Finished reading: In the Forest of No Joy: The Congo-Océan Railroad and the Tragedy of French Colonialism by J. P. Daughton 📚
Read moreNOT GETTING LOST IN FEZ
I love getting lost while traveling. When I say that, I don’t mean genuinely lost. I’m talking about immersing myself fully in the place I’m visiting. Getting lost is not thinking about the next site or the next meal. Getting lost is paying more attention to the people and sites around me rather than looking at my phone or my guide. We all carry Google Maps in our pockets, so it’s usually hard to get thoroughly lost.
Read moreDreaming of walking beneath the Iberian sun en route to Santiago de Compostela. Looking forward to walking it again this spring. #camino #spain 📷🚶♂️
Read moreWRITING REGULARLY
I started blogging at Liberating Narratives in 2016. Before that, I had various blogs. I would write for a few months, and then teaching and grading would get too busy. When I left the classroom in June, I knew I wanted to turn Liberating Narratives into a full-time newsletter. Since the beginning of September, I have been writing regularly. I love it. Sometimes I feel the pressure of deadlines, but usually, I write because it feels good.
Read moreCooking therapy morning! The sandwich is a za’atar crusted baked tofu with a white bean pâté, cilantro tahini sauce, pickles, and harissa (and lots of arugula) on a ciabatta roll. This was delicious. And then I made a speculaas simple syrup (speculaas is the Dutch spice mix) and put a dash of that and rose water over pomegranate. This was a yummy lunch! 🥬🌱🪬
Read moreOne of the best looking fruits 📷🪬
Read moreA PLACE TO GATHER
If you read about Marrakesh in any guidebook, or should I say if you google Marrakesh, you will find a description of Djemaa el Fna. It may include the provocative translation “Assembly of the Dead.” Depending on the reader, this name for the square may excite or scare people. If you feel less provocative as a travel writer, you can translate it as the “Gathering Area.” For me, this translation captures the essence of Djemaa el Fna.
Read morePalestine meets the Balkans in New York City: Avocado toast with ajvar and za’atar 🍞🥑
Read moreMOROCCO RETREAT
When I left the classroom in June, I knew my main focus would be writing Liberating Narratives. I also wanted to pursue some of my other passions with Angela, my wife. As we’ve been traveling for the last two years, we’ve been discussing how to blend our shared love of culture, history, and yoga. Angela has been leading yoga retreats for many years, and I have traveled with students and other teachers.
Read moreMy amazing 92 year-old great-aunt taking the mushroom galette out of the oven on Thanksgiving 📷🦃
Read moreCurrently reading: Fifth Sun by Camilla Townsend 📚
Read moreWELCOME 🙏
Many things - marriage, work, and home are just some of the most significant - have changed for me over the last six months. I’m trying to embrace the change. I’ve been reflecting on how I share my experiences and musings. Liberating Narratives has become the main place where I share my thoughts on teaching world history, and there are all the regular social media sites. I need to be on social media more often for professional reasons, but I want to have a little more control over my online presence and data.
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