Travelog

FROM THE OUTER HEBRIDES TO GLASGOW
Oct. 6, Glasgow, Scotland

The deep landscape of granite mountains, mirror lochs, and endless sheep versus never-ending rows of gold tenement flats and big black cabs. Driving around the remote Outer Hebrides islands with a local doctor versus riding a double-decker bus to Glasgow’s housing projects. Trying to decipher two thick dialects: Hebridean versus Glaswegian. How can two such different places share such a deep sense of what it is to be Scottish? Is it in the history, the stories, the love of family? Some say it is dying, there is nothing to tie the people together. I don’t know. Whatever force makes Scotland what it is, is stronger than anything I personally have ever experienced.

SKETCHES IN CHARCOAL AND INK
Mar. 19, Stradbroke Island, Australia

At Ocean Beach I was on the shrub team, counting the different shrub species and recording other data. When we finished we were covered in charcoal from pushing our way through the thick brush, some of which was in a burned area, so we went for a quick swim (watch out for those blue-bottle jellyfish though!). After collating our data we climbed a dune for a fabulous view of the coastline and heath lands. When we went night trawling it was warm and clear, the water was calm, and lots of stars were out. We pulled in all kinds of interesting critters from the ocean, including many squid and cuttlefish, from which I was covered with black ink!

STUDY IN CONTRAST
Dec. 3, Mysore, India

A lot of learning about India comes from meeting and interacting with the people. I find them open and gentle, with a real feeling of giving among them. It’s common to be invited to the home of someone you meet during a bus ride. At the same time, part of adjusting to India means dealing with the hardships of life here. We have to be very open-minded. There is so much that we take for granted in the United States that doesn’t exist in India—I don’t know if there can be a greater contrast.