Archivi categoria: Travels

NEW YORK

Galleria 09/01/2020 Donatella

“I love New York, even though it isn’t mine, the way something has to be, a tree or a street or a house, something, anyway, that belongs to me because I belong to it.”
Truman Capote

New York it’s magic. Everytime I visited the city I thought about the song “Empire State of Mind”, I love it! There is so much to say about this place, and probably nothing you don’t know already, everyone speaks about it and a lot of people have been here already. To be here it’s like to play in a movie, you can visit and experience something you already heard about it or seen it somewhere.

And everytime is a new adventure, new buildings to admire, new corners of the city to discover. I think that the best idea is to walk as much as possible, to get lost in Manhattan (but I also did it in Harlem, Brooklyn and Queens) or to rent a byke and ride uptown and downtown, it’s confortable and enough safe and you get a completely different view of New York!

Do you have 5 days time? Go and visit New York! Do you have two weeks free? Even better! You will be not disappointed. It is the kind of city for everyone and for everything you are looking for. It’s a city that will welcome you, surprise you and make you feel home!

Every season is the best one to spend holydays in NY: Christmastime, to have fun in the snow, the Christmas illuminations throughout the city and the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree… In Summer, burning up and looking for some rest in the green, enjoying long walks -also in the evening- in the Central Park, with the silence of the night lit by fireflies… Magic!

It’s also very interesting to browse the shop windows to find out about upcoming trends and taste different food as all the world’s ethnic cuisines are available in NY: You can eat almost anything, from anywhere! I would strongly suggest eating Japanese, the quality is generally very high. But don’t miss Shake Shack, the so-called “fast casual restaurant” with a special menu also for your dog 🙂

If you need some suggestions write us, we will be very glad to help you to give you some ideas!…

Some places to eat: Ginjan Cafe, Ippudo Westside, Magnolia Bakery

Some places to see: Visit the Guggenheim Museum (Saturday you pay what you wish), MoMa (Friday is free), Metropolitan Museum, the Roosevelt Island, the High Line…

Something to do: Listen to live jazz music, rent a bike and have a ride in the city, visit Central Park in the evening to see fireflies!

Donatella

Travels

Why Vienna, I’m Charmed

Immagine 26/06/2018 Donatella

Fresh off a trip to Vienna, three words resound in my head:
 what a city.

As a frequent traveler, I’ve always travelled with a lot of expectations. It was heavier than my baggage… and I almost always overpack. But this time was different. I arrived with a new mindset, a focus on the present and virtually no social media presence. But that’s another story. The bottom line? Travel will never be the same. I was stunned. The people, the energy, the nature, sights and sounds…

Day One

My friend Ana and I meandered through the city center, taking in as much as possible on very little sleep. With only three days in Vienna, we aimed to cover lots of ground. We walked through countless parks and reveled in the vibes of historic cathedrals and hotels. There were so many magnificent spots – including the café at Hotel Sacher. Tip: Request to be seated inside. It’s much more beautiful than the tiny room with windows facing the street. The only bonus in that section is the sunlight streaming inside. Then we headed to Prater amusement park to play like kids and boost our energy.

Prater was filled with locals, tourists, families and couples alike. I discovered SchokoMuseum Vienna, very similar to the ChocoMuseos in Peru. I bought delicious Madagascar dark chocolate, though there were far more options in Lima. This was the only low sugar, dark chocolate variety I could find. At Prater, we found rides for visitors of all levels of courage. Visit to scream, get soaked, challenge your brain or fulfill a need for speed. It’s a great spot for groups – everyone leaves happy. However the queen of the show, as elegant as Sisi herself, is the Wiener Riesenrad Ferris Wheel. It’s picture-taking heaven, offering sweeping views of the park and surrounding neighborhoods – complete with a surprising abundance of trees.

There are so many reasons why I’d return to Vienna, husband in tow. Prater is one of them. The ferris wheel offers a Swarovski-sponsored car for a romantic, champagne-fueled dinner for two. Swoon.

Day Two

Landstrasse Vienna — Landstraße, 3rd municipal District of Vienna.

We hopped onto the Vienna Metro, the cleanest I’ve seen, and arrived in Landstraße to spend the afternoon at Belvedere. Approaching the property, we were transported from a major metropolitan boulevard to the magical gardens of the Palace Stables. Friends caught up on landscape-backed benches, families gathered for picnics, couples took in the view. It was like stepping into a Seurat styled circa 2018. Appreciation for Belvedere’s beauty coursed through the air.

Behind the glorious structure were even more gardens, leading to the Orangery for special exhibitions. What a sight. Finally, we made our way through the Palace Stables’ interiors taking in works by the likes of Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Max Klinger, Maximilian Reinitz and Hundertwasser. Of course Belvedere itself is a work of art with phenomenal architectural details, frescoes and views. Make this your first stop in Vienna if you’re an old soul or passionate about the arts!

Next was the gorgeous Innere Stadt neighborhood, recalling images of Milano’s Brera. It was there we found Kotor Eat&Drink, the UNESCO-protected seaside city and Ana’s hometown. We discovered the owner, a man from Belgrade, has a home on the Bay of Kotor. We actually heard much more Serbian than English on this trip. I’ve been told there are over 1 million people from Serbia or of Serbian descent living in Vienna. It appears to be true!

We found ourselves at the MuseumsQuartier again, a grand square flanked by four museums (including twin structures opposite one another, the Kunsthistorisches Museum -Art History Museum and the Naturhistorische Museum, Natural History Museum). The square that was so subdued with picture-taking tourists a day earlier, was now filled with partygoers of all ages for a holiday afternoon rave. What a sight to see: young partygoers, parents dancing with their children and random travelers like us. The scene was Vienna in a nutshell. There’s an optimism and warmth that permeates the people. And artistic freedom is respected from classical to trance.

Then it was off to eat for the third time in two days at Veggiez. It’s a hip and super tasty vegan restaurant just steps away from the Vienna State Opera with a friendly staff and laidback vibe. A few more rounds in the city center, and we discovered quite a few gems- all closed for the May 1st holiday. Rare book shops. Fine African art. We drank up each window with wonder.

Before heading back to the hotel, it was more sightseeing, last-minute shopping and a second and final vegan ice cream run at Veganista. Definitely check out the Neubau District for cool concept stores, vintage/retro fashion – even costumes.

Day Three

We finally, we arrived to the UNESCO-protected Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn, where the fabulous Empress Elisabeth of Austria (a.k.a. Sisi) once called home – and before her, Maria Theresa. We started with the exterior grounds, which sprawled on and on and on. I think I’d need a full week in the gardens alone to fully experience every corner, path and turn. When you go, you’ll find a dramatic lookout point, exquisite fountains, masterfully-sculpted statues, a labyrinth and more. Yes, a labyrinth. So dreamy. And there was something about the primarily young, female staff of gardeners and preservationists, that underscored the progressive nature of the city.

A Restoration Project in the Schönbrunn Gardens — A Restoration Project in the Schönbrunn Garden

As for the palace interiors, they’re nothing short of magic. A wonder made even more special by a photography ban. We explored 20 rooms or so but the palace is home to over 1,000! Schönbrunn tugs at the imagination with a voyage into the daily lives of Sisi, Maria Theresa and their families. I was transported through time, imagining myself dancing long ago in the palace ballroom. Mozart famously performed in the Mirror Hall for Maria Theresa. He was only 6 years old.

We went on to end the trip at Designer Outlet Parndorf, a colorful village of shops about 40 minutes from Vienna. We were greeted by top-quality outlets from the likes of Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabbana, Scotch & Soda, Nike and Prada.

When I do return to Vienna, I’ll just need my husband, a few evening dresses and at least two nights of music at the Vienna State Opera and Vienna Konzerthaus. Until then, dear Wien…

About Chanoa Tarle

Chanoa Tarle is a freelance copywriter, journalist and editor specializing in fashion and luxury goods/lifestyle.

Her work has appeared in magazines including ELEVATE and Luxury Hoteliers and she’s written for an inspiring list of companies including Scaling Retail and Neiman Marcus.

www.ChanoaTarle.com

Get in touch – Email chanoa@chanoatarle.com

Travels

LEARN CHINESE AND GO!

Immagine 11/11/2015 Donatella

Traveling in China is exciting and adventurous and it gets even more adventurous if you don’t know any Chinese. Unlike Thailand or Vietnam, China is not among the most popular destinations for western tourists. There are lots of tourists in China, especially during the holiday season, the difference is: they are all Chinese!

Although there are English signs in most of the national parks and around the most popular tourist attractions, the locals are not really used to foreign tourists and due to that most of them speak no or very limited English. Considering that it is very useful to know at least some basic phrases in Chinese that will help you get along in daily life.

I don’t need it. (veeery useful!) 不用。

I don’t want meat. 不要肉。

Do you know where this place is? 你知道这个地方在哪里?

How much is it? 多少钱?

Thank you. 谢谢.

I want to buy a ticket to… 我要买一张票去 …

Since Chinese is a tonal language the right pronunciation can be a bit challenging for us westerners and make it difficult to make yourself clear, because some locals (especially elder people) won’t understand you if you are not using the right tones. In this case it is very useful to have for example the address of the place you want to go written down in Chinese (in Chinese characters!). When going to a restaurant the easiest thing is to find a place where they have a menu showing photos of the different dishes, other than that you can always point at the food that you want as in a lot of cheap restaurants you can look right into the kitchen or it is even in the same room where the guests are eating. If you are vegetarian and want to make sure that even it doesn’t look like it on the photo you are not choosing a dish with meat or fish from the menu, you can look for these two characters: fish, meat 肉

There are probably nicer things to talk about, but nevertheless I have to come with this topic: toilets. If you have ever traveled in Asia you already know that you can’t compare the hygienic standards to those in Europe, but I can tell you whatever you have in your mind when thinking about dirty and smelly toilets, what you will see in China is worse. It is definitely necessary to always have toilet paper or tissues with you since that’s usually not available in public toilets or sometimes even in hostels. Soap is also a thing that is usually missing (I saw it maybe 3 times within 12 months in China), so remember to bring some hand sanitizer or wet wipes. Don’t go to the toilet with a lot of bags or other items because the locks in the cabins never work (never!) and you will need at least one hand to keep the door closed.

Another important thing that you need to know about traveling in China is, that during the holiday season (July and August/national holidays in the first week of October) everybody in China is traveling and the prices for accommodation and transport can be twice as high or even more. If you are planning to go by train you should definitely book your tickets in advance (ctrip.cn) since the trains are usually fully booked and it is almost impossible to buy tickets at the train station on the day of your departure. Buying bus tickets is a bit easier.

MARIA HELENA 🙂 gegenwind.me

Travels

The Two sides of Cambodia by Celinne

Galleria 29/09/2015 Donatella

After two weeks of volunteering in the slums of Phnom Penh, I’ve come to realize that Cambodia is so much more than the backpacker hotspot it’s advertised as to the outside world. In the past few years, tourism in Cambodia has been on the rise following the country’s (relative) stability and growth, yet living amongst the locals for 2 weeks taught me that, other than where to visit and what to see, many foreigners don’t know much about the country.

Cambodia is a complex place that houses as much beauty as it does hardship. One side, the one most exposed to visitors, boasts hundreds of years of rich history, breathtaking natural wonders, and the food, tradition, and culture eccentricities that make Southeast Asia so unique. The other side, shielded by the glitz of the tourist industry and only revealed to those who look, is much less glamorous: though it is growing, Cambodia continues to be a country ridden by poverty, political turmoil and a dark history.

Perhaps precisely due to its multifaceted nature, Cambodia is a fascinating country to visit for those looking for adventure, natural beauty, and a humbling lesson on the human condition. Here is what you need to know if you are planning on heading to Cambodia:

Despite its current impoverished state, Cambodia is a beautiful, dynamic, and overall worthwhile place to visit

When visiting, there’s unfortunately no way to ignore the fact that Cambodia is one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in the world: approximately 20% of Cambodia lives under the poverty line, meaning many people survive on less that $1.25 per day. Despite the lamentable economical situation, Cambodians are friendly and welcoming people once you get to know them. Though there is definitely a strong language barrier since most don’t speak fluent English, I didn’t mind: I found it challenging yet fun to communicate with locals via gesticulations, smiles, and rough sketches. So long as you are open to communicating and learning from others, there is a way!

Cambodia is also an economical place to visit for most foreigners, especially Westeners. The cost of living is very low – I could comfortably eat, take tuk tuks (the main method of transportation), and tour sites for $10-$15 a day. The markets, which can be found in abundance around any tourist-friendly area, boast a variety of lovely and cheap souvenirs ranging from the highly popular “elephant pants” (harem pants with adorable elephant patterns on them) to beautifully painted serving dishes made out of coconut shells. Remember to always negotiate down at least 70% the initial asking price! Though Cambodians love to bargain, keep in mind that a couple of extra dollars may not be a lot for you, but is worth a few meals to many of them.

Be conscious of Cambodia’s loaded history – it is both rich and horrific

Visitors are drawn to Cambodia’s breathtaking beauty, yet far too many are unfamiliar with the recent traumatic history that has shaped the country’s current state of affairs. During the early 1970’s, the communist ruling party – the Khmer Rouge – brutally murdered approximately ¼ of the country’s population. Led by totalitarian dictator Pol Pot, the regime is responsible for unspeakably brutal, inhumane acts on millions of innocent Cambodian people, including torture, cold-blooded murder of women and children, and submitting the entire population to strenuous working conditions and famine.

Considering the current broken state of the country, it’s strange to think of Cambodia as powerful empire that ruled over most of mainland Southeast Asia from the 9th to 15th centuries. Easily forgotten by foreigners and too often trumped by the residual trauma of the Khmer Rouge, the achievements and incredibly rich history of the Khmer Hindu-Buddhist Empire are prized by the Cambodian people. The country’s most important (and famous) legacy is the Angkor temple complex in Siem Reap, which served as the capital region at the peak of the Khmer Empire’s glory.

Angkor, and all of the majestic temples that populate it, is testimony to the country’s past power, wealth, culture, and architectural prowess. Though what is left now are rapidly eroding ruins, each of these temples tell a rich story of what was once a global urban center. It is very clear to me from my time here that to Cambodians, Angkor is more than proof of the country’s greatness – it is a symbol of hope. Angkor represents Cambodia’s potential for growth and a return to prosperity. Its global fame is also a pivotal source of pride for its people. So much, in fact, that the main temple – Angkor Wat – is featured on the country’s flag. Angkor consistently makes major travel sites’ shortlists as one of the top places to visit in the world (it was voted #1 by Lonely Planet this year), bringing in millions of tourists every year.

Some unconventional tips before going

The best way to enjoy Cambodia is to live it without expectations – I quickly learned that expectations are no good in Cambodia. The more of them you have, the more likely you’ll be disappointed. Cambodia is the type of place that you love precisely because it is what it is. It’s uncomfortable, rough to live in, and its luxuries do not come in the material form: rather, they manifest in the form of a rich history, complex yet loving people, and an overall resilience to extreme difficulty. If you can go with the flow, you will learn to find pleasure in the laid-back and low-maintenance “Cambodian way.” On a personal note, it was certainly a nice change of pace from the high-strung, stressful New York City life I’m used to.
The most fascinating part of Cambodia is the people. Get to know them – The language barrier may definitely be an issue, but absolutely worth a try. Every single Cambodian that I communicated with, whether in person or through a translator, had a captivating story to tell. Most of the locals I encountered were direct descendants of people who suffered through the Khmer Rouge or were personally affected by it. I heard heartbreaking stories of survival, extreme poverty, and suffering that no human should have to go through, but also amazing tales of strength and perseverance that reignited my faith in human kindness. These people have been through a lot, and it’s worth hearing about it.
As you go through your trip, take a moment to count all of your blessings – Considering how much they’ve had to go through, I don’t think I will reach an understanding of whether Cambodians are happy or unhappy people. Frankly, the question itself is moot. What I have repeatedly seen in my time here, both with the children I taught while volunteering at an orphanage and with the people I’ve met, is that happiness is achieved by living in the moment. Considering how barren this country is of opportunity and prosperity, thinking too much about one’s future can be discouraging. Cambodians take life by the day, figuring out how to make the best of the moment they’re in. From my conversations with locals, I’ve learned that family, community, and taking care of one another plays a pivotal role in their everyday lives.

It’s fascinating to think about how different this mentality is from Westeners’. We spend so much time thinking about the future, perhaps because we can afford to. My time in Cambodia has reminded me of how many of the mindsets we take for granted are actually a luxury: not having a religion to hold on to for faith, being able to care for our children, even little things like being vegetarian or eating healthily. There is so much we don’t realize we are allowed to do just because we have a little bit more than most of the world. We find happiness in the prospects of a future, while less fortunate communities seek it in the reality of their present day. Which is better? It’s hard to say. But I’ll admit, I’d rather find happiness in my reality than in a future that does not yet exist.

Celinne spent two weeks teaching English at an orphanage in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. For more on her experience with the country, as well as more stories on her travels around the world, visit her blog at: thenomadsoasis.tumblr.com.

Facebook Page: The Nomad’s Oasis

Instagram:Instagram The Nomad’s Oasis

Celinne’s wonderful world: The Nomad’s Oasis

Travels

Dali 大理

Immagine 01/09/2015 Donatella

Having the reputation of one of the most romantic and artistic spots in China, the once so calm and quiet Dali, that used to be a secret destination among backpackers, turned into a tourist hot spot in the last years. Both Chinese and western tourists are invading Dali in droves every year, but somehow Dali still maintains at least a bit of its original flair. Although street venders are offering the typical tourist souvenirs and you can book tours to visit minority villages and all that stuff, Dali seems to be a lot more laid back than other tourist destinations in China. If you manage to avoid the tour groups and crowds and explore the city and its surrounding areas on your own, you get to see all the beauty and amazing scenery that the Yunnan province has to offer. If you are planning to visit Dali now (do it!) here are some tips that might be useful:

The Three Pagodas

Located just a few Kilometers outside the Old Town of Dali, The Three Pagodas can be reached easily by a 20 minute walk and are a nice option for a lazy day when you don’t want to spend the whole day out exploring. Other than that they are not a MUST, you can for sure get some nice shots of the pagodas and walking up the hill you will pass numerous temples that are quite nice, but to be fair they are all kind of similar and after the fourth temple you might already have had enough. Besides the entry fee is a bit pricy: 120 Yuan for an adult /60 Yuan for students.

Cangshan Mountain

Cangshan Mountain is a mountain right next to the Old Town of Dali and doesn’t look too special at first sight, but from my experience I can say it is definitely worth going up there, since you will be given an amazing view over Dali and the countryside. There are three cable ways to go up the mountain, the longest one in the middle that takes you up to the highest point of the mountain and two shorter ones on the left and the right side. The two shorter ones are connected with a 12 kilometer hiking trail which seriously is one of the most beautiful trails I have hiked so far. The Mountain is also called the mountain of 19 peaks and 18 streams, because there is a stream going down the mountain in between every two peaks. The path leads along most of these streams and provides you with amazing views of waterfalls, mountain cracks, the famous Erhai Lake and peaceful forests and greenery. I would recommend taking the right cable just opposite the old town to go up the mountain, then follow the path all the way to the other cable station and take the hiking trail right next to it to go down, since there are some more amazing viewpoints and it is very likely that you can enjoy it all by yourself because most people take the cable cars. Don’t worry about the rainy season- as long as you take an umbrella with you it will be just as enjoyable. The visibility might be poor in the beginning, but the neglected hiking trail along the mist covered mountain is just picturesque.

Erhai-Lake

Definitely worth a trip is Erhai-Lake, the seventh biggest lake in China. The best way to enjoy the beautiful countryside and see some villages other than the really touristy ones where the tour buses will take you, is to hire a motorbike and go round the whole lake. Since the lake is really big this will take you the whole day, but scenery is amazing and you can stop to take pictures or have lunch in one of the villages.

What to eat

A very famous specialty of Yunnan is the rose pastry, which is usually a small round cake filled with a sweet rose paste. Not as well known among strangers but definitely as delicious and a real local specialty of Dali is baba, a flat bread-cake with either a sweet, creamy rose flavoured filling, or a filling made of egg and pork. The Yunnan cuisine is very different from the one in other regions of China, so don’t miss the chance of trying it in Dali. Most of the restaurants along the main roads in the Old Town such as the Foreigner Street or the busy Renminlu, are restaurants with standard Chinese food or western styled dishes, the local restaurants are located in the smaller side streets or the villages. Since those are places where usually all the locals eat, the prices are a lot cheaper than in the popular bars and restaurants and the food is more authentic. If you are looking for a good place along the main road though, I would recommend a small Muslim restaurant right at the corner of Renminlu and Yeyulu, which offers authentic northern Chinese rice dishes and handmade noodles for a fair price.

Where to stay

There are a lot of really nice hostels in Dali, all in about the same price range and most of them located in the Old Town of Dali where I would recommend staying, as it is the heart of Dali with the atmosphere of an old Chinese village and a lot of nice old buildings and cute little cafes and shops. The one particular Guesthouse that I can definitely recommend is the Dragonfly Guesthouse. It is owned by a Chinese-Dutch couple and the rooms are located around a lovely little backyard with outdoor sinks. The rooms are very clean and modern and in the dorms each bed is provided with a personal reading light and a curtain to have a bit more privacy. You can enjoy food and drinks in the public area, or relax on the rooftop on your lazy days. The Owner, Chris, also offers a free Scooter tour around the lake every week, shows you around the countryside, and introduces you to the best local food. The scooter tour was definitely one of our personal highlights during our stay in Dali. The guesthouse also organizes bus tickets with a pick up right in front of the building without charging you an extra fee.

Maria Helena

Read more about her adventures in China: gegenwind.me 🙂

Travels

CHRISTOPH REHAGE

Video 14/04/2015 Donatella

“My name is Christoph Rehage, and I like to take walks sometimes.”

I was born a fat kid to a Hungarian mom and a German dad in Hannover on November 9th in 1981.

During my childhood, I spent my time mostly consuming adventure stories and setting things on fire. Later on, I ended up in Wichita, Kansas, for a year, then in Paris as a laborer, and eventually in Beijing, this time as a student of Chinese studies.

At some point in between, I spontaneously decided to walk home from Paris. Walking was both terrible and awesome at the same time, and I realized that this was something that I liked very much. More than reading. More than swimming. More than taking pictures, and probably even more than watching TV.

It was better than fire.

On the morning of my 26th birthday, on November 9th 2007, I started walking home from Beijing to Germany. I walked and I walked, growing a beard that got later called mighty by some and patchy by others, and then, after a year on the road, close to the border of Kazakhstan, I stopped walking.
I returned home to our village, made a video about the walk called “The Longest Way”, and posted it online. Little did I know that it would turn out to become a minor internet sensation.

And then it happened: I found something that I liked and feared more than walking – writing. I struggled with the pen and the paper for many a sleepless night, and eventually I came out of battle with two books: a travelogue (“The Longest Way”/ Malik: German) and a coffee table book (“China zu Fuß”/ National Geographic: German) about the walk.

The books did well enough for me to keep doing this. I am now working as a columnist for a Chinese newspaper, and my next book (“Chinese Characteristics”/ Contemporary China Publishing House: Chinese, a collection of the articles that I am writing there, has just hit the market in China last summer).

Walking, okay, I get the idea. But I’m still a bit confused: from where to where did you actually walk? I started walking in Beijing on November 9th 2007, and I stopped in Ürümqi in northwestern China almost one year later, on October 25th 2008. Two years after that, in the summer 0f 2010, I walked a few hundred miles more, from Ürümqi to Usu. And in 2012, I went from Usu to Khorgas, the border checkpoint between China and Kazakhstan.

How did you get the idea for the walk? I had walked from Paris to my home in Germany before – a walk of about 800 km that took less than a month. There were no metaphysical questions, no big worries, just pragmatic problems to solve: where to sleep, what to eat. It felt good, and it felt meaningful.

Can you describe the process you undergo to prepare for a walking trip? I prepared for a year. Basically, it’s all about getting as smart as possible. I talked to German embassies all over the world, stumbled through map archives in several libraries, and read books, books and more books. Then I got equipped. Then I got vaccinated. Then I walked.

What state of mind were you in when you were walking? It was just the way it would be on any normal day. Sometimes you think about stuff. Sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you worry about passports, dangers, pains, relatives and loved ones, and at other times your steps are light and you sing songs in the desert. Sometimes it’s boring. And sometimes you feel at peace.

How many hours did you walk each day? I would usually feel comfortable walking 20 to 30 km in one day. That means I would have to be constantly moving for about 4 to 6 hours. Put in some breaks for picture taking, eating, resting, peeing, talking to people, wondering about the way, and I am on the road all day – but I didn’t walk every day.

Why did you stop walking? I wanted to gain back my life. I had to regain control over myself, eliminate the inner boss that was telling me to keep walking. A lot of people look at the video thinking “I want to be free like that guy!” – but they don’t realize that I was driven by something, and maybe I was losing control over it.

What is this something you are talking about? I think this something was partly my ambition and partly my principle. It seemed more and more like I was living to fulfill my ambition, and I was directed by principles that I had no way of changing. I didnt feel very free.

What does it mean you were losing ( or better you had to regain) control of your life because of this experience?

I had to emancipate myself from my ambition and from all principles. To become a free man again.

Who is Teacher Xie? Why did you dedicate the video to him? 谢建光 (Xie Jianguang) is a brave man who has been walking all over China since 1982. I ran into him somewhere in the desert, and we have been friends ever since. He has taught me some valuable lessons.

What lessons did you need to learn when you met him? I didnt know it back then, but Teacher Xie taught me about walking as a physical excercise, which was important for me. However, more importantly he taught me to think about your priorities in life. What is the most important thing? What is number 2? Number 3? You must always know what you want. Otherwise you will be confused.

Why is the video also dedicated to love? I think it is important to know what we value most in life.

How is the video dedicated to love? How? Well, I think any journey is just a way of spending time. You dont have to go far to live an adventure. But it is important to remember what you value in life. Love could be one of these things.

What did you use to think of China before the journey, and what do you think now? Did something change? Well, I had been living in Beijing for two years when I started my walk. So the walk really didn’t change much of my perspective on China. Except for the fact that I got to meet so many fantastic people out in the countryside, out on dusty roads, and in the mountains of China. They are the best!

Do you have any tips for people who are on their own search for peace? I am not very good at this. There are brief moments when I am feeling at ease, but they usually don’t last very long, and then the wolf starts howling again. However, I think age and experience probably helps with this. You have to know your priorities.

So, in which way Chris today is different from Chris right after the longest way? I am hopefully better at controlling myself. I am hopefully more able to take on some responsibility. But some things never change. You stay the same idiot. Just slightly altered.

What major advice do you have for someone who wants to do pursue his or her own dream? Sounds tacky, but here it is: Take the first step!

Would you, please, introduce your two blogs: bookslap.com and SlowerPulse.com? On the book blog, I read travel books and introduce them for you. I do this because I enjoy reading travel books, and I think it is not easy to find the books that are really worth reading. So I try to help a bit. On the pulse blog, I talk about vodka brands that I have tried. It is nothing special, just a hobby of mine, because I picked up drinking only when I was 27. So it is all new and exciting!

Here’s a Chinese news item about Christoph’s satirical video show 德国自干五有话语权, he makes fun of modern-day newspeak and blackwhite in the Orwellian sense. As he said, there are English subtitles on this news item, but they look like someone used Google Translate, so watch it just for fun!

Want to know more? You are totally right!

Christoph Rehage Facebook Page

Travels

The adventures of Nicolas & Julia

Galleria 05/12/2014 Donatella

Julia Ibarra and Nicolás Marino are a couple of fearless travelers who crossed half of the world by bike, with lightweight luggage and their shelter tent. They already crossed all of Asia through jungles, experiencing wild animals, being hosted by tribes and enjoying a lot of new cultures, food, flavours, skies, stunning beaches, and millions of new sensations that will stay in their hearts for ever.

They met each other in Chengdu, China when Nico was working as an architect and Julia was working as a model and teaching English in a university besides studying Chinese. Their lives changed when they decided to join one of the most important trips they ever experienced, leaving behind what was ordinary for them. They embarked on an adventure shedding many conveniences of the modern life, to have a long and low budget journey through years, learning from fascinating new worlds.

Why have you decided to start this journey? Was it hard to make this decision?

Nico has had this trip in mind for a few years. He started to travel by bike since 2006 when he cycled from Tehran to Shanghai in 10 months. When we met the idea of a trip like this fascinated me. At the end of 2012 I decided to stop what I was doing and joined him. Let me tell you that first, to let go of everything you know and leave for an adventure is not easy but it is indeed exciting and eventually gives you true rewards.

Where are you travelling right now? How many countries have you crossed already?

Right now we are in the north of Ethiopia. We have explored China, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mongolia, South Korea, Japan, Nepal, India, Egypt and Sudan.

21000 km covered until today

How did people respond when you arrived to their villages by bicycle?

The bicycle opens several doors. The people come to us chatting about how difficult the journey is or the weather, but it depends on the country. In some places the people open the doors of their houses and involve you warmly in their lives. In other countries, they are more reserved or suspicious.

Do you ask the people to allow you to sleep or camp somewhere? How do you communicate with them?

We try to camp whenever we can, always trying to be safe. In countries like Indonesia, for example, they didn’t let us camp, they always gave us a room in their houses. In India we were in rural zones where was not advisable to camp so we were hosted by the locals or in small hotels that we found on the way. In Ethiopia we tried to camp always close to people because in the area where were travelling there were recent appearances of hyenas or leopards. In a lot of countries like the Philippines, Nepal or India the communication was not a problem because a lot of them could speak English. In Mongolia the interaction was almost by signals. Indeed, a smiley or a bad face are part of an universal language recognized in all the world. If one person wants to communicate in order to ask basic things, he or she can express himself easily. We also always try to learn some words of the country we are in.

What is your source of income? Where did you find the warmest people?

We have some savings and Nico used to sell his photos often. In Japan we were selling photos of Nico on the street and that worked really well, we also made a deal in a hostel; we worked for 3 hours in exchange of accommodation. In Indonesia and Sudan we were living with locals and there were days when we didn’t spend any money. In Mongolia a lot of people invited us to lunch or dinner. The warmest people we found were in these three countries: Mongolia, Indonesia and Sudan.

What do mostly attract you while you travel?

What I am most interested in is the direct contact with different cultures, see firsthand how people live and to learn from them.

Since the moment that you got further away from the city and into the countryside, without hotels… What do you do for showers or clean clothes?

Always depends on the country, the weather, water availability, etc. In the tropics it is easy because we can always find a lot of water and take a shower with bucket is not a problem. In Mongolia, for example, in the steppe area there were a lot of rivers but the water was completely frozen! In the Gobi or Sahara we spent several days without a shower.

How long the trip is going to be?

Our plan is to end the trip in Australia in 2016 and settle down, but it is only a plan in our mind. Let’s see how things fit as we get closer to that date. At the moment we want to travel around all Africa.

When was the most complicated part of the trip? When have you met a risk for your life?

So far Ethiopia was the most problematic. It’s a safe country but in several non-urban areas the kids found fun in harassing us. We didn’t receive the hospitality and kindness from the people that we felt in other places.

Nico’s blogs are nico3d.blogspot.de (spanish) and nicolonelytraveler.blogspot.de (english). What was the reason for creating them?

He started his blog to share his adventures with family and friends. Today it has become something bigger and is followed by thousands of people around the world. Having a blog has brought him great satisfaction in knowing that many people get to enjoy the world through what he writes and his stunning photography.

What advice would you give to someone who would like to organize such a trip?

First of all do not idealize the experience; traveling by bike is a mentally and physically tough experience. It takes a longer or shorter adjustment period, but once that is overcome, the rewards are really priceless.

Tell us the best anecdotes of the trips through Asia and Africa.

There are so many, it’s hard to choose:

In West Timor, for example, I got sick with dengue and a woman called Sinema appeared from nowhere. She was an angel who welcomed us into her home with her wonderful family and she made anything possible to see me recovered and healthy as soon as possible.

In Java we met a guy who asked us if we could show him how we ‘make babies’, harmless of course, but the humour of the proposal was not lost on us.

In Japan a stranger took us to lunch, he bought us food for dinner and gave us 50$ because he was fascinated by our trip and always wanted to have done something like this.

In Mongolia, in the middle of the steppe, we drank fermented mare’s milk in a Mongolian yurt with 15 Mongolian drunks celebrating I don’t know what, but we did laugh a lot.

In Egypt we met a really interesting cairota homosexual. He and his friends made us see what it is like to be part of going against the tide as an oppressed minority within a ‘prohibited’ counterculture, but much more common than many would believe.

In Khartoum and Delhi we arrived as guests and left with two new families.

Do you think you’ve grown spiritually in this journey? Do you think your mind has widened somehow?

The understanding and experience that we are all one and that we are all equal was first and foremost. Now I judge a lot less and I do my best to understand the person I have in front of me with more empathy.

What are the three destinations that have changed your life and why?

Mongolia, Sudan and Indonesia have shown me that at some point in the West we have long distanced from each other. In these 3 countries one can stand in the door of a stranger and end up living with them as one of them. Another world is possible and exists.

What health precautions do you take before traveling or while traveling?

We have a first aid kit with some basic medicines for malaria, diarrhea or fever for when we are ill and in a very remote area. We’ve bought everything when we arrived in Africa. Before this we had nothing and luckily we did not need anything. We always try to eat and sleep well so that is why we don’t get sick.

What would you say to those people who dream of traveling as well but do not dare?

A journey like this one is unique in life. If anyone has the ability or chance to do something like that, he or she should, change the routine or remain in your comfort zone. You can never regret doing something like this because what this brings you is so valuable that you will never be the same again.

More information:

www.nicolasmarino.com

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Interview by Anabel Garcia Ramon. A special thanks to Katie Goldsmith.

All the pictures are property of Nicolas Marino.

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