travel
The ultimate test of a compatible relationship is whether you can stand to travel together.
A Chance
I sat at the end of my bed staring at the little black notebook. This book did not belong to me, or at least it hadn’t started out that way. Once you’ve stolen something, I feel like it becomes your property, right? Not that I steal often, actually, this is the first time I have ever done anything like this. Anyway, that’s beside the point. I first saw this notebook earlier today while walking downtown. I had been looking for the apartment number I was supposed to be delivering to. Being a pizza delivery driver in downtown Chicago, you gotta be careful. I always steer clear of trouble, I know if I mind my own business then others will mind theirs. So why hadn’t I done that today?
By Sydney Blankenship5 years ago in Humans
Tom and Hattie
We had scrambled down to the waterfall's cup with panic twisted tightly around our chests, steam peppering at the sunlight. Hattie was face down and pushing against rock, the sound of a thousand erratic hoofbeats, the basin spitting, boiling, unfinished with her death and then yielding as we peeled her from its custody. Her hair was pasted to her face as if nature had respectfully shrouded her with clay, the sombre folding of eyelids. We tried for an hour to push the blood and air back around inside her body, bagpipe lungs, dog-tired arms, but she had left. I gave my phone number to officials, ignoring their tutting about the idiocy of Instagram bloggers risking their lives for extreme content. It was too late, too soon, too sad.
By Sean Cohen James5 years ago in Humans
Expect the Unexpecting
Prelude There once was a tall man, He did not fit in most cars. He looked down on most all people, although he always treated people how they treated him. His name is Ryan and he is called, "a deity". Being a deity did not change his life one bit. He's worked, He's gone to college, He's done everything to his best capability.
By Jon Makarios5 years ago in Humans
The Book of Names.
It’s always the same. Sitting here, waiting for my plane to board, I mentally check that I have everything on me. Phone, wallet, passport – check. I slip my hand into the inside pocket of my trench-coat, feeling the bulging envelope stacked with two hundred $100 bills. I sit back and close my eyes, breathing deeply. The airport is basically empty, I always fly the latest flight possible. I hate crowded places.
By Jayde Brew5 years ago in Humans
The Black Book
Well, I believe we are done here, my love Terrell Tanden said to his daughter Yara. Just in case someone followed me here, do me a favor and leave out the back in twenty minutes, it’s all been arranged just let Mateo our waiter know when you’re ready. No worries dad I’m expecting some friends for drinks so I’ll be staying for a while. Terrell laughs nervously and gives his daughter a kiss on the forehead as he leaves the restaurant. He just finished having lunch with his 25-year-old daughter Yara, whom he had in college and was still a secret to the world. He replays the conversation with his daughter. I’m trusting you to protect this information for me, I can’t tell you how bad it would be if it were lost or stolen.Terrell then passed Yara a black book wrapped in a plastic bag across the table. Don’t worry dad, Yara assures him, I understand and I promise you I will protect it. Good, you are the only one I can trust right now. He took out his phone and called for his driver to bring the car around. As he walked out Mateo watches one of the most powerful and richest men in the world exit. Mateo now turns his attention to the young woman he left sitting at the table. He notices her putting a black book into her bag. Walking over to the table where she sat alone, Mateo leans down next to Yara and asks if she needs anything else? No thanks, it’s Mateo right Yara asked? Yes, Mateo replied, still leaning over so only Yara could hear him. I’m expecting some friends, can you let me know when they arrive? Sure I can do that for you, said Mateo. When Yara’s friends arrived and were seated at the bar, Mateo informed her they were there. As Yara walked over to join her friends she yelled out, hey bitches order some shots. After six shots and feeling a little tipsy Yara announced to her friends it was time to depart. Why so soon they all wanted to know? Because I’m flying out to meet Jordan in Costa Rica. Well damn, sis one of her friends said let’s do one more shot for Jordan. Ok, ok but after that, I have to go Yara said checking her watch. She turned and saw Mateo standing nearby. Can you get a cab for me, please? Mateo hailed a cab for Yara and watched as she said goodby to her friends. As she walked by and got into the cab Mateo shook his head, No Thank You and No Tip. Yara jumped in the cab, commanding 100 Bala Cynwyd, please. She put her earbuds in and sat back as she prepared for the ride. They hit 76 and everything was going fine till the cab driver slammed on the breaks. Yara’s bag with all its contents went flying throughout the back of the cab. Some dumb ass had cut them off and almost caused an accident. The cab driver, a middle-aged foreigner, began yelling in his native dialect. He checked on Yara to make sure she was ok. When they arrived at the destination the driver waited as Yara picked up her belongings. She tipped the cab an extra twenty for waiting and not rushing her to collect her things. Once Yara was done she went into her apartment and started getting ready for her trip. Bags already packed she called for a car to take her to the airport. Checking
By Tony Hannah-Dennis5 years ago in Humans
The Trove
The message came in as Raul was waist-deep in the desert, sifting through sand. Shaking the rusty sieve, he cursed under his breath as yet another shard of pottery was uncovered. This was hopeless. Flinging the jagged piece of clay to the side, Raul wiped his hands on his khakis and looked up at the brightening sky. Eight nights in the desert and he’d found nothing but some fragments of ancient pots and a splinter or two of animal bone. Another treasure hunt, another complete bust. It had been the same the past five expeditions in a row and Raul’s frustration was growing. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he stroked his calloused thumb over the soft black cover of his notebook and pulled it out. He wiped his hands again--he could barely remember a time when he wasn’t perpetually covered in dust--and found a blank page.
By Elaine Radosevich5 years ago in Humans
A Nomad’s Notebook
Chains of marigold flowers dance in the window as the bus trundles over bumps and potholes. Glass beads and a golden Ganesha swing to and fro above the driver. Even the roof is decorated in a riot of coloured paints, all clamouring to brighten the passengers’ spirits, despite most of them being fast asleep. Tabla drums and the wistful tune of a bansuri flute play through speakers above the dreaming heads, their rhythm bouncing even more than the bus’s wheels on the uneven road.
By Sarah Hatch5 years ago in Humans
Stardust
Wanderlust has directed my life… I was always the first in line, always the first to take another roller coaster ride. In 2019 I made the decision to end the nomadic lifestyle I had become addicted to and find a place I could call home. While the idea of sleeping in the same bed was a tempting alternative to the chaos, I questioned my sanity to want stability.
By Aryn Archer5 years ago in Humans
The Black Book Adventure
I rubbed my thumb over my name, Dan Gray, on my train ticket. A flutter of excitement raced through me. Europe, a place I had dreamt of backpacking across since I could read, write, and google. I had made a backpacking-across-Europe list at nine and remade it so many times I’ve lost count. I wanted to see it all. Unfortunately, I couldn’t. Despite saving for this trip since my first job at twelve, it still didn’t add up to much. I had to shrink that dream list to the highlight reels. But I didn’t care, I was here! My stomach cinched at that thought. I. Was. Here.
By Brittany Klassen-Rau5 years ago in Humans
Diving for Change
32-year-old Steve and his buddy, 30-year-old John, lived for their trips to Mexico. The two had met as accountants with the same firm. In a typical year, they planned three trips to San Carlos on the Sea of Cortez. It was the closest area to their city of Tucson, Arizona with decent SCUBA and sportfishing.
By Julie Lacksonen5 years ago in Humans
