A book. A photo. A personal story. So many ways that an idea finds itself in our head. After completing England’s South West Coast Path, I wanted to try another English walk. But where? There are numerous national trails. Arthur Wainwright Then, I came across Arthur Wainwright and his idiosyncratic book “A Coast to Coast …
Continue reading 700. Another English Walk: The Coast to Coast
St bees Well, well, well. A diversion. I’m going to walk almost 200 miles and I don’t even get to start the trail in the usual way! The Coast to Coast Trail begins with a diversion. So much for walking along the actual coast as I did on the South West Coast Trail. Last December, …
This pre-walk period differs. Almost always before my other walks, I spend 2-3 days adjusting. Whether Madrid, Lisbon, Canterbury, Lucca, or Minehead, I let my body and my spirit get used to the new time zone, the new environment, the new food. Plunging into a walk hours after arriving in a new place doesn’t suit …
Train Leighton Buzzard and young woman Unlike other walks, I begin this walk saying good-by to the family. Our traveling family begins to break-up when Charles and Christina have to return to work. I say good-by. Next, after an additional two days traveling with Dwight to Cambridge in order to us to see where his …
The senses are on high alert in India. Either I'm fascinated or repulsed with what I hear, smell, touch, and see. As others have noted, visiting India is a "full-body" experience. Visually, I see what I normally don't see in the states. Garbage is everywhere. Even with signs reminding individuals "Keep Delhi (insert other places …
We are constantly given advice. Billboards. Grafitti. Influencers. Friends. Professors. The advice may be catchy; the advice may be dated. I ask a number of individuals in India their advice. Since I will be organizing a "Year of India” upon my return to the States, I decide to ask all sorts of folks what they …
I’m exhausted. It has been a long series of connecting flights to Delhi. The passport and baggage claim goes smoothly, but lengthy. The driver gets me to my BnB without any difficulties. Then, after paying him, I realize that I don’t have any rupees left. Not good. Pravin, my BnB host, comes to the rescue. …
Continue reading 856. Relying upon Hosts, Drivers, and Guides
As a visual person, I love photographing people and places. The world is so interesting! I am acutely aware that I don’t see much beyond the lens of my camera. As I revisit my photos, I uncover two groupings that stand out. Men. Animals. Of course, there are so many other people and places that …
I want to see Mumbai’s Dharavi slum. Reportedly the largest in Asia. Knowing that I’m not going to walk through Dharavi alone, I joined Dava’s walking tour. My last Indian walking tour. Early that morning, five of us meet Dava. As he introduces himself, we all realize that this will be an interesting guide. Dava …
Continue reading 854. Dava’s Walking Tour of Mumbai’s Dharavi Slums
Journeys: Explorations in Body, Mind, and Spirit 