How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization
Author: Franklin Foer
Who knew you could learn so much about globalization, economics and politics from soccer? Great read.
Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
Author: Julia Cameron
One possible path to re-discovering the creativity you never knew you had.
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, New Edition
Author: Jared Diamond
An admirable crack at explaining why the world is the way it is by way of an anthropological macro-history. This book probably comes up the most in conversation as we travel.
The Cathedral Within: Transforming Your Life by Giving Something Back
Author: Bill Shore
Inspiring profiles of social entrepreneurs and projects we all can learn from and hopefully replicate to give back to community.
Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation
Author: John Carlin
Although the storyline is built around the South African rugby team and the 1995 World Cup, this book is more about Nelson Mandela and how he was able to unite a divided country. Inspiring.
Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Capetown
Author: Paul Theroux
The author re-visits Africa and re-assesses the place he once knew... and judges it once and for all. Well written, poignant observations of the thumbprints left by career politicians, aid workers, and everyday people.
Outliers: The Story of Success
Author: Malcolm Gladwell
A look at the internal and external factors of how extraordinary people got to be, well, extraordinary. One of those books that challenges assumptions and makes you think differently.
Shantaram: A Novel
Author: Gregory David Roberts
Administering first aid in a Bombay slum, selling fake passports and running guns to the Mujahideen in Afghanistan. Technically a novel, but closely linked to the Author's own experiences. Fantastic read.
Sometimes it’s not exactly clear to our readers where we are. We’re writing about Argentina one day, posting photos from Nepal the next, and updating our Facebook fan page with observations from Thailand all the while.
For this week’s panorama we share exactly where we are right now: Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Panorama, Thailand by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
26 Comments | 17 January 2011
As Christmas and the new year approaches, we’re sending holiday wishes your way…and getting a little help from our friends.
Filed Under: Thailand by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
13 Comments | 24 December 2010
For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
We often share stories of ordinary people who humble us by showing resilience and kindness in the face of challenges. In doing so, we highlight the positive — so much so that you might be thinking: “Do these guys only run into good people on their travels? Is the world really like that? Are all people around the world really that good?”
Not always. Sometimes you meet people who grind you to the edge.
And then, you must find your way back. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Perspectives, Thailand, Travel by: Daniel Noll
24 Comments | 22 December 2010
Recently, we’ve been spending time on a beach on an island in Thailand. So you might be thinking, “They’ve gone soft.”
Perhaps.
But we missed being near water and having the space — both physical and mental — that comes with looking out over long, wide horizons. There’s a certain calm it affords, a certain clarity.
Open up the panorama below to see why. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Panorama, Thailand by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
15 Comments | 13 December 2010
During our most recent visit to Bangkok, tanks full of flesh-eating fish hungry for dead skin were all the rage.
Sound like fun? We thought so.
Watch the video below to find out. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Southeast Asia, Thailand, Travel, Videos by: Daniel Noll
24 Comments | 11 December 2010
Thanksgiving, an American holiday fueled by family gatherings and gratitude, came and went last Thursday. Unfortunately, we were away from home this year so we couldn’t spend this occasion with our family. But this was borne of our own choice, circumstances of our own making.
In contrast, many people in this world do not have this choice. Simply put, they cannot go home. Because of their political or religious beliefs, they face persecution and the threat of injury or death if they do.
We met two such families this past weekend in Bangkok. While speaking with them and getting a glimpse of their lives, we began to comprehend what it really means to be a refugee: a life in fear, a life of prolonged uncertainty, and a life of fighting for survival. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Hope for Humanity, Perspectives, Southeast Asia, Thailand by: Audrey Scott
16 Comments | 30 November 2010
Sunday was one of those days when misfortunes were set aloft and misdeeds adrift.
That is, in Bangkok at least.
It was Loi Krathong, a Thai holiday where young and old come out in force. They send their wrongdoings afloat on colorfully adorned lotus leaf rafts down the Chao Praya River and they fire up paper lanterns to carry their misfortunes into the sky.
Then they party like it’s 1999. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Southeast Asia, Thailand, Travel, Videos by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
12 Comments | 23 November 2010
For those of you who’ve visited Bangkok, the name Pantip (or Panthip, if you like) probably rings familiar. If you’ve never traveled to Bangkok and wondered what shopping for gadgets, computers and electronics might look like, here it is: one part modern shopping mall, another part chaotic Asian street market. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Panorama, Thailand by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
12 Comments | 21 November 2010
“I haven’t traveled much. Where should I go?”
Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Southeast Asia, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
61 Comments | 8 September 2010
If you keep up with the news, it’s hard not to notice that Thailand and Kyrgyzstan have been in the midst of political turmoil and violent protests this past week. In an effort to offer a foil to images of bloodied protesters in Bishkek, I posted a link to a series of photo essays from our visit to Kyrgyzstan in 2007. Some friends thanked us, while another also voiced what I imagine is a prevailing perception: “Great pics but isn’t it crazy how fast a country/society can turn?” Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Kyrgyzstan, Perspectives, Thailand by: Daniel Noll
22 Comments | 12 April 2010
