I’m drawn to places at the end of train lines. Today, my backpack and I head to Wakkanai in the north of Hokkaido. It’s as far north as you can go without entering Russia. Until about 150 years ago, Hokkaido was almost completely wilderness. The indigenous Ainu were able to live somewhat traditional lives while under…… Continue reading Beyond the Narrow Road to the Deep North
Category: Write
Travels With Our Nephews, June 2016
Today we start an adventure with our nephews (7 and 8) and their parents.
Lost Stories
My mother-in-law has acquired a photo mat with 17 cutouts. 17 just happens to be the right number for her to be surrounded by baby photos of her children, her children’s partners, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchild. 16 babies, one matriarch. My partner’s photo is a vertical-format portrait, which means he’s deprived of his cranium…… Continue reading Lost Stories
Travel Gear: Wot, No Passport?
On a recent flight from Tokyo to San Francisco, I found a Canadian passport. The owner of the passport would have been in for a surprise when he reached for his passport at US Border Control. Maybe he had a NEXUS card, or maybe United Airlines would have to fly him back to Tokyo where he…… Continue reading Travel Gear: Wot, No Passport?
My Favorite Childhood Photo
Rediscovered this today: I had filled a birdcage with snow, and was pulling it on a cart. Is this art?
Long Hauls, Cheap Tix
Tomorrow, Monday, I get on a plane.I’ve been getting on a plane several Mondays in January and February. A plane to take me to work in Portland, Oregon.This Monday is no exception, except this time I’m flying on a one-way ticket. I’ll work for my client for the last time, then cross the Pacific to…… Continue reading Long Hauls, Cheap Tix
A Gate Agent’s Conundrum
I hold my phone close, but the boarding pass scanner rejects me. The agent guarding the gate gestures me to scoot sideways towards his colleague at the podium. Podium Colleague does not make eye contact, she sighs as she pokes at her keyboard. “Your seat has been reassigned to someone with higher status,” she informs.I…… Continue reading A Gate Agent’s Conundrum
A Gate Agent’s Conundrum
Posted A Gate Agent’s Conundrum.
Travel Gear: The Carbon Footprint of Hiking Boots
I’ll soon be crossing The Pond to hike in my beaten-up boots. At the end of the trip the boots might be good for a few more day hikes. All this leaves me with The Big Question: Should I bring the boots home to the USA at the end of my trip? The Carbon Footprint…… Continue reading Travel Gear: The Carbon Footprint of Hiking Boots
Two Blog Posts Today
Made 2 posts today: The “Worthy” Poor and Freakin’ Cheap: Free Telecom.