The wind is howling outside, the lights flicker, and the floorboards creak in the next room. If you’ve ever stayed in an old house in Vermont, you know this feeling all too well. And even when the weather is calm, when you’re all alone, be prepared for the unexplained patter of unseen feet in the…
If a Vermonter abroad is asked what state they’re from, about half of the time the people asking won’t even have heard of Vermont, while the other half will think that it’s in Canada. In the interests of avoiding such an awkward situation, here are 10 facts about Vermont that you probably never knew. 10.…
The Scotland of the imagination is a land of rolling green hills, kilt-wearing bagpipers, and crumbling castles. While you can find all of this in Scotland, there is a great deal more to this fiercely patriotic country. With a land area equal to the state of Maine in the US, this small country is chock-full…
The sunny disposition of Buenos Aires, Argentina — where there is literally constant sunshine, parties until 6 am, and every greeting includes a kiss — can blind visitors to the country’s darker chapters. There is a dramatic layered history of homelessness, poverty, missing people, and untimely deaths. Street art exploded on the scene when Argentina’s Dirty…
Statues exist all over the world, we encounter them so often that sometimes we simply pass them by. In my travels the one constant that I’ve witnessed in every country are the existence of statues. Here I share a few, but with few words because that is what you get when you walk past statues…
The silent city of the dead, it sounds like the title to the newest horror flick, it may be the title to a scary movie actually. The sunny city of Buenos Aires doesn’t conjure up images of eerie ghosts and creepy foggy mornings, but there is a city of the dead here and it is…
Not every country celebrates Halloween, and not every country celebrates the way the United States does. Here in Argentina you can find the odd Halloween display in the supermarket selling a few special candies and a creepy mask or two, but Halloween is not something people do here. I’m missing out on some of my…
Edinburgh is a beautiful city, the capital of Scotland and seeped in romantic history. With the second highest population in Scotland (just over 800,000 people populate its entire metropolitan area), and covering a mere 102 square miles (264 square kilometers), you have to make a trip here if you get over to the United Kingdom.…
After a summer filled with barbeques in the backyard and long days on the beach, the seasons are changing. The leaves are turning, the cider is hot and some retailers are already releasing Christmas commercials. Before the holiday hustle and bustle sets in full swing, it’s time to start planning a winter getaway. Whether you…
Durham is a small city located in North East England. Situated on the River Wear, the name Durham comes from the Old Norse word for island (holme) and the Old English word for hill (dun). The River Wear bends around the old city centre which creates an island like effect where the centre is reached…
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. The numbers listed here are the commonly used numbers for the stated region, the numbers can vary greatly depending on where you live. If you don't know your country's equivalent to 911, this wiki page and The Lifeline Foundation have comprehensive listings.
911
The Americas
112
Europe
112 & 999
Africa
112, 999, 110
Asia
112, 911, 999, 111, & 000
Oceania
Find help for a crisis by texting, calling, or chatting online with these free crisis organizations. Looking for one outside of the USA? Check out our support listings.
Crisis Text Line
Text: “HOME” to 741741
Suicide Lifeline
Text: “ANSWER” to 839863
Call: 1-800-273-8255
Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-422-4453
The Trevor Project
Text “START” to 678678
1-866-488-7386
These online and international resources may help you anywhere you are located. Looking for local support outside of the USA? Check out our support listings.
DV Support Abroad
Call toll-free worldwide
1-833-723-3833
I'm Alive Virtual Crisis Center
Live chat with trained volunteers
Crisis Connections
24/7 crisis support with interpretation in 155+ languages