The pandemic nearly killed Québec’s family-run sugar shacks, but the guardians of this centuries-old tradition wouldn’t let it die so easily. Read the story on Montreal's beautiful Beside Magazine, with photos by Stephanie Foden.
Eater: How Montreal Got Its Taste for Portuguese Chicken
Poutine, bagels, smoked meat, and Portuguese chicken. Look at any food round-up of Montreal dishes and you’ll see these four items listed as essential, signature foods. But how did piri piri chicken, a dish that wasn’t even a traditional component of Portuguese cuisine before the 1970s, end up here? Read my investigation in Eater Montreal.
Lonely Planet: Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan
Ever since my first backpacking trip to South America, I’ve wondered what kind of people write Lonely Planet books. I now know the answer. I finally received my copy of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan 6, which includes the chapter I updated following six weeks of research in Armenia. Buy it at lonelyplanet.com
CBC: The psychology behind pandemic decision making
Plenty of people (including myself) made huge life decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic – why? I interviewed Bruce Feiler, author of New York Times' bestseller Life Is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age and Derek J. Koehler, a professor of psychology at the University of Waterloo. Read the story over at CBC Life.
CBC: Thinking About RVing? Here’s What You Need to Know to Hit the Road
My first story for CBC Life is about RVing in Canada.
Thrillist: Retro Motels Are Having Their Moment
With road trips making a serious comeback due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, retro motels are also roaring back. Read the story over at Thrillist
Horizon Guides: Inside Armenia’s Shipping Container Cities
Thousands still living in makeshift shipping container homes over 30 years after Armenia's devastating Spitak earthquake. Read my feature at Horizon Guides (photos by Stephanie Foden): https://horizonguides.com/journal/inside-armenias-shipping-container-cities
Thrillist: Toronto Is Making A Play To Become North America’s Cannabis Capital
The Canadian city is positioned to become the Denver of the Great White North. Thrillist: https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/cannabis-culture-toronto
Horizon Guides: Hiking in the Caucasus
I co-wrote a guidebook that helps inspire travellers to go hiking in the beautiful Caucasus region (Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan). Find it at Horizon Guides: https://horizonguides.com/guides/hiking-in-the-caucasus
Canadian Geographic: Preserving Acadian culture in Cajun country
Descendants of French-speaking Acadians in Louisiana saw their culture and language slip away in the 20th century. Now, a new generation of proud Francophones is leading a resurgence. Check out my feature in Canadian Geographic.
Joel Balsam 