My "Big 3"

I have 3 travel heros...2 nerdy guys, and one who was a super cool dude, but they all shared a common philosophy about travel...to be open to new experiences, to live like a local, to learn about other cultures, and in the process learn that we are not all that different from each other.

My very first travel hero was Rick Steves...and he continues to be a fave! I have always loved this nerdy, plaid sport shirt wearing guy! I'll even sit through KQED pledge drives to binge-watch his travel shows (much to Gary's dismay)!   I wholeheartedly agree with him when he says "Travel is freedom...one of the last great sources of legal adventure.  Travel is intensified living, with maximum thrills per minute.  It's recess, and we need it.  Experiencing the real Europe requires catching it by surprise, going casual...through the back door."  I love reading all the travelers' posts on the travel forum on his website...It's almost as good as actually traveling...almost!  Several years back Rick made me a believer in the beauty of traveling light; he doesn't know it but he dared me to travel for 3 weeks in Italy with only a carry-on...not only did I accept the challenge, I embraced it and now I preach it!

My second nerdy travel buddy is Phil Rosenthal who says "Life is about travel, the beauty in life, the love we find, the joy we have, the laughs we have together.  That's what I'm dedicating the rest of my life to."  If you haven't watched his shows "I'll Have What Phil's Having" and "Somebody Feed Phil", look for them on Netflix or on demand...he's weird and quirky and he is all about finding good restaurants as he travels...(and I love that he face-times his parents in the middle of each show!)  "Here's the message.  You're never going to be as young as you are right now...go now, don't wait.  You don't know what's going to happen."  We plan to visit some of his recommended restaurants on this trip.  I urge you to check out his website, philrosenthalworld.com to see the places and restaurants that his shows feature.

And now for the one cool dude.  Anthony Bourdain's death this year shook me up.  I've been a huge fan of his TV shows...so much so that Gary and I went to see him live last year when he spoke in San Francisco - and we were not disappointed!  "Travel changes you.  As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small.  And in return, life - and travel - leave marks on you.  Most of the time, those marks - on your body or on your heart - are beautiful.  The journey changes you; it should change you.  It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body.  You take something with you.  Hopefully, you leave something good behind."  If you haven't seen the "Parts Unknown" episode where he goes to Viet Nam (and eats noodles with President Obama!) you must look for it on demand. The episode where he goes to Japan with legendary sushi chef Masa Takayama convinced me that I actually would someday like to go to Japan..."I haven't been everywhere...but it's on my list!"  And I'm so glad that he had filmed another season before his death...it will be bittersweet to watch it.

These 3 wise men reinforced my original travel training I received from my grandparents many years ago...do your research, be sure to plan, but be prepared for (and enjoy) the unexpected...those are what I call "magical moments" and that is what I am on the search for when traveling  Try new foods, eat with the locals, do your laundry at the local laundromat, get your hair cut by the local barber, be an extrovert (force yourself if it is not your nature!) and talk to the locals (try out your high school Spanish or French, try to learn a few words in the language of the country your are visiting - "please", "thank you", & "where is the bathroom?" are good ones to learn!). 

Now lets go have some "magical moments"!