Travel: A Never-ending Quest

Recently, I saw a news story about a 24-year-old British traveler who became the youngest person to have visited every country in the world. 

My first thought was that it was a ridiculous goal to pursue.  I scrolled quickly through the photos and it looked like he just went to the most touristic places in each country for a photo-op before moving along to the next destination.  I couldn't help but wonder whether he was simply going through the motions to reach a new record or if he actually enjoyed the journey?

To be honest, I don't think that I would ever want to be the youngest person to visit every country in the world.  At my age, I couldn't break his record even if I wanted to, but my sentiment does not stem from jealousy.  For me, the joy of travel goes beyond the passport stamps.  It's not simply enough to say: "I have been to (insert city name)" or "I have taken a picture in front of (insert tourist site)."  

I'll admit that I used to take great pride in visiting as many countries as possible.  During my study abroad year in London, I think I traveled to seventeen countries - none of which I enjoyed for more than a long-weekend.  I even flew to Venice once for a day trip with a classmate, just because I found a good deal on a flight and it seemed like a fun way to spend a Wednesday.  In fact, we spent more time in transit than we spent at our destination!

Of course it was fun.  We ate gelato, rode through the canals on a gondola, bought a Venetian carnival mask for my mom (which is still hanging in my parents' house), and took pictures feeding the pigeons in St Mark's square.  But, beyond simply saying that I have been to Venice, do I really know much about it?  Not really. 

At least we got a good touristy picture in Venice!

I wonder if this new world-record holder will ever look back on his accomplishment and wish he didn't rush through things so quickly.  With so many amazing places to visit, there is really no need to rush through every country in such a short period.     

After I read the story, I thought more highly of his approach to accomplishing this goal.  It sounds like he took the time to meet people and even to get part-time jobs in some places.  Learning about a country from people who live there and feeling like part of the community adds so much more value than simply visiting the sites that are mentioned most in the guidebooks.  

Today's world is so saturated with social media that actually visiting certain tourist attractions is almost unnecessary.  Sure, you can take a cliched tourist photo, but seeing most popular attractions is never as special as discovering the unknown and under-appreciated gems.

Now that this guy has seen every country in the world, does this mean that he will stop traveling?  I can almost guarantee that the answer is no.  Travel is like an addiction and there is an endless supply of places to visit.  

Simply visiting one place in every country would be like eating only an appetizer at every restaurant you visit.  You get a taste of the ambiance, but sometimes, you just want to try the wider range of options on the menu.  In Spain, for example, Barcelona is nothing like Madrid and both cities are completely different than Bilbao, even though they are all part of the same country.  To visit only one city in Spain is doing a disservice to the amazing diversity that exists throughout the country.  This rationale applies to many other countries as well. 

In addition to visiting new cities, it can also be exciting to revisit some cities for a fresh perspective.  I have returned to London four times since living there in 2001-2002 and each trip has been special.  In 2004, I stayed in a penthouse suite at the Mandarin Oriental overlooking Knightsbridge.  Then, just two years later, I slept on the floor of my friend's tiny dorm room at the University of London and we kept the trip very casual.  In 2010, I spent my birthday driving around in a Porsche, and drinking Pimm's No 1 around Chelsea.  My most recent trip in 2012 was to the financial district and I experienced what seemed like a completely different city.  

Cliche London photo: 2010 edition

To announce that this guy has visited all 195 countries implies that he has seen the entire world.  It is certainly an amazing achievement, but there will always be new places to discover.  From my perspective, the record should say that he finished the first stage of global discovery by "testing" every country.  The real fun will come in stage two, when he can return his favorite countries and discover even more about them.   

Television around the world

Before I started this job, I used to love returning home after a long day in the office and turning on the TV for some mindless entertainment.  Most nights, I had at least one show that I enjoyed watching.  Before falling asleep, my nightly routine always involved either "Watch What Happens Live" or a syndicated episode of "Friends" - even if I had already seen it ten times before.  I don't think I ever spent a night at home in the United States without watching at least some TV. 

On the nights that I went out after work, I was comfortable knowing that the DVR would record anything important. But, I still felt like I was missing out the next day when people would talk about what they watched the night before.  TV is an important part of the American culture and the popular shows are often a topic of conversation among my colleagues and friends. 

Everything changed when I started this job because the TV selection at hotels around the world are usually terrible!  I remember sitting in Mexico, where the only English channel was broadcasting awful shows like "2 Broke Girls" or "Mike and Molly".  I don't care how bored I am - I cannot watch that stuff. 

In most countries, I have seen shows that I recognize but the words are often dubbed in the local language.  Admittedly, I do find it amusing when the dubbed voices are so different than the real person.  I actually started laughing out loud once in Spain when the person speaking as Perez Hilton sounded all butch and masculine.  Another example is the Simpsons characters, which just sound wrong in other countries.

In India, one of my colleagues was watching "Bad Teacher" and noticed a scene where Cameron Diaz started smoking and a warning scrolled across the screen that said: "Smoking Kills".  Despite the strange warnings about smoking and drinking, India actually had a good selection of English channels, including HBO.  (This is a good thing in a place where no one wants to leave the hotel).   

Tanzania, surprisingly, offered one of the best TV selections that I can remember because there were a couple channels that showed Canadian movies (in English) throughout the day.  Most of them were low-budget, but at least I could understood them and was entertained by something new.

During my travels, I rarely turn on the TV in my room and I normally only notice the channel selection when I am using the gym equipment.  More often than not, I am forced to watch CNN International, Al Jazeera (in the Middle East), BBC news (in Europe), or Bloomberg (when I am really lucky).  None are very engaging, but at least Bloomberg keeps my attention on the treadmill as the stock prices and currency rates scroll across the bottom of the screen. 

I have grown to hate CNN International because they mostly show 'special' segments like "African Voices", which does not interest me in the least bit.  Plus, they have these annoying personalities like Richard Quest, with his annoying voice, and Christiane Amanpour, with her elaborate British prose.  For me, the only reasons to watch CNN is for Anderson Cooper and Candy Crowley! 

Annoying Richard Quest

Incredible Anderson Cooper

I have recently been watching BBC news in the morning because they have a segment where they scatter global newspapers across the desk and comment on various stories.  It's almost like watching people making fun of the daily news with friends over a coffee. 

I finally had a few hours to relax on Sunday, so I decided to check out a new show called Betrayal.  One of the main themes is corruption in Chicago and it grabbed my attention with so many suspenseful moments in the first episode alone.  After three episodes, I'm hooked.  This morning, I searched for some reviews and noticed that the show was referenced in an article titled: "Cancellation clock is ticking for a handful of new series."  Why doesn't anyone else like my favorite shows?!?   

Reading this article took me right back to last year, when I discovered 6 episodes of Ringer on a flight from Abu Dhabi to Chicago and instantly became hooked.  I returned home and spent the next week streaming the entire season, just to learn that it had been cancelled due to low ratings! Gah!!

It was not until this past weekend that I realized the 2013 premier season had come and gone without fanfare.  It is just another example where my job constantly forces me to change daily routine and adapt to new environments.  I can't just turn on the TV and expect to find any of my favorite shows.  I no longer have the opportunity to discuss my favorite shows with colleagues at lunch every day.    

Americans are so distinct from the rest of the world in their love of TV.  For me, it is like comfort food.  When I am out of the country, TV is not an important part of my day.  However, there are still some evenings when I love ordering room service and just relaxing in my room with my favorite shows.   

The Netherlands

Have you ever wanted to visit Eindhoven?  I didn't think so.  

Neither did I until I saw that they were hosting a half marathon.  It was just too convenient- 2 hour train ride from Dusseldorf and a 13:30 start time, which meant I didn't even need to get a hotel there. All I wanted to do was show up, run 13.1 miles, get my medal, and head right back on the train for my next destination. 

...and that's basically what happened, aside from a few little adventures that make traveling in Europe so much fun.  

The weather forecast was looking great until the day before the race, when it suddenly changed to a 90% chance of rain.  I hadn't actually registered yet, so I thought about just skipping the race altogether but then I realized that I would regret it.  After all, this year is all about seizing opportunities to travel.  When else will I have the chance to hop on a train for 2 hours and run a half marathon in The Netherlands?   

It was raining when I arrived in Eindhoven, so I went straight to the expo and reluctantly registered myself.  Then, I just sat around for a couple hours, listening to music and preparing for what felt more like a business meeting than a fun activity.  It's times like these that I question why I bother running so many races.  My heart wasn't in it and I just wanted the whole thing to be over.

As a last-minute registrant, I was assigned to the last corral (although I ended up sneaking into one of the middle groups).  It was actually kinda funny because one random runner mentioned to me that I was trying to go into the wrong corral.  I asked him where mine was located and, as he was asking the gatekeeper, I just snuck in and disappeared quickly.  Seriously, why did this guy even care? There are over 7,000 runners and I belong in the first corral anyhow.  I didn't feel guilty at all.  

I was still far enough from the starting line that I could barely hear the starting gun go off.  It was such an anticlimactic start to the run!  I told myself that I would just jog this one - especially with my 3-minute handicap at the starting line.  But, when you're being rained on and just want the race to be over, it is enough inspiration to run faster.  Throughout the first hour, my energy was building and I just kept passing people.  It helped to keep my mind off the fact that I had no music or desire to stay in the rain for longer than I had to.  

The course was very boring - mostly running through residential areas and 1970's-era buildings.  That said, the crowd support was quite good and there were a lot of bands - especially along the first 15k.  Once we looped back into the city center, things got a lot more exciting.  Bars lined the course and they were packed with people.  The ground was really slippery (between the rain, wet leaves, and slick bricks), but I managed to keep from falling.  It wasn't until this point that I realized just how many students are in Eindhoven, but they definitely helped the atmosphere. 

Here I am, about to cross the finish line. 

As I reached the finish line, I felt good about the race - especially considering how tired and unmotivated I felt just a few hours earlier.  I'm still frustrated that my performance is hindered by my right ankle, but that is out of my control.  Considering that I can't even stand on the balls of my feet without searing pain in my ankle, a 1:25 half marathon time is not bad.  

I accepted my finisher medal and quickly cleaned myself up for the train ride back to Germany.  On my way back to the station, I stopped along the course to cheer on a few runners and soak up the atmosphere a little more.  My support didn't last for very long because I was wary of the rain at this point.  

Doesn't this look like a pleasant way to spend a Sunday in Europe?

I don't think there are any sites to see in Eindhoven, so I'll just attach a picture of the one site that basically sums up my quick day trip: 

Here's the beautiful Eindhoven rail station

By this point, I had seen enough of Eindhoven so I thought it would be a good idea to catch an earlier train.  My ticket showed ** in the date/time fields, so I just assumed that it would be valid for any train between Eindhoven and Mainz that day.    

When the ticket collector approached my seat, he looked at my ticket and shook his head from left to right.  This is not a good sign, I thought to myself.  He said something in Dutch, to which I responded by asking if he spoke any english.  "Yes, of course" he responded.  "You will have to buy another ticket or get off at the next stop and wait for the train you have reserved."  

I did what any adventurous traveler would do: I exited at the next stop and viewed it as an opportunity to explore a new place for two hours!  The town is called Venlo and I have absolutely no idea what there is to do here. 

There was no place to lock up my luggage, so I just dragged it behind me as I walked along the cobblestone streets.  By this point, I probably just looked like a high-class hobo, as I clunked my way down the street with a camera in one hand and luggage in the other.  

It was actually a really cute town.  The shopping area was really quaint, with lots of Dutch-looking buildings, local restaurants, and a GIANT ferris wheel that was temporarily set up in a square that was about the size of a basketball court.  I smiled as I thought about how Europeans love squeezing so many things into such tight spaces. 

Here's what Venlo looks like...much more charming than Eindhoven

No better place for a ferris wheel...

By this point, I had made enough of a scene from wheeling my suitcase around the town, so I stopped at a bar near the station and enjoyed a couple Dutch beers before embarking on the remainder of my journey. 

I love my blonde beers!

On my way back to the station, I realized that all I had eaten since before the race was 2 granola bars, so I was actually a little drunk. I grabbed a quick sandwich, relaxed into my seat, and looked at my souvenir for the day's work.  When all was said and done, it was a good day trip to The Netherlands.  

It was worthwhile in the end

Dusseldorf, Germany

I have visited many cities in Germany, but none that I enjoy more than Dusseldorf.   Munich may be a close second, thanks to its proximity to the Alps, but I think Dusseldorf offers the best overall quality of life.  

Here are some reasons why: 

1) The city center was essentially destroyed during the war, but they re-built everything according to historic plans.  The result?  A city that retains a historic-looking charm but is also clean and modern.  

2) The airport has good connections and is only a short train ride from the city.  Plus, the public transportation in the city is really well-developed.  I hate driving, so this is perfect for me. 

3) Dusseldorf is considered the fashion capital of Germany.  Need I say more?

4) The arts are also popular and I was lucky enough to be in the city during the Dusseldorf Festival.  Of course I had to check out a couple different performances - all of which were fantastic. 

5) Germans consider people from Dusseldorf to be a little snobby.  I think I would fit right in if I moved here!

6) The running paths and parks along the Rhine river are incredible.  Beyond that, the people running are always greeting each other and it made me feel really welcome.  

7) Dusseldorf has the largest Japanese population in Germany and the 3rd largest in Europe.  This may be a stretch, but I interpret the statistic to mean that Dusseldorf offers the best Japanese food in Germany. 

7) Everyone I met spoke English well and was really friendly.  They kept me company at lunch every day and spoke English with each other so I could understand the conversations.  I can't ask for much more than that!

If the awesome aspects of Dusseldorf that I listed above are not convincing enough, Mercer's 2012 Quality of Living Survey ranked the city #6 in the world.  This survey is based on factors such as infrastructure, political stability, natural environment, crime, health, and recreation.  Random side-note: my home city of Boston has the third-highest ranking in the USA (below Honolulu and San Francisco), but is still only #35 globally.    

In summary, Dusseldorf is fantastic - including my hotel, which is so new that it still looks like this on the GoogleMaps satellite: 

The hotel is a lot nicer without the cranes 

During my 2-week project, I even had the added excitement of sharing my hotel with the German National Football team while they prepared for a World Cup qualifying match.  I never get star-stuck but it's fun to see a small crowd outside the hotel throughout the day and all sorts of little kids with soccer balls/jerseys/posters for the players to sign.  The fans remind me that I am lucky enough to be staying at one of the best places in town, even though none of them are there to see me!

Here's what the front door looked like all day/evening

Over the past two weeks, I was too busy enjoying myself to even take many pictures.  I posted a few when I visited earlier this year, but all I can provide from the past two weeks is one of the hotel lounge, where I enjoyed sushi multiple times:

Great place to unwind after a long, easy work day

Brussels, Belgium

Fall races are wonderful.  There's even better in a foreign country and when you have a friend to run with.  I was lucky enough to have both of these things in Brussels and the great running weather was icing on the cake. 

I woke up so early that people were still returning home from the night before.  Oddly enough, this wasn't the first time I have seen drunk people in Dusseldorf on my way to a race (last time was the morning of the marathon in April).  Call me strange if you want, but whenever I see people chowing down on doner kebabs while I prepare for a race, it makes me feel even better about my life choices. 

The train ride from Dusseldorf to Brussels couldn't have been easier and I actually enjoyed the time to eat breakfast, listen to music, and mentally prepare for the run.  American race organizers need to take advice from the Europeans on scheduling later start times. 

I was lucky enough that my friend registered me earlier in the week, so all I had to do was show up at his apartment and pick up my number.  We chatted a little on our way to the race and, before I knew it, I was lined up and getting ready to start. 

The event started in beautiful Parc du Cinquantenaire and, with over seven thousand runners in the half-marathon, it was a pretty big race.  I'm at the point where I don't even feel nervous anymore before the start of a run, even though I haven't run this long of a distance since April. 

Here's where the race started

I lined up near the front, thinking that I could push myself with a fast pace.  Perhaps not the best idea, considering how competitive I am about not wanting to be passed.  The first kilometer is never fun because I end up weaving my way through people and getting annoyed at the slow runners that serve as a roadblock and should have started further back, with all the other slow people.  

Before too long, the pack thinned out a bit and I was settling into my true pace group.  My biggest memory of the race will be the hills.  Jeez, who would have thought that Brussels is so hilly?!?  I am not too used to the elevation changes, after only running on treadmills for much of the past six months.  

Crowd support was pretty decent throughout the course and the homes - especially near the embassies - were really beautiful.  I forget that Brussels is an important political city for Europe and it's unfortunate that the city doesn't have more tourist attractions because it really is beautiful.  

The end of the race was one of the steepest descents of the entire race and my legs were just mindlessly propelling me down the street.  By this point, people around me were on an all-out sprint and I couldn't allow myself to slow down.  The last few turns in the old city really funneled us into narrow streets, which was even more exciting with all the crowds lining both sides.  

How can someone not absolutely love running through the old city centers in Europe?  I'd say my favorite example of this is in the Luxembourg marathon, but Brussels was pretty close.  The finish line was at Grand Place, which is arguably one of the most architecturally beautiful squares in the world.  

Here's the finish line from the race

I knew I would finish a little before Simon, so I decided to look for a race shirt to buy (without success).  It's surprising to me that they weren't selling shirts to all the people at the finish, but I need to remind myself that I'm not in America, where people will mindlessly buy anything that's for sale.  

After a quick shower at Simon's place, we went out for brunch and for a walk around the city.  The afternoon epitomized a relaxing European Sunday...walking, chatting, stop for an ice-cream, meet up with one of his friends, drink beer, walk some more, drink more beer at another bar.  In a country known for amazing beer, it would be a crime to not at least try a couple different brews...

Simon and I, enjoying the afternoon

Here's the second bar we stopped at...I love the classic decor

We took one more stroll through Grand Place so I could take some pictures.  By this point, all remnants of the race had disappeared except for this sign that directed finishers to the medal area.  

Corner of Grand Place

Another edge of the square

It's a shame that I'm such a poor photographer because these buildings are just beautiful.  And, I was a little surprised to learn that people actually live in them.  We saw a "for rent" sign in some of the windows.  I can only imagine what it's like to step out your front door and see this every morning.  (Although, I'm not going to lie - it's also fun to step out of a different front door every other week in a new city).  

Before heading back to Germany, we relaxed for a little while at Simon's awesome apartment.  This penthouse unit is one of those gems that doesn't even exist in most cities - with two levels, a really cool layout, and a great rooftop terrace.  I love my job, but there's always a slight feeling of jealousy when I see apartments like his.  

Overall, it was such a fun day.  I love the excitement of racing, the feeling of achievement once the event is over, and being able to spend an afternoon hanging out with fun people.  Plus, it had been over a decade since I visited Brussels and it's always nice to explore a city through events like a half-marathon.  I'll close this entry with one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Brussels: Manneken Pis. 

Yup.  Just like the name suggests.

Returning to Europe

Finally...back in Europe!  

I felt "at home" as soon as I walked off the jet-bridge in the Frankfurt airport.  Everything around me was clean, fresh, and silent.  I love silence.  

A last-minute schedule change relocated me to Dusseldorf but the journey was easy, thanks to a high-speed train that speeds through the countryside at 200 km/hour.  

I was greeted with perfect fall weather and a perfect sunset.  It's so nice to be back in a place where I can go outside without feeling uncomfortable! The hotel's terrace bar was buzzing and the view from my room was postcard-worthy.  

Looking out at the city from my room

Just a slight contrast to my view in Mumbai: 

Oh India...

Sunday morning, I felt so energized that I went for a long run along the Rhine river.  Crisp fall weather is perfect for running and I forgot how fantastic it feels to run outside with the breeze all around me and amazing views.  The people in Dusseldorf are so friendly.  Whenever I passed another runner, we exchanged nods and a lip-synched hello.  

Brunch - my favorite meal of the week - tasted even better than any meal I ate in Mumbai.  Not that all the food there was gross, but my system must be thanking me for giving it food that is not so difficult to digest.  I can finally eat salads again! I can finally brush my teeth without worrying about swallowing the water.  Simple pleasures.  

My project started on Monday morning with perfect German efficiency. We sat down to create a plan for the two weeks and our meeting was immediately followed by schedule invitations for a series of meetings.  Organization makes me feel calm and in-control.  I can already tell that this is going to be a great project. 

To top it off, a friend was in town for the day from Berlin and we were able to have dinner together.  When I initially took this job, I had hoped to see friends that are scattered across the world.  It's always nice to take advantage of these opportunities.  

I continue starting my mornings with energizing runs along the Rhine.  How can I resist when there is such a small window of perfect weather?   I started laughing this morning when I noticed a bunny running across the grass.  In India, that would have been a rat.  Both are furry creatures but bunnies are just so much cuter.