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