Global Cultures

There Are Many Places Like Home: Hacienda San Agustin de Callo

Dorothy of Wizard of Oz fame tells us there is no place like home. Dorothy has many wise words, but on this one, I’ll have to respectfully disagree. During my travels over the years, I’ve stayed at wonderful hotels, not so wonderful hotels, encountered a mosaic of interesting individuals and captured stories that will remain [...]

August 28, 2010 CONTINUE READING →

Creative Juicy Ideas Needed: The Ecuador Project

Not long ago, I visited Ecuador on a short holiday. I spent my time hiking, horse-back riding interviewing and hanging out with locals, trying to perfect my mediocre Spanish. As with all of my adventures, I met so many great people along the way. One of them was Mignon Plaza, who owns and runs Hacienda [...]

August 20, 2010 CONTINUE READING →

My Mom, The Bootlegger

This is another guest post from my Dad, Ron. He loves to tell stories – you can read Dad’s previous TJCC guest posts here. You did not misread the title. Yes, my Mom . . . that sweet little Italian lady . . . was a bootlegger. Here is the true story: Following World War [...]

August 15, 2010 CONTINUE READING →

From The Afghan Women’s Writing Project: I Am For Sale, Part II

During the past few weeks, I’ve been volunteering as a writing mentor for the Afghan Women’s Writing Project. The experience has been no less than amazing. As many of you know, I’ve been actively vocal about AWWP, featured an interview with founder Masha Hamilton last year and re-posted (with permission) “I Am For Sale, Who [...]

August 4, 2010 CONTINUE READING →

Book Review: Strength In What Remains

This is a guest post by Kate Walser, a regular TJCC contributor. You can follow Kate on Twitter. What would you do if I told you our town had been taken over by the enemy? That the enemy was on its way to find you? If you heard your enemy coming down the hall and [...]

July 24, 2010 CONTINUE READING →

The Creative Scavenger Hunt: What Did You Discover This Week?

I love to find “treasures.” Hidden treasures, not so hidden ones, ones that no one else understands but me. Sometimes when I travel, I put together my own Creative Scavenger Hunt – a few simple goals for guiding discoveries on my trips. But I recently realized that we don’t have to go far to find [...]

July 9, 2010 CONTINUE READING →

Live From Ecuador: How Do You Memorize Your Travel Adventures?

Editor’s note: Contrary to the popular belief of my male friends who are obsessed with Angelina Jolie, I did not intentionally come here on the heels of her recent trip to Ecuador. I planned mine way before, though I doubt my trip will get as much press coverage. It’s Day 2 in Quito, Ecuador and [...]

July 2, 2010 CONTINUE READING →

On Historical Backdrops, The Red Tent and The Brubury Tales Giveaway

Weaving elements of history into writing, whether through stories or style, is undeniably a skill of brilliant magicians. I have three copies of The Red Tent. One I bought for myself. The second was from a friend who went to an author reading and sent me a signed copy from Anita Diamant. No idea where [...]

June 19, 2010 CONTINUE READING →