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Story
The Indo-Japan Driver Exchange
Prologue Two lanky gentlemen are standing in a visa application line at the Japanese consulate in Delhi. Mr Sajjan: “Mr. Sharma, remind me again why we're exporting Indian drivers, of all things? Mr Sharma: Sajjan Ji, it's just another ploy by the opposition to trick the ruling government into embarrassing themselves. A conspiracy, I tell…
June 28, 2019
Story
Journey to the Auckland Islands
“One hand for the ship, one hand for yourself… or two hands for the ship. That’s even better,” the voice boomed through the walls. God, is that you? I thought, and then remembered I’m an atheist. I guess I’ll put my faith in the ship instead, which used to be a Russian research vessel, crashing…
June 19, 2019
Story
Teremoking in Saint Petersburg
It’s a glorious spring day in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and the bright restaurant is over half full. Yuri Milokovich pulls a chair out from an unoccupied table, motions to his companion to sit, and queues up in the short line for service. “Come on, don’t be a snob,” he says over his shoulder. “This is…
June 17, 2019
Story
Finding More to Japan’s Host Culture
As kids, Mum would tell us, “Don’t talk to strangers.” But living in Tokyo for a month, I thought I’d be spontaneous, so I searched online and found a bunch of strangers to go and stay with. I know it sounds kind of shady, but those strangers were actually a host family. To get placed…
June 3, 2019
China Story
When in China, Take the Slow Train
I had only the frigid  Beijing air and my large suitcase for company as I waited for the 7.30 train to Chongqing. 30 hours and over 1,800 kilometres separate Beijing from Chongqing via the slow train. Of course, I was well aware of the direct flights available as well as the high-speed rail, both of…
May 26, 2019
Story
A Black Denim Canvas
I hover clumsily over the toilet seat, trying to steady myself as the bus turns a sharp corner. There is no toilet paper, but I make do with the coarse McDonald’s serviette I tore in half to share with my friend. I stand to secure my belt, its grip around my waist gradually tightening: full…
May 26, 2019
Story US
A Tornado in Wisconsin
The universe is constantly giving you signs, and if you pay attention, you just might see them. Sometimes, you might see them even if you’re not paying attention. On the second day of my American motorcycle criss-crossing, I saw the latter kind. I was cruising along thinking about why I’d staked so much – my…
May 24, 2019

Astray is a storytelling project centred on travel, community, identity and liberation.

We’re based out of Lenapehoking / New York City: the homeland of the Lenape. Specifically, we’re in Manhattan: a name that comes from Mannahatta, meaning “island of many hills”. As grateful guests in this city, we recognize the strength and resilience of the Lenape, and extend our reverence to all Indigenous peoples everywhere. This acknowledgement comes from our commitment to working against the ongoing legacies of settler colonialism.