The Life of an Adventurous Woman from Cara Lopez Lee on Vimeo.

For years, I wasn’t a joiner. I felt socially awkward. I cherished my independence, and feared group-think. I had interests in common with some groups, but found they either took things too seriously, or not seriously enough. After years of dancing to my own drum, I’ve achieved a strong sense of self. But, recently, I’ve been running into people who dance to a beat that harmonizes with mine. At last, I’m finding my tribe. The wise council of this new tribe, is my book club.

(more…)

When I tell people I’m an avid traveler, I say so with both pride and shame. Pride: because world travelers tend to be among the most environmentally conscious, culturally sensitive, socially progressive people you’ll ever meet. Shame: because, as a traveler, I cause more damage to the environment, and more disruption in the lives others, than people who stay home.

(more…)

“It’s not contagious,” I repeated, as friends backed away from me in horror.

I couldn’t resist telling a travel tale involving skin-tunneling parasites. In turn, my friends couldn’t resist shifting back just a hair, although they insisted they understood there was no chance of worms leaping from my body to theirs. It didn’t help to explain that I wasn’t even sure I had schistosomiasis.

“Schi-what?”

(more…)

It’s a New Year, time for your next 365-day trip around the sun, and your new opportunity to resolve on the life of adventure you’ve always wanted. Let my trek through China’s Tiger Leaping Gorge inspire you, as you consider where you might want to go, or what you might want to read, in 2010. Come with me, as we conclude our journey to The Far Reaches of Normal.

(more…)