Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Wander.
The Three Van-Dwellers
Having broken down again, we were feeling pretty worse for wear. We were pulled up at the side of a small country road, somewhere in the south of France. However that day, our bad luck seemed to be balanced with an equal amount of good luck. A small red car began to pull up, all faded and battered. It almost looked as if it had stories to tell. We dreaded it. We couldn’t speak a word of French, how are we going to explain our problem? The man stepped out and began to walk towards us. He had a rather daunting look about him, like a man who had seen a lot. The tattoos on his arms were faded and scared, the lines on his face told a story of his life but his eyes were bright. He had a certain kindness in his face. As he approached us he spoke, in a deep Scottish accent.
By Kader Folles7 years ago in Wander
'A-Road' Adventures
It doesn't take much to get inspired when you have a bike. I work funny shifts, which means I am often free when others aren't. Last week was no exception, when my Girlfriend and I decided to take a short day trip in search of said inspiration. Her ancestral line is complex and takes in parties from the depths of the Bavarian Forest through to the Clan Douglas. The clan had a stronghold in the Scottish Borders, where they controlled several areas of land. With this in mind we set out to find Morton Castle near Thornhill in Dumfries and Galloway.
By Caledonian Cogs7 years ago in Wander
Moving Across the Country
I grew up in a small town where everyone knew each other and the most fun one could have was going to the movie theater in the basically abandoned building that we called a mall. I have always wanted to experience new and exciting places, but have never had the chance, so when I found out that my older sister and her husband were moving across the country I couldn't wait to visit. Before I had the opportunity to visit, she called and informed us that they were expecting a bouncing baby boy towards the end new year. Once those words left her mouth and travel through the phone, I instantly knew what I wanted. I not only wanted, but felt like I needed, to move there and provide them with child-care, all while gaining the experiences of a new place.
By Hannah Taylor7 years ago in Wander
I Booked a One Way 12 AM Ticket Home and I Don't Know When I'm Coming Back
On Tuesday, I was tired, sad, and restless. I had been sad for the past couple of weeks. Restless. Uncertain of a lot of things. I haven't been sleeping well for like, two weeks now. Moving has been a lot of things but it's mostly been tiring—emotionally draining. But late on Tuesday night, I just decided I was done. I felt this massive urge to go home all day and I couldn't shake it. I needed to go home, see my home. Be in my house. Ride my bike to my favorite coffee shop in the morning and say hi to my barista, Nick (shout out to Nick, by the way. Thanks for always serving my iced black with a dash of almond milk :) ). I needed to see all of my friends again. I needed to laugh about stupid stuff with them again. I needed to watch movies on the beach and go SUPing on Sundays. I needed to go home. I just craved home. I didn't get enough time to say goodbye. I came home from Hawaii and I left the next day. I didn't get to say goodbye to anyone or anything and it made my soul so sad. I missed my physical home. I missed certain people. I missed my neighbors. Friends. Hanging out in my backyard with the sunlight pouring in at all hours of the day. And as simple as it sounds, it's those things that you miss about home. And as crowded and hot as home is right now, it's still my home. It will always be. I will always crawl back to the blessed Southland like the SoCal brat I am and lay on the beach all day and be content with my life.
By Lauren Day7 years ago in Wander
Why Are You Ranking: Delaware’s Best One-Level Malls from Strong Showing to First State, First Place
Virginia-based street poet and reformed drug dealer Terrence “Pusha T” Thornton (@PUSHA_T) once quipped to Delaware resident and Twitter social engineer @NerdattheCoolTable that the Delawarean comes “from one level malls and Nascar [and that he] will never matter.” Disagreement remains with the “never matter” barb. No matter what store you grab that new t-shirt or chomp on a pretzel in the food court, you will never find a set of escalators or stairs inside the main portion of the mall in the tiny state of Delaware. Despite revolutionizing the shopping landscape in the tax-free-shopping state, the construction companies have yet to devise a second tier to any of the major malls in Delaware. To counter that construction ideal, developers have built around the malls themselves to attract more consumers to spend their dollars. The malls are a metaphor for the state. While it may not be ascending to a high level of state stature in area, the state still beckons shoppers to visit the stores that surround the main malls. Places to dine, places to peruse through major chain bookstores, and places to purchase apparel and other gadgets have cropped up in the three most significant malls in the First State: The Dover Mall in the capital, The Concord Mall in Wilmington, and the Christiana Mall...in Newark? (Some would argue that the mall is actually in Christiana as the name implies, but the mailing address still remains as a location of Newark.) So get your free samples from the Japanese fast food restaurant worker and visit that kiosk laborer peddling the softest pillow for Why Are You Ranking: Delaware’s Best One-Level Malls from Strong Showing to First State, First Place.
By Skyler Saunders7 years ago in Wander
Night Kayaking on the Bioluminescent Bay in Puerto Rico
It was spring break of my junior year in high school. My family (consisting of my father and brother, Seth) went on another foreign vacation to San Juan, Puerto Rico. About halfway through our week, we had been advised to go night kayaking on the Bioluminescent Bay. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's a body of water that has a certain bacteria that will emit light in a pretty shade of blue. This seemed like a cool and potentially "once in a lifetime" type of experience so we signed right up.
By Bridget Thornberry7 years ago in Wander
Tips and Tricks for Camping Beginners
For most people, spending a few nights away from the demands of life can give the mind a short vacation, one that is probably well deserved. Vacation can be stressful, especially when you are traveling with a group of people, and similarly, preparation for camping can seem intimidating. However, exploring the outdoors is not quite as nerve racking as some may think, and with a short list of tips and tricks, your future camping trip will be smooth sailing no matter who you decide to adventure out with.
By Savannah Anderson7 years ago in Wander
My Amazing Adventure in Canada!
When I was 14, I was given an amazing opportunity. I was able to go to Canada for six weeks. Those six weeks were without my parents mind you... Whilst I was in Canada, I made so many friends, many that I am still in contact with today!
By Indecisive Bombshell7 years ago in Wander
