On August 29th 2005, almost 5 years ago, hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of North America. It’s hard to believe that so much time has gone by, as the people of the area are still recovering from the disaster. In 2007 I took a sprawling North American road trip that landed me in New...

Want to spend a week in Madrid with all accommodation, meals, and wine provided free for 7 days? That’s what they are promising over at Pueblo Inglés . All they ask in exchange is that you be a native English speaker, and that you come prepared to help animate a crash course in English immersion....

Many travelers experience a call to service while on the road. It’s common enough to find travelers stayed in an area to volunteer for weeks, and sometimes even years, when they only intended to be passing through. Travel can awaken a profound compassion within us. However, if you find yourself returned to the States permanently,...

Recently Rolf posted some tips on making the transition into life as ESL teacher in Korea. But what happens after you’ve been in the country for a while and you’re starting to feel worn down by the hidden demands of teaching? Here are some great ways to relax and stay healthy while getting to know...

Tonight is my last night in Jacmel, Haiti, having been helping in the relief effort for almost two weeks. As part of Shelters International Disaster Response, I have helped to clear rubble from two schools, and we just heard today that we have won the contract from the Salvation Army to rebuild the first one...

As I noted in last week's column, I am now on the ground, quite literally, in Jacmel, Haiti. Here I lie in my REI tent that I purchased off of craigslist last week, in a field next to the United Nations outpost, across from the small airport where large white helicopters emblazoned with the letters...

While it is certainly a key component, vagabonding isn't just about long-term travel. It's also about getting outside of your comfort zone, roughing it, careful planning, connecting with cultures, and jumping into the unknown with both feet. All of which I'm about to do. By this time tomorrow, I will be on my way to...