The Year My Life Got Stranger Than Fiction

My 7-Year Pursuit of How To Live A near-death experience, an improbable disorder, and a global quest for answers Dakar, Saly, Kedougou. Marrakech, Fez, Cairo. Chicago, Aspen, Los Angeles. Beijing, Langfang, Hangzhou. And finally, Springfield, Kambah, Ballengarra, and Fassifern Valley… a good whirl around the world… I write from Brisbane International Airport. In one day, I’ll be home. In one week, I’ll be 22. This … Continue reading The Year My Life Got Stranger Than Fiction

Angela MaDecember 19, 2018December 30, 20183 Comments

💡 Opinion

How To Travel

And it was one. Grand. F*ckin. Adventure. These past months, some readers have emailed to ask about getting out and about. Let’s start with the umbrella question of the lot. How can you make the most out of your trip? Go not because you want to travel, but because you need to travel. Everything is in the mindset of the beholder. This is what we learn in … Continue reading How To Travel

Angela MaJune 28, 2019November 9, 20192 Comments

🌍 Travel, 📰 "When I Became..."

When I Became An Australian Farmer

As I write, I am crying a little, because today my only waterbottle got shat on by a cow. If you have never worked with cow poo—which, by the way, means you’ve never worked with cows—let me explain to you why getting shat on by a cow can be aptly summarized as “the end of innocence,” “the end of life as we know it,” or … Continue reading When I Became An Australian Farmer

Angela MaNovember 11, 2018November 9, 20193 Comments

✏️ Tiny Tales

Tiny Tales #3: I Crossed the River Nile on a Motorcycle Scooter

Frankly, I could replace this entire post with a single screencap: Back in March, I spent a week bumpin’ around Cairo: eating twelve-cent meals, chugging fruit smoothies, haggling felucca fares with a guy who added me on WhatsApp and now sends me, at random, snippets of radio talk shows entirely in Arabic. I was thrilled to see Cairo for one reason: Uber.* *Not a paid … Continue reading Tiny Tales #3: I Crossed the River Nile on a Motorcycle Scooter

Angela MaAugust 21, 2018August 22, 2018Leave a comment

🌍 Travel

Dakar Survival Guide for the Everyday Toubab

The Hell is Dakar? Dakar is the capital city of Senegal, a country on the west coast of Africa. I studied there from January to March 2018. I understand that this post is hugely belated. Well, here is what happened: In April, UChicago kicked my ass. In May, UChicago kicked my ass. In June, UChicago ended! . . . and I flew straight to my … Continue reading Dakar Survival Guide for the Everyday Toubab

Angela MaJuly 22, 2018July 24, 20182 Comments

💡 Opinion

Lessons Learned from a Crash in the Dunes

This post is Episode 1/3 of the Great Camel Odyssey of 2018, whereby I traversed 3 countries over the course of 3 months in search of one perfect camel ride. It is the second week of my study abroad program in Dakar: early January, dry season, seventy degrees and sunny. During class on Thursday, my professor hands out itineraries for Saturday’s day trip. I don’t … Continue reading Lessons Learned from a Crash in the Dunes

Angela MaApril 16, 2018February 7, 20202 Comments

🌍 Travel

764 Miles, 3 Days, 1 Butt: My Trek Across Senegal

So I’ve been studying abroad in Senegal since January, living with a host family in the coastal capital of Dakar. Around midnight one Thursday, as my friends and I hunkered over the final projects due that very morning, my pal Jon went, “By the way, I think I am gonna do the waterfall trip. You should come.” Said waterfall trip consisted of two overnight buses … Continue reading 764 Miles, 3 Days, 1 Butt: My Trek Across Senegal

Angela MaMarch 26, 2018March 29, 20181 Comment