Travelling Through Conversation
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Travelling Through Conversation came to me whilst living in a backpackers’ hostel. Most nights I’d sit at the bar, drink a beer and meet strangers from around the world.
One conversation that stood out was with a chap called Zé from Brazil. He told me how he’d got a milk box carton tattooed on his arm – a drunken moment with friends led him to the idea. Now we’ve both agreed, when I visit Zé in South America, I’ll get the same tattoo on my arm.
It’s moments like these, which make me want to speak with people. Each episode is a conversation. Between myself and a stranger from a different country. The goal is to communicate with them all and to see what happens.
One conversation that stood out was with a chap called Zé from Brazil. He told me how he’d got a milk box carton tattooed on his arm – a drunken moment with friends led him to the idea. Now we’ve both agreed, when I visit Zé in South America, I’ll get the same tattoo on my arm.
It’s moments like these, which make me want to speak with people. Each episode is a conversation. Between myself and a stranger from a different country. The goal is to communicate with them all and to see what happens.
20 Episodes
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Travel. Before you start, you might plan day one. Then see what happens. I did something similar with the podcast. Twenty recordings later, we have a logo, as you can see above. The artist is Ludi, who you will hear on this episode and also the France one. My favourite part of the art is where it looks like Morocco and Spain are about to smooch. What do you like about it?
The Argentinian man on this episode went out one Sunday and ended up across Europe. He's still doing it. How?
The second time I got robbed, I was happy. Why? I put into practice what went wrong the first time. It turns out each moment is because of chicken. If it continues, I'll start to consider becoming vegan. Jokes aside, June, what happens when you get mugged?
Italy. Before you guess, yes, you’re right. This episode took me longer than a day to build. Rome. A capital hotspot for people like me or you, and probably the person who lives next door. But what happens when you meet the neighbour, and they’re from Rome? I guess you record a podcast together. Meet mine. He’s called Rich.
I once had a girlfriend who left me for India. I didn’t follow. Instead, a few years later, I take on a different journey. Aishwarya, who spends most of her time Out Of Office, joins me. We discuss the unpredictability of travel. As I no longer speak with my ex, I’m keen to know, is India a safe place to live or travel as a female?
The closest I’ve ever been to Belgium is when I nearly ended up in Antwerp when I was having a dissertation breakdown. Thankfully, I passed my degree, but unfortunately, I didn’t make the trip. Four years on, I can’t remember the name of my thesis, but I will remember the name of the Belgian folk dancer who is on the podcast today (even if the beer we’re drinking is 8.4%), meet Julie.
Six foot six. The height of someone you usually find in front of you at a festival, however, they’re on the podcast instead. Peter comes with a contagious laugh and a story to tell. So, tuck yourself in, because he’s the first Dutch bloke to bring a tear to my eye!
I’m on holiday in Torquay. As family trips go, I’ve ended up doing a bit of Acro-Yoga around the corner from the hotel with a Sex Coach from Poland. As it’s a travel podcast, is sex like travel?
When I tick off Turkish experience’s I can confidently say I’ve had a kebab, I’ve had a Turkish fade (haircut) and maybe I can add a cheeky turkey sandwich to the list, why not, but for someone who now lives in the U.K who is from Turkey, what connects them?
This time last year I had problems with Liam Gallagher just as I was about to board a flight to the United States for three months. Now today on Songkran (Thai New Year), I find myself running around a University campus with a Poet from Thailand looking for the student bar. Happy New Year, the first round is on me, as you were.
Australia. The land down under (where beer does flow and men chunder.) I’ve never been, nor before my hostel days can I remember having a conversation with an Australian. My knowledge consisted of kangaroos, Australian themed bars in the U.K (Walkabout) and a song which passes itself down through to other generations. Now I’ve got an Aussie on the podcast I can ask questions like, do you drink Fosters mate?
Two cups of bubble tea. One for me and one for a Taiwan Scuba Diver. I’m about to be initiated into the Taiwanese culture but don’t be fooled, despite the name, there are actual balls in the drink! Now, I'm curious, if you live in Taiwan, are you from China?
Mexico. I’ve been before. Not once, but twice. Both times were accidents and proper ventures. You never knew what would happen. On my first trip, I got a nosebleed from a spicy taco, and on my second visit, they wouldn’t let me leave the country! Now on my next adventure, I’m joined by a Mexican Entrepreneur. Who kindly answers questions like, will I die if I travel to Mexico?
I didn’t expect anything to come out of my first afternoon-tea experience other than a ham sandwich and a scone, but the man who served me had an accent mixed between Brummie and something else, I had to ask what it was, and that conversation took me to the Czech Republic.
I haven’t spoken a word of French since school. Now in 2019, I’m with a French artist stuffing my face with ham and egg crêpes. It’s also given me the opportunity to test out my knowledge of the French alphabet, which my teacher used to make me sing. I wonder what else I can remember.
Joey, Johnny (Peel), and Jimmy. These are the three lads I lived with at University. We had a sports podcast called Four Up Top and Jimmy produced the music, so I got him to do it all again for this one. At Uni someone stole Jimmy’s cheesecake, broke the freezer, made the roof collapse and to top it all off, he lost the house keys to the whole house. As you can probably imagine, we got hardly any of our deposit back. Somehow, we are all still in touch.
Madness. I’ve been taken to a British pub by an Egyptian engineer for a mocktail. Buy one get one free on Bubble Gum Berry. Before I record any country, we always meet somewhere first, to help break the ice and get to know each other. Not only is this my first non-alcoholic cocktail, but I’ve also just found out it will be my first time hitting the record button in the dark!
I’m greeted by a Greek minimalist, as the sound of the bouzouki and the Geordie accent rings out through the front door, I’m not sure if I’m in Greece or Newcastle on this one.
I’m back in Sunderland, England. I’ve been invited over by a Portuguese Rock Climber who has a moustache I wish I could pull off. As he grapples with the moka pot, I prepare to start the journey to Portugal. Anyone for coffee?
It’s the middle of winter. I’m sat in a back garden in Sunderland, England, with a Bulgarian Adventurer. Both of us fueled by chai and homemade vodka (not one shot, but two.) We only met online two hours ago. Now, I’m at her house.
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