Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Wander.
Heiwajima
It's 10 PM on a Wednesday night and I'm again walking the streets of Tokyo. A steady rain pours down on the road and the drops are light and more like a spray than a rain. As usual, I have my guitar in one hand and a pack on my back. It seems too much, but I feel like I'm missing something when I leave the house without the guitar and so it's there like an extension of myself. The train that was supposed to come never came and so I struck off on the road and now my feet feel the pavement and slowly I'm starting to regret the decision. Overhead a train passes over me, its pale yellow lights putting yellow sparkles onto a road, the pavement drenched in the spray that has been slowly accumulating. Even the streets somehow seem soaked to the bone. Then as if the passing train signals a transition in time, almost as though there was a check point to be passed, I see the sign for Heiwajima Train Station glow overhead. I had been looking for a hot spring in Tokyo City for some time and a place to stay that was cheap. There are the international hostels of Tokyo, which house the foreign night owl, but I wanted to find something more local and preferably something with hot water. When I had conducted the search online Heiwajima Onsen had popped up and so here I was answering the call at 10 PM at night. The station "Heiwajima" translates to "Peace Island" in English. I had walked across the sea of buildings and had arrived!
By Sound And The Messenger7 years ago in Wander
Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park (Erie, Pennsylvania) Review
A condensed but fun water park. Friendliness\Helpfulness of Staff The staff overall was friendly and would answer questions when needed but considering this is an indoor water park they were focused on maintaining safety. While staffing the rides they would not look at you directly when answering questions. Lifeguards would do the same thing but this is expected. When not maintaining the rides they were far friendlier and would do their best to be helpful in pointing you in the right direction. Another thing to note here is the inconsistency the ones manning the rides had in enforcing particular policies whether or not they are actually written down. Most ride staff didn't seem to mind if you wore a shirt when you went down some of the water slides, but others would not allow you to ride. This could lead to an inconsistent experience. Another small note is that I called the night before to find out pricing. The person who I spoke with did not seem to be aware of their after 4 PM pricing.
By Relaxed Tourist7 years ago in Wander
"Wanna Get Away?"
It's Thursday. It's 3 PM. You're about two comments away from telling your supervisor or employee where to shove that patronizing smile that they shine on you as they ask you another stupid question, or hand you another, boring, useless task. It's April and you're already "over" all the B.S. your career has to offer and you've got to get away.
By SIR FRANCIS IV7 years ago in Wander
Quest of the Phoenix 2017
During the dread Polar Vortex of December 2016, I, having worked six to seven days a week for the last five weeks, most of it spent outside when snow buildup made it nigh-impossible to pull out of any intersection at which one had to stop one’s vehicle, got to work a full and rather lengthy day when the wind was blowing at around negative 10 degrees Fahrenheit (about -23 C). By the time the day was done, my face was too numb to talk properly, and even after getting back indoors it took over an hour for me to feel warm again. And shortly after getting home (and reflecting also on the fact that two months previously I had nearly died of a severe asthma relapse that seemed to have been brought on by the humidity of the autumn, not to mention the depression and general health-deterioration that ALWAYS afflicts me as summer comes to an end), I found myself thinking: “I don’t want to live in Michigan anymore.”
By Nathan Sturm7 years ago in Wander
How to Travel on a Budget
Whether you want to go across the country or somewhere only an hour or two away, it can be very pricey to travel. You should not hold yourself back because of the costs associated with traveling. It is wonderful exploring new places and learning history about a new city or country.
By Jessica Herring7 years ago in Wander
Bermuda Cruise Part 2
This morning was our first sighting of land. After sleeping in and having breakfast in the Garden Cafe, we went out on deck to get our first glimpse of Bermuda. Since we would not be able to get off the ship until one o’clock, Mom and I looked for something to do until then. We decided to go to the Aqua Dining Room for an art auction. Since we were there early, we checked out the art and sipped on mimosa. We did not bid on anything during the auction because most of the lots were too expensive, but there plenty of pieces that we liked. My favorites were the paintings by an artist named Linda Le Kinff, whose elongated forms and bright, vivid colors were compared to Matisse and Modigliani. For attending the auction, we received a free print.
By Rachel Lesch7 years ago in Wander
Comfort Suites Edinboro Pennsylvania Review (Two Queen Bed Jacuzzi Suite)
The room was medium size with an average layout but this was probably one of the smaller suites I've stayed in. The overall appearance is rather dated. I felt like I was stepping into the late 70s or early 80s.
By Relaxed Tourist7 years ago in Wander
Putting the 'Her' Back in Hermit
I am a 37-year-old woman who is divorced with no children, therefore I am pretty free to do as I please. I am back in school, but was given the opportunity to live and work on my family's farm in Southwest Virginia during my break. It's a fairly short drive, about 45 minutes, but seems as though it is worlds away. We live in Kingsport, Tennessee. Despite the efforts the city has made to beautify it, it is still a very polluted industrial city. So when my dad made the offer to live on 120 acres in a log cabin overlooking the Clinch River, needless to say, I jumped at the chance.
By Kristen Neurdenburg7 years ago in Wander
I Heart NYC
In the summer, without a doubt, the best way to get around is by bike. I cannot express enough how great it is, you move quicker than most cars/taxis, which also means if you are a bit of a nervous road rider and you need to move away from the cycle routes, you don't have to worry about cars passing you too closely. They are easy to rent (just like the UK's Boris bikes) and for $12 you have unlimited usage for 24 hours. You can see so much more, cover so much ground and it is unbelievably safe. Even when you're not on one of their amazing cycle paths and navigating the roads with the traffic. It's all good. There is an incredible cycle and walkway path on the west side along the Hudson River that quite frankly is a revelation. Not like a New York I've ever witnessed before. Rollerbladers, runners, walkers and cyclists in a green and smooth environment. It's designed in a way so very few opportunities arise for you to need to stop, it takes you quite nicely down to Battery Park and the Staten Island Ferry.
By Hazel Butterfield7 years ago in Wander
5 Reasons You Should Experience (and Master) Solo Travel
For a lot of people, traveling to an overseas country, even with other people, is a big deal. It means exposure to an unfamiliar culture and environment, potentially losing your way, and possibly having to cope with language and translation difficulties.
By Eli Sooker7 years ago in Wander