In general, I would claim that I am well traveled. Of course, there are people, who have seen more of the world than I, but such people are few compared to world's population. Furthermore, when I speak of traveling, I do not refer to mere business trips or stopovers. People, who can claim a 5-hour layover in a country's airport as having seen the country, have unfortunately a very shallow view of true travel or exploration. Likewise, people, who have only seen meeting rooms and restaurants, have had a very superficial interaction with a country.
No, I see traveling as something more profound. True, no matter how long you remain in a place it is still "impossible" to see and experience everything, but I find that the true experience, fun and discovery takes place once the "vacation" feeling disappears and you are either forced or rather chose to live and do things not like a foreigner or tourist, but rather like a native of the land. Of course, it is not a formal definition, but for me this signifies the different between a tourist (superficial interaction with a foreign country and culture) and a traveler (seeking a deeper interaction with a foreign country and culture).
Therefore, as a traveler, I may not have been to all seven continents or even the majority of the countries in the world (wait, I still have time). Fortunately, however, I have something much more valuable than hollow bragging rights - I have stories, knowledge, friends and "history" in those "few" places I have been, which in the end, means much more to me.
On this page I wish to summarize my thoughts, experiences and stories about those places in the world, to which I have been and about some people, whom I have had the pleasure to meet. Perhaps you will even find some ideas for your next adventure here. In fact, why not come to visit me?
Currently in the world's spotlight, it seems that "everybody" seeks an asian experience: China, Japan, Singapore, India, etc. Honestly, even though I can understand the lure of asian culture, I do not yet share the current desire to migrate in Asia's direction. Nevertheless, I had taken the chance to spend 3 weeks in Malaysia with friends. I do look forward to a return to Asia in the future, but not because it is currently fashionable, but rather from my purest wish to interact with Asia.
My trip to Malaysia began long before I first set foot on Malaysian soil. When I lived in Tübingen I met and befriended another AIESEC Trainee (student abroad), Vickneas (Vick) Sundararaju from Malaysia. After his departure in January, the chance arose for me to travel with other German students to Malasia and visit Vick.
It was three weeks of dizzying bliss: "Living" in Kuala Lampur with Vick, cave exploring in the jungle, temple visits, prestine beaches, dazzling fruits, noise, pollution, chaos, theft, trips through jungles, Malaysian family in Ipoh, living where "white" is the minority, encouters with animals, mini-monsoons, etc. With my friend and guide I was able enter a world very few tourists would enter.
- The tale of the secluded island
- A day in the caves
Europe has not only been my playground, but also home for more than five years (October 2000 to present). Despite my love for Canada, I find currenly that more aspects of European life enrich my life and fulfill a certain longing than do aspects of Canadian life. I revel in the mix of languages, the art, the food & drink, the rich history, the old traditions and buildings & the castles, but also their solutions of modernisation: life without an automobile, public transit, international rail systems.
In accordance with my "traveler" philosophy, there are still many countries in Europe, which I have never experienced because I first choose to deeply explore others, before moving on. For examply, I have never been to Italy, Spain, Portugal or Greece. Unfortunately I have also never been to a Scandinavian country (Denmark, Norwary, Sweden, Finland, or Iceland). This will seem very odd to many people, especially to the famous and much joked about backpack tourist - "10 countries & 10 cities in 10 day trip!" Ha, what a waste! It's not because I do not like Spain, or Sweden. Rather, circumstances have simply offered opportunities to visit other countries first. For example, I have travelled around Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Austria, Romania, and The Czech Republic. I say travelled, because I have dedicated weeks, months or years to my exploration of these places. I have friends in these countries and call recall a personal history in each of these places. As a counter example: Sure, I may have been in the city of Luxembourg for a day, but I do not consider to have travelled in Luxembourg, because even such a small country has much more to offer!
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- Paris by night, Paris by car
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- Hadrian's Wall
- Scottish Independence
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- Gsteig
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