 by Fiona Kamal |
|
Niamh
and I are both gazing abstractedly at the postcard scene before us,
where red-fringed rickshaws buzz like flies around laughing,
visor-shaded tourists, and the odd delivery van snails-paces it
across crowded flagstones, driver dangling an ash-loaded cigarette
patiently out of a wound-down window. . . .
More...
Liesl and MeScott Talbot Evans © Copyright 2021 by Scott Talbot Evans |
 Photo by Farrinni on Unsplash |
The Wake-up CallNancy McAtavey © Copyright 2021 by Nancy McAtavey |
 Photo by the author. |
I
expected my African safari experience to be like one of those
episodes on a travel documentary: happy vacationers aboard a Land
Rover, listening to their guide point out the exotic animals and the
ever-changing landscape of South Africa. My travel brochure never
mentioned just “how up-close and personal” this adventure
would be. . . .
Hiking With FirefliesRenata Pavrey © Copyright 2021 by Renata Pavrey |
 Photo by the author. |
The
world was aglow with sparkling delight. It was Christmas in the
middle of June, as nature lit up in celebration of life itself.
My
love for nature has often taken me trekking and hiking on the
outskirts of the city. I enjoy exploring the outdoors, climbing up
forts, traversing trails, and appreciating life under the blanket of
a night sky. It’s an enchanting experience to skedaddle from
the busyness of city life, even if only for a few hours or days. . . .
Bubbledon CountyMort Morford © Copyright 2021 by Mort Morford |
 Photo by John Moeses Bauan on Unsplash |
If
you
believe that water is water and rocks are rocks, you have not been to
Bubbledon County. . . .
AnaroZaynab Ben Allouch © Copyright 2021 by Zaynab Ben Allouch  |
 Photo by Anna Karp on Unsplash |
Being
alone was my biggest fear. And I never thought that destiny will take
my parents and leave me alone against the world.
I quit morning jogging, I couldn’t wake up, I don’t why. After one month, I started feeling powerless and hated myself for that, so I decided to come back to my morning routine even without motivation. . . .
Blue Highway Brew TourRichard Fulton © Copyright 2021 by Richard Fulton |
|
A
beer tasting adventure along the blue highways from San Antonio to
Bellingham, Washington. . . .
RootsJaehee Son © Copyright 2021 Jaehee Son |
 Drawing by the author. |
“I
don’t understand why we have to go, this place is boring and it
smells.”
“Seung Uk! Don’t talk like that! We haven’t seen your grandmother in years, and we promised to visit for Arbor Day”. . .
“Seung Uk! Don’t talk like that! We haven’t seen your grandmother in years, and we promised to visit for Arbor Day”. . .
|
D Short's Last Cruise Cody Short © Copyright 2021 by Cody Short |
Photo by the author. |
A forty-five-foot
Mainship trawler was launched in St Petersburg, FL in 1985, the same
year that I became Cody Short, D Short and I finished the year by
getting married and having a New Year’s Eve Party.
I always called Dennis Short “D Short” because that is how he introduced himself on the phone during our initial contact. We met through a dating service before computers were household equipment. . . .
I always called Dennis Short “D Short” because that is how he introduced himself on the phone during our initial contact. We met through a dating service before computers were household equipment. . . .
Chicago RevisitedSusan Taylor © Copyright 2021 by Susan Taylor |
 Photo by Christian DeKnock on Unsplash |
What
a great place! My husband and I recently were in “The Windy
City,” (more about that later). It was early October,
unusually warm; in fact, temperatures were in the high 70’s,
with a smattering of rain. After a punctual and comfortable flight
on Southwest Airlines, we disembarked at O’Hare Airport, pulled
our suitcases through a corridor, and shed the layers of clothes we
had put on that morning in our hometown, San Diego, California. . . .
SeptemberLaura Elizabeth Horgan © Copyright 2021 by Laura Elizabeth Horgan |
 Photo by Rhys Fradley on Unsplash |
I’m breaking and I don’t know how to show you the cracks.
I’m not sure if we can be pieced together this time, but I’m trying. I keep my mouth shut and hold it all back. The dam won’t break even when its full. Even though this time, it feels empty. . . .
I Gave Oxygen To My WanderlustTWP Tilden © Copyright 2021 by TWP Tilden |
|
During
my very first
sojourn to Los Angeles, all those years back, my nights were spent at
no less a haunt than the Cecil Hotel. Back then, in the early aughts,
memes didn't really exist, conspiracy buffs weren't mainstream, and
“Cecil Hotel” meant absolutely nothing to me. But enter
its name in any search engine nowadays and one can easily click
himself deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole of know-it-all YouTube
plagiarists, replete with slick video-editing and tiresome voice-over
narration. . . .
The Other ManPamella Laird © Copyright 2021 by Pamella Laird |
 Photo by Alexander Nachev on Unsplash |
He
pulled the heavy,
studded door behind him. Inside, a dull thud that mimicked his
dejection echoed from pillar to pillar. Then silence. A silence that
moved mist-like into the furthest corners and hung above him…
waiting.
Ken
hesitated, a
stranger to an atmosphere that despite his misgivings said,
‘Welcome.’ The walls seemed to hold a serenity in their
arms as if it were a national treasure, a gift to all who shuffled
namelessly into its haven. Cautious, alone, haunted by the loss that
had shattered his life Ken released his withheld breath. The world
had moved on, leaving him in an airlock of thinking that skulked in
his brain like a malevolent fungus. . . .
|
A Needed Job
|
|
A
few of my friends and family said, “Your time in the insurance
industry will be short and very boring.” Almost everyone asked
me if they had requested a list of prospects from me, you know, a
list of friends, relatives and the like. They had, but I didn’t
give anyone the satisfaction of an answer. This was a new job,
and my new employer had arranged school to prepare me to get my
license, even before I started work. . . .
Lingering MemoriesKelly Maida © Copyright 2021 by Kelly Maida |
 Photo by Peter Herrmann on Unsplash |
We
never can pick or choose the memories that linger in our mind. If
only it were that easy. Memories are like songs playing on repeat
sometimes. But unfortunately we can’t pick and choose the songs
on our memories playlist. I only have one memory of my uncle Mark. I
was three years old and I remember him playing the Eagles song called
life in the fast lane. I remember I couldn’t say fast lane. I
kept saying play gasoline, play gasoline. . . .
The Ghost LakeNiloufar Behrooz © Copyright 2021 by Niloufar Behrooz |
|
Northern
Iran is home to the most beautiful and mysterious sites anyone could
ever visit. Located at the heart of the richly forested province of
Mazandaran, almost 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) from the city of Noshahr,
there exists the haunting Mamraz lake, more widely, and aptly,
known as the Ghost Lake. . . .
Captivated by the Local Animal PopulationErin Boyd © Copyright 2021 by Erin Boyd |
|
We
give ourselves away when we travel.
Sometimes it’s in the clothes that we wear. Jeans and a t-shirt are seen as a standard uniform from certain parts of the world. That clutching of a backpack by someone decades removed from the schoolroom mark my mother as someone who’s cobbled together a stash of random necessities: water bottles, wipes, umbrella, jacket. . . .
Sometimes it’s in the clothes that we wear. Jeans and a t-shirt are seen as a standard uniform from certain parts of the world. That clutching of a backpack by someone decades removed from the schoolroom mark my mother as someone who’s cobbled together a stash of random necessities: water bottles, wipes, umbrella, jacket. . . .
More...
A Prophecy Never FulfilledAdejumoke Oluwole © Copyright 2021 by Adejumoke Oluwole |
 Photo of the author. |
In
the midst of hardship and continuous disappointments, there are few
parents who would go the extra mile to fend for their children. My
father - Oluwole used his wit and time when that was not enough, he
sacrificed his blood and life in ardent pursuit of betterment for his
children. You will find in this man, the courage of a soldier, the
persistence of a martyr, the faith of a saint and the love of family
all combined. Unfortunately, he was a prophecy never fulfilled, the
genius the world never met. . . .
Return to UtopiaLinda Jones Weber © Copyright 2021 by Linda Jones Weber |
I roll the jeep slowly through the dusty cow town of
Utopia, Texas, absorbing each detail—the antique store fronts,
every tree, the raised wooden sidewalk—and pull up in front of
the Lost Maples Café. Here there are signs of life. It looks
like a good place to slake our appetites and inquire as to where we
might find the old “Jones Homestead.” My father, William
E. Jones, and his sister, Maizelle Jones Prucha, are eager to find a
house that only exists as a vague memory. . . .
| A
Treasured Bucket of Buttons Lane E. Dooling © Copyright 2021 by Lane Dooling |
|
Timing
can be an amazing thing sometimes. There are times in our lives that
we don’t feel whole for a number of reasons. Before I met
Helen, I was in the midst of navigating a deep decline with my folks
and had assumed the role of the “parent”…and I
felt lost and alone . . .
The Cancer ChroniclesJen Eve Taylor © Copyright 2021 by Jen Eve Taylor |
 Photo by the author. |
Dancing
in the rain amongst the ruins of an abandoned prison in Latvia, I’m
surrounded by other dance music festival pilgrims. The bass pulses
through my body, beating in time with my heart so I can't tell them
apart. It’s summer, but it’s been raining for days and my
shoes are caked with mud, heavy as I dance. . . .
Strange ConcoctionRicha Dewangan© Copyright 2021 by Richa Dewangan |
 Artwork by the author. |
Learning
the realities of life as we grow makes us
mature or scared or aware or practical or.... until we realize that
acceptance is the only way. Not in, nor out, but through the tunnel.
Reality and imagination go hand in hand, incomplete without each
other. Strange Concoction is the story right about it. . . .
AuroraTilottarna Chowdhury © Copyright 2021 by Tilottarna Chowdhury |
She
stopped and looked through the glass window of the clothes store. The
window was decorated with Christmas trees and New Year jingles. Two
mannequins wearing, what looked to be, the shiniest clothes the store
could find, stood faceless gazing out at the streets. . .
Pandora's BoxMaryann Donovan © Copyright 2021 by Maryann Donovan |
Today
was the day to tackle cleaning out my mother’s room. Much of it
had been just as it was three years ago when I had to put her into
assisted living. It had been several weeks since she died
at the nursing home with me at her side. I have avoided going
through her belongings and clothes, for that would be
forcing myself to face the fact that she was really gone. . . .
Beneath the Waning TideHannah L. Bercovici © Copyright 2021 by Hannah L. Bercovici |
 Photo © 2021 by Hannah Bercovici |
Coral reefs are quickly disappearing because of human
interference. In this story, I try to create an emotional landscape
for the reader to experience being underwater with these organisms
and explain why it is so important for humans to act. . . .
A First Time For EverythingPetro Van Rooyen © Copyright 2021 Petro Van Rooyen |
|
They
say there is a first time for everything. Well, De Jerez, who was one
of Columbus’s crewmen, was apparently the first European to
inhale the smoke of burning tobacco leaves.
He
tried it, after seeing the native people of Cuba, at that time, doing
it. When he repeated this stunt in Spain, however, it did not end all
that well for Rodrigo de Jerez. People thought it was the work of the
devil when they saw smoke coming from his mouth and the Inquisition
was informed, which led to his arrest. It was not a good idea to
start smoking for the first time in those years; it was 1492 after
all! . . .
An Angel By My SideMichelle D. Smith © Copyright 2021 by Michelle D. Smith |
 Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash |
My
life has been filled with otherworldly occurrences. Since an early
age, I have dreamt about deceased relatives as well as future events.
None of these things were odd to me, but they did require
explanations from my family. . . .
LerdineMichelle H. Davis © Copyright 2021 by Michelle H. Davis |
 Photo by the author. |
Lerdine
is a story written about the relationship between Michelle and
the woman who would
come to clean her home when she was little. A child of emotional
neglect by her mother, Michelle understood even at four years old,
that Lerdine was teaching her not only the lessons of keeping a home,
but of what it is to love and be loved unconditionally. Although
Michelle has not seen her beloved Lerdine since she was 7, these are
conversations and lessons Michelle has never forgotten and has
carried with her into adulthood. . . .
More...
A DaydreamerNischal Samrat © Copyright 2021 by Nischal Samrat |
Photo of the author. |
June
10th,
2006. It was on the occasion of the afternoon when I took my first
breath and gave out my cry to announce to everyone about my presence
into the world. I didn’t knew that a long journey was waiting
for me to get started. I didn’t knew about the people whom I
would likely to meet in the future who would end up deceiving me. . . .
Small Acts of CourageBiography of Lidia GawrońAnna Burns © Copyright 2021 by Anna Burns |
 Lidia and Antonina |
This
is a biography of my grandmother, Lidia Gawroń,
born on the 2nd. of December, 1900. She brought me up and was my
friend and mentor. Her resilience and careful planning allowed her
children to survive WWII and the deportation to Siberia. Without her,
her grandchildren would not have had a chance to be born. My family
owes her a debt of gratitude. I want to share the story of a life,
that was both difficult and lonely but always courageous. . . .
|
|
A
slow smile spread across Chuck’s angular face as he stared into
his beer. It was the smile of a man who has just pulled off a
pay-packet fiddle for himself. . . .
The SqueezoNancy McAtavey © Copyright 2021 by Nancy McAtavey |
 Husband Jim and Son Todd work on the squeezo. |
Every
aspect of our daily lives changed with the Covid-19 pandemic: how we
ate, where we shopped, what we did with our families and our homes
while we were hunkered down. For many, the backyard garden
became a chance to get outside, get dirty and put fresh
produce
on the table. And for these two veteran gardeners, there was yet
another challenge. Finding a little-known kitchen gadget that
no
one had ever hear of and suddenly was, you got it, ON BACK ORDER! . . .
The Dalit PatronArnav Darnal © Copyright 2021 by Arnav Darnal |
Born in Bhojpur, Nepal to a Dalit
family, deemed
lower caste as maintained by the Hindu Varna system and, therefore,
untouchable, Padam Sundas resists social conventions and champions
the rights of the marginalised to become the first Nepalese male
diplomat of his caste. . . .
|
Forgotten
|
Photo of the author. |
“Kate, Kate…
wake up, you need to be ready in 10 minutes, your uncle is coming to
pick you up with your sister so that you could both go to Kivu beach
to have fun and get along with your cousins” My Mom woke me up
after shutting my alarm two hours ago. Yes, she managed to wake me up
because she knows that at the mention of any touristic place, I can
sacrifice anything, just to be there. . . .
"Jewel Book" of Anna of BavariaAnd
It's Secret Meanings
Jule Ross © Copyright 2021 by Jule Ross |
Jewel
Book of the Duchess Anna of Bavaria is a very unique item. It was
commissioned in 1552 by Duke Albrecht of Bavaria. The manuscript is
an inventory of the jewelry owned by Duke and his wife. It contains
110 drawings of precious gems, necklaces, brooches, and depictions of
other scenes, in example Duke and his wife playing chess. . . .
Of Larkin, Death, and The Algebra of LoveYeshwant Sridhar © Copyright 2021 by Yeshwant Sridhar |
 Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash |
I was 9 years old
when I got to see a funeral for the first time. It was close to home;
it was my uncle’s. I remember there was a phone call from my
grandpa. Before my mom could pick it, the line had cut off. She
called again and heard the grueling voice of her father, who had
witnessed his only son crumble to the ground without warning. . . .
Unexpected AdventuresPranali Vira © Copyright 2021 by Pranali Vira |
 Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash |
Splash!
My feet were full of sluggish mud when I stepped into a narrow gap
between the rocks. This was totally a new escapade for me. I wouldn’t
ever forget this in life. . . .
The Simple LifeJoyce Benedict © Copyright 2021 by Joyce Benedict |
As
a child I
loved Nature and all of its creation. When movies
were
viewed of the early days of the pioneers and their struggles, I found
myself rooting for the Indians, feeling sad with their people being
literally mowed down, their lands being
taken. . . .
| The Courage To Press On
Eva Bell
© Copyright 2021 by Eva Bell
|
It
was December 30, 1968 and
the smell of fruit cake baking in the oven wafted through the
apartment. For the umpteenth time, my children and I peeped over the
balcony at the sound of every car cruising by. We were expecting my
husband, Jacob, who had been on duty over Christmas somewhere in
South India. We had planned to make up for his Christmas absence by
celebrating with a gala New Year’s party. . . .
I'm Not the Nutrition GrandmotherMarcia McGreevy Lewis © Copyright 2021 by Marcia McGreevy Lewis |
“I
always knew my grandmother loved me,” says my friend in the
midst of her analysis of her neglectful parenting. “She saved
me, gave me any confidence I have today, and her chocolate chip
cookies were the best.” . . .
|
"Said the Spider to the Fly"
|
|
“How
much for that one?” a sailor asked, gesturing toward me as I
chopped onions on the worn linoleum countertop in the back of the
diner. He sat at the scared work table a few feet away eating
breakfast with the owner, Mrs. Green, another sailor, and a girl from
high school with an iffy reputation. I laughed, thinking he was
making a joke about me being some type of food. Tears streamed down
my cheeks—not from the joke. I was never good with onion. . . .
|
The Hunchback of Sacred Heart
© Copyright 2021 by Iris Leona Marie Cross
|
|
On
my bookshelf is a
1,095-page tome I was awarded for coming first in the
Cambridge Royal College of Music practical exam, grade six.
Its
tattered sleeve and torn pages brown with age hold so many memories.
Among the abiding memories is a most humiliating experience suffered
at the dark, wrinkly hands of my music teacher, Miss Millicent
Roberts. . . .
Cronicles of a Newly WedIkechukwu Echebiri © Copyright 2021 by Ikechukwu Echebiri |