The Observer Effect

Kaveesh grew up in Toronto and wonders what he might have been had he only ever stayed there rather than study in London.  We asked who's on the other path that diverged from the one he chose ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders.  Special thanks to the musician, Dana Boulé. Join the Observer Effect Kiva Team→ at Kiva.org. "I know you must hold secrets, such a long way from home. Some day you won't be so alone. Some day you'll be where you should go." —Britt Daniel

Silas works at Harding University in Greece, an overseas program where students spend a semester just outside Athens.  A former attendee himself, he now leads the trips around the Mediterranean that made such a big impact on his life.  I asked whether he could put into words what this kind of experience does to a young person ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders.  Special thanks to the musician, Dana Boulé. Join the Observer Effect Kiva Team→ at Kiva.org. "The mere exercise of attention—eyes wide, ears pricked, heart open—is not a bad way to move through the world." —Mary Karr

Helkin moved to Chicago from Venezuela to study English, with dreams of big city life and plans to return to the company that gave him time off.  He ended up falling in love and getting married.  I asked why he came out ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders.  Special thanks to the musician, Dana Boulé. Join the Observer Effect Kiva Team→ on Kiva.org. "Trembling knees and an unrelenting sense of failure is one way forward." —Terri Kapsalis

Bertrand shared a traditional Italian drink with us from a wooden, six-spouted pot—called La Grolla—one evening in his home in Bordeaux with his girlfriend Anna.  We had no idea how rich a story he would tell when we asked what his tattoo means ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders.  Special thanks to the musician, Dana Boulé. Join the Observer Effect Kiva Team→ on Kiva.org. "It seemed to me beyond the realms of possibility that I should travel so far." —Sigmund Freud

Anna was once a stewardess and did something unexpected on her regular route to Kenya, but that's just one small part of her story.  She met her boyfriend Bertrand in Australia, when she moved there from Italy because of a tragedy.  And we met them when we stayed in their apartment in Bordeaux, France through Airbnb.  Nearly every night, they cooked a special dish for us since they're chefs.  We couldn't believe our good fortune, asking excitedly how all these travels changed her ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders.  Special thanks to the musician, Dana Boulé. Join the Observer Effect Kiva Team at Kiva.org. "As often happens with the most beautiful adventures in life, this journey began by chance." —Tiziano Terzani

Tomek visited Frida Kahlo's Blue House in Mexico City, little knowing that I would interview him while we stood in line.  I asked him to describe one of her paintings ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders.  Special thanks to the musician, Dana Boulé. "As a matter of fact, there is just as much that is interesting, strange, mysterious, and wonderful; just as much to be learned that is edifying, broadening, and refining in a cabbage as there is in a page of Latin." —Booker T. Washington

Hamou did not want to share his story with me.  This is the first anniversary of The Observer Effect.  Special thanks to the musician, Dana Boulé. "Great eloquence may seem to be inarticulate." —Laozi

Haval traveled for the very first time in his life when he had to flee Iraq.  Suddenly a political asylee in Tennessee, he could not return to Kurdistan, so he met his family in Istanbul instead, as soon as possible, four years later.  We met for the first time just after his return from a trip to Mecca.  I asked how it felt to be a pilgrim ... and to abruptly spend six years becoming a U.S. citizen ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders.  Special thanks to the musician, Dana Boulé. Go to PreemptiveLove.org/likesomeonewhoisthirsty to donate to refugees in Iraq. "It is precisely for surprise that true education prepares us." —Ivan Illich

Carroll moved from Chicago to Arkansas, then Texas. I asked why he didn't feel worthy of going on the trip to Hawaii his kids gave him to celebrate his thirty-fifth anniversary ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders. Special thanks to the musician, Dana Boulé. Check out Elsie's story on Kiva.org. Only 25 days left to help her reach her goal. Go to this link to make a small loan: https://www.kiva.org/lend/1226339 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." —Numbers 6:24-26

Mary Ann wanted to support the effort to block the Dakota Access Pipeline but also wanted to make sure her intent was the right one. I asked whether going to Standing Rock changed her ... and hope listening like this evaporates borders. Special thanks to the musician, Dana Boulé. Whether you go or not, Mary Ann highly recommends reading the Resource Packet at: Standing Rock Solidarity Network→ Also check out Kiva.org. "A sentence starts out like a lone traveler heading into a blizzard at midnight." —Billy Collins