Sinking of the Concordia

It's a long horrifying story of the traumatic impact; people, objects, furnishings flying; the confusion, loss of power, the earpiercing sirens causing babies and children to scream from fright and pain; generations of families vacationing, pregnant women holding dear to their unborns, while the crew held back stampeding humans desperate to get on lifeboats, all competing in volume to be heard. Only 50% of the lifeboats were available, shifting all the weight to the evacuating side with dangling lifeboats filled to capacity and slowing the evacuation. Hysteria became less contained. It was a major scene from a disaster movie. The shore of the tiny island littered with ... [Read More]

Galileo Galilei

Josh Merryman in Spain

Prior to graduating from college I had the desire for another practical experience abroad that I could add to my resume. I love a challenge and will do whatever is necessary to accomplish my goals, but for this experience I needed a more accessible destination. I am paraplegic and use a manual wheelchair for mobility. Since I have an interest in international business, and Spanish is such a common language in the world, I decided to participate in an intensive Spanish language program abroad. I took advantage of the considerable information available on the Internet and did a large amount of research and correspondence regarding prospective language ... [Read More]

Describing India

  For those who asked, a bit of descriptive prose about my India experience, round two. For anyone who has never been here, the best way I can describe India is “in your face”. It is radically different from western life in so many ways. Sights, sounds, and smells come at you full force, non-stop. By the time your mind has processed whatever oddity you have just seen, something else is zooming nearer. -A rikshaw carrying 16 people. -An ancient Hindu temple lit with multi-colored neon lights. -Chai wallas and roadside vendors of every imaginable variety. -A drunk falling down crossing six lanes of traffic, being helped to safety, and immediately ... [Read More]

So what’s so great about Shanghai?

I wondered this on more than one occasion last year as Adam regaled me with tales of what was obviously one of his favorite cities on earth. Adam's business took him to Asia a half-dozen times in 2010, and Shanghai was clearly his favorite spot. (I always kind of assumed it was because it was the one place on earth where he towered over everyone else!) But after reading his blogs about the strange exotic foods he ate, the glistening new skyscrapers rising to the stratosphere and the culture with which he was so clearly enamored, I was more than a little curious about why, of ... [Read More]

Beer, bashing and betrothal…

Traveling with Adam has not only proved to be full of excitement, but filled with once-in-a lifetime experiences and adventures. It's crazy but amazing to think we've already been to 6 different countries in barely 6 months. Friends often ask me which country has been my favorite and I can't give them an answer -- I love each and every one of them for the different and wonderful memories they hold. It's the equivalent of asking a parent with more than one child which child is your favorite. This blog is a brief recap of just a few of those memories. Germany holds a very special place in ... [Read More]

Drinking and driving in Germany

What came first: the Mercedes or the Autobahn? I pondered this question as I reflected on the many reasons I love Germany, especially Mercedes Benz and German beer. My father has always had an intense love for German cars, which he instilled deeply in me, so you can imagine how excited I was to actually visit the home country of the world’s best cars and beer. My excitement, like Pinocchio’s nose, only grew every time these graceful and elegant vehicles zipped past us on the Autobahn. The driver made me stop when my nose grew so long that it was poking the back of his head. I ... [Read More]

A cold, blistery first day!

When Adam asked me if I wanted to accompany him on his trip to Germany, my mind began automatically formulating a reason to say no. Those of you who know me realize that I can take only so much of one person for a very short period of time before my nerves become frayed. My hairs will literally stand on edge like an irritated cat. This trip demanded 10 days…10 straight days of seeing the same person every day without a break. Turns out going with Adam was one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time. Not only is he a great travel partner, ... [Read More]