Danay Bustamante … introduces us to the three wisemen of Burkina Faso
Danay has traveled to 105 countries On today’s episode, I welcome Danay Bustamante to Counting Countries. I learned about Jenna from previous guest, Henrik Jeppesen, who introduced us via email. It took Danay and I several months to connect due to conflicting schedules. Danay was born in Cuba, was separated for years from her father who moved to Mexico, and she eventually reunited with her father via a trip to the UK. Growing up she developed her twin passions of travel and dance. Her love of salsa has opened many doors around the world, creating new friendships and providing new travel opportunities. She has danced in some of the unlikeliest countries. Danay talks about how she was propelled into the world of counting countries during a visit to Africa for an extended time. She talks about challenging experiences in Haiti, why Botswana is not on the top of her list, and why she loves El Salvador. And Danay shares with us a story about Burkina Faso and the magic of travel. And during this episode, we speak [...]
Jenna Klotz … making friends in Mogadishu
Jenna is only 6 countries away from completing her quest On today’s episode, I welcome Jenna Klotz to Counting Countries. I learned about Jenna from two previous guests; Randy williams traveled with her in Armenia and Artsakh, and Lexie Alford randomly met her in the Pacific. Jenna is also living in Chicago and our interview coincided with my summer visit to my home in Chicago. So taking advantage, Jenna and I set up a time to meet. Instead of playing with dolls as a kid in Michigan, Jenna pretended to be a travel agent, planning trips for her family. At college, she didn't do one semester abroad, she did three semesters abroad! Travel was in her blood. After college, she ended up teaching in a small town in Hungary. This stay in Hungary in conjunction with European discount airlines, propelled her into the world of counting countries. During our conversation, jenna, talks about a 55 foot rogue wave that disabled the ship she was on, money mishaps in Mauritania, the beauty of the Bolivian salt flats, [...]
Faces Of Bhutan, Part II
Faces Of Bhutan, Part II. I have traveled to Bhutan three times, approximately spending a month in the country. I have also worked with a local travel operator as a consultant for three years. If you need advice or help, planning a trip to Bhutan, please email me at Ric @ GlobalGaz.com I highlighted some of the great people I met during my trip in 2017 in Bhutan. I was back to visit the Kingdom of Bhutan in 2018 and was fortunate enough to visit the eastern part of the country. My first visit in Bhutan was in 2005, to the three main towns in the west. At times, I felt like I was the only visitor in the country. During my second visit in 2017, I revisited the same three towns; Thimpu, Paro, and Punakha. These three incredible places are full of history and culture. But I noted in 2017, that tourists had discovered Bhutan. While compared to any mass tourist destination, the tourists in the west of Bhutan, were still just a drop in the [...]
Trongsa Dzong, My Favorite Dzong In Bhutan
Trongsa Dzong Bhutan. I have traveled to Bhutan three times, approximately spending a month in the country. I have also worked with a local travel operator as a consultant for three years. If you need advice or help, planning a trip to Bhutan, please email me at Ric @ GlobalGaz.com Calling all Disney location scouts. I have found the setting for your next fairy-tale, animation film, Trongsa Dzong. Right now, I am envisioning a princess swirling around in the courtyard while a sweeping soundtrack plays in the background. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCPRcAvB7MU What is a Dzong? It is a combination of a fortress, monastery, and an administrative section. There are 20 Dzongs spread across Bhutan. The Dzongs are still used actively today, but there is no need for the fortress aspect in today’s peaceful climate. Most visitors to Bhutan will see three fantastic Dzongs in the west of Bhutan. The three most popular Dzongs are in Thimpu, Paro, and Punakha. But on my third visit to Bhutan, I spread my wings and explored the east and central parts of Bhutan. [...]
Zeynep Gülin De Vincentiis … Plans On Burning Her Passport To Protest Birthplace Racism
Zeynep Gülin De Vincentiis …Plans On Burning Her Passport To Protest Birthplace Racism At the request of Gulin, this podcast is no longer available. This is Gulin's comment on Facebook when the podcast was published. Zeynep Gülin De Vincentiis is someone who is GOING TO EVERY COUNTRY ONLY TO BURN HER PASSPORTS IN THE END, she seeks to start a movement to END GLOBAL APARTHEID, to end BIRTHPLACE RACISM. Apart from her family, that is her daughter and husband, she breathes for this day in day out. She is a private person, does not like talking about her personal life if it is not to use as an example or for the sake of the story. The only reason she accepted to give this interview was to open a discussion about the unfairness of breaking the world into countries with lines drawn by bloody wars or bloody politics, defining people according to which line they are born in and defining their radius of movement in the world we are born again by that line. She loathes statehood/citizenship [...]
Magnificent India
Oh, magnificent India. The highest highs, and the lowest lows. I am here for my third time. First, in 2005 for two weeks with an introduction to Delhi, Agra, and Rajasthan. The second time found me filming my documentary, Hit The Road: India, for over six weeks. And now, I am back again. This time in the north-east state of Assam for a quick visit before I cross overland to Bhutan. I have always said India stands alone in its own unique category. India is a conglomeration of the most incredible experiences, and some of the most challenging times. I believe everyone has a breaking point in India. Sometimes, it is day one, for others in a month, and maybe a year for others. But everyone, at some point breaks. You can not handle it any more, and you need to leave. The noise, the traffic, the smells, the poverty, the food sickness. The people. Masses of people, coming at you in waves. Sometimes it can be too much. There is no room, no space. I spent [...]
