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myself

Theory of Evolution ... of my Trips

It all started when I was a little kid, caught up somewhere between a business-tripping father and a travel-addicted-family-friend. My family has always been on the move but I guess these two facotrs influenced me the most. Other children where thrilled to see a police car, but I could only care for airplanes. Gazing airplanes turned out to be my favourite thing as a little toddler. It was envy that drove me almost crazy when I had to listen to peoples stories about America. Simply the sound of the name made me rest in awe... A-m-e-r-i-c-a... it was not the country itself that tickled my interest but rather the mere imagination of flying over there on a giant "Jumbo Jet". Besides many domestic and short-haul international flights, it should last 14 years until my first great departure. It was not yet America, but something totally different. Uzbekistan was meant to trigger a new life for me, a life full of new experiences, new cultures and most important of all... many new friends around the world. I took part in an exchange program that lasted 1 month in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It was a blast and staying with an Uzbek host family really expanded my horizon. After a 2 years break I was ready to embark on my next adventure, this time it was supposed to be America for real. I wen to spend one year as an exchange student near Chicago. A mere turning point in my life once again. Thanks to puppy-love I managed to return to the US 25 times during the following 6 years. I travelled all over the country from the edges of Maine to the southern tip of San Ysidro in California, from Seattle to Orlando, from hawaii to New York. The US became a second home and I thought of myself as an American by heart. My trips to the US became so obsessive that at times when I was home I was only busy planning the next trip already... It was not until 911, I was supposed to be on one of the flights but a change in itnerary basically saved my life, when I realized that there is more out there. So i packed my backpack once again and headed east for Asia. Now, few years later, I am once again in China, living and working in Guilin, already planning the next trip to discover the rest of China.

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Giant Buddha at Leshan

The art of travelling

Travelling is not vacationing. If you think of travelling as a holiday where you fly as a package tourist to some seaside resort just to bake in the sun and to get drunk with your buddies... you have absolutely no clue about travelling at all!

Travelling is a sensitive topic, everybody has its own interpretation of course, but overall it is basically walking in other cutlures shoes. Trying to understand others and their customs, be open-minded and appreciate the beauty of our world.

You dont have to go far in order to travel. With the right perception travelling can already start on your every day commuter drive to work. Just try to see yourself as a foreigner for once and your everyday chores will be reflected in a whole new perspective.

There are so many kinds one can travel... you can travel in a group of strangers or in a group of friends, you can drive, you can fly, you can swim. Other people prefer to be basic backpackers, sleeping only the cheapest places, others prefer luxury.

It is all a matter of taste and preference. I dont accpet comments like "Hey, if you dont stay in a YMCA youre missing out a great experience". Well... that might be true but you can also have a great experience spending a night in a 5 star hotel. It is all altered by your budget constraints...

Travel as you want, but always do as the locals do!

I hate nothing more than people running around in a foreign country thinking everything should be the way theyre used to in their home countries. If you are travelling to China, well get used to Chinese food... if you are travelling to Siberia dont complain about the cold, etc...

Travelling is also a matter of adaption. When I travel I try to learn something about myself. By behaving like locals I have the best chances to discover what suits me and what doesnt.

And I think this should be the basic ingredient. Be open minded you can travel like a king, regardless of the amount of stars of your hotel...

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The best Chinese Beer

How I travel

I like to do everything on my own, no middlemen needed!

To be honest, I hate tour groups. I am the adventurous kind of guy. I want to discover everythinjg on my own. Travelling offside the beaten path and stick with the locals.

That does not mean I am neglecting the benefits of nice hotel rooms... when in a major city I like to pamper myself with a nice hotel room.

Train or plane? that all depends on the circumstances and the time factor. If i have time I'll always opt for the bus. I just love watching the people (thousands of miles of Greyhound experience...).

It is always good to catch an overnight bus and save yourself the money for a hotel. Plus you get to see the weirdest people overnight...

I am also not a good cruise-ship kinda guy... I need to move. And to be stuck on a ship for weeks to come... nah that does not suit me.

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Xiao Mao

Places to go before I die

1.) Antarctica

- hard to believe but there is still a place that is not covered by McDs and Starbucks. A continent full myths and adventure. Gosh I wanna go there soooo badly!

2.) New Zealand
- definetly a must see... well, this dream will come true next year :)

3.) Brazil
- hard to believe, but Ive actually never been to South America. Cant wait to see the Amazon...

4.) Mongolia
- Vast plains and high mountains, beautiful sceneries and friendly people...

5.) Greenland
- This should be a once in a life time experience

6.) Japan
- I always wanted to take part in the hustle-bustle of Tokyo's city life

7.) Russia
- A country so huge, it would take several lifetimes to see it all!

8.) Namibia
- This should just be the beginning of a great African Adventure

9.) India
- A little too overrated I guess, but still a must-have experience

10.) Greece
- unbelievable, but Ive never made it there.. .YET! ;)

11.) ALL THE REST OF THE WORLD!!!! :))