Michelle McAlister a writer and frequent international volunteer. She's spent the past 20 years reflecting on the landscape of communication, cultures, and creatures. Her stories about travel have appeared in San Diego Reader, InTravel magazine, eMagazine, the Environmental Magazine, The Compass, San Francisco Chronicle, Tango Diva, and have garnered Gold, Bronze and Honorable Mentions in Traveler's Tales SOLAS Travel Writing Awards in 2008 and 2009. Find her online here.