fact or fiction

Is it a fact or merely fiction? Fact or Fiction explores travel myths to help you avoid making that wrong turn.

For Paloma
“And here we are, Paloma! Your home for the next 5 months, or until you get transferred. Newbies get the top bunk so don’t hit your head on the way up, now! This cabin hasn’t been used since the last dry dock, so it might be a bit squeaky; just adds character. If you need me, just ring my deck phone. I left the number on top of your bed.”
By Nakeyta Moore 5 years ago in Wander
Snow Lilies
In rural North Dakota, Hunting, a winter-long town, home to less than a thousand, the sun is low in the sky, barely scraping past the tops of the trees. Hunting is isolated but entirely self sufficient, the lake provides water and fish plenty for the townspeople and despite the dense layer of snow all year round, the soil yields a large amount of crops of all variety, half kept for Hunting, the rest exported to the nearby towns of Williston and Epping.
By Alfie Fowler5 years ago in Wander
Peripeteia
It’s colder than frozen outside and I can’t get warm. Gelid in the old world. I have no money, no home, no nothing. Nothing but fistfuls of scavenged matches and cigarette butts lining the many pockets of my coat.
By Cheryl Ramette5 years ago in Wander
Diamonds Are Forever
Let’s take a look back at some of the world’s most amazing finds. Some of the most incredible things ever discovered have been found in caves. Thrill seekers are drawn to ancient caves because they can give glimpses into the ancient world. We all wonder which caves go the deepest, which bare the most interesting things and who once lived in them. Hidden in ancient caves, civilizations have unearthed artifacts, ancient corpses, burial grounds, and life forms that are so old, they amaze archaeologists. Recently, new discoveries in the deepest caves on Earth can't be explained by scientists. When scientists began exploring a particular cave, they never expected to find signs of life. Explorers discovered giant crystals with life inside. In fact, what they found was around 50,000 years old. The cave in question is in NAICA, Mexico. The bacteria and other microbes in the cave managed to survive by digesting minerals such as iron and magnesium that existed within the crystal formation. Some wonder if this could help scientists find life living in extreme conditions on other planets.
By R. L. LASTER5 years ago in Wander
Adventure Awaits
The little black book was familiar in her hands, like a long-forgotten memory. The cover was lightly textured, almost like leather. There was a little gold paper boat embossed at the bottom of the cover followed by the words ‘Adventure Awaits.’
By anastasia andreas5 years ago in Wander
New Leaf Cove
Spring was right around the corner and for Ben Kennway, it was just another season in a town longing for excitement. Ben was a 24 year old man living in a small town. It was enjoyable yet remarkably boring in his eyes. Ben stood at 5’11” tall, weighed about 175 pounds, had black hair, and brown eyes. He was an electrical engineer so he made a good wage and he was seeing a woman named Stephanie. Ben was a historic enthusiast. He loved history and since the town wasn’t too old, he enjoyed learning more about its origins and people who inhabited it all those years ago. The problem was he had already gotten a glimpse of all the history the town had to offer. Historic sights that included the town hall, the statue of the mayor at the center of town square, and the other houses that had an antique interior. He had already gone through the history books depicting what kind of town it was and what type of people lived in it. The town had its events but none of them ever caught Ben’s eye because the events were always related to the modern day. The park was the spot for every holiday gathering that the mayor hosted. Though the townsfolk loved these bits of additional celebrations, Ben was never too fond of them but this was all about to change. The town has always been involved with its community since the day it was founded in 1875. “New Leaf Cove” was the name of the town. The founders loved the phrase “Turning a new leaf..” and that refers to a change in one’s life. A new beginning or in metaphorical terms, a new chapter in one’s book.
By Kevin H5 years ago in Wander
An Act of Kindness
I looked down at the diary again. It was an unassuming little book, bound in black leather, worn by years of adventures and stories, the pages stained with ink, aged with drink splatters and blurred with splashes of tears.
By Lillie Rose5 years ago in Wander
The 30,000ft Gamble
The Airport Hike The grey walls and aggressive lighting of security seemed to melt away as I stepped into the polished halls of Duty-Free. I instantly felt more at ease under the warm lights, surrounded by sparkling luxury cosmetics.
By Minnie Davies5 years ago in Wander
When in Rome
The sudden discomfort of the park bench elicits more surprise than pain, but I cry out just the same shooting up from my anticipated resting spot. Jet-lagged and museum-weary I had neglected to look down. A small black Moleskine notebook with a gold fountain pen clipped to the cover now seems obvious. I look around for the owner. Most of the visitors have left, although a few remain on the benches bordering the tidy square that fronts the Borghese Galleries. The pathway leading into the wildly expansive public gardens is vacant. Rotating full circle, I see children lobbing acorns at protesting parakeets; a dog leaving a fresh lawn sculpture as its person chats obliviously on their phone; and a priest strolling in from the street, stopping to light a cigarette. For a moment he appears to be watching me, yet he looks away as our eyes meet.
By Laura Hanson Reber5 years ago in Wander
The Urubamba River
Two years had passed since John Gregory disappeared on the Urubamba River. Now, excited and eager to embark on his first significant expedition at eighteen, Ed looked at his aberrating reflection in the same river. He slapped his hands together to start the day. On the opposite bank, birds hidden in tall grasses fluttered and rose. Looking up from his reflection, he grinned as the birds weaved into the sky.
By Sami Saab5 years ago in Wander
Lost, Found
When I walked into the unassuming thrift store on the outskirts of the city, I knew there would be something there waiting for me. It was a magnetic feeling that, to this day, I can’t put into words. A calling.
By Travis Flack5 years ago in Wander
Thrifting
I always haunt the thrift stores when I have a couple of hours in a new city. I have a little side gig where I buy books in the Thrift Store for $2.50 or $3 and then I sell them online for $12 or $15. The percentages are pretty good, I just need to scale it up so I'm making the same return on say a $10,000 investment. Books like the Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham or The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene are titles that I can easily flip in a week and so even though I don't want to fill my suitcase with heavy books I'd buy any of those that I saw.
By Albert Scutt5 years ago in Wander