Photography by Samantha Demangate Words by Matt Dursum Spending a day in the markets of Cusco, Perú is what I’ve always wanted. I’m at my happiest in a market. The warm conversations with strangers and merchants, the colors, smells, sounds, they swoon me. In Cusco Peru, getting lost in the markets is a rite of passage for anyone interested in the region’s food and culture. Cusco is a city steeped in history. It was home…
It’s 7am on a Saturday morning in Buenos Aires. The streets are dead other than a dog-walker and an elderly couple walking hand-in-hand across the cobblestone street. The sun lifts and a cool breeze from the Rio de la Plata penetrates the urban grid. Produce stand clerks place fruit and vegetables on makeshift stands on the sidewalk. Cafes and restaurants set up chairs outside. As the morning evolves, the city comes alive with traffic, music,…
Words by Matt Dursum Sure, I’ve squatted in a chicken coop, taken a bite out of a living and squirming fish, and greeted a group of men holding machetes with a nervous smile. But why did I feel the most out of place in Oklahoma? Culture shock is a common feeling when we travel, and sometimes we even experience it at home. But what is it and why can it be so unbearable? We can…
Words and Photos by Matt Dursum Rio, a city as alluring as it is intimidating, has always been on my bucket list. From listening to the melodies of Gal Costa to watching scenes of musician Seu Jorge play a bus driver in 2002’s cinematic masterpiece, The City of God, it has enticed me throughout my upbringing. Now, in April 2023, I finally get to experience Rio. Rio de Janeiro, known globally as Rio, is a…
Words by Matt Dursum Photos by Samantha Demangate It’s a drizzly Friday afternoon in Buenos Aires. The rain and breeze offer a brief relief from the searing summer heat. This abnormally cool day is perfect for a craft beer tour. Joining me are my friends from the U.K. and my girlfriend. My Argentine friends wanted nothing to do with this, claiming unanimously that drinking anything but ice cold Vermouth or Fernet and Cola during this…