Alison Karlene Hodgins
I am the managing editor of explore magazine and a freelance writer. I have a Bachelor of Journalism and an MFA in Creative Non-Fiction. In 2017, I won the TRU Medal of Journalism.
Specializing in travel and lifestyle content, my articles and edits bring readers into the moment, whether to the top of a mountain, the depths of grief or the comforts of home.
Grande Prairie, Alta., loves what this chef from Kuwait is bringing to the table
Ahmad “Ozzy” Azzawi’s culinary journey has taken him more than 10,000 kilometres, from cooking at military bases in Afghanistan and Iraq, to running a soup and sandwich shop in northern Alberta.
In February, Mr. Azzawi became the new owner of Fourteen 14 in Grande Prairie, an unlikely destination for the 41-year-old chef from Kuwait.
“It’s beautiful. I love the city,” Mr. Azzawi says of Grande Prairie. He compares the town, best known for the oil and gas industry, to a malleable dough that can
In February, Mr. Azzawi became the new owner of Fourteen 14 in Grande Prairie, an unlikely destination for the 41-year-old chef from Kuwait.
“It’s beautiful. I love the city,” Mr. Azzawi says of Grande Prairie. He compares the town, best known for the oil and gas industry, to a malleable dough that can
Price of Entry: The Cost of Adventure
There are many ways that people are deterred from enjoying the outdoors. The high cost of adventure gear is only one factor—feeling like you belong is the true bottom-line.
Turns out hangover-free holidays are great
I’ll be honest: I was hoping for a beer.
Erdinger Alkoholfrei, Budweiser Prohibition, Grolsch 0.0 … hell, at this point, I’d even take an O’Doul’s.
“Do you have a non-alcoholic menu?” I ask the bartender in the swanky New York joint with a sheepish grin. His eyebrows shoot up into his hairline.
Travel comes with certain expectations. Have an open mind. Splurge on experiences. Let loose. And – more often than not – have a drink! After all, you’re on holiday.
For years, I was happy to comply.
Erdinger Alkoholfrei, Budweiser Prohibition, Grolsch 0.0 … hell, at this point, I’d even take an O’Doul’s.
“Do you have a non-alcoholic menu?” I ask the bartender in the swanky New York joint with a sheepish grin. His eyebrows shoot up into his hairline.
Travel comes with certain expectations. Have an open mind. Splurge on experiences. Let loose. And – more often than not – have a drink! After all, you’re on holiday.
For years, I was happy to comply.
An accident changes a writer's relationship with the mountains she loves
When I fell on the mountain, I was engulfed in pain.
I arrived at the hospital on a stretcher. When the anesthesiologist said I'd likely never walk again—me, the girl who was backpacking across Europe—I didn't care. I knew I might be paralyzed, but all I wanted was for the pain to stop.
I've always loved mountains. From conquering hikes in Canada's expansive wilderness to snowboarding in the French Alps, my relationship with snow-laden peaks and evergreen-speckled hills was unshakable.
After
I arrived at the hospital on a stretcher. When the anesthesiologist said I'd likely never walk again—me, the girl who was backpacking across Europe—I didn't care. I knew I might be paralyzed, but all I wanted was for the pain to stop.
I've always loved mountains. From conquering hikes in Canada's expansive wilderness to snowboarding in the French Alps, my relationship with snow-laden peaks and evergreen-speckled hills was unshakable.
After
I Was Addicted To Dating Apps. Here's What Happened When I Deleted Them For Good.
A 24-year-old probed me to consider giving up my unhealthy habit. In the upstairs of a hipster club, I caught the eye of a tall blond. When he started speaking to me, I realized I hadn’t been approached and hit on in person since ... college? Feeling his body next to mine was euphoric ― an entirely different experience than stretching my fingers to zoom in on pixels lit up behind plastic. When I disclosed my age, he leaned in and said, “It’s OK, I like older women.”
Not the guy from London who
Not the guy from London who
Inside Canoeist Dianne Whelan’s Six-Year, 27,000-kilometer Continent-Crossing Odyssey
Dianne Whelan loves to say, “Good stories have many beginnings.” Her six-year cross-continent journey on the Trans Canada Trail (TCT) officially began in St. John’s, Newfoundland, in 2015 when she was 50 years old as a search for hope. Her journey also began many years prior in rural New Brunswick when her mother lit a fire in the snow using birchbark. And it started in the early 1990s when she first heard about the TCT after her family donated to its creation. It’s these beginnings that led Whe
Why hostel kitchens are one of the best parts of backpacker travel
On my most recent trip to Europe, I was offered a free crepe from a kind hostel employee in Dubrovnik, Croatia. They generously smothered the soft, warm dough in Nutella, and I nibbled away in the cozy kitchen, as I chatted with fellow travellers. It wasn’t glamorous or Instagram-worthy, but I felt relaxed and content. Some of the best mornings and evenings abroad are the quiet ones spent sharing stories, learning about different cultures, and eating delicious homemade food in a hostel kitchen.
Sometimes you can’t always see a person’s disability - be generous
First Person is a daily personal piece submitted by readers. Have a story to tell? See our guidelines at tgam.ca/essayguide.
“Excuse me, miss, can you help me with my bag?”
The elderly woman smiles at me apologetically while waiting for me to say yes. After all, why wouldn’t I? I look young, fit, healthy and I have my own carry-on suitcase sitting at my feet. It would be rude of me to refuse.
For all aesthetic purposes, I look and act like there’s nothing wrong with me.
At 27, I bumble throu
“Excuse me, miss, can you help me with my bag?”
The elderly woman smiles at me apologetically while waiting for me to say yes. After all, why wouldn’t I? I look young, fit, healthy and I have my own carry-on suitcase sitting at my feet. It would be rude of me to refuse.
For all aesthetic purposes, I look and act like there’s nothing wrong with me.
At 27, I bumble throu
10 Things Men Can Do to Make Women Feel Safer and More Comfortable on Outdoor Adventures
Everyone deserves to feel safe, comfortable and respected in the outdoors. Unfortunately, women are constantly on guard for potential threats. We're often cautioned with tips about how to stay safe while travelling and adventuring—or actively discouraged from going at all.
Too long has the onus been placed solely on women to dress, act and exist in a certain way. We need men to learn how to help create an outdoor adventure environment where everyone feels included and equal.
Hiking and camping
Too long has the onus been placed solely on women to dress, act and exist in a certain way. We need men to learn how to help create an outdoor adventure environment where everyone feels included and equal.
Hiking and camping
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