BootsnAll Articles

I Wanna Be a Travel Writer Articles

Sept. 24, Where Am I Going, Hold On, Let Me Ask – I Wanna Be a Travel Writer

Sept. 24 – Where Am I Going, Hold On, Let Me Ask…
Four hours before I was to board the plane, I finally looked at a map. I was leaving for a month in Italy, and hopefully other European parts unknown, but I really had no idea where I was going. Other than a week at [...]

I Wanna Be a Travel Writer – Barfing Up a Byline

June 10 – Barfing Up a Byline
I leaned over the toilet and offered up to the porcelain god another slice of my digested pepperoni pizza. In return for my donation, I asked that the guardians of all things gastronomic be kind and merciful with me. After all, I was in my new editor’s flat and [...]

I Wanna Be a Travel Writer – A Prude in PatPong

July 15 – A Prude in PatPong
I had heard about Bangkok’s infamous red light district many times. Mostly I had heard about the in-your-face sex offerings, and imagined sleazy men who couldn’t get laid at home coming here for the easy and exotic. I pictured doorway after doorway stationed with fourteen year-old girls in short [...]

I Wanna Be a Travel Writer – Secrets, Dreams & a Pair of Scissors: Jen turns 30 in Australia

May 30 – Secrets, Dreams & a Pair of Scissors: Jen turns 30 in Australia
“What are we doing today?” asked James, a senior stylist at Oscar’s on the Queen Street Mall.

“A short bob, unless you think something else would look good with the shape of my face,” I
replied.

“Do you blow dry,” he said lifting my [...]

I Wanna Be a Travel Writer – March 20, The Beauties of Brisbane

March 20 – The Beauties of Brisbane
The first thing I noticed about Brisbane was that the chemists (pharmacists, or a drug store clerk where I came from) were gorgeous. In my experience, I only knew pharmacists to be the ever-so-patient person standing behind the counter watching me do an unrecognizable ballet dance to the tune [...]

I Wanna Be a Travel Writer – March 10, For Love or Ice Cream?

March 10 – For Love or Ice Cream?
“Would you like your pancakes with maple syrup and ice cream or lemon and butter?” the waitress asked.

I just stared blankly at her without answering. Did I just hear what I thought I heard? I looked across the table at Michael as if I needed a translator for [...]

I Wanna Be a Travel Writer – March 1, Survivor II: The Australian Campout

I Wanna Be a Travel Writer

March 1 – Survivor II: The Australian Campout

Whether you hated Jerri, drooled over Colby, or fell in love with Elisabeth – there’s no denying that the Ogakor and Kucha tribes were camped out in a pretty sweet spot to lose weight, win a car, and strategize their way to getting [...]

I Wanna Be a Travel Writer – Feb. 13, Grandma to Groover

Feb. 13 – Grandma to Groover

Almost three years ago I went to see the doctor about some shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and stomach pains. She said I had pre-30s anxiety and not to worry about it. I went home laughing. I was only 27; I wouldn’t turn 30 for three more years! Besides, turning 30 [...]

I Wanna Be a Travel Writer – Jan. 27, Sydney

Jan. 27 – Sydney
Forget LA – Sydney is the hippest city in the world.

Walking down Oxford Street in Paddington, I’ve never felt so fashion uncouth in my entire life. Maybe that’s because I was wearing boy’s pants, a striped t-shirt, and the seven-year-old Adidas adventure sandals that I refuse to give up.

I was [...]

I Wanna Be a Travel Writer – Jan. 25, Auckland (3 of 3)

Jan. 25 – Auckland, cont.
I awoke to a coughing fit. Then stayed awake, due to the sunlight streaming in through the window. I wondered what time it was, but didn’t dare move so as not to wake anyone. Besides, I had my germs against the wall. I didn’t want to breathe out onto the peaceful [...]