My partner and I met in Minneapolis in 1982, as activists in solidarity with El Salvador. David became a Minneapolis Public School Social Worker,  I earned a doctorate, and taught college history. We lived in Minneapolis, MN, USA. We watched our child grow, planted gardens, and continued peace, anti-racism, immigrant rights, and labor activism. At 54, we bicycled the perimeter of the US. I wrote a book about it:  At 65, we sold our home, divested ourselves of things, and hit the road.  We have been traveling since November 2023.  We stay one month in each place. I write about our experiences with a historian’s eye and an internationalist lens.   There are no ads and many photos. I hope you enjoy these essays. 

Albania 

Berat, Albania, Opens Windows to the Sky and Doors to the Stranger

Five Questions about the Economy and Politics of Tirana, Albania

Brussels

Immigrant, Multicultural Brussels: Contradictions and Hope

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina: “The Power Lies with the People.”

China

Empty and Fill: Seven Days in Chengdu, China

Colombia 

Minneapolis to Medellen: The Power of Memories Amidst the ongoing Violence

 

16 things to do in and around Medellin, Colombia

 

Egypt

Chaos, Order, and the Desire to be Free: Egypt.

England 

To the Accra Palace: An unexpected trip to Transnational London.

France 

Confessions of a Post-Impressionist in France

Germany 

Bremen Apparitions

Iceland 

Icelandic Winds

Italy 

Italy: We the People in a Time of Monsters

 

Japan 

Sister Strangers: Japan

Latvia 

Latvia: Enchantment and the Weight of History

Montenegro

The Language of Montenegro’s Capital City

In Montenegro I Think of Sandwiches—Not the Bread Kind.

Morocco

Spain to Tangier, Morocco

The Netherlands 

Local is Global in the Netherlands

Environmental War Crimes Policy of the International Criminal Court (notes on the International Conference on Environmental Peace Building, The Hague, The Netherlands)

Dutch Bicycle Culture

North Macedonia 

Scruga, North Macedonia. To The Lake: A Journey for Peace, in time of War.

Northern Ireland 

People’s Living History: Northern Ireland

Norway 

Norwegian Illusions of Infinity

A Good Tourist in Oslo?

Portugal 

Sardines and Seagulls. Algarve, Portugal

Serbia

Surprises in Belgrade, Serbia

South Korea 

The Sound of Silence: Jeju Island, South Korea

Spain 

Cuatro Cuerpos: Cádiz, Spain

Sri Lanka 

Sri Lanka: Hard and Hopeful Land.

Sweden 

Stockholm Syndromes? A visit to Sweden.

Switzerland 

Local Global Switzerland.

Turkey 

Letting Wounds Speak. Turkey.

United States (Minneapolis)

Lilacs in October: A Short Return to Minneapolis, 2024.

Beauties and Beasts: A Month in the United States, 2025.

Minneapolis to Medellen: The Power of Memories Amidst the ongoing Violence

 

Wales

A Sheep Farm in Wales