As 2013 comes to an end, I have only one word: "wow!"
What an adventure this has been! I started the year with apprehension about whether I was making the right choice to accept a job with 100% international travel. I was mentally prepared for the sacrifices but I couldn't envision all the positive elements of the experience.
This has proven to be been more than a job. It is more like a lifestyle, where the boundaries between work and pleasure are blurred. I work longer hours and I always feel like I am being observed by the staff, but this affords me countless opportunities to interact with everyone and discover more about the world.
One thing I can say with absolute certainty is that the world is a melting pot. In 2013, I have done sightseeing in Mexico with a Polish guy, I have been to nightclubs in Morocco with a Swiss guy and a Moroccan girl, and I have meandered through the souq in Qatar with a Moroccan guy and two Syrian girls. Nights out with the staff are always a highlight of my travels and I will never forget the generosity of my colleagues around the world.
2013 was a year of discovery:
I spent time in 16 countries this year, including five that I had never traveled to before (Finland, South Africa, Tanzania, Jordan, Qatar). Beyond the passport stamps, I saw new parts of the world and learned so much more than just the business elements of my company.
Some random facts that now float around in my head:
- In Mexico, it is believed that you will die if you sign your name in red ink.
- In some parts of India, imported alcohol is taxed at more than 100%.
- In France, people say that eating carrots will make you nicer.
- The oldest university in Tanzania was established only 52 years ago.
- In Germany, all for-profit companies are required to charge a fee for every service provided. No free lunches here!
- In Qatar, foreign employees must surrender their passports to employers and can only leave the country with their employer's permission.
- In Switzerland, residents must pay an annual tax for their dogs.
- In Dubai, it is illegal to eat in public during fasting hours of Ramadan.
- Bread in Tuscany is made without salt.
- In Qatar, it is illegal to import alcohol into the country, to give away alcohol for free, and for muslims to drink alcohol.
- In India, it is offensive to take something with your left hand.
- Syrian refugees make up more than 10% of the population in Jordan.
2013 was a year of athletics:
I ran four marathons (Phoenix, Boston, Dusseldorf, and Florence), four half marathons (Denver, St. Louis, Brussels, Eindhoven), a 15k in Indianapolis, a 10k in South Africa, and an 8k in Paris. In these races, I logged a personal best in Phoenix (2:57 marathon time), a personal worst in Denver (1:34 half-marathon time), and two age group awards (Indianapolis and St. Louis).
Based solely on the races I have participated in this year, I would say that South Africans are the fastest and people from St. Louis are the slowest.
Admittedly, it has been a little frustrating to see my race pace getting slower throughout the year, but I continue to push myself despite no longer having my treasured Equinox membership. My chronic ankle problem has gotten worse and I had to battle a broken toe for a couple months. I guess my Olympic medal will have to wait for another lifetime, but it has been a thrill just being able to race in seven countries this year!
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My identity, more than ever, is that of an International citizen. I am and will always be American, but I have been influenced positively by friends and colleagues that span the globe. It will take a lot to surpass the memories from this past year but I will certainly give it my best effort. Bring it on, 2014!
What an adventure this has been! I started the year with apprehension about whether I was making the right choice to accept a job with 100% international travel. I was mentally prepared for the sacrifices but I couldn't envision all the positive elements of the experience.
This has proven to be been more than a job. It is more like a lifestyle, where the boundaries between work and pleasure are blurred. I work longer hours and I always feel like I am being observed by the staff, but this affords me countless opportunities to interact with everyone and discover more about the world.
One thing I can say with absolute certainty is that the world is a melting pot. In 2013, I have done sightseeing in Mexico with a Polish guy, I have been to nightclubs in Morocco with a Swiss guy and a Moroccan girl, and I have meandered through the souq in Qatar with a Moroccan guy and two Syrian girls. Nights out with the staff are always a highlight of my travels and I will never forget the generosity of my colleagues around the world.
2013 was a year of memories:
- Breaking the 3-hour marathon barrier in Phoenix
- Celebrating Carnival in Mexico
- Drinking wine in Napa...and Tuscany
- Skiing in Aspen
- Visiting my cousin in Denver
- Catching up with MBA classmates all around the world
- Running in the Boston Marathon
- Chasing after the pick-pocket in Casablanca (and getting my stuff back)
- Hiking in the southernmost tip of South Africa
- Flying from Qatar to Indianapolis to attend Drum Corps finals
- Zip-lining with my parents
- Riding an auto-rickshaw in Mumbai
- Going on safari in Pilanesberg Game Reserve and seeing how animals manage to camouflage themselves in the wild
- Watching the sun set over the Mediterranean in Cannes
- Cooking Thanksgiving dinner with American friends in Italy
- Eating (what seemed like) an entire cow on our last night in Italy
- Eating (what seemed like) an entire cow on our last night in Italy
- Being home for Christmas
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| 2013 Travel Map |
I spent time in 16 countries this year, including five that I had never traveled to before (Finland, South Africa, Tanzania, Jordan, Qatar). Beyond the passport stamps, I saw new parts of the world and learned so much more than just the business elements of my company.
Some random facts that now float around in my head:
- In Mexico, it is believed that you will die if you sign your name in red ink.
- In some parts of India, imported alcohol is taxed at more than 100%.
- In France, people say that eating carrots will make you nicer.
- The oldest university in Tanzania was established only 52 years ago.
- In Germany, all for-profit companies are required to charge a fee for every service provided. No free lunches here!
- In Qatar, foreign employees must surrender their passports to employers and can only leave the country with their employer's permission.
- In Switzerland, residents must pay an annual tax for their dogs.
- In Dubai, it is illegal to eat in public during fasting hours of Ramadan.
- Bread in Tuscany is made without salt.
- In Qatar, it is illegal to import alcohol into the country, to give away alcohol for free, and for muslims to drink alcohol.
- In India, it is offensive to take something with your left hand.
- Syrian refugees make up more than 10% of the population in Jordan.
2013 was a year of athletics:
I ran four marathons (Phoenix, Boston, Dusseldorf, and Florence), four half marathons (Denver, St. Louis, Brussels, Eindhoven), a 15k in Indianapolis, a 10k in South Africa, and an 8k in Paris. In these races, I logged a personal best in Phoenix (2:57 marathon time), a personal worst in Denver (1:34 half-marathon time), and two age group awards (Indianapolis and St. Louis).
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| 2013 Race Medals |
Based solely on the races I have participated in this year, I would say that South Africans are the fastest and people from St. Louis are the slowest.
- - - - - - - - - -
My identity, more than ever, is that of an International citizen. I am and will always be American, but I have been influenced positively by friends and colleagues that span the globe. It will take a lot to surpass the memories from this past year but I will certainly give it my best effort. Bring it on, 2014!
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