Various

It’s Not Fruitless

2020, California, United States, Universe, Various, , , , , , , , , , , View all 10 comments

“Three Pomegranates in Bowl,” Nasser Ovissi

Some people say it’s too late, that people are breaking the rules, that the whole thing is just political. But I believe the experts, having been one myself who was not believed 😁. So, for example, I won’t touch anyone.

I also believe the United States of America is on a serious time-out.  “You just sit there for awhile and think about whether you want to leave your kids this mess you’ve made. Do you think all they care about is buying stuff when the whole world is turning into a giant cesspool? Well? Do you?”

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Blue

2020, California, United States, Universe, Various, , , , , , , , View all 14 comments
Door in Tunis, Tunisia

I am sensing that there is a sort of low grade malaise happening out there right now, even in spite of our best efforts. It’s ok. People have been doing the blues for a long time. The blues have made people famous and happy and powerful. Here are some of them.

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Rowing the Boat Ashore, For Now

2020, art, California, United States, Universe, Various, , , , , View all 28 comments

After five years of travel, I am not on an extended vacation. The road is my home. It is like religion to me because it helps me fill in some of the gaping holes in what I know and believe. It feeds my spirit and challenges me. But now, I realize I may not be able to travel for what could feel like a long time. Although I don’t know how, my life is going to change.

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What’s In A Name? Probably More Than We Think

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Tonight I saw a film about Minoru Yasui, who sued the US government during World War II for its racist treatment of Japanese Americans, including their incarceration for being Japanese. Families were separated and lost everything — their homes and businesses and farms. Mr. Yasui never gave up, even when he couldn’t get anyone to support him. https://www.minoruyasuifilm.org/film

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16 Metric Tonnes and What Do You Get?

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My first flight from Athens to Lesvos. The beginning of something life-changing.

I get a thrill every time I feel the three-second gravitational pull of a plane taking off. In 2019, I felt it 17 times on flights between the US, Mexico and Asia, and I plan to feel it another dozen times in 2020.

Some people, like Greta Thunberg, might wonder how I can justify traveling all over the world in an airplane. My upcoming flight from San Francisco to Barcelona will cost the environment 1.6 metric tonnes of carbon emissions. That’s just my share. To put that in perspective, hyper-consuming Americans use about 16 metric tonnes a year for everything.

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I Don’t Call It “Lost:” 8 Ways to Get More Out of Your Travels

2019, Universe, Various, , , View all 13 comments

Children dressed for street party in Juchitan, Mexico.

Shortly after I began my nomadic life, I wrote about the difference between tourists and travelers. https://kimmie53.com/2014/09/06/lady-who-lunches-or-lunch-lady/  Four years later, my travels have taught me a little more about how to have a deeper experience, to feel a part of a place, and make connections with people. My strategies don’t all work in all situations or for all people, but you get the idea….

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Louisiana Noire: A Historic Lawsuit in New Iberia

2019, Louisiana, United States, Universe, Various, , , , , , View all 16 comments

Mural painted by school students in New Iberia, Louisiana.

Last Friday, in a small town in rural Louisiana, the state’s 16th Judicial District Court rescheduled a preliminary hearing to address procedural matters in a lawsuit described in nine double-spaced pages.

Ho hum, not usually the beginning of a great story, right?

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