It was St. Augustine who said that the world is a book, and that those who don’t travel read only one page. I’m going to introduce you to ten of the most fascinating places in the world I’ve been to.
And if you’re planning on traveling to any of these corners of the world, and are looking for fun things to do, feel free to contact me and perhaps I can help you with information or at least steer you in the right direction.
Here are ten great places in the world I’ve had the chance to explore:
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1. Cuba (2004)
I had the pleasure of visiting Cuba in November 2004. I went with my wife, who was from the ex-Soviet Union. At the start of the trip, we spent two days in Havana, staying at the Hotel Nacional. Then we proceeded to visit a restaurant inside someone’s house upon the recommendation of two natives whom we’d met shortly before. We ordered quite a bit for our meal, which included generous portions of rice and black beans, and delicious thinly sliced beef steak for us two and the locals, as well as mojito–a refreshing cocktail made with mint, lime, sugar, rum, and soda water. Two days later, we traveled to Varadero, a beach resort. We snorkeled, then attended a refreshing swim at the renowned Saturno Cave. At the hotel, we met a friendly young man who organized our snorkeling trip. I mentioned how intriguing I found it that he had a Russian name. And our tour guide for most of the trip in Varadero knew quite well the Russian language. On the boat on the way to the snorkeling portion of our trip, I savored an entire can of one of their national beers, Cristal–the sweetest brew I’ve ever tasted. During the snorkeling itself, I caught sight from the corner of a bright-colored coral. I swam toward it, then hesitated before touching it, amd immediately I felt a sting. Actually, I’d scratched myself and was suggested to pour some salt. The pain subsided after about twenty minutes. My wife and I as well got to see Al Capone’s former residence in Varadero, and the beaches are gorgeous. One detail that stood out was that the beach we stayed at was nearly empty, except for a Canadian man about 90 feet away. I introduced myself to him. He was soft-spoken, and we didn’t talk much. I mostly asked him about life in Canada. The fact that the beach was almost deserted felt strange, but I cherished my time on the pristine sand, gazing out at the emerald-green water, and now and then wading in for a swim. The older woman at the airport who checked our luggage as we were to leave the country as well as the taxi driver [the latter wished me a “a safe trip back to Puerto Rico”–the birthplace of my grandparents–even though that’s not where I was headed to], were super-nice. Both of these experiences at the end of my trip left me with a good impression, so I’m always happy to recommend the country as a tourist destination for its beauty and friendliness of the people.
2. Vietnam (1997)
I took a solo trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, in November 1997. Among the highlights was visiting Hoàn Kiếm Lake in one of the most verdantly luscious parks I’ve been to anywhere in the world. Vietnamese Pho Bo is one of my favorite dishes, and I got to sample it a number of times during my trip. The most curious place I visited during my time was the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. To this day, I can’t believe I actually took that trip to Vietnam. We took a picture before or after the visit to the mausoleum with a statue of the former leader, but unfortunately, I lost it about fourteen years ago. My tourist guide was a woman that I met by accident. The month before, I called a phone number in my Lonely Planet guide for some place, but it was the wrong number and I got the woman. I continued the conversation, and we’d end up agreeing to meet when I arrived in the country. That is a true story.
3. Israel (2001-2002, 2003)
I’ve visited Israel several times, most recently in the summer of 2006. Before that, I had volunteered at two kibbutzim in 2001 and 2002—the names of which I’ll withhold for privacy reasons. At the first kibbutz, I spent seven or eight hours a day hauling bananas to carts (once, I think I did it for twelve hours, with breaks). At the second, I worked in a soap factory. Israel has always fascinated me, and I’d long wanted to experience it firsthand. Some of my most vivid memories are from the spring of 2002, when I visited the Sea of Galilee, when I visited the Sea of Galilee. In 2003, I found myself taking on a variety of odd jobs in Tel Aviv. One of them was at a discotheque, where during party hours I’d carry bags of used beer bottles across the dance floor. That was the first time I learned what the word piccolo meant. When the receptionist-recruiter at the hostel explained my duties, I assumed—based on how elegant the word sounded—that the job would be easy. It wasn’t. I also worked at several restaurants, incl. one called Meshuga’at—Hebrew for “Crazy” (I never asked the owner why she gave it that name, but I thought that was kind of hilarious)—on chic Ibn Gabirol Street, where I assisted the cooks. The work wasn’t too hard, but the hours were long. At another restaurant, the owner served us a large, succulent beef steak for lunch during the two days I worked there. I won’t forget it. On one of those days, after I’d already put in a twelve-hour shift, the chef—a foreign worker from South America who spoke fluent Hebrew—asked if I’d like to work another twelve. I politely declined. I’ve visited Jerusalem too—a city where many faiths and cultures converge—and found it to be a quaint and charming place. I miss Israel. The memories from those trips stand out vividly.
4. Los Angeles (1996, 1997)
I lived in Los Angeles on and off between the years 1996 and 1997. It has been said that the city is one of those places one either loves or hates, with nothing in between. I personally like Los Angeles, but it took me a while to get used to it. Why? Because, somehow, subconsciously, one might think that because it’s the second city in terms of population, it must be a lot like New York, but there are a lot of differences. If you don’t have a car, getting around can be difficult, and I don’t drive at all. Some of you may know I’m a baseball fan, during the trip, I got to see one of my favorite baseball announcers, Vin Scully. What was amazing is he was broadcasting the games himself, which at the time I didn’t know was his usual modus operandi. Also, there was a game against the New York Mets that started at 10:30 in the morning, the first time I’d ever seen a live morning baseball game.
5. Denver (2015)
Denver is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve been to. I really enjoy the Mile High City for its clean, well-kept streets and abundance of green spaces. The city’s parks offer a refreshing escape, making it easy to relax and unwind. Denver’s balance of urban and natural beauty is something I truly appreciate. The Colorado Rockies are visible from downtown. Some of the best things I like about Denver is the fact that it seemed very clean to me. The downtown is one of the most beautiful areas of any place I’ve been to. Colorado in many ways seems to have its own culture. For instance, the state’s affinity for cannabis is evident in its unique laws compared to other states. I remember listening to a radio broadcast about the issue, and it seemed quite partial to it. This seemed strange to me, as I hadn’t encountered such openness to the substance anywhere else in the United States. It’s a city I would definitely love to someday visit again.
6. Seattle (2016-2017)
I first visited Seattle in 2016, and it quickly became one of the most stunning cities I’ve ever seen—easily a contender not just in the U.S., but in the world. One challenge, though, is driving when the streets are icy. When snow and ice hit, the roads basically empty out, and you’re better off on foot. Fortunately, Seattle is a very walkable city, so getting around wasn’t an issue. The downtown market is always buzzing with energy, packed with tourists and locals alike. Pike Place Market is always alive with energy—a hub of constant motion and color. At the entrance, I nearly tripped over a fish mid-performance, tossed through the air by one of the famous fishmongers. It’s that kind of place: lively, unpredictable, and unforgettable. It even snowed during my stay, adding to the city’s charm. I picked up a few different jobs while I was there, including some construction work. My favorite, though, was a job right across the street from the iconic Ferris wheel—a view I never got tired of.
7. Romania (1995, 2004)
I’ve been fascinated by Romance languages ever since I was a kid. I took my first trip to Romania in 1995. It was a trip during which I tried to meet my longtime pen pal, but unfortunately couldn’t. We eventually did meet in person, and lived together in Chicago for three years. I visited Romania again in 2004, and the country seemed to have changed dramatically. The economy was great, and I got to meet lots of foreigners. But it’s this 1995 trip that I really enjoyed because it was my first time ever in Romania, and even though I didn’t understand much of the language, it was the first time I actually was able to practice it with natives in their own country. And it was my first foreign trip.
8. Chicago (1998-2001)
I lived in Chicago from 1998 until 2001. It was one of the best times of my life. Chicago is a lot like New York, yet it has its own personality. For instance, when you arrive at the airport and head downtown, you’re going to be flanked by the highway to your right. As far as I know, or at least in the cities that I’ve been to, a train ride to downtown is nothing special. But in Chicago, the trip from O’Hare to the city is a pleasure. On a beautiful day, Lake Michigan shines with a greenish hue. A negative, of course, is the fact that Lake Michigan is one of the roughest of the Great Lakes, and—perish the thought—one can easily be dragged by the currents if not careful. So if you ever do come to Chicago and decide to go to the beach, keep this in mind. Chicago is also a city with a great sports culture. There are the Bulls, the Blackhawks, the Bears, the Cubs, and the White Sox. One surprising detail about my time in Chicago is that, during the three years I lived there, I never met anyone from New York City. Not one. Of course, I’m sure there are lots of students and other professionals in the city, but I never met them. And I had a decent social life. It’s not like I knew a million people, but it also wasn’t just ten. Chicago is a city with a unique personality all its own, and I highly recommend experiencing it for yourself.
9. San Francisco (1997)
I lived in San Francisco for a short while in 1997. I remember it as a city with good vibes. It was also the first time in my life I rented my own apartment. I lived in the Mission District, but downtown wasn’t far by bus. I remember participating in chess matches on Mission Street. I was young then too, and the world felt full of possibilities, and San Francisco is easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to. I didn’t spend much time in San Francisco, so I don’t have many memories, but it is a place that I’d like to visit again sometime in the future.
10. Puerto Rico (1989)
I visited Puerto Rico for the first and only time in August ’89. My grandparents were born and raised on the island. I grew up in New York City, where there’s a huge Puerto Rican population. And so we visited a number of towns during our trip. The highlights for me were the fact that it’s a gorgeous island. I mean, really. Cuba is a beautiful island as well. Like Cuba, Puerto Rico has a famous fort, Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, in its capital. [Now that I remember, the trip from the hotel to the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro, Havana’s own fort, was only $1–I thought he was joking when he put up his index finger to indicate it.] Puerto Rico is an island I recommend if you’re looking for a beautiful experience. Though, like Los Angeles, you’ll need a car. Last but not least, New York is a great place, but I remember as the plane was getting ready to land at the airport, how disappointed I was that I wasn’t in Puerto Rico, because the island is beautiful, and it took me a while to get used to the “overwhelmingness” of New York City after visiting the island.