TobyIf you travel (or live), where the mother tongue is not your mother tongue, you will struggle. The mundane will become complex and challenging, and […]
Tag: facing fear
The Girl Who was Afraid of Everything—Fiction
The Girl Who Was Afraid of Everything. (A break from the usual—story time!) *** Once there was a girl who was afraid of everything. She […]
When the World is in Chaos: Dance
“Yougottadance. Aslongasthemusicplays. Yougotta dance. Don’teventhinkwhy. Starttothink, yourfeetstop. Yourfeetstop, wegetstuck. Wegetstuck, you’restuck. Sodon’tpayanymind, nomatterhowdumb. Yougottakeepthestep. Yougottalimberup. Yougottaloosenwhatyoubolteddown. Yougottauseallyougot. Weknowyou’re tired, tiredandscared. Happenstoeveryone, okay? Justdon’tletyourfeetstop.” ― Haruki […]
12 Ways to Move/Travel to a New City/Country Where you Don’t Know Anyone—and Totally Rock It
I write about venturing into the unknown often. You might say it’s my favorite theme—in life and in art. You could say it’s my greatest […]
“Don’t go to Morocco Alone.” And other Fear-mongering you should Ignore.
A rooftop terrace in Taghazout, Morocco. Me: “I’m thinking of going to Morocco.” Everyone: “Awesome! Just don’t go alone.” As you may have guessed, I […]
Zen & the Motorcycle Passenger
Sorrento Coast, Italy (Mom, you’ll want to skip this one.) The headlights of oncoming cars are a blur as we race down the center line […]
The Intoxicating Unknown, and Solitude
The plane lands with a jolt. Rolls to the gate. Shuts off the engines. You and the other passengers file off the aircraft. Through the […]
Minibus Freedom: On Risk and Reward
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (well, kneel-up paddleboarding) in Smitswinkel Bay. “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t…” The sun beats down on my left […]
High Security
The view from my patio, Hout Bay, Cape Town. Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa “You need to watch that the gate closes to make […]
Strangers on a Train
“We’re on our way to bible study,” says my friend. (He likes to make up stories, but let’s get real, who doesn’t?) It’s 10:00 pm, […]