Jordan Birnbaum

Host

A "World View" Is Built On Travel

Dec 6, 2013·62 visitors

Jim Frederick

Cohost

Stage· 188 messages

Dec 6, 2013

Author, journalist and Tawkers favorite Jim Frederick returns to tell us about his current year-long trek across the globe. We'll Tawk culture and humanity, and we'll explore how travel affects our hearts and minds.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:00 AM

Mr. Frederick, I presume?

Jim Frederick · 2:00 AM

Indeed!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:00 AM

Welcome back! And congrats on your first 2-Tawk week!

Jim Frederick · 2:00 AM

Do I get a prize?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:00 AM

tired fingers

Jim Frederick · 2:00 AM

So.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:00 AM

which makes it all worth it!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:01 AM

quick shout out to the skies

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:01 AM

★ Spotlighted from Blake Ian

“I am attending this Tawk from an airplane... Could I be any more appropriate?!”

Jim Frederick · 2:01 AM

This modern age, I tell you

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:01 AM

nice to know we have both multiple countries and air space involved

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:02 AM

So Jim, just to provide a little backdrop: you and your wife are in the midst of a year long trek around the world, right?

Jim Frederick · 2:02 AM

That is correct. I just left TIME after 16 years and she had worked there for 12 and we said goodbye, packed up the house and are on the road with no fixed home for 9 to 12 months

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:03 AM

So, that's a biggie! I think a lot of us admire your spirit and sense of adventure.

Jim Frederick · 2:03 AM

Thanks. Anybody can do it and a lot more people are, it seems

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:03 AM

I wish journeys like yours weren't so uncommon, as we'll discuss later

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:04 AM

Oh - that's good to hear - maybe we have some nice developments coming

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:04 AM

so…is the re a master plan?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:04 AM

do you know where you want to go, or are you seeing which way the wind blows?

Jim Frederick · 2:05 AM

No, no plan. We are, indeed, surveying the prevailing winds

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:05 AM

this just keeps getting better!

Jim Frederick · 2:05 AM

I have some ideas for some projects and we are doing some writing as we go, but a big part of this is to see what we want to do with the rest of our lives

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:06 AM

I am so happy for you that you get to do this.

Jim Frederick · 2:06 AM

We don't even really know where we might want to live, so we are scouting locations where we might want to wind up

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:06 AM

what a tremendous life experience on multiple levels

Jim Frederick · 2:07 AM

We are thinking of it as a kind of sabbatical. It't not that uncommon, is it?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:07 AM

Maybe so. So, without getting too personal, this must be transformative for your relationship with your wife?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:08 AM

AS I imagine it would be for anyone

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:08 AM

★ Spotlighted from Blake Ian

“I've been living vicariously through Jims Instagram feed...http://instagram.com/jim_frederick”

Jim Frederick · 2:08 AM

Uh oh, minefields ahead. Um, yeah, we have never spent so much time together, but it's been great. There's no one I'd rather spend so much time with, so it's lucky I married her

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:09 AM

Tons of adventures are a good thing!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:09 AM

Boring stinks!

Jim Frederick · 2:09 AM

Kidding aside, I do see new sides of her and it is interesting to see her reactions to the same experiences

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:10 AM

My friend once told me that the secret to a successful marriage is to always keep in mind that all human beings are annoying 20% of the time, so don't dwell on it.

Jim Frederick · 2:11 AM

My boss, Rick Stengel at TIME told me that his grandfather told him that the secret to a happy marriage was: Two copies of the New York Times

Jim Frederick · 2:11 AM

Anyway

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:11 AM

that's very evocative of that Citizen Kane montage…

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:11 AM

OK - so before we start to discuss the impact of travel…where ya been so far?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:12 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rick Rosner

“That comment of Stengel's is evocative of Paul Simon's Dangling Conversation.”

Jim Frederick · 2:12 AM

We spent 6 weeks in Buenos Aires, almost a month in Copenhagen, we are now in the middle of 6 weeks in Tokyo

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:12 AM

wow

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:13 AM

so that's 3 continents, unless I'm miscalculating terribly

Jim Frederick · 2:13 AM

Yup, we also did a little stint in San Francisco and I attended a conference in Phoenix on our way to Tokyo from Europe

Jim Frederick · 2:14 AM

So four, I guess

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:14 AM

Is there a master plan to touch all 7?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:14 AM

antarctica is lovely this time of year!

Jim Frederick · 2:15 AM

No, it is unclear that we'll get to Africa

Jim Frederick · 2:15 AM

Or Australia

Jim Frederick · 2:15 AM

Would be nice, but. . . .

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:16 AM

So, given your most recent experiences, if I asked you to play word association with "culture," what comes up?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:16 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rick Rosner

“No Australia? BIG MISTAKE”

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:16 AM

perhaps you should reconsider?

Jim Frederick · 2:16 AM

I know, I know, we really want to do Australia, and NZ.

Jim Frederick · 2:16 AM

Culture. . . .Club

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:17 AM

Karma Chameleon is all you got for me?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:17 AM

Nothing about norms of behavior

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:17 AM

collective emotional proclvities?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:17 AM

universal elements?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:17 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rick Rosner

“Very good, J”

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:17 AM

thanks rick.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:18 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“jordan is on a roll tonight.. :)”

Jim Frederick · 2:18 AM

Varies everywhere. I used to live in Japan for four years, and so every time I come back, I am amazed at how similar and different a place can be

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:18 AM

rockin

Jim Frederick · 2:18 AM

I don't know if you saw, but a bunch of Japanese reporters got into a fight with an American reporter here for Biden's visit

Jim Frederick · 2:19 AM

And to me it is an incredibly hard culture conflict to understand but easy to see happening if you've lived through it

Jim Frederick · 2:19 AM

As I said on FB not too long ago, American reporters are arrogant, aggressive and entitled--it is all about the hero reporter getting the scoop

Jim Frederick · 2:20 AM

But Japanese reporters are aggressive, arrogant and entitled in a totally different but also powerful way--this is their turf and things are done A CERTAIN WAY

Jim Frederick · 2:20 AM

And when those cultures collide, bad things can happen

Jim Frederick · 2:20 AM

A small example, but yes culture varies

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:21 AM

so with increased globalization, we're going to have to start accounting for these cultural differences more and more, right?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:21 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“Japan is a completely different culture from ours very collectivist vs. our emphasis on individualism. i don't know if one extreme is better than the other.. a median might be nice :)”

Jim Frederick · 2:21 AM

I would think so, but opportunities for misunderstanding abound.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:22 AM

it's interesting to speculate what happens to culture as the world gets smaller through technology.

Jim Frederick · 2:22 AM

Well, I would say the thing that is very different these days is how easy it is to keep tabs on people from him, and how far technology has changed travel in just the past few years

Jim Frederick · 2:23 AM

Instagram, for example. it was not too long ago that when someone traveled, you didn't see or hear from them for the duration of their trip

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:23 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rick Rosner

“The world will get larger if we use screens over 13"”

Jim Frederick · 2:23 AM

that has been weird, even since my last stint living abroad in london in 2006-2008. totally different now

Jim Frederick · 2:24 AM

or this tawkers talk, for example. it impacts the traveler, always thinking of the "audience" back home

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:24 AM

Technological ramifications are endless.

Jim Frederick · 2:25 AM

"Will Blake like this photo or not?"

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:25 AM

I know - I feel the same pressure with every sentence I write on here.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:25 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rick Rosner

“William Blake?”

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:25 AM

fair question

Jim Frederick · 2:25 AM

Heh, heh. Blake you are not liking as many photos as you used to? Am I doing something wrong? Blake Ian

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:25 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mitchell Heldt

“Japan just made it illegal to tell the rest of the world how bad Fukushima is. If that is not the new Pearl Harbor, what is?”

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:25 AM

here's a curveball

Jim Frederick · 2:26 AM

Am I supposed to answer that?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:26 AM

Jim - how do you perceive Japanese culture on Fukushima at the moment?

Jim Frederick · 2:27 AM

It would take me a very long time to unpack this. I don't think that Japan has ever had the same conception of what the press is and what it is for as westerners have. This is not an excuse for its failings

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:28 AM

I think we just unleashed an entirely new Tawk

Jim Frederick · 2:28 AM

But in Japan, the press is much more a part of the power establishment than an institution that thinks of itself as afflicting the powerful and comforting the afflicted

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:28 AM

OK - just to take it back to the pressure we both feel from Blake for a moment:

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:28 AM

★ Spotlighted from Blake Ian

“Haha @Jim - NO I have actually been on a bit of a social media diet lately, spending more time on LinkedIN and Twitter and less on Facebook and Instagram”

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:29 AM

OK - back on track.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:29 AM

So you have spent so much of your career traveling on assignment and living abroad. What is surprising about how this is different?

Jim Frederick · 2:31 AM

It is the cliche of all cliches but I am in fact stunned at how communications technologies have shrunk the world and disintermediated everyone. People talking directly to one another

Jim Frederick · 2:31 AM

The only saving grace of so many of the bureaus that I used to work in closing, is, in a way, maybe their functions are not as necessary, because even in 2002 when I was first here

Jim Frederick · 2:32 AM

There were only so many ways--TIME being a major one, that people were able to hear about what is going in in Japan

Jim Frederick · 2:32 AM

Now they can, if they want, not just see all the Japanese news on their own, they can reach out directly to Japanese people on Instagram Twitter, etc

Jim Frederick · 2:33 AM

This is not headline news, but it is real and massive, and massively different

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:33 AM

So doesn't this sort of destabilize the authority that the government has on the media that you mentioned earlier? How will it end up?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:34 AM

twitter wars

Jim Frederick · 2:34 AM

In Japan? I would worry more about destabilization in a lot of places before Japan. China, middle east, pretty much anywhere would go before Japan. Stability is deeply, deeply embedded into the prime directive of the culture

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:36 AM

OK -so let's Tawk about the impact that travel has on us as human beings

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:36 AM

Let's start with self-esteem

Jim Frederick · 2:37 AM

Woah, not where I thought you were going with that. I am intrigued. What about self esteem and travel?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:37 AM

I don't know of anything I have ever done that made me feel better about myself than mastering the public transportation system in a foreign country

Jim Frederick · 2:38 AM

Ah, yes, okay. The accomplishment of adapting to new environments, yes.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:38 AM

Yes -I think that the impact on one's confidence is way under rated.

Jim Frederick · 2:39 AM

I do think and I don't have the exact quote, but I could not agree with Anthony Bourdain more when he says that the best and most profound educational experience that you can give children is to teach them a love of travel from an early age

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:39 AM

trying to figure out how to communicate that you need to use a bathroom in a foreign land is always a challenge - good thing I can draw a toilet

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:40 AM

count me in

Jim Frederick · 2:40 AM

Go see for yourself. No matter what your politics, your view of humanity does change once you have actually personally met Palestinians and Israelis first hand, really first hand.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:41 AM

unquestionably. which leads perfectly to the next attribute on my list: open-mindedness.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:41 AM

I feel that when you immerse yourself in a new culture, you are forced to abandon your assumptions to fit in.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:42 AM

I think going through this process opens your mind for the rest of your life.

Jim Frederick · 2:43 AM

Absolutely. A realization that YOUR way of doing things is not, in fact, the ONLY way of doing things or even necessarily the BEST way of doing things is a lesson that lasts a lifetime

Jim Frederick · 2:44 AM

Small, even trivial example: Spend sometime in Japan, where everyone takes off their shoes before entering anyones home will make you realize how barbaric it is that people elsewhere tramp around their houses in DIRTY SHOES!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:45 AM

On behalf of the germophobes in the audience, THANKS A LOT!!!

Jim Frederick · 2:45 AM

For the rest of my life, wherever I live, will be a shoes off house. It just makes so much sense on so many levels

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:46 AM

can't argue that. So how does travel impact your perception of your own culture?

Jim Frederick · 2:48 AM

Hooooo boy. I would say one of my biggest impressions not just from this trip, but living abroad still to this day, is that, I am not sure Americans realize what a gigantic power and hegemon it actually is

Jim Frederick · 2:48 AM

You have to get outside the US to see from the outside just how wide ranging its influence still is

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:48 AM

most people don't know the word hegemonyh

Jim Frederick · 2:48 AM

And this is good and bad

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:48 AM

how so

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:48 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rick Rosner

“Or can't spell it”

Jim Frederick · 2:49 AM

hegemon, noun, from the greek, meaning supreme leader

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:50 AM

lol, excellent! Sorry to increase your vocabulary, Rick!

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:50 AM

But the good and bad of our being oblivious of our world standing?

Jim Frederick · 2:51 AM

Oh, the obliviousness is bad. It is the power that is both good and bad. The obliviousness in the political debate in the US leads to black and white perceptions of that power as either "USA USA!" or, on the other side "The US is a bully in all world

Jim Frederick · 2:52 AM

affairs."

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:52 AM

agh got it

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:52 AM

OK -so have you been making random friends along the way. Local shop keeps or fellow travelers that fate throws your way?

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:53 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“that would be the coolest part.. all the awesome people you meet along the way! :)”

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:53 AM

it is

Jim Frederick · 2:54 AM

Yeah, sure. Everywhere. The butcher in Buenos Aires, the guy who rented us his place in Copenhagen, a couple of expats introduced through friends, all along the way

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:55 AM

I have a theory - 1 day spent with a person while traveling is worth in friendship and affection one year spent with a person in regular life. Sound right to you?

Jim Frederick · 2:56 AM

INTERESTING! Yes, and no. I think those experiences, which are so intense, are very rich in the moment. But how many times have you had a Before Sunrise travel experience and you're like, oh, we're totally going to stay in touch and then. . . .don't.

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:57 AM

True, but it is so authentic at the time, no matter how absurd.

Jim Frederick · 2:57 AM

Yes, and very enriching and memories you keep with you forever. I still have fond memories of randoms I met in 1993 backpacking through asis

Jim Frederick · 2:58 AM

asia

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:58 AM

wish i could find more people on facebook

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:58 AM

I also have vivid memories of tens of strangers with whom I hung

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:59 AM

to all the friends we've lost before (humming)

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:59 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“it is more like that is a time that you can never get back, an experience that will never come again. I have had a few friends that I have met through adventures and even though we don't stay in touch much I will never forget them”

Jim Frederick · 2:59 AM

Rick: Oh, absolutely they are there for the finding now, but still often, neither party breaks that memory by pulling it into the present. I think it's an interesting dynamic

Jim Frederick · 2:59 AM

Or you friend them, reminisce in a flurry of activity and then never really keep up on that. . . .

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:00 AM

it's easier to be authentic with strangers you think you'll never see again I guess

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:00 AM

OK - so do Americans show the least interest in and understanding of travel anywhere in the world?

Jim Frederick · 3:01 AM

Not sure I am getting the exact question.

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:01 AM

travel is integral to everyone in Europe, Australia, Canada. Not so much in America.

Jim Frederick · 3:01 AM

Some Americans, yes. Some no?

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:02 AM

or am I drawing a false conclusion from sampling error?

Jim Frederick · 3:02 AM

Yeah, I guess my "excuse" for Europe is that it is so small and packed with so many countries, they have no choice. But I don't know why a culture of travel for its own sake seems to have taken hold

Jim Frederick · 3:02 AM

in canada and oz

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:02 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rick Rosner

“You're correct, J - Americans are very insular.”

Jim Frederick · 3:03 AM

gap years and backpacking are an assumed thing to do in canada and oz, and the whole notion of the gap year has never taken hold in the us

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:03 AM

that hurts us

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:03 AM

on so many levels

Jim Frederick · 3:03 AM

which is too bad, and back to the anthony bourdain quote. as an 18 year old is when an around the world adventure will probably have the biggest impact on your world view

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:04 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“maybe must of us can't afford it or are "saving" for that future travel that we have planned for "someday" ?”

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:04 AM

big part of the problem!

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:04 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rick Rosner

“And many who do travel think in terms of better or worse - not just different.”

Jim Frederick · 3:04 AM

on a per capita basis, canadians and australians are not wealthier than american teens, so on an individual basis there might be constraints

Jim Frederick · 3:05 AM

but as a country and a culture, americans have no real claim to a poverty issue for not traveling more

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:05 AM

I'm sure I'm not the first to opine that most people who say that America is the greatest country in the world have never left America.

Jim Frederick · 3:06 AM

and on an individual basis, i obviously don't know rachel's circumstances, but there are places in asia especially where safe, enriching travel really is possible on dollars a day

Jim Frederick · 3:06 AM

I think travel teaches everyone a little humility. the world is a lot bigger and more complex than it looks in front of the tv

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:06 AM

because people who travel tend not to think in terms of "greatest country"

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:07 AM

So let's go out with worldview.

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:07 AM

you've mentioned a lot of how travel has shaped your worldview.

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:08 AM

how would you implore someone to experience it?

Jim Frederick · 3:09 AM

Um, just go. We have been talking a lot to Rachel in the audience. She should just go. She wants to go, it's clear. Start small. Get your feet wet in Canada or the UK, and before you know it, you'll be wanting to be one of the first to make it to

Jim Frederick · 3:09 AM

Burma

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:09 AM

maybe a kickstarter for Rachel's travels?

Jim Frederick · 3:10 AM

and Burma leads you to Cambodia and then you're sailing between the islands of Indonesia for 5 dollars a day

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:10 AM

that sounds so magical

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:10 AM

All right my friend! Thank you for hanging out with us again!

Jim Frederick · 3:11 AM

It is my pleasure. This was fun and always thanks for having me!

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:11 AM

thanks to the forum - you all rule!

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:11 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“thank you so much Jordan and Jim great tawk! (and I wouldn't say no to that kick starter Jordan lol)”

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:11 AM

I'm in!

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:11 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rick Rosner

“Thank you, Gentlemen.”

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:11 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rebecca Westbrook Toker

“Thanks, guys!”

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:11 AM

no, thank YOU!

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:12 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rebecca Westbrook Toker

“hey, forum, come Tawk about Buddhist Economics tomorrow night! We're doing Chapter 1 of Small is Beautiful!”

Jordan Birnbaum · 3:12 AM

I'll be there. Good night all. And thanks for reminding me I'm not alone!

Forum · 77

Forum· 77 comments

62 visitors

Tawkers AdminDec 6, 2013, 1:43 AM

Welcome to the Forum! To get involved, click "Who's Here" and FOLLOW others in the Tawk. Don't forget to LIKE comments, the Hosts only see the comments that get enough votes…

Blake IanDec 6, 2013, 1:52 AM★ Spotlighted

I am attending this Tawk from an airplane... Could I be any more appropriate?!

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 1:54 AM

Show off.

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:00 AM

Speak, O Tawkers favorite Jim Frederick. Spellbind me with magical tales from strange far off places at the ends of the earth. Take me away from my humdrum existence and into the cosmic intercultural consciousness.

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:05 AM

Perhaps you need a Weatherman

Blake IanDec 6, 2013, 2:06 AM

@rick - always room for Dylan references! :)

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:07 AM

Yessiree

Blake IanDec 6, 2013, 2:07 AM★ Spotlighted

I've been living vicariously through Jims Instagram feed...http://instagram.com/jim_frederick

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:11 AM

Results may vary

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 2:11 AM

haha best advice ever!

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:12 AM★ Spotlighted

That comment of Stengel's is evocative of Paul Simon's Dangling Conversation.

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:13 AM

So far, routine destinations.

Blake IanDec 6, 2013, 2:14 AM

Jordan is very into this concept of a Master Plan tonight...

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:16 AM★ Spotlighted

No Australia? BIG MISTAKE

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:17 AM★ Spotlighted

Very good, J

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 2:17 AM★ Spotlighted

jordan is on a roll tonight.. :)

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 2:21 AM★ Spotlighted

Japan is a completely different culture from ours very collectivist vs. our emphasis on individualism. i don't know if one extreme is better than the other.. a median might be nice :)

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:21 AM

Thus Pearl Harbor

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 2:22 AM

oh I bet, sort of a reason I am nervous to travel to dramatically different places. But I have heard that mostly people will treat you kind if you respect their culture

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:23 AM★ Spotlighted

The world will get larger if we use screens over 13"

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:25 AM★ Spotlighted

William Blake?

Mitchell HeldtDec 6, 2013, 2:25 AM★ Spotlighted

Japan just made it illegal to tell the rest of the world how bad Fukushima is. If that is not the new Pearl Harbor, what is?

Rebecca Westbrook TokerDec 6, 2013, 2:26 AM

One of the things I find interesting about travel - much like higher education - is that it changes YOU in ways that you may not appreciate until you get home and try to talk to people you've always known.

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:27 AM

Rule #1: Travel changes your intestines.

Mitchell HeldtDec 6, 2013, 2:27 AM

The comparison between Billund Denmark at night and Chicago or Juarez mexico is pretty extreme

Blake IanDec 6, 2013, 2:27 AM★ Spotlighted

Haha @Jim - NO I have actually been on a bit of a social media diet lately, spending more time on LinkedIN and Twitter and less on Facebook and Instagram

Mitchell HeldtDec 6, 2013, 2:28 AM

The only problem that I had in Denmark was which boat on the door stood for the men's room. In Juarez, I was told not to stop my car for the police

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:28 AM

They weren't shy about publisizng Godzilla, Rodan and Mothra.

Mitchell HeldtDec 6, 2013, 2:29 AM

I never had to speak french in Paris

Mitchell HeldtDec 6, 2013, 2:30 AM

Sometimes in the US, I can't find someone who speaks English

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:30 AM

A good thing. There's nothing the French despise more than an american speaking their language.

Rebecca Westbrook TokerDec 6, 2013, 2:31 AM

Dude, Rick, yes. travel DOES change your intestines. Travelers talk about poop A LOT.

Rebecca Westbrook TokerDec 6, 2013, 2:32 AM

But poop talk is essential.

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:32 AM

To paraphrase Bruce Lee: Don't talk, Feel.

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:33 AM

Yes I did.

Blake IanDec 6, 2013, 2:34 AM

Any relevant thoughts on Malala here?

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:36 AM

Brave little girl.

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:38 AM

I can't score self-esteem any more when I travel. I look too old.

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:40 AM

Shit your pants. That will work.

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 2:42 AM

as a broke college student I don't understand how you can afford to travel so carefree.. teach me your secrets!

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:43 AM

@Rachel - there was a time when travel was less expensive and much easier.

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:44 AM

Sounds pretty good. I did at Delphi.

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 2:44 AM

I will not stay in a hostel.. that movie scared the sh** out of me :O speaking of open mindedness lol but omg no I don't think I could

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 2:45 AM

i know it is and I know I am a big scardy cat

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 2:46 AM

that would be the challenge for me would be to go all alone.. as a woman can be a scary thought and for anyone I guess but yes it would be an accomplishment

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:46 AM

There is a fair chance of bedbugs at hostels in some countries. Those suckers are nasty.

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 2:47 AM

@rick - yuck now that is the TRUE horror story lol ALL THE GERMS. I also am a germaphob

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:48 AM★ Spotlighted

Or can't spell it

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:50 AM

the same as Pokemon, but different.

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 2:53 AM★ Spotlighted

that would be the coolest part.. all the awesome people you meet along the way! :)

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 2:56 AM

Jim, go to the Pacific: Fiji, Australia/Tasmania, New Zealand.

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 2:58 AM★ Spotlighted

it is more like that is a time that you can never get back, an experience that will never come again. I have had a few friends that I have met through adventures and even though we don't stay in touch much I will never forget them

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 3:02 AM★ Spotlighted

You're correct, J - Americans are very insular.

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 3:03 AM★ Spotlighted

maybe must of us can't afford it or are "saving" for that future travel that we have planned for "someday" ?

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 3:04 AM

*most

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 3:04 AM★ Spotlighted

And many who do travel think in terms of better or worse - not just different.

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 3:05 AM

i'm not saying it's right but in our culture it is seen as "irresponsible" to take off traveling when you "should be working" nonsense

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 3:07 AM

yeah I feel like I should just do it, go travel live off the land for a while.. I mean what is the point of working your life away and not enjoying anything life has to offer. my debt will still be here when I come back

Rebecca Westbrook TokerDec 6, 2013, 3:07 AM

That's true, Rachel. In Eurpoe, it's wierd to spend your youth NOT traveling. In the US, you hope you make it to retirement so you can travel. We're strange people.

Rebecca Westbrook TokerDec 6, 2013, 3:08 AM

Europe. that was a creative spelling I had before...

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 3:08 AM

I agree Rebecca, we are living backwards which means many don't even get to LIVE before they die. very sad

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 3:08 AM

But, Rachel, you have to find a way. this is the time in your life when your most free . . .

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 3:08 AM

you're

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 3:09 AM

That's true Rick... I am definitely going to try! my first step is to conquer the fear I have over my insurmountable student loan debt.. i need to get over that first

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 3:09 AM

just accept that it will always be there and not to let it control me

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 3:09 AM

The debtors will wait.

Mitchell HeldtDec 6, 2013, 3:09 AM

Sometime the question needs to be asked, what if we have to evacuate Tokyo and Tohoku in 2015?

Rebecca Westbrook TokerDec 6, 2013, 3:10 AM

Haha, rachel, that should give you reason to leave - run, and they can't find you!

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 3:10 AM

Creditors

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 3:10 AM

haha but I need to be able to come home too lol I have family here.. but yes I do want to go travel! there are so many places I want to go!

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 3:11 AM★ Spotlighted

thank you so much Jordan and Jim great tawk! (and I wouldn't say no to that kick starter Jordan lol)

Rick RosnerDec 6, 2013, 3:11 AM★ Spotlighted

Thank you, Gentlemen.

Rebecca Westbrook TokerDec 6, 2013, 3:11 AM★ Spotlighted

Thanks, guys!

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 3:11 AM

you are too kind. :)

Rachel McDonnellDec 6, 2013, 3:12 AM

night all :)

Rebecca Westbrook TokerDec 6, 2013, 3:12 AM★ Spotlighted

hey, forum, come Tawk about Buddhist Economics tomorrow night! We're doing Chapter 1 of Small is Beautiful!

kimba kradelDec 6, 2013, 3:20 AM

Looks like I'm late to the party ....