Places Visited/ Stayed/ Worked In -

Last updated: January 10, 2010

Last Estimate: 168 cities in 33 countries (this count underestimates my travel in China as Tripadvisors map of cities is biased towards touristic areas)

In case you are wondering how I did all my travel on a poor student’s budget, the trick is a combination of scholarships, conference grants and research grants coupled with meager part-time work savings and a penchant for cheapness.

My travel philosophy is constantly evolving but some general trends seem to have emerged:

Thematic:I believe in understanding the places I explore, whether it is its history, culture, politics, economics…etc. Thus, I try to organize my trips with a theme I wish to explore. However given the opportunistic nature of my travels, this does not always work out.

Spontaneity: As a reflection of my belief that the journey matters more than the destination, I avoid rigidly and thoroughly planning my trips. I often head to a place, talk to people and figure things out along the way.

Journey Over Destination: As with above, I believe every journey yields new thoughts and new experiences regardless of location. As such, I try to leave a little bit of something left to see in every place I visit to give myself a reason to come back - because I often make repeated travels to a place…and often learn something new along the way.

For more on my thoughts on travel itself: Philosophy of Travel, Two Kinds of Backpackers, Discontents of Lonely Planet

Hopefully: Iran, the “Stans”, Russia and Turkey

China: Chinese Silk Route (Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi), Beijing (extended stay) & Shanghai, The Great North Korea Border Tour (Heilongjian, Jilin, Liaoning, Yanbian Autonomous Region), Cultural Revolution Tour (Hebei, Shaanxi)
Greater China: Taiwan (Taipei, Eastern Sea Board), Hong Kong

Other East Asia: North Korea, South Korea (extended stay), Japan

Indochina Tour (Ancient Empires & Genocidal Regimes): Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand

Southeast Asia: Singapore (extended stay), Malaysia, Indonesia

Other Asia: Australia

Europe: Switzerland, Germany, France, England, Belgium, Holland, Italy

North America City Roadtripping: Canada, Niagara Falls, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Buffalo, Philadelphia & New Haven (extended stay),  San Francisco, Boston, New York City, Washington D.C.

Latin America: Cuba (Cold War History), Bahamas, Andean Trek (Peru, Chile), Musical Culture (Argentina, Brazil), A Central American Affair (Mexico, Guatemala & Belize)

Leaving Las Vegas - November 2008

The Fremont Experience
The Economics of Prostitution
The Grand Canyon

Cuba Libre? - March 2008
Economics and the Revolution
We Miss You
Random Walk into Concerts & Schools
Things to Do in Cuba