I’m in Venice, Italy; Eric, the publisher, was just bouncing around London; Rich from advertising is in the Big Apple; editor-at-large Matt Gross is at large in Cambodia; and Bonnie, our art director, has been based in Singapore (but hopped over to Phnom Penh to touch base with Matt for a few days, too). Which leads me to wonder about two things: how amazingly the contents of the issue align with our own travels—and why in the world are we paying for office space in Los Angeles?
Our main feature, on being a medical test subject in exchange for Spanish lessons in Guatemala, is strangely connected to both Matt and myself—we’re both Johns Hopkins alumni. Like the author, I submitted myself to medical tests while in college, but for nothing so noble as Spanish courses (I got cash for a spring break ski trip). Like Colleen, Matt too is embarking on a new language—but learning to say Sua s’dei! in Khmer instead of Hola!
Bonnie’s trip to Cambodia parallels two of our articles in this issue—and two constant themes for travelers: the kindness of strangers and staying healthy. Gordon Candelin, man-about-town in Phnom Penh and founder of Urbanlowdown.com, is hosting her (and Matt) during production. Wi-Fi broadband and a friendly face—what more could a traveler want? Well, good health, for one. Despite her following at least some of the health advice in “Ill Communication,” let’s just say Bonnie will be avoiding spicy chili oil for a while.
Part of our cover feature on Scandinavia is about the liberal swimming policies in Stockholm, and Rich just moved to the original Naked City: New York. How about you try skinny-dipping off Chelsea Piers in the Hudson, Rich?
And, of course, I followed the same advice that Kevin Revolinski offers in “Letting the Locals Lead.” In fact, I’m a card-carrying member of the Canoa Club Dolomiti. It’s good advice anytime to follow the locals, whether it’s on mountain-bike trails or to the best restaurants. In fact, it’s advice that Eric took very literally while in London. For some reason, though, it freaked the Brits out to catch him stalking them from the Tate to the Tube to the pub...
Travel without a plan, but with a purpose,
Jeff
