Linda Watanabe McFerrin has been traveling since she was two and writing about it since she was six. A poet, travel writer, novelist and contributor to numerous journals, newspapers, magazines, anthologies and online publications including the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco Chronicle Magazine, the Washington Post, the Salt Lake City Tribune, Modern Bride, San Francisco Bride, Travelers’ Tales, Salon.com and Women.com, she is the author of two poetry collections, an award-winning novel (Namako: Sea Cucumber) and short story collection (The Hand of Buddha), and the editor of Best Places Northern California, 4th ed.