I’m traveling to find home

Tangents

I was lucky to have parents who loved to travel. I was on my first international flight when I was only a few months old. School holidays were always spent someplace else—I didn’t eat Thanksgiving dinner in the United States until I was in college. Our trips usually...

Travel is a privilege

Tangents

San Sebastian, Spain This is an ideal seaside town: wide bike lanes, clean beaches with surf to play in, charming old quarter with restaurants every few storefronts. After a morning bicycle and a quick trip to the beach (water was too chilly to do more than wade; I...

One small step for…

Tangents

I’m in the airline lounge, waiting for my flight. To pass the time, I’m totaling my air miles for the year on a napkin (got up to 31,710 through the end of March). The gentleman in the chair beside me guesses what I’m doing. “How about lifetime miles?” he asks. “I...

How my rental car upgrade turned into no grade

Tangents

At the car rental counter in Florence, Italy ME: Bon giorno! My name is Twist Phelan and I have a reservation. (Present confirmation print-out to agent.) AGENT: We are so happy to welcome you as a member of our President/Chairman/Grand PoohBah Club. Because of your...

10 tiny things I miss from traveling

Tangents

It’s been a year-plus without international travel, and there’s so much about it I miss. In addition to the obvious, grand-scale things, I’ve even started to long for the tiny, little feelings you only experience on a journey far away from home. Such as… 1....

Not all souvenirs are tangible

Tangents

I’m not big on souvenirs, but there are a few things I will pick up when traveling. Spices. Art. Pins. Clothing (excluding t-shirts with a city’s name on it). Scarves. Words. Yes, words. English is a great language, but it isn’t all-encompassing. When I’m in a new...