Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Wander.
10 Enchanting Wildflowers Native to New Mexico
Anything that lives in the desert has to be tough to survive. Although they look dainty and delicate, these blossoms are actually hardy and strong. Sometimes the rarest and most beautiful discoveries are literally under our noses or in our own backyards. Next time you hike through one of our local trails, maybe you'll notice some of these treasures:
By Cheryl Lynn8 years ago in Wander
From Scotland to Oakland with Rage and Love
July 2017: I'm lying on the living room couch, and my mum asks from the other side of the room "where's Oakland?" I laugh, and for once not because my limited knowledge of world geography means I don't know where it is. I laugh because I know exactly where Oakland is. It's been mentioned enough times during concerts and interviews with some of my favourite bands, most notably Green Day and SWMRS. Their love of their hometown is rather infectious. It's somewhere I've been wanting to go at some point in the future.
By Tay Inkwell8 years ago in Wander
Adjusting to American Culture
The United States is an incredibly diverse culture where it is different in every city or for that matter — every state. Americans are a diverse lot, where mixed-race people abound. We are beset with racial and economic tensions from the haves and the have nots, as some judge our economic situation as being similar to a Third World Country since we have to pay for health care. The United States can be hard for many to adjust to, in particular when somebody is asked: “How are you?” when the answer is expected to be “fine, thanks.” American television doesn’t help new immigrants adjust to the daily grind.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in Wander
Wearing a Hijab in London
The train was red and blue; the seats were made of some kind of orange faux leather, and it was sticky to the touch. After discovering the sticky bit, I chose to stand. It was Wednesday midafternoon and a rare English heatwave had struck up, so the train smelled heavily of foreign spices, cumin and turmeric, and of body odor. This train was different than all the trains I had been on in London thus far. Long gone was the sleek look of the underground, the air conditioned cars, the intercom that had worked. This was one of the above ground trains to the outskirts of the city. This was the train to Little Bangladesh.
By Megan Cruey8 years ago in Wander
The Autobiography of a Nobody
"When you've got a minute, I'd like to see you in my office." That was Geoff, my manager. He walked off without a backwards glance, and I felt my stomach flutter. I knew whatever he wanted to discuss would be serious, and my mind raced with all the things that I might have done wrong.
By Martyn Snow8 years ago in Wander
Top Tips for Travelling Japan
So, you want to travel Japan, eh? Well congrats! You're making a wise decision to see this beautiful country. Japan is rich in culture, art, science, technology and food! However, if you're a westerner like me, there may be some unwritten rules you're unaware you have to follow. It's important to do your research before arriving in Japan, as it's a rather strict and sensitive culture—even the slightest mishap could greatly offend a lot of people!
By Catherine Watson8 years ago in Wander
A Little Piece of Guatemala
If you want to go to Guatemala and you are planning to stay just for a few days in the city, Antigua Guatemala is the best choice to go visit, have some fun spending the day there. The city of Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala, which is the official name of Antigua, is a small city that has a temperate climate and is surrounded by three volcanoes, known as The Guardians of La Antigua Guatemala: Volcán de Agua, Volcán de Acatenango, and Volcán de Fuego. Of these three, Volcán de Fuego is in activity most, if not all year. This magical city is well known by its Spanish Colonial buildings, it was the first city established by the Spaniards in Guatemala between 1541 and 1776. After the city suffered from three major earthquakes and a vast flooding caused by the rupture of the Volcán de Agua's crater, which was full of water for the continuous rain, the city, first capital of Guatemala, was transferred to El Valle de la Ermita that is now the actual capital of Guatemala, Guatemala City.
By leyla Colina8 years ago in Wander
Thumbing It
Naomi, June, and I made up the usual hitchhiking ensemble. Naomi was this really "out there" type, small with glasses. She had hitched all over Europe. June was a big girl, tall and big hipped. Then there was me, smack dab in the middle. We would carry signs that were funny and sing and dance on the side of the road, putting on a show so people would see us as non-threatening. We were in college at the State University at Fredonia, so we'd pop into Buffalo, about 60 miles away, to visit friends. We went lots of places. We only had a problem once. We were hitchin' through Pennsylvania, and a semi stopped for us. There was one guy in the truck, and we were three, so it seemed safe enough. He suggested two of us sit in the bunk in the back. When June opened the curtain, there were two more guys inside. The tension went up instantly. We were darting glances at each other. They propositioned us and pulled into a sleazy motel parking lot. We just said "no thanks," and we got out. Now we were stuck on some backwater road, and while it wasn't late, it was dark. It could have gone very differently, but we lucked out. Towards dawn, we got a lift back to the main drag. It had been a long cold night, but we were safe.
By Monica Bennett8 years ago in Wander
Most Beautiful Waterfalls in National Parks
There's something about watching the lively, roaring cascade of a waterfall that just puts your mind at ease. Waterfalls are nature's graceful rendition of a fountain—and to this day, no one has proven to be a better architect than Mother Nature herself.
By Iggy Paulsen8 years ago in Wander
Arcadia Archives 1
The ocean state has more to offer than just its gorgeous beaches. It also has wooded paths, rolling fields, mountain bike trails, horseback riding, and fishing and boating areas. The sunset at the beach may be mesmerizing, but very little compares to watching it fall behind a large pond while sitting beneath a large pine tree. The Arcadia Management Area in Rhode Island is a very rarely talked about gem that most people have passed or entered. It spans more than 14,000 acres, making it the largest recreational area in the state. Arcadia covers land in West Greenwich, Exeter, Richmond, and Hopkinton (including Browning Mill Pond, Breakheart Pond, and Frosty Hollow Pond). There are numerous trails and one can spend an entire summer (or longer) investigating all of the territory it covers. It is a place set aside for the community to enjoy the outdoors and to spend quality time with one another without the input of technology. Here, wild life and people converge.
By Katrina Thornley8 years ago in Wander
Standard American Greetings
The usual way Americans say hello to each other is to ask “How are you?” with the answer being, “Fine, thanks.” To outsiders, this is strange since depending on where you come from, the greeting goes deeper than that, as in, to Thais, as reflected in the book Distant Mirrors: America as a Foreign Culture by Phillip R. Devita and James D. Armstrong, it means “Have you eaten?” (p. 69). In the United States, your personal life and your income are something to avoid talking about — but in other countries, not so much. Curiosity is extended to provide further means of discussion.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in Wander
