I’m really close to North Korea. In a few days, in Dalian, I’ll be even closer, and could even hop up to the next town and take a boat right next to the North Korea border (the closest in the world any American could get).
India borders Pakistan. Also close to Afghanistan. This is where real shit goes down.
There’s something at once exhilarating and nerve racking about being in the center of the world’s action.
I’m happy I’m here, and I’ll be happy when I leave safely!
Big picture observations
1. America and Europe are more similar than different. The media likes to play up transatlantic rifts. Our similarities are so intense that any cultural contrasts become even more interesting.
2. Immense history in Europe. I saw countless buildings older than the age of my country.
3. Reform is critical to Europe’s long term relevance
4. No anti-Americanism from the locals against me. This is a myth invented by people who don’t travel.
5. A lot of really impressive people. Talent is indeed spread around.
Travel tips
1. Travel clothes do work — dry quicker, absort moisture. They’re not a rip-off.
2. A notebook and pen — I had no idea how critical this would be
3. Wi-fi locator keychain — good investment; didn’t have to take out laptop all the time
4. Save on airfare, splurge on other things — Ok, 30 hour flight to Ireland. In the end it was worth the $200 savings.
5. Simply can not eat food at major tourist destinations. Always find a back road or a residential hood.
6. Money belt — Mine was too small, so I didn’t use it regularly. I put key documents in a cargo pocket in my shorts that zipped closed with an extra velcro seal on top.
7. Buy water bottles at supermarkets and don’t expect many free fountains
8. Go to tourist sites. There’s a reason everyone goes to them. Just buy tickets in advance or get the timing right.
9. Manage photos on the road. I have over 700 photos and over 40 videos. Throughout the trip I uploaded to my computer, labeled, organized, etc. Upon my return I spent 30 minutes, organized into a slideshow, and burned CDs for people. Really easy.
10. Backup your computer on your iPod. Peace of mind.
Random notes
1. Europeans seemed skeptical of the need for such an intense response from Israel against Lebanon
2. Staying with locals gives about a 20x cultural experience than staying at a hotel, but it can also be constraining. I think it’s worth it.
3. It’s interesting how true certain stereotypes turned out to be. Italian drivers or hand gestures, Irish accent, British political debates, and so forth.
English is the lingua franca. It’s hard to come across someone in Europe who doesn’t speak English. I’ve found that many of them like practicing their English. I had a few conversations where it was apparent the other person just wanted to speak English to me so talked and talked and talked.
Speaking their language is still preferred, but only if you’re basically fluent.
In most other cases, throw away the phrase books and speak slowly. If you want to build a good relationship, let them practice their English!
That’s a big insight from my trip. Paris is a great place to visit. I wouldn’t want to live there. New York is a great place to visit. I probably wouldn’t want to live there. Seattle, Portland, and Denver/Boulder are great places to live, I hear, but probably aren’t at the top of any tourist list. Of course, I think San Francisco is a great place to live AND visit, but I’m biased.
They’re everywhere in Europe. 10-15 black guys on a random sidewalk with various fake Gucci, Prada, and other brands I know nothing about. It’s shocking people would stop and buy what is so obviously fake and so obviously low quality.
The funniest relationship isn’t between these street vendors and their delusional patrons, but the vendors and the police. Without a license, the vendors are always on the run. The cops care enough to scare them but not arrest them. So every so often you’ll see a parade of black guys — I’m told from Morocco — running across a street holding their huge cardboard stands before settling down on some new sidewalk.
