Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Wander.

My Dream Destination: The Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia
The republic of Bashkortostan, also known as Bashkiria is situated between the Volga River and Ural Mountains. The capital and largest city of Bashkortostan is Ufa. As of 2010, 4,072,292 people make up the total population of the republic and is the most populous federal subject in the Soviet Union. Bashkortostan was founded on November 28th 1917 and was the first independent republic in Soviet Russia.
By Talia Devora5 years ago in Wander
The Disenchantment
It was a postcard-worthy golden leafed autumn morning in Tasmania’s Coal River region. Hopeturn Village was picturesque in the soft morning sunlight. The main street, lined with quaint specialty stores packed with goods to tempt even the most frugal tourist with quality keepsakes, was a symphony of Georgian sandstone. With all its charm, none would have guessed at its colonial days of bondage and unhappiness. The moody, romantic tones of La Vie En Rose were softly floating out of the Antiques & Oddities Emporium, as a smartly suited man strode toward its doors.
By Helena Adeloju5 years ago in Wander
The Lonely Funeral Project
As of August 31st, click HERE to listen to this story and an interview with Outrageous Optimism on Write Here, Write Now, Vocal's new podcast.
By Outrageous Optimism 5 years ago in Wander
I Have Questions
The other day, while scrolling on Facebook, I came across a post for a business that is closing. The owner was discarding miscellaneous items used in the store for display and storage. Out of the candles, racks, and baskets; a two-piece set of luggage caught my eye. I know nothing of fine vintage items. I simply know what sparks an interest and curiosity. I messaged the owner to see if the pieces were still available. A two-piece set of Hartmann brown leather vintage luggage for free came home with me the next day.
By Emma Merritt5 years ago in Wander
The King of Dharamsala Valley
Meeting the King of Dharamsala Valley Have you ever met A real king! Have you ever had a whiskey with a king! I have!
By Savor Whisky 5 years ago in Wander
Exalting the Forgotten
Brain drain, unemployment, poor railway systems, organized crime... things that are plaguing this land: this beautifully fruitful but somehow seemingly neglected land. This region full of beauty, history, agriculture, traditions, and so much more. This beautiful Calabria that doesn't receive so many tourists because people only seem to know about Tuscany... Today at the Liceo (high school), after I finished teaching for the day, there was a discussion panel for a book written about influential people from Calabria. The architect, Giuseppe Samà, highlighted in the book was there alongside the author and the mayor of Paola. They touched on topics that really spoke to me: the uplifting of Calabria, the difficulty of leaving behind one's home, the need to educate the world about the good aspects of Calabria and how to combat a region's “brutta figura” as perceived around the world. This architect comes from the nearby town of Fuscaldo and has made it big in the Big Apple.
By Renee5 years ago in Wander
Cartagena Before Lunch
Cartagena Before Lunch By: Meko Kaprelian The sudden jolt of changing altitude and speed is felt collectively throughout the plane; but nowhere is it felt more intensely than in my left hand as my wife squeezes it tightly with her right hand as she clutches the good-luck pendants around her neck with her left hand while giving silent prayer or thanks for our safe return to the Earth’s surface. We’ve arrived! Cartagena, Colombia; a trip to commemorate our five years of marriage and exploring this planet together. This trip had been a vague target on our travel radar since we tipped off our engagement with a three-week European vacation that included Barcelona, Paris, and Rome as our destinations. My wife’s reply of “Yes” a top Montjuic in Barcelona on that hot summer day not only agreed to marriage but also to a life-time of travel as well. Love was not the only bug biting that day and thus began our life of global-adventure together.
By Meko James 5 years ago in Wander
The Diary of a Romanoff
It was nighttime in Russia. Alexandar and Jennifer walked down the street after a nice dinner and movie. "Jennifer, I really enjoyed our time together", Alexandar said as he kissed the inside of her wrist. A little romantic move that I am sure he used on many American tourists. Jennifer really didn't mind he was tall with black hair and blue eyes. His skin was as soft as the peddle of a rose. His nose was perfect and fit his chiseled face. She had just met him yesterday on one of her walks around the square, but now she wished she had more time. She was leaving to go back to the US tomorrow.
By Trycia Lino5 years ago in Wander
Ripples Upon the Mountain
There, nestled in a mountain range of eternal awe, lies a realm out of time, hidden shyly from the outside world by a shroud of billowing clouds. A lush landscape to breathe in at a pace of personal choosing.
By David Fournier5 years ago in Wander
Jonie's Story
Jonie always sensed that there was an immutable energy created by the coexistence of two people, distinct from all others. For Jonie and Eir, theirs was an energy that sagged, bearing the weight of all-too-conscious sadness, which often brought their eyes together in brief painful glances, broken by heaviness. Jonie didn’t know why it felt as if they were always near the point of being scalded by the truth of things. Often they avoided discussing anything too burdensome particularly to maneuver away from its overhanging presence, and instead made jokes about the passersby or their clumsy endearing teachers or Eir’s silly dog who always came bounding by with a slobbered ball in his jaw to pierce through the weariness of their day. Still, though their mutual presence was always overhung by a dreadfully clear and ominous cloud, Jonie and Eir had an inexplicable desire to be as one as often as possible, excepting and occasionally forgoing sleep and meals and studies. They were lucky to not yet be at the age of necessary responsibility. They were unlucky to feel as if the pressure of everything and everyone was on their growing heads. They often liked to sit on the edges of bridges and piers so that their feet might hang loosely and dangle over nothingness, as if the overhead weight could be transferred down their body and dissipated through their liberated toes. Occasionally, Eir would point at distant lights and murky outlines and beg Jonie to make a story explaining their existence. “Oh, all right,” Jonie would say with a half-smile and a sigh, though in fact Jonie loved nothing more than to make meaning out of meaningless things.
By Lemon Pie5 years ago in Wander
Trust Me
It doesn’t get any crazier than this, but I’m telling you, this is what happened, I found myself saying to the officer.
By Danya White5 years ago in Wander
Autopilot
Her brown eyes peer inquisitively at my fingers as I fumble through some paperwork on my home desk. The clutter, the unopened envelopes, and the pens sprawled all over made me all the more nervous. I try to clean and organize the mess but every time I try to motivate myself to tackle the project, self-doubt and anxiety take over.
By Fabiola De Armas5 years ago in Wander