Ryan Van Lenning

Location: Oakland, CA, United States

Member Since: 18 June 2009

Professional Associations

 Travelwriters.com

 Society of Professional Journalists

Introduction

Greetings! I am a Bay Area travel writer who loves to get out of town and who loves coming back. I actually got a late start exploring the globe. I don't know why I didn’t take advantage of the typical semester abroad programs in college, but the day I was supposed to be attending my college graduation I was on a plane over the Atlantic on my way to Europe. No longer was I a travel virgin. My next adventure took me quite a bit further afield–to India. My travelin’ eyes were opened. Don’t worry, chicken curry.

Next I resigned from my college teaching job and a good, stable career and hit the road (and river and air) for over 6-months of globe-trotting. From Mexico to Thailand via Belize, Guatemala, Poland’s concentration camps, Turkey, and a safaris in Kenya, I earned my travelin’ bones and found my travelin’ smile and of course picked up my travelin' pen.

Experience & Expertise

I am a Bay Area freelance writer and journalist. I have traveled extensively, having lived in or traveled to 15+ countries, including Mexico, Central America, Easter and Western Europe, Turkey, Kenya, India, and Thailand. I am available for assignment, particularly to Latin American, Asian, and African destinations. I live in and write about Bay Area. I have particular interest and experience writing about festivals, regional culture, eco-hotels, lodges & hostels, nature and wildlife, adventure, culture, veggie -friendly restaurants, back-packing, museums, and social & political movements. My B.A. is in philosophy & comparative religions and an M.A. in Humanities and have taught philosophy, world religions, history, and environmental ethics at the college level. I am currently writing a travel book entitled Don't Worry, Chicken Curry.

Publishing Credentials

Destination Guides (DGuides), Matador Travel Network, Terrain Magazine, Green Options, Oakland Local

Clips & Samples (View All 9)

Top 5 Music Festivals that are Going Green , Green Options

Newsom Makes Eco News Again With Ambitious Sustainable Food Policy , Green Options

Bikes an Important Part of Mexico City's Green Plan , Green Options

Honduran President Ousted in Military Coup , Matador Pulse

The Fillmore Auditorium , DGuides