Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Wander.

How an Exchange Program Changed My Life
It started as an escape. Something new for me to do to forget about a massive heartbreak that I thought I couldn’t forget about. It started as a blank page. A fresh start. Something that was just mine for the first time in such a long time.
By Jamile Bittar8 years ago in Wander
NAKUPENKA
Today I want to talk to you about one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. I'm talking about Nakupenda, a strip of sand that rises today at dawn and disappears every evening at sunset in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
By Claudia Costabile8 years ago in Wander
The Old Town Riga Latvia
The Old Town in Riga, the capital of Latvia, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its narrow streets are full of history and architectural wonder.
By Rasma Raisters8 years ago in Wander
10 Awesome Things to Do in Edinburgh for Free
Before I went to Edinburgh for the first time, I didn't know what to expect, but being there, I was truly amazed by this grand city. I tried to see as much of it as possible during my two-day visit and I discovered that even with a limited budget it is possible to have a great time in the capital of Scotland.
By Anezka Smidlova8 years ago in Wander
Travel Types
There are a number of different people you will build relationships with while travelling, and if you do as I did (a small group tour for eight weeks) you will form those bonds before you even realise you've formed an opinion.
By G. G8 years ago in Wander
How to Be Canadian
Here's a list of how to be Canadian and what makes things Canadian. This is also to separate the misconceptions of Canada. Manners. Remember to say thank-you and please when offered a service. This is what makes us "nice" by saying the proper things and also we say, "sorry" a lot. Not all Canadians are nice. Many people who travel believe that Canadians are nice. Not all of us are. I have dealt with people that really need to get their manners checked. I work in the service industry and I have met my fair share of "mean" people. Not all of our milk comes in bags. Milk in bags is more a eastern Canadian thing, but if you go to the west, we have regular cardboard milk cartons and plastic cartons as well. Yes, our money looks like monopoly money, it's fun and colorful. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. We like our colorful money and that way you can look in your wallet and know right away how much money we have. It's the Eastern Canadians that pronounce things funny (mostly Nova Scotia and Newfoundland) not all of us pronounce "about" as "Aboot" that is a misconception. Maple Syrup. The province of Quebec is known for their maple syrup farms because they have the right climate to grow maple trees, which produce the syrup. Maple syrup can literally go on anything. Tim Hortons. Yes, lately the brand has not been doing well due to employee care, but it is Canadian. This is the place to get coffee and doughnuts, it is affordable and yummy despite what some people say. However, I have had better coffee than Tim Hortons. Also, Tim Hortons are almost everywhere! Our healthcare system. It's free and we don't have to worry about getting sick and not being able to get better. That is all I will say on this topic due to the fact this may upset some people. The Canadian Rockies. The rockies are great for skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities. It is about a 30 minutes from Calgary, Alberta to the Rockies, so, when in the mood, there's an opportunity. Ryan Gosling. Yes, he's ours. Ketchup Chips. Yes, it sounds a little gross and maybe weird, but it's yummy! Beavertails. No, they are not actual beaver tails. A beaver tail is a yummy carnival food that is deep fried dough and chocolate. Totally worth the calories. Ceaser's. For those unfamiliar with the Ceaser's drink it contains clamato juice (yes, it does contain clam juice) and then Worcestershire sauce with hot sauce mixed together and then a shot of vodka and some kind of fun garnish like pickles or pepperoni stick. Kinder Surprise Eggs. Yes, they do exist in the U.S, but the ones in the U.S do not come with a toy. So we get the fun little toys to build. We have the better beer, it is not the best, but it is better than what is sold in the U.S., that is for sure. American beer kind of tastes like distilled water...so not very beer tasting. Don't be surprised if it's minus 20 outside and you see people drinking slurpees or ice cream. We like cold yummy treats, what can I say? A misconception about Canada is how we wear shorts in minus 20, (okay, some people do) but for the most part we know how to dress for the cold water. Having to dig up you car in winter. "Dude, where's my car?" and it's buried under the heaps of snow we sometimes get. OH MY GOSH Poutine! Best invention ever, cheese curds, gravy and put fries with that and you've got yourself delicious fatness ready to be consumed. All dressed chips, best chips ever made! Our metric system makes sense. Temperature measured in Celsius. It's kilometers not miles. Our sports. Our sports are lacrosse and hockey and we will destroy you in both. (mostly Hockey because we get angry with it). Nothing is better than truly Canadian beef. Another Misconception: Polar Bears. No, we do not keep them as pets nor do we see them everyday. Igloos, not all of us live in igloos...yeah they're called houses. In Western Canada, we don't call police "Mounties," they are often referred to as "cops" or "police." We don't allow guns. Not everyone speaks French. In eastern Canada maybe there will be a greater percentage, but most of us don't speak French. It is only Quebec. Canada is second largest country in the world. Some people think our money smell like maple syrup...umm...no. That's not a thing. Sorry.
By Ada Zuba8 years ago in Wander
Pride of the City. Top Story - April 2018.
When speaking about Riga, the capital of Latvia, there are things and places within the city which stand above the rest. One of them and unique only to Riga is the city’s silhouette. It is dominated by many churches whose towers reach to the sky and whose golden roosters perched atop of the church spires are very well-known symbols of Riga and by other impressive structures. Those which make up the panorama are the following:
By Rasma Raisters8 years ago in Wander
The Boring City
You'd think I loved St. Louis Missouri if you listened to me talk about how much I hate it. Or you'd probably think I was from this exotic and intriguing area, like Hawaii, or something. No, so technically I really have nothing to compare it to. But there HAS to be somewhere better than this, and if not then I am doomed. St. Louis, Missouri is so boring that we don't even have a cool sounding accent. For example, if you travel just about five hours north (or however that works) you'll hit Chicago. Even though they talk very slow to the point where you can't even tell if they are finishing their sentence or out of breath, they still sound cool. After doing some research on the topic of St. Louis accents I learn that they just talk faster than some people from Chicago. St. Louis can't even be original with their accent.
By noel .8 years ago in Wander
How I Planned a Trip to San Francisco on a Budget
My boyfriend and I are both pretty adventurous people which means we have the shared desire to travel! I am a California girl, but my boyfriend was born and raised in Texas. He has been in Cali for a little while now, but hasn't seen some of the best places in our amazing state, so we figured our traveling should start right here in California.
By Megan Fernandez8 years ago in Wander
10 Reasons to Go Backpacking Alone
Maybe solo traveling has never even crossed your mind before, but we're here to convince you why it's one of the best experiences you can have. These are the top ten reasons to go backpacking alone, and why it will be an experience that is invaluable.
By Kelsey Lange8 years ago in Wander
Snowball
It's three PM on a Friday and I find myself at Clark's Market in the Aspen Downtown core. I've got a guitar in the back of my Honda CRV and I'm passing time. This is the second time that I've been invited to play at the networking Snowball event in Aspen, Colorado. It happened randomly before and it's not disappointing that flow again. I know the world is in abundance as I pass a car into town earlier with triple eight's on its license plate. I snap a picture and send it to my fellow friend whom interprets everything metaphysical. She instantly texts back "full of abundance" and I smile. The world is in flow at the moment. It's 5:30 PM and I park my car at the Gazebo park right across from the Molly Gibson. Those two spots have held music nectar in the past and so I reason, why not again? I leave the guitar in the back of the vehicle and stride the Aspen Main Street corridor. There's a fresh feeling to a settled in Friday afternoon. It's one of those moments where the "walk" lights change to walk as I approach the cross streets, there's no pause here and now. I reach the only gas station left in Aspen and then feel that it's time to turn around. The time is approaching six PM. It suddenly occurs to me that I haven't frequented one of my favorite shops in Aspen for a while. "The Flying Emporium" has a cheery welcome sign and I take a left and immediately feel the draw in, "Yes, this feels good." Shae is a long time friend, fellow neighbor and is the creator of the place. Inside various fantastical trinkets adorn a cozy enclosure and I scan my eyes looking for a warm fire in a fire place as it gives off the feeling, but I know has never had one and never will. I think that, a fireplace would ruin this space. I reason, but I search for the reason that my mind has come to this conclusion while I meet the cheery new souls that I find myself with. The Emporium is one of those places where you just might pick up a mug or pen or eat a chocolate and get the inspiration to write a song. My friend Casey comes out the woodwork and little by little I realize this is one of the many Snowball locations. I'm in the place to be and chocolates are shared, which bring on stories as well and people follow and we meet.
By Sound And The Messenger8 years ago in Wander
Figuring out Europe
The first few weeks of traveling were all so eye-opening. Where do I go? How do I get there? Should I learn some words of their language? What is the currency like? Where do I book my accommodation? All of these questions became a part of my everyday life so quickly, and got easier and easier as time went on. All of a sudden, it was second nature to be preparing a day or two ahead before I wanted to move on.
By Shelby Coleman8 years ago in Wander