Khadija and I spent a few days in Boston. Even though we had both been there, this was the first time together. Khadija spent her first two and half years in the U.S. in the Boston area. She took me to places she worked, lived and studied.

We stayed in the Back Bay neighborhood which is full of 19th-century Victorian brownstones and French Renaissance-inspired residential blocks.

While walking on the Freedom Trail, we came upon a statue of Bill Russell, one of the greatest NBA players. During his 13-year career, he led the Boston Celtics to eleven championships, a feat that is unthinkable now.

We visited Roxbury where Khadija had some close friends. While strolling by Nubian (formerly Dudley) Square, we meet these women who had big plans for their mosque and the properties it owned.

We went through the campus of Northeastern University where Khadija earned her Associate Degree. Their motto is Lux, Veritas, Virtus (stylized as LVX VERITAS VIRTVS), meaning Light, Truth, Courage.

MEET THE AUTHOR PARTY​

At our home in Harlem, over 75 folks attended a book party for Barry Hoffner, author of his newly released Belonging to the World.

Barry discussed how he discovered from his travels to every country, that the world has far more depth and complexity than headlines suggest. He also related how travel has helped him after the loss of his wife and travel partner, Jackie, in a sudden tragedy.

UPCOMING TRIPS

As you are reading this, Khadija, our two daughters Halimo and Ayan, my niece Toni and her fiancée Charlie will be in Ireland for ten days. Afterwards, Khadija and I will be in Chicago for the Circumnavigator Club annual meeting. In October and November, I plan to circumnavigate the globe to Bahrain, Bangkok, Manila and finally Oaxaca, Mexico for the Day of the Dead celebration.

RECENT POSTS

​Ouro Preto - The Legacy of Brazil's 18th Century Gold Rush Ruins​

Ouro Preto is a city of steep hills, located in the state of Minas Gerais. The name means Black Gold in Portuguese, reflecting that gold nuggets coated in a dark layer of iron oxide were discovered in the late 17th century. This started a frenzy of gold mining which at its 18th-century peak, Ouro Preto became the most populous city in the Americas and one of the richest in the world.

The resulting immense wealth funded an explosion of Baroque architecture and magnificent art. Much of it stands intact and the whole city, not just the historic center, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Walking around the city was a treat for me, as the whitewashed, limestone walls contrasted with dark, rich wood of the window frames, doors, and overhanging balconies. Because of the hilly terrain, every time I turned my head, I saw yet another marvelous view of buildings cascading like a waterfall.

Also see the Brazil 2026 Photo Gallery.

SUBWAY PHOTOGRAPHY:

My beautifully printed black and white “Station to Station: Exploring the New York City Subway” coffee table book is still available. You can see all photos @nycsubwaybook on Instagram and New York Subway Book on Facebook. Click here or email me for a signed copy, not available anywhere else!

SOCIALS:

My website www.ExploringEd.com with detailed posts on our trips.

FB: @Ed.Hotchkiss.3 and @Exploring Ed Travel | IG: @Exploring.Ed.Travel​

RECENT BOOKS​:

Narcotopia: In Search of the Asian Drug Cartel That Survived the CIA (384 pages, 2024) by Patrick Winn

This is an interlocking story of the de facto independent Wa state in Myanmar, the drug trade in the Golden Triangle of Myanmar, Thailand and Laos and the often feckless efforts of the American government to curtail drug production in the world. This impressive feat of journalism is told through the personal stories of incredible people (both good and bad) of Northeastern Myanmar.

While I consider myself a veteran international traveler, I never heard of the Wa people or state and had only a vague idea of how drugs, from heroin to amphetamines, are manufactured and distributed from this region. On top of that, the book demonstrates China’s massive role influencing the drug cartels that is pragmatic and morally disturbing.

Another interesting aspect in this journalistic work is the perpetual conflict between the CIA, State Department and DEA, resulting in disjointed American policy over time.

I will be interviewing Patrick Winn about this book at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok from October 22 to 25. Tickets are still available for this conference with terrific speakers, specialized tours and parties with other international travelers.

DONATE

Poverty in the U.S. remains stubbornly high. About 36 million Americans (10.6%) live below the federal government definition of annual income below $15,960 for a single individual and $33,000 for a family of four. A number of think tanks and academic studies conclude the actual poverty is materially higher, especially for children. Without intervention, cognitive deficits, emotional instability, and severe health vulnerabilities often persist into adulthood.

As such, it’s ominous that the Head Start program, launched in 1965 and providing free, comprehensive early childhood education, nutrition, health, and family support services to low-income children and their families has just abolished many of its requirements. Perhaps the most important one is that the maximum class size is capped at four children. Advocacy groups warn that more students per class will significantly make it more difficult for teachers to provide the behavioral and emotional support that often-traumatized or low-income children require.

I just contributed to three organizations who work to alleviate childhood poverty and hunger. Please consider donating to these worthwhile organizations.

​Baby2Baby distributes diapers, clothing, and basic hygiene necessities to children living in deep poverty across all 50 states, partnering with shelters, systemic family agencies, and underserved school districts.

​Blessings in a Backpack operates hundreds of localized chapters across the country specifically focused on mobilizing communities, individuals, and resources to provide weekend nutrition for food-insecure elementary school students.

​First Focus on Children is a bipartisan advocacy group strictly dedicated to federal budget reform, federal tax credits, and reducing child poverty.

Happy Travels🌏… Exploring Ed