africa

Giving Away My Birthday for Charity: Water

January 1, 2013

Last year at the World Domination Summit, I watched a powerful presentation by charity: water founder Scott Harrison about how to help families around the globe access clean water. I expected a cliche pitch, but instead found myself tearing up in that auditorium. So I pledged to give away my 32nd birthday– no big celebrations […]

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When Too Many Choices = Paralysis

December 1, 2011

During a recent talk at a study abroad conference, I reminded a group of college students just how lucky we are. Travel has a way of hammering that point home, of reminding us that we’re so fortunate to have food on the table, shoes on our feet and opportunity in front of us. Most people […]

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When traveling makes you scratch your head

April 20, 2011

You know those moments when you’re traveling in a far away place or even just the next town over and you see someone doing something that makes no sense at all? Where you think to yourself, Seriously? And you’re not sure whether to gape or crack up? Those moments are copious in Africa. So to […]

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The myth of getting paid to travel

February 7, 2011

Want to know how you can REALLY travel the world? Check out my eguide, How to Take a Career Break to Travel. I can’t stand all the posts on travel blogs that claim it’s possible to travel the world for free through writing. It’s NOT. Okay, maybe it’s possible for a few select writers. But […]

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9 Tips for Women Traveling Alone

January 11, 2011

Itching to travel? Check out my eguide, How to Take a Career Break to Travel. Like it or not, women have to take special precautions while traveling alone. After six months of backpacking solo in Africa, I’ve got a few ideas about how we can make the most of solo exploration — and stay safe […]

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Writers’ Roundup: October 29

October 29, 2010

Best links from this week: 26 tips for enhancing your tweets, from Social Media Examiner. If you ever feel like you’re short on Twitter content, check this out. How to get writing gigs as a newbie. Excellent post from Hope Clark, the author of my new favorite blog. I never miss a post by Peter […]

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A dozen tips for independent travelers

May 5, 2010

During my backpacking trip through Africa, there were so many moments when I though to myself, I’ve gotta remember this for the next time I travel. Like most independent travelers headed for developing countries (independent = travelers who aren’t with a group and figure out accommodation and other details as they go), I knew to […]

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Six reasons to detour to Burkina Faso

April 26, 2010

Of the seven countries I visited during my backpacking trip, Burkina Faso was one of my favorites. It’s sandwiched between two West African countries that are popular with tourists – Mali to the north and Ghana to the south – and yet the French-speaking nation sees few visitors. Here’s why you should add this culture-rich […]

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Time for an excerpt: Another marriage proposal

October 15, 2009

It’s been a while since I posted an excerpt from my book. And I’ve written so much during the last few months! So today I want to share something short that will make you smile. This piece is from the middle section of my book, which takes place in Cameroon. (It’s adapted from my travel […]

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Another writer who wandered in Africa: Tanya Shaffer

September 21, 2009

You probably know by now that I read travel memoirs compulsively, particularly those by women traveling alone. One of my favorites is Somebody’s Heart is Burning: A Woman Wanderer in Africa. So I was particularly pleased to connect with the author, Tanya Shaffer. And she’s with us today! Welcome, Tanya. I'm focusing on weaving a […]

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