Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Wander.
Journey to Haiku
Her father had passed away unexpectedly. He had only just reached his fifth decade of life and was the picture of health. A recently retired military man, he was an avid runner and had participated in many marathons to prove that he had the physicality and endurance to do it. A heart attack they said. Lorelei still couldn't believe it.
By Darian McIntosh5 years ago in Wander
I Traveled to Santo Domingo During Quarantine
The plane from New Jersey was packed, and we landed just outside of the Santo Domingo, en un aropuerto, and quickly exchanged our American dollars for Dominican pesos. The exchange rate is 57 pesos for every dollar. I exchanged $100 and we got in lines for customs.
By Michael X Christopher5 years ago in Wander
It All Works Out, Eventunally
I have traveled more than many, I suspect. Or I used to before the world broke in 2020. I have extreme wanderlust, so I am eternally grateful for the opportunities comedy has afforded me to see the world. I am not famous (yet, fingers still crossed) but I have been to 49 countries. And I have been pretty lucky with all my adventures. My luggage has only gone on a walk-about 3.5 times. And I have always gotten my suitcase back—eventually. The first time my luggage took the scenic route was the most upsetting. I was traveling to Edinburgh to do my one women show “I didn’t mean to be a Virgin in the 80s” at the Fringe Festival. (It’s still an adorable show that would make a great RomCom—hint hint investors). I packed my very important not easily replaced costume in my carry-on luggage – since it was vital to the entire show. Think about traveling with your wedding dress, same level of importance. Producing this show cost more than my wedding, no exaggeration. And I needed this dress for 28 days of performances, not just one day. So you can appreciate the importance of this outfit. A very unpleasant gate agent at American Airlines made me gate check my bag—stating it was too big. (I know for a fact having been on their website it met the regulation size. But if you have ever tired to argue with anyone at the gate—you will lose and get invited not to be on the flight. So I parted ways with my green dress and pink shoes with a sick knot in my gut. Our instincts always know. I arrived in Edinburgh without my very important piece of luggage. Apparently my costume wanted to go to Germany. I cried to the lost luggage agent, I was beyond upset. I spent thousands of dollars and hours preparing for this show, and now it’s on the brink of catastrophe My month long show run was going to start with a canceled opening night if that green dress didn’t find its way back to me in less than 10 hours. The lovely lady at British Airlines not only VIP’ed my lost bag, she attended the opening night and bought 3 friends. The Scottish are truly lovely people. I still get goose bumps thinking about her hard work and kindness on my behalf. The second time my luggage went on holiday without me was my first Middle East Military tour. I arrived to Djibouti, after a 47-hour travel day with nothing but the clothes on my back. Djibouti is in Africa in case you are not sure of the geography. At first, most people think it is a made up name, with all due respect, it is a funny sounding name in English. To give you some insight, Djibouti in August is about 120 degrees, that’s 9000 degrees Celsius, I’m pretty sure on the conversion. And it was in the middle of a sandstorm, weather that exfoliates---fantastic. Thankfully the military base had plenty of T-shirts to share and washing out my clothes each day was easy, because of the heat everything dries in less than an hour. But I had to perform in my travel shoes. I don’t fly wearing my CFM (Come F Me) shoes, not safe or practical. Why not just buy a new pair of shoes you think… I hear you judging me. Djibouti is a 3rd world country. There are no Nordstrom or DSW to pick up a new pair of “Laura shoes”. I was actually nervous about performing in my ‘travel shoes’ silly I know, but it is the first and only time in over 3000+ shows I was not in fancy shoes. FYI my bag went to Germany again, without me. My suitcase and I were reunited 3 days later at the airport as I left Djibouti. Ok, back to travel shoes. Since I fly more than most, I have done some reading on safety. Flying is still the safest mode of transportation. Don't believe me? Research it. Travel tips: You are supposed to wear long pants, closed toe shoes, with rubber soles, and sadly no high heels. Incase of an emergency the rubber sole will protect your feet from heat, ice, fire and/or debris. Long pants and enclosed footwear again protection from the elements if needed. I hope never to be in a plane emergency but I also don’t think it hurts to be prepared. I stated my luggage has been lost 3.5 times, because about 2 years ago on a trip home from NYC my bag was plucked up by accident by a big shot Hollywood agent type at baggage claim. Check the tags people! To his credit the bag is high end and in a distinctive color. I had never seen another one like it either. Which is why he absconded with my bag without looking at the tag. When his bag was left and mine was gone– I knew the problem. I could of involved the airline baggage authorities, but I think that would have complicated the issue. So I just called the number on the tag (a good reason to do this) and explained the situation. At first he did not believe me. “No one ever has a bag like mine.” He said. “Well I do and you have my stuff.” He made his limo driver pull over and he checked. Sure enough—voila- he had taken the wrong suitcase. Since he was already 20 minutes from LAX and on his way to an important meeting of course, he asked if I could wait 30 minutes and his driver would come back, return my bag and give me a ride home. Thirty minutes is a much quicker turn around time than dealing with lost luggage personnel and I got a ride home in limo—so I consider it a win. This last time my luggage and I parted ways was in London. I barely made the connecting flight from Amsterdam, so I knew my luggage had no chance. If you have ever traveled through Heathrow, you know that connecting flights and customs requires at LEAST an hour or more if you have to switch terminals, forget it. I had 35 minutes. I ran, I mean RAN like in the movies to make my connecting flight. Barely made it—I was the last person to board before closing the doors. I knew then that my luggage would be hanging out in London for the night while I flew to Seattle. Sure enough I arrived sans luggage. My case would be on the next flight from London arriving the next day about 5pm. Problem was I was performing at venue 4 hours from the airport and I only have the clothes I have been wearing the last two days and no show (CFM) shoes. I explained this to the lost luggage lady and she was unsure if the airline would cover what they considered to be a non-necessary expense. So on my drive north of Seattle I purchased what I thought were essentials for the next 24-hour plus hours, which included a pair of (CFM) Laura shoes. My luggage and I reunited 36 hours later, with a wheel missing—my luggage went on a wild ride. Thankfully, I was graciously reimbursed for all my necessary purchases including my new shoes. So thank you British Airlines for losing my luggage? That doesn’t seem right, but I do love my new shoes. So thank you. Why did they pay for new shoes you wonder? I asked the agent if a businessman was traveling and the airline had lost his suit needed for an important meeting would they cover the expense…I explained these shoes are my suit. She was savvy and understood. I can’t wait for the world to open up, so I can lose my luggage again.
By laura hayden5 years ago in Wander
How To Be An IATA Travel Agent?
The airline's market is a large part of the travel and tourism industry, and numerous online travel agencies focus on this area as the only niche. The travel industry includes more than 60,000 ITA certified travel agents globally. These agents sell $220 billion in airline tickets from about 250 airlines. At the same time, an important question arises as to whether certification by ITA is mandatory. Travel businesses also explore how to become an IATA travel agent.
By Radhika Kashyap5 years ago in Wander
Dream of Climbing 'Harihar Fort'
Dear readers, I mean dear tourists, today through this article, we will show you a very beautiful and exciting place in Nashik. The name of this place is 'Harihar Fort’. This fort is a 'Giri Fort' meaning a fort that is built on the top of a hill or a mountain. This fort is also known as 'Harshagarh Fort'. The main purpose of the construction of this fort built during the Yadav dynasty was to monitor the merchant route of Gonda Ghat. In present times, this fort is nothing less than a paradise for adventure lovers.
By Bharat Taxi5 years ago in Wander
One Hand Washes the Other
I moved down to Miami exactly two years ago, when I was at a particularly low point in my life. Little did I know I would be going even deeper into the trenches to finish up some intense energetic balancing in one of the southern most regions of the United States.
By Bossesroundhere5 years ago in Wander
Stranded In Mexico:
The rocking of the bus, as it pulled off the road and onto a gravel shoulder that doubled as the desert oasis' parking lot, shook me awake. The brakes hiss as we come to a full stop and the driver turns on the interior lights. I'm barely wiping off the drool that has dripped down the left shoulder of my Chicago White Sox jacket when the bus driver begins to speak over the P.A. to informs us that we will be making a quick pit stop to use the restroom or buy a snack from the rundown shack that was our present roadside oasis. I didn't know how strict a Mexican Greyhound bus drivers' definition of "quick" can be. It's pretty darn fast.
By Joe Manric5 years ago in Wander
Nuclear Accidents, Craters, and the "Devil Boat" of Arco, Idaho
I've come to see the high desert of Southern Idaho as beautiful. Foothills, irrigated farmland, and prairie grass aren't always the first things that come to mind when you think of scenic landscapes, it's true. But the allure of snow-capped peaks, the soft purple of the kamas flower, the bright green spring growth of the sagebrush, the dark lava rock soil, and wide open skies feel like a dream. When the distant sound of sprinklers has long faded with the seasons, and snow blankets the desert, the entire landscape changes.
By Oliver Dahl5 years ago in Wander
Finders Keepers
The lake was large, with brown water, algae everywhere growing on the rocks beneath long enough to reach the surface and the ducks paddled across racing against the cold breeze. People hurried along drawing their coats close to them, afraid that the wind may get in. I was busy looking around enjoying the bitter air when I slid on the mud underneath falling to the ground and that's when it caught my eye. Right by the shoreline a glimpse of a corner, something metal, hidden in thick green grass. I thought I was seeing things but at a double glance, it was confirmed. It was a long key with something hanging off it. It was rusty and old I didn't know how long it had been there for.
By Willow Peddy5 years ago in Wander
