At any given moment in my life, I’m sitting blankly in from of a computer monitor wondering where to go. Notoriously indecisive, I always end up on a plane (or foul 3rd class train) somewhere, anywhere. Anywhere is always a fresh change of pace, but there are a few places I’ve encountered in my short life, that are a measure above “anywhere.”
There are also destinations that are ripe for change, good or bad, is doesn’t typically matter. Destinations ripe for the picking. My list is only a reflection of my travels, and my experiences, and is certainly not meant to be all-inclusive. But then, I suppose this is a matter of quality over quantity.
Are you sitting blankly in front of computer monitor? These are places to go NOW, before you regret not taking the opportunity:
1 . North Korea: Yes, you can go north of the 38th parallel. If you have deep pockets, you can take a cushy tour of Pyongyang via Beijing. For those on a tighter budget, I recommend a day-trip to Kaesong from Seoul (you must join a tour). Independent travel it is not, but the setting is priceless and truly once-in-a-lifetime.
2. Glacier National Park, USA: If you Google this famous national park, you will undoubtedly pull up a number of sites about glacial melting and global warning. All of the glaciers in this amazingly Montana park are melting at hair-raising rates. In fact, it is expected that Glacier National Park will have no more glaciers by the year 2030. If that’s not enough to get you moving, take my word on this one: Glacier NP is the single most beautiful landscape on earth . . . and you can’t argue otherwise unless you’ve been there. Drive up Going-to-the-Sun Road and watch the sunset on Avalanche Lake.
3. Beijing, China: Beijing need not be touted for its impressive sights. Let me guess- its been on your to-see list for a while now? Here are your reasons to go NOW- Pollution and destruction. At the risk of sounding like a pessimist, Beijing’s famous hutongs are being torn down at a rapid pace, and the smog is only going to get worse.
4. The West Bank, Palestine: The West Bank holds a special place in my heart- not only because of my time spent living and working as a journalist there- but also because it served as one of my first “homes-away-from-home.” I would argue that there is never a bad time to visit the West Bank. Yes, like North Korea, it is easily accessible and navigable, despite what you may have heard. Okay, maybe not “easily,” but you can do it. Many areas, such as Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Jericho, are safe and tourist-friendly. Of course, check the news before you travel and do your research. I’ve always felt that the best way to understand a conflict is to experience it, and that no less true in Palestine. And while you’re at it, stop in Israel, so you can get both sides of the story.
