Valencia is not particularly well known. No image of it came to my mind, but a quick Google search informed me it was Spain’s third city, birthplace of paella, and cheap, so it seemed ideal for a getaway. It would turn out to be far more interesting. After arrival we head to the chief attraction. … Continued
Thank you to all our writers from our 2013 Independence Travel Writing Contest! One hundred and eighty-eight writers from thirty-one countries participated to write about seventy-three countries for our contest! The writers are from Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Republic … Continued
One year ago on July 1, 2012, George and I stepped on a plane to Bali to continue a journey from before we were married. In 2008-2009, we took a sabbatical in Asia. While we were away, I lost nearly sixty pounds; we got engaged underwater in Koh Lipe, Thailand and visited twelve countries in … Continued
My friend Baruch and I wended our way up into the northern Galilee in Israel, up into the mountains. Just a few kilometers from the Blue Line – the UN determined border between Israel—we drove past an Israeli Army outpost and its patrols dressed in their heavy uniforms in all that heat. The day hovered … Continued
An excerpt from Desperado’s Wife: A Memoir by Amy Friedman Elton I can still feel the churning pleasure I felt as I anticipated the day of Elton’s release. The idea of leading someone out, of driving someone to his freedom was the first real pleasure I’d felt in years, the first day after too many … Continued
In The First Rule of Swimming: A Novel by Courtney Angela Brkic, Luka taught his granddaughter: “The first rule of swimming was to stay afloat.” Madgalena and Jadranka, two sisters who grew up on Rosmarina Island, Croatia, must find a path to balance in this novel. Through the details of decades of family history during the war … Continued
The pool was a kid magnet. As soon as school was out we’d make excuses to walk down the street and visit the neighbors. We’d splash and play Marco Polo until our toes and fingers were creased. I’d always steal a few moments away by myself in the deep end. Diving as far down as … Continued
Stephen King shares his personal life story and philosophy on learning to write well in his book, On Writing: 10th Anniversary Edition: A Memoir of the Craft. As he says, “I believe large numbers of people have at least some talent as writers and storytellers, and that those talents can be strengthened and sharpened.” … Continued
The second We Said Go Travel Writing Contest will have the theme of “Independence: A Place that Makes You Feel Free.” When I think of freedom and bravery, the person that foremost comes to mind is my late father, Peter Rajna. Born on May 11th,we honor and remember him by commencing the contest on his … Continued
Thank you to all our writers from our 2013 Inspiration Travel Writing Contest! Nearly sixty writers from fifteen different countries participated to create over seventy posts on our site! The writers are from Australia, Belgium, Canada, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Singapore, South Korea, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Uzbekistan. … Continued