family

It was only supposed to be two weeks; that was what Melina Galvez said to herself as she packed all her belongings and flew to Peru to go visit her parents. It was March, and although COVID-19 had come to the United States and other countries, most people expected the virus to be gone in a couple of weeks. Yet something was telling Melina that she needed to go home. “My mind went like…BOOM! ‘You need to leave now,’” Melina said. Following her gut instinct, she left behind her apartment, her classes, and her boyfriend to fly to Peru. The flight took only a few hours, and down in the Southern Hemisphere it was still the middle of summer.

Leah Barton and her family bask in the sun near their white minivan. (Leah Barton)My husband, Jeff, and I recently had to get rid of our 1998 Toyota minivan. While driving away from the dealership in a newer Corolla, our hearts wrenched a little as our burgundy van disappeared from sight. I put a comforting hand on Jeff’s arm as he reminisced about the adventures he and his friends had had with that minivan during their high school years. I thought fondly of its cracked windshield and taped-together taillight, just a few of the flaws that seemed more like lovable quirks as we drove further away.

Losing a tooth is a highly anticipated milestone for young kids. Not only does it mean that they are growing, but the event may also involve an exciting cultural tradition.

Malagasy carry the body of a deceased relative as they participate in the turning of the bones.With one final cut into mortar and clay, the crypt falls open, the gathered family watching in near-silence. Tears fill the eyes of some; others have smiles on their faces. Two men disappear into the tomb and return carrying a bundle wrapped in linens. They carry the body of one of the men’s grandmothers.

Want to travel the world and get paid to do it? Whether it’s teaching in a classroom, sailing the high seas, or nannying like Mary Poppins, you can get an entry-level job that blends work with the pleasures of traveling. English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher