The Orange Backpack

Back when Arizona was just another part of the New Mexican territory, before the surrender of Geronimo, the gun fight at the OK Corral and all the other things that really made Arizona famous – there were camels. Yes camels, those giant, spitting, hump-backed, two-toed beasts of burden trekked their way from Texas through Arizona […]

  I dont know why I’ve never seen this anywhere else because it has even occurred to me, a single person responsible for no one but herself, that this would be a great idea. Only here in South Korea have they actually implemented it. TINY TOILETS! How many times have you seen a mother and […]

This week I’m still in Arizona and I decided to get off the haiku train…atleast for today. As always you can send your poem/submissions to talktome@the-orange-backpack.com    The desert is very dry My poor little eyes Where is Ben Stein???

The Hwaesong Fortress in Suwon is one of the most famous fortresses in South Korea. It was built in the time of King Jeongjo, over 200 years ago ,and represents a sordid historical past that makes the Tudor family look like “The Muppets”. Built using the most cutting edge technology of the time, it put […]

I’m back in my hometown of Phoenix, AZ for the next few months and I am trying to see through the eyes of an outsider. I haven’t really lived here  in nearly a decade, so in many ways I already am one and then it occurred to me……     Am feeling cheated Lived here […]

If you have ever traveled in a developing country you most likely have had an experience similar to this, but in Korea, a highly advanced and wealthy country I have to admit I was a little surprised. Even more surprising was that it appeared to be the woman’s pet. Are chickens the new Chihuahuas? or […]

Korean food. I miss it. Kimbap dak galbi rice I miss Korean food very much Who ate all the kimchi? Submissions to “Wandering poet” can be sent to talktome@the-orange-backpack.com

Another haiku for you inspired by late night TV watching  caused by jet lag. Hope you enjoy! As always I used wordcalc.com and submissions can be sent to talktome@the-orange-backpack.com                                     Jet lag Brainlag drag Season one of Portlandia Put […]

  vperkins @ flickr I walked into the room. Where were the lights? The fast talking dealers? The buzz? The wait staff running around in their cute little uniforms? It looked like a casino, but it definitely didn’t feel like one.   I’ve been to casinos in both Busan and Seoul and as you may […]

This week, I think there is pretty much only one thing worth writing a haiku about and it’s not the holiday season  and it’s not the wretched Korean winter and it’s not even then end of my contract with my school. As I always I used wordcalc.com for my haiku and submissions are always open. […]