Eric is a language learner, traveler, and writer. He lived in Egypt for three years, and is the author of The Land Of Nothing You've Ever Seen: 10 Stories From My Time in Cairo. When he's not completing a language project, he's probably surfing in freezing water or eating tacos. He currently lives in central America. Website: https://cleolingo.com/ Email: ericschenck1 [at] gmail.com
by Eric Schenck I love public transportation. As an American, I know that makes me weird. Over the years, from both family and friends, I’ve heard many complaints about it: Public transportation is dirty Public transportation is slow The people using it are weirdos Why bother when I have a car These are all perfectly valid…
by Eric Schenck It’s Christmas of 2013. In my family we usually have some kind of white elephant gift exchange, and this year the theme is “Bizarre of the Bazaar.” The weirder the better. All the presents lay stacked on a table, ready to be unwrapped. We play with dice and booze. Around and around…
by Eric Schenck My 2024 ends with a ceremony of sorts. On December 31st, I’m sitting in a hotel in Salt Lake City an hour before midnight. I’m looking at my phone and I have it opened to Tinder. For almost a decade, I’ve used the dating app off and on. There are hundreds of…
by Eric Schenck “Think you can beat me today?” I don’t have to think about my answer. “100 percent. Might even break the course record.” It’s three weeks before Christmas. Overly happy music is everywhere and everybody is out shopping. In this time of jolly tidings, my older sister and I have decided to have…
by Eric Schenck If you celebrate Christmas (and even if you don’t), you should make somebody an Advent calendar at least once in your life. Truly, an Advent calendar is the most under-celebrated joy of Christmas. If presents under the tree on Christmas morning are the rich and highly accomplished lawyer of the family, an…
by Eric Schenck Rowing is a sport that you naturally underestimate. You think of canoes, of guys with perfect hair, of leisurely strolls on a lake while the glorious sun shines down. From my experience, that’s not even close to the truth. In reality, it’s brutal. If you’re doing it right (going fast) rowing is…
by Eric Schenck The longer you’re in a new country the more it becomes a relationship. It starts out wonderful. You never knew a place could understand you like this. Everything is fun and exciting and “Oh my God just so different!” But then reality sets in. And, with enough time, the things that start out oddly…
by Eric Schenck The first time I hear about couchsurfing is in a political science class. It’s 2013 and I’m a sophomore in college. Our guest speaker is a guy in his 30’s that’s traveled the world. His secret to doing it on the cheap? A website called Couchsurfing that lets you sleep in strangers’…
by Eric Schenck Now It’s a strange thing when your parents get ready to sell your childhood home. There’s a feeling of excitement at what’s to come. Something good and normal is happening, and after all, home is where you make it. There’s also a feeling of detachment. It doesn’t feel real, in a way,…
by Eric Schenck I’ve been surfing for about three years. Not enough to be a guide of any sort, but certainly enough to realize what a miracle the sport really is. What follows are nine life lessons surfing has taught me. The more you do anything, the more you realize it can teach you about…