ACB 10-Wonders of Wandering-shorter-7 (26-4-11, words 1130-9=1121)

Dear Toastmasters- you all seem to be in a relaxed mood, especially our toastmaster of the day! Let us talk about a relaxing subject, travel. But I am going to talk it in a different way. Not what I saw, but what I experienced.

How many continents are there on earth? America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, Arctic, Antarctic.

Do you know one of my ambitions in life? Travel to all the continents!

I have almost done it! Well I have travelled to 5 continents; except of course the Arctic and Antarctic. They are not easy to reach! But I hope I will cover those continents also before I go up to the nth Dimension world!

I travelled most before coming to Saudi -before 13 yrs- and I did it alone! That is how I experienced the wonders of wandering. It is not only of wonderful monuments or sceneries, but wonders of people, cultures and experience.

I will share some of my experience.

My first trip was to Europe, way back in 1986. No mobile, No internet, No Googling . After an official visit, I took a month’s leave. I purchased a Eurail Pass for train. With that you can travel all over Europe in first class, any number of times to any place. I made the 1st Class coupe of the trains as my hotel room. I would travel from one corner of Europe to a faraway place, say Paris to Vienna one night and from Vienna back to Paris next night. Days in Cities, Nights in train! Thus I saved a lot of hotel charges!

Which is the most beautiful country in Europe? Yes, Switzerland

Switzerland was my second home during the time I worked for a Swiss MNC. Switzerland gives a general idea of European life. Not the same of course.

The Swiss were perfect hosts. Once, a Swiss friend took me to a Dog show of earthquake-trained dogs. He was a volunteer for earth quake victims and has to go anywhere in the world with his dog when called. The dog show was a competition for Dogs finding victims under artificial earthquake ruins. It was a new experience.

Another week I went with a Swiss friend for paragliding. He took me for a short gliding trip in the air above beautiful Swiss countryside! It is different from Sky jump I did later!

Once I went to the cramped asylum camp where Asian illegal immigrants and traffickers were kept by Govt till their case was decided. I went with an inmate I met on the road. It was scary

first. I heard a lot of their sad stories. I shared their dinner with the big Arab Roti, 1st time I had that.

I used to hire a car during later trips across Europe. It gave more freedom to roam, even when you lost your way in some countries.

Now a short account of few places I visited in Europe:

French culture is different from British, they are cultural rivals!

Once I had to wait in Paris railway station in the night for a connecting train at 4AM. At 12 ‘O’ clock the security asked all to move out of station. It is closed from 12 to 4! There were many nationalities, including Europeans, but no one talked. I said no! I won’t move. They took me to the chief station master. You imagine what I saw? Another person was arguing on the same issue. And he was an Indian, a Mallu! Finally we won! Mallu’ arguments!

Rome in Italy is the ice cream capital of the world apart from the Vatican and aura of Roman Empire.

Vienna in Austria is famous for its Wine! - My best time was Wine country tour!

Germans are very serious! Hefty, highly disciplined! I felt suffocated. But I had good friends. Visited many times! My best time was Ice-skating in Alps Mountain!

Spain and Madrid is a family place compared to other parts of Europe. My best time was Dancing with a flamingo dancer in an open ground and the crowd applauding.

Amsterdam is the Flower Capital- Denmark is the freest country in the world, with the largest red streets! My best time was the Tulip garden tour!

England is Historical for us I went to England unplanned, without a VISA by ferry across the famous English Channel. Naturally they denied me a visa. But hearing my pleading speech, they gave me 1 week visit Visa. I went for some dramas and concerts and historic places. Great feelings since you have read about it all!

But there were also some tense moments in Europe!

I was caught in most airports by security and searched. In Rome airport, a policeman coming opposite to me suddenly raised a gun at me to check my bag. It was scary!Similar scenes happened in France, Spain, and Germany- thankfully, without gun! There were no terrorism those days, but big drug trafficking. I had my French beard which attracts all the police and airport security around me. Even now it happens, but I still keep by beard!

In the African continent, I went only to South Africa just after Apartheid ended. I made friends with black and white. What I liked most was the food. Sometimes I had 2 dinners a day! It is great country to visit! My best time was the Sun City tour, where Aiswarya Ray got the Miss World crown.Johannesburg was a dangerous place. You can be mugged if you walk in the city. Australia is nation of sportsmen. Everyone plays, enjoys. Every evening there was a party. My best time was in a ship cruise along the Sydney harbor! It is one of the best dinner and cruise I had! I went to an aboriginal shop and bought different sizes of Boomerang. Back in Mumbai I practiced. Now I can throw a boomerang just like an Australian Aboriginal!

My first Visit to New York & USA was in 1987. And second in 2007. What was the difference? No ‘world trade centre!’So I keep my photo with World trade center towers in the background as my face-book profile photo. No one can take a photo like that now!

I need 3 speeches for USA. You can read it in my blogs - I have 2 travel blogs.

What are my next plans? Go to China and South America soon and then for my last adventure trips to Arctic and Antarctica.

I have to make it alone—as always! But I can give you some general tips:Wander alone, Make friends with strangers, Don’t make much planning, Never miss a good meal, Never be afraid of people and places, Spend maximum you can!

Bon Voyage!