<a href="http://thetravelwriters.net/shoesofanomad" title="Shoes of a Nomad" rel="home">Shoes of a Nomad

I boarded a train in Amsterdam for an all day trip to Luxembourg, a country that seemed like the younger and forgotten sibling of its surrounding European nations. When I mentioned that I would be visiting, many of my friends asked me what was there to see. I would shrug and say, "I don't know. I've never been there!" They…

Going Dutch

One of the most poignant moments of traveling alone is coming down the escalator at the arrival gate of an airport. The faces of those waiting at the bottom are searching for the ones they love, or the ones they work with, or the ones that they haven't seen in years. Some hold signs, some hold only anticipation. Standing on…

The Journey Inside

And you? When will you begin that long journey into yourself? ---Rumi Since I have started sharing more of my solo traveling, many friends have asked me how I came to venture out on my own, and have said I am courageous for doing so. I feel a bit like an imposter when I hear that, because as much as…

A Camel, Flattery, and Lots of Mud

I was only going to be in Israel for two more days. I had heard that the US government was going to make an announcement to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, and the local Israelis I spoke with said that they expected violent backlash in response to the decision. I decided to visit Jerusalem and Bethlehem the day before…

Visiting the Unburied Past in Northern Israel

Visiting the Unburied Past in Northern Israel

Haifa I booked a tour guide (named Barry) to take me north of Tel Aviv along the coast. We started with the city of Haifa, where we saw the B'hai hanging gardens on Mt Carmel. The gardens are part of a Shrine to the Bab, and overlook the Mediterranean Sea. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and a holy place…

When I Found Myself in Israel, Wearing New Socks

When I Found Myself in Israel, Wearing New Socks

I had never been to the Middle East before, so when I had a business trip to Israel come up I was giddy with excitement. I had never flown anything but coach class on international flights before, either, and the man that sat next to me in first class wasn't hiding his smile at seeing me pushing buttons on the…

Interviewed on Tamlyn Amber Wanderlust

Melanie Kitzan grew up in North Dakota, and during her lifetime, she has been a scientist, attorney, mother, writer and vagabond. She lives in the House of She, near Seattle, with her dogs and daughters. Follow her global travel adventures and stories on her lovely travel blog, Shoes of a Nomad. I had been posting photos and short stories of…

Watching the World go by from a Train Window

Watching the World go by from a Train Window

I got to the train station early, on the day I headed back to Oslo from Stockholm. I spent the last bit of currency I had on candy at the gift shop. My daughters enjoy seeing candy from other countries when I travel. I thought they would especially enjoy the salted black licorice. I checked the train schedule, a giant…

Yoga, Walking, and Stopping the Glorification of Busy in Stockholm, Sweden