humanity

If nothing else, travel opens your eyes to the colorful quilt that is humankind.

Rochester, MN
Ah yes, the Midwest! Currently -6 and we aren’t even close to done with winter. Yikes. Not the best-selling point admittedly for my hometown. Funnily enough, I wasn’t born here and haven’t spent the majority of my life here. Yet I call this my hometown because I plan to make my life here. I even encouraged my mother to move here so she could eventually be close to her grandchildren (whenever that day comes). I spent 15 years down south so moving to the Midwest was shock, especially the winters. For the first few years many made fun and poked at me for whining about how cold it is here. Of course, in the summertime I would poke fun at my Midwest friends for complaining about the heat. What I can tell you is that this place does have some friendly folks once you get to know them. Despite popular belief it does actually warm up in the spring and summer. It can actually get humidity comparable to the south and then some. Many come out to play in the summer and you will be hard pressed to find anyone really staying indoors on a Saturday night. Yes, they love their bars just as much as anyone else! We live an hour and a half away from the twin cities. You can travel to the Mall of America one weekend day and enjoy a concert at Target Field. For those who love baseball, you will find they love the Minnesota Twins.
By Tara C.5 years ago in Wander
Faces
I am in my mid thirties. Ok fine, smack dab in the middle, I am thirty five. I am just now starting to see how the development in my small town is really emerging. We are still really far away from being a pedestrian friendly city, but I like to believe the thought process is there and in place.
By Vanessa R. Powell5 years ago in Wander
Home-Wrecker
I guess it's kind of exciting when your lady love decides to be polyamorous. There's new influences, new elements, mind blowing orgasms...you miss who she used to be but you are so proud of the confident rose she is blossoming into while being showered with this great abundance of attention and adoration.
By Aurora Rayne5 years ago in Wander
Yes, I was born 4 times.
It is said that the place where you are born is where you make your first memories, well in my case, and although it is strange, I have been born 4 times. I have probably not reached maturity in my life, I mean I'm still young, well, at least that is what my heart feels.
By Luider Vasquez5 years ago in Wander
Lessons In Belonging
Next year I will have officially lived in the 1000 Islands region of Ontario for fifteen years. If you’re wondering why this is important, it’s because it will mean that I’ll have lived here longer than anywhere else. Ever.
By Amy Pierrson 5 years ago in Wander
What We Found in the Flood
In 2013, there was a flood in my city. I remember my walk at lunch that day; I thought at the time that the river was singing a strange song – or was that only something I said to myself later, after what happened?
By Shelly McElroy5 years ago in Wander
Home Sweet Home
OCEAN CITY, NJ/“THE ISLAND” What is the meaning of “hometown” and where is it? Hometown is defined in a plethora of ways by languages, perspectives, feelings, security, self expression, culture etc. People of various cultural and religious backgrounds create their reality of home through personal meaning. For me, culture and spirituality mixed with highlights of inner rebellion have influenced what and how I perceive my hometown or a place I call home. What I became adapted to see and hear influenced my internal forces of what I was inclined to value, perceive myself as micro and macro cosmically, my relationship with others, the environment, and what to hold on to as “special.” This personal process is referred to in past tense due to the peeling away of onion illusions of my perception. As one layer dissolved, my eyesight burned away the facade of seemingly social oppression and sharpened my internal senses to know that my mind is the place I call home.
By I AM5 years ago in Wander
Drive Thru Town
The town I live in is the town I was born in, and I’m 22. I always grasp at the idea that one day I’ll get out, one day i'll move to Oregon, to Seattle, to Iceland, to someone not here. But whenever I picture myself anywhere it's always Atlanta.
By Emily Boatright5 years ago in Wander
First time experiencing a Category 5 Hurricane
Hurricane Michael… Time’s Up Back in 2018 on October 10th I was living in Panama City, Florida. I expected to get up and go to work as usual. Instead, I got up to the work phone ringing. Since it was a work day, I figured I might had better answer it, so I did. It was my boss saying to call my appointments and tell them I wouldn’t make it and then to get out of the city. Before I could even ask why, he informed me that a hurricane was coming and was set to hit the city head on.
By Timothy A Rowland5 years ago in Wander
Cape Hatteras
It is ironic that, as I cross over the Alligator River about noontime, I happen to be reading a chapter from the journal of Herbert Hutchinson Brimley entitled: “Cape Hatteras in Storm and Shine.” I glance away from the page for a moment to assess the outside conditions-rainy, windy, a scene that had a certain dismal look to it, and I conclude that Mr. Brimley probably had more experience with the former attributes discussed rather than the latter regarding this particular chapter. After a quick dip in a surprisingly docile ocean, the rain begins to fall as I make my way to dinner.
By Tim Hearne5 years ago in Wander
Message in a Bottle. Top Story - February 2021.
Off to the left, Nick Sawyer could see remnants of the long abandoned railway, its rusted metal trusses glittering in the mid-morning sun. Over the years those old bridges had been turned into walking trails or fishing piers, some missing a span or two and all in varying stages of neglect and disrepair. As he passed he could see the weathered fishermen casting their lines, shiny lures sparkling in the air before splashing down and disappearing beneath the crystal blue water.
By Mare M.5 years ago in Wander
Memories
I grew up in the South. I was usually isolated from neighbors and friends. One particular place cannot describe my home. We moved all over Arkansas and sometimes went back to the same places multiple times. My parent's divorced during my early childhood. Both parents were either drug addicts or alcoholics. They found their comfort in those idols or in other people.
By Neci Eppinette5 years ago in Wander