“Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose.”

The line from Janis Joplin’s 1960s hit Me and Bobby Mcgee (written by Kris Kristofferson), was the first thing that sprung to mind when I read @farah_way’s dm asking if I would write something about freedom for the Free The Hikers blog.

I went to YouTube (where else?), and searched the tune to see what I could find.

Susan notes: this guest blog was penned by one of my favourite Twitter friends Uzm Atcha (aka @LHjunkie). She's a 21-year-old firecracker, blogger and activist living in the UAE. She writes for Mideast Youth (where this post was originally published), manages the March 18 Movement campaign, and supremely commands Mideast  Tunes, a platform for regional underground musicians. Find her on

As Dubai and Dubai-ens basked in the afterglow of the fantastic, and no-doubt-soon-to-be-infamous-for-their-sheer-over-the-top-splendour fireworks that marked the opening of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, this cool Canadian and her octagenarian mother dined on much more humble, but equally unforgettable fare: winter-barbecued fresh Atlantic salmon, steamed broccoli al dente,

Susan notes: Carolyn Theriault is a Canadian expatriate currently living in Turkey. She's a prolific blogger, twitterer, and self-confessed "snark." She's also the author of Stealing Fatima's Hand, "an unforgettable collection of interconnected narratives presenting an alternative view of Morocco."

The following piece was originally published on Theriault's lively blog This Cat's Abroad. As a

Susan notes: US journalist, author, blogger and self-confessed “dove” Sara Davidson is in Afghanistan researching the views of Afghan women on the US military presence in their country, and more. Her blog posts are fascinating. In this, the fifth to date, she documents some of the paradoxical views she and her colleagues have discovered. Links to Davidson's blog and website are at the end of this

Kikune knelt in front of Fukiko and me, the epitome of grace and beauty in a spectacular melon-coloured kimono.

She was in turn thoughtful, playful and coy, as she answered my questions and shared the trials, tribulations, and joys of fulfilling her dream: to become one of Kyoto’s legendary geisha.

It was a conversation I shall never forget.

One year later, I’ve finally produced the

Susan's update, March 21, 2010: CNN reports that Margaret Moth, a woman whose courage almost defied belief, died today at the age of 59.

I posted her story here in September 2009, when I first learned of her and her amazing life.

While I'm certain she would not have cried, I sit here at my computer with tears streaming down my face for the loss of a woman I never knew, but who deeply

Here's a taster from the latest video blog update (#5), from Dubai-based Canadian journalist (and AWR member) Natalie Carney, who is producing a documentary on children in Afghanistan.

See the 10-minute "full meal deal" here.

Find out more about her fledgling charity Kids Being Kids: Afghanistan here.

 

Related links:

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again (and again and again, likely 'til the day I die): we’re surrounded by amazing women who are doing incredible work to make positive change in the world.

They come from all races, religions and nationalities.

In the last few weeks three amazing young women in particular have come onto the AWR radar screen: Masarat Daud, Natalie Carney (pictured at

Being a vagabond and a nomad, (a cowgirl on the road as it were), has its up and downs.

On the one hand, travel is all about adventure, experiencing new stuff, and often being outside of your comfort zone – love those bits. Living out of a suitcase, on the other, can quickly become quite tedious – hate that part.

After being "on the road," for almost two months now (in UK, Croatia and