Conversations with Strangers: Kelsey from Colorado

Kelsey and I met while watching the sunset over Annapurna in Nadapani. I had seen her around over the last few days, and could just tell she was a warm and inviting person, so striking up a chat with her was effortless. About her: I learned that Kelsey and her fiancé, Matt, are from Colorado…

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Conversations with Strangers: Bob from Kansas 

*For privacy reasons some of the details in this post have been adjusted- which I’m happy to do- but I must start with a disclaimer that my new acquaintance chose the name Bob himself. I would never do that to someone (apologies to all the Bobs out there.) If it were up to me, I…

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Conversations with Strangers: Deborah from Colorado

About Her: Deborah is a retired schoolteacher from Colorado who is traveling solo around Spain and Portugal. She is currently spending a month in Barcelona. How We Met: Katie and I were having brunch at Mama’s Cafe in Gracia, when I noticed a lovely blonde woman eating alone at the table next to us. Women…

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Conversations with Strangers: Brian from Los Angeles 

About Him: Brian is an actor from Los Angeles who is traveling Europe for a few months. He recently landed a role in a new HBO show. How We Met: Katie and I were at the Bunkers for a panoramic view of the city. The best seats at the Bunkers are on top of a…

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Conversations with Strangers: Anna from Holland 

About Her: Anna is 60 years old and a total badass. She walked 2,432 kilometers to get to Santiago de Compostela. That’s 1,511.1 miles. She started in Holland and it only took about four months. Oh, and she didn’t get any blisters.  I asked why she did the Camino, and her answer was refreshingly simple.…

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Conversations with Strangers: Pabloski from Wrocław

About him:  Paul, who goes by Pabloski because he is half Mexican and half Polish (Pablo-ski get it?), manages Funky Cycle, a rickshaw business in Barcelona. He has been living in Spain for about 16 years now, and his hidden talent is guessing what country people are from. How we met: My friend, Kristi, is visiting…

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Conversations with Strangers: Daniel from Araçatuba, Brazil

About him: Daniel is originally from Brazil, but has lived in the Netherlands for the last eight years. He has a background in engineering, used to participate in rally race-car events and knows a surprising amount about astrology. When we were discussing what I wanted to do with my life, he gave me a great piece of…

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Conversations with Strangers: The Strangest Stranger

About him: Mystery man was very unassuming: a standard tall american white male; quiet and North Face clad. Once we started talking, I quickly realized that I had stumbled upon a truly fascinating man. Mystery man was originally from the States, but had been residing in Dubai for the last ten years. He had lived in Afghanistan working with military…

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Conversations with Strangers: Grant from Michigan a.k.a. GRiZ

How we met: My friend Katie and I flew to Switzerland to see GRiZ, and went out to a venue where he had just played, in hopes of running into him. Once at the bar, he noticed the Chicago cap I was wearing and introduced himself, even though I was fully aware of who he was. Grant was amazingly easy to…

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Conservations with Strangers: Huseyin from Istanbul

How we met: I was strolling through the Grand Bazaar when Huseyin approached me and invited me into his handbag shop for rose tea. He was very helpful in giving me advice on how to haggle and find the best quality products in the bazaar, but I’m also sure he was trying to schmooze his way into…

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