At the time of writing this, I have been in Nigeria for almost a week. My time here defies a simple description or even a simple narrative. Experiences are intensified by the extreme emotions one feels in a place like this: The encouragement I felt at meeting people with whom Read more…
“Go about this trip confidently and being friendly, but never betraying yourself as a first timer [to Nigeria],” my friend, Jwan Zhumbes, the Anglican Bishop of Bukuru, had warned me. “Do not ask questions that will sell you off as someone who has never been here before … And answer, Read more…
Embassies and consulates are a country’s storefront. In them, nations typically endeavor to put their best foot forward because they know that these outposts not only represent their country, but are quite probably all that most will ever see of it. The idea is to impress, to make a statement Read more…
“Don’t go. I swore I would never go back there,” came the voice of my friend Jay Smith on a trans-Atlantic Skype call. “I’ve been in over sixty countries. I’ve been all over Africa. I lived there, and I’ve never felt unsafe the way I did in that country. There is something Read more…
“Don’t go. I swore I would never go back there,” came the voice of my friend Jay Smith on a trans-Atlantic Skype call. “I’ve been in over sixty countries. I’ve been all over Africa. I lived there, and I’ve never felt unsafe the way I did in that country. There is something Read more…
The name of Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, means “muddy junction” or “muddy confluence” of two rivers, the Gombak and Klang. That name serves as a nice metaphor for Malaysia itself as it is a confluence – a clash, really – of cultures. Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European influences are visible Read more…
The Around the World in 80 Days expedition rolls on. South Korea was a great experience. It is an impressive and largely forgotten example of American nation building. Perhaps even more impressive than Japan because of the extraordinary growth of Christianity in South Korea. It was also meaningful for me to see Read more…