From the scorching sun

A shade

One by one

We resort

In the comfort of a great canopy.
Happy Father’s Day
 

I reach the shy Chinese co-worker walking up ahead, he’s half a foot shorter than I, we engage in a first real conversation while we walk to the train station.
“I was more shy before” he said, “before I did sky diving. 75 percent of me has changed since then, I think. I like to surf […]

A joint birthday celebration with Kanta and our mutual circle of friends took place in a beatnik inspired couple’s wooden lodging. A surprise awaited, carefully planned by Sachi who contacted my dad months earlier. Never did I expect to see him on their big screen, talking to a crowd of us. How did he manage […]

This is a letter from my dad. I want to spread the word.
Dear Ambassador Ruiz-Cabanas, 
To warmly thank you Sir, and your staff for your time during a busy schedule. It’ a tribute to Mexico; an ambassador and an embassy open to the spirit of openness, so as to bring in the very latest in thinking to the […]

I’ve had the opportunity to home stay with over 15 families in the past, and work for a handfull more in different countries, all of differing origins. A Mormon family of 14, a single mother of two, a family of children with no parents, loved by a dedicated band of staff members. Each family […]

Arrived in the night, set up camp on a field.

Paula woke us in the morning, “you sleep in front of my house?¨she asked.
¨Why didn´t you stay inside my home? Come come, I´ll serve you some cafecito¨.

So we did, and celebrated Geoffrey´s 28th birthday.
 

After a scenic 7-hour bus ride we arrived in Mendoza, Argentina. A taxi driver drove slowly in the night while mum and dad attentively scanned houses on a long, unforgotten road. “Stop! Here it is! This corner, this is it!”
The house was dark and shut. A young girl stood in front with a friend. “Do […]

Autumn afternoon breeze through streets of Santiago, 4 of us in counting, walking and talking, reminiscing on their journey here 30 years ago.
“How peaceful it’s become. I was held by gun point by the militia under Pinochet when I walked through here. Remember Yosh, we wanted to get married here?”
“Ya, but we couldn’t. We got […]

My brother went to a Free School called Summerhill. It’s a boarding school in England where kids are free to do what ever they want to do.
Classes are offered but you don’t have to take them. There are ‘meetings’ where kids from ages 4 to 16, staff members and teachers alike, gather to decide matters, […]

Worked ’til 6, saw Kite Runner and cooked a meal with a handful of close friends. Lots of talking, easy, deep, interesting. Lots of smiles, laughing. Good food. Going to see the first sun rise in a few hours. No alcohol. One of the best New Years I’ve had.