House of Reciprocity

Stepping out into the sun, I cling to my scarf as a cold breeze sweeps dust into the air. Teeth chattering, goosebumps forming, I make my way up the cobblestone path and keep an eye out for the señora with the small tea stand. In the plaza, the church doors are open and people have…

La mitad del mundo

Nestled in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of the Pinchincha volcano, the city of Quito bubbles with energy. Streets are lined with fruit vendors and food stalls. Colorful fabrics spill out of corner stores, and sidewalks brim with locals and tourists alike.     To get a feel for the city, P…

Cthulhu drinking beer, $12 million, and so much green!

To celebrate the end of my first year of graduate school (wooooo!), P and I drove up to Vancouver for a couple of days. Highlights of the trip included two walking tours—one of downtown Vancouver and the other of Granville Island—a visit to Stanley Park, the Museum of Anthropology and the Museum of Vancouver, and…