Radiovagabond

Her er en 10 minutters dagbog om, hvad der er sket denne uge i mit nomadeliv. Jeg er stadig i Tamborine Mountains nær Brisbane i Australien.

Du får også hele interviewet fra i mandags, hvor jeg var på landsdækkende radio i dette store land.

Welcome to Flashback Friday.

Join me in this episode of The Radio Vagabond, where I'm Couchsurfing on a blueberry farm in Maine.

This one was first released in April 2021.

Saudi Arabia is a country that is known for its rich culture and history, as well as its modern developments and economic prosperity. But while the country has made economic and social progress in recent decades, it's also important to recognize that every country has its own set of issues and challenges.

I've started launching episodes about my visit to Saudi Arabia, and in the first one that came out on Tuesday, it may have sounded like there's nothing bad about this country. And even though I loved my visit and met some of the friendliest people I've ever met, there are still challenges.

In this episode, I will share what I think is both good and bad about this country.

THE GOOD ABOUT SAUDI ARABIA

Let's dive in and start with some of the things that are good about Saudi Arabia:

GOOD: Culture and history

Saudi Arabia is home to a number of historical and cultural sites that are of great importance to the country and the region. The city of Mecca is the holiest site in Islam and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. It is also home to the Kaaba, a sacred stone building that is the focus of the annual hajj pilgrimage. Medina, another city in Saudi Arabia, is also considered a holy city and is the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad. These cities are of great significance to Muslims around the world and are a source of pride for the country.

GOOD: Economy

Saudi Arabia is a major player in the global economy, with a GDP of over $800 billion. The country is rich in natural resources, particularly oil, which accounts for a significant portion of its wealth. The government has also invested heavily in modernizing and diversifying the economy, with initiatives aimed at boosting tourism, technology, and other sectors. As a result, Saudi Arabia has a high standard of living and a strong infrastructure.

GOOD: Education

Education is a priority in Saudi Arabia, with the government investing heavily in the education sector. The country has a number of top-ranked universities, including King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, which are known for their research and innovation. The government also provides free education to all citizens, from primary school through to university.

GOOD: Healthcare

Saudi Arabia has a well-developed healthcare system, with a number of hospitals and clinics located throughout the country. The government invests heavily in the healthcare sector, providing free medical care to all citizens. The country is also home to a number of renowned medical facilities, such as the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, which is known for its advanced medical technology and expertise.

GOOD: Infrastructure

Saudi Arabia has a modern infrastructure, with a well-developed transportation system and a number of major cities connected by highways and airports. The country has also invested heavily in its telecommunications infrastructure, with high levels of Internet and mobile phone penetration. These investments have contributed to the country's economic development and have made it easier for people to live, work, and travel within the country.

GOOD: Natural beauty

Despite its desert climate, Saudi Arabia is home to a number of beautiful natural landscapes. The country has a number of parks and nature reserves, including the Asir National Park, which is home to a number of endangered species. The country's coastlines, including the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, are also popular destinations for tourists and offer a range of activities such as diving, fishing, and water sports.

GOOD: Modern developments

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has undergone a number of modern developments, including the construction of new cities, such as King Abdullah Economic City and NEOM, which are designed to be centres of innovation and economic growth. The country has also invested heavily in its tourism sector, with initiatives aimed at promoting the country as a destination for both religious and recreational tourism.

THE BAD ABOUT SAUDI ARABIA

There are also a number of issues that have been the subject of criticism and concern. Let's have a look at some of the things that might not be good about Saudi Arabia.

BAD: Treatment of women

One issue that has received significant attention is the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia. The country has a strict system of gender segregation, and women are subject to a number of legal restrictions and limitations on their freedom of movement and expression. For example, women in Saudi Arabia are required to have a male guardian who has the authority to make decisions on their behalf and control their movements.

However, in August 2020, the Saudi Arabian government announced that they would be revoking the laws that required women to have a male guardian's permission to travel, marry, or even leave prison. Additionally, the law that required women to wear an abaya (a loose-fitting black cloak) in public was also repealed.

BAD: Lack of political freedoms

Another issue that has been the subject of criticism is the lack of political freedom in Saudi Arabia. The country is an absolute monarchy, and political parties are not allowed. There is also no independent judiciary, and human rights groups have reported cases of arbitrary detention, torture, and other human rights abuses by the authorities.

BAD: Treatment of migrant workers

There have also been concerns about the treatment of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. Many migrant workers, particularly those from South and Southeast Asia, work in low-paying, hazardous jobs and are subject to abuse and exploitation by their employers. Migrant workers are also often denied access to basic rights and protections, such as the right to form unions or to seek legal recourse for workplace abuses.

BAD: Treatment of minority groups

Human rights groups have also raised concerns about the treatment of minority groups in Saudi Arabia, including the Shi'a minority in the Eastern Province and the Bidun, a stateless minority group. These groups have faced discrimination and marginalization and have been denied access to education and employment opportunities.

BAD: Lack of freedom of expression

Another issue that has been a source of concern is the lack of freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia. The government tightly controls the media and censors the internet, and individuals who express dissenting views or criticize the government can face arrest and imprisonment.

BAD: Environmental concerns

There have also been concerns about the environmental impact of Saudi Arabia's economic development. The country is a major producer of oil, and the extraction and refining of oil has contributed to environmental degradation, including air and water pollution. Additionally, the country's rapid population growth and urbanization have put a strain on natural resources, such as water, and have contributed to environmental problems such as desertification.

BAD: Tense relationship with other countries

It is also worth noting that Saudi Arabia has a complex and often tense relationship with other countries in the region. The country has been involved in a number of conflicts and disputes, including the ongoing conflict in Yemen, and has been accused of supporting extremist groups and interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.

Conclusion

Overall, while Saudi Arabia has made significant progress in recent decades, and they have big things happening in their 2030 plan that I talked about in the episode a few days ago.

Saudi Arabia is a country with a rich culture and history, a strong economy, and a well-developed infrastructure. It is home to a number of historical and cultural sites, top-ranked universities, and renowned medical facilities.

The country is also home to a number of beautiful natural landscapes.

But there are still a number of issues that have been the subject of criticism and concern. Treatment of women, lack of political freedoms, treatment of migrant workers and minority groups, and lack of freedom of expression.

Its modern developments and initiatives to boost tourism have helped

I feel it's important for Saudi Arabia to address the problematic issues and work towards a more just and equitable society if they really want to make it a dynamic and attractive place to live and visit.

These are my own opinions, based on my experiences visiting the country and the research I've done. You might disagree – and if you do, please let me know. Either on The Radio Vagabond on Facebook or by sending me a message via theradiovagabond.com/contact.

My name is Palle Bo. And I gotta keep moving. See you.

Nu kun på engelsk

Dette er den danske udgave af Radiovagabond. Hvis du har været med længe, så vil du vide, at jeg normalt laver både en dansk og en engelsk udgave af podcasten. Og når der nu altid har været en hel del på engelsk, så går jeg ud fra, at du forstår engelsk. Men jeg har alligevel altid indtalt en hel del på dansk – og oversat blog post til dansk. Og det tager tid.

I forvejen bruger jeg 3-4 fulde arbejdsdage på en enkelt episode, og jeg har valgt, at det er mere vigtigt at producere flere nye episoder end også at lave den danske version.

Jeg håber, at det er okay med dig. Og jeg vil meget gerne høre fra dig, hvad du synes.

مرحبا بكم في المملكة العربية السعودية

Join us as we explore the stunning landscapes, rich culture, and fascinating history of KSA. From the towering sand dunes where we get stuck many times to the vibrant cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, and literally to the Edge of the World (yes, that is the name of a place in this country), I'll take you on a journey driving more than 4,000 km through one of the most misunderstood and least-visited countries in the world.

Along the way, we'll meet some locals and experts who will share their insights and experiences, and delve into the customs, traditions, and daily life of the Saudi people.

This is the first of many episodes from KSA, where we explore the capital, Riyadh and go quad biking in the Red Sand Dunes – after a struggle to catch the flight from Dubai.

Road tripping with "Cynthia Globe"

I'm travelling to Saudi Arabia with my good friend, Cynthia. She is a lawyer, a CouchSurfing Ambassador, and a big-time traveller – and calls herself "Cynthia Globe".

When I met her in her home state, Florida, I did an interview with her. We got along so well, that we ended our meeting with talking about going on a trip together. Maybe doing a "2.0 in Nairobi". Fast forward just four months we meet again on the other side of the planet in Dubai.

We are there because we booked a cruise going from Dubai to Cape Town, via Seychelles, Reunion, Madagascar, and a few other places. All in all, a cool cruise. But then the Omicron Variant of the Corona Virus was discovered in South Africa. It didn't come from there; the South African scientists were just the first to find it. I guess they were just smarter than in other countries. Nevertheless, the whole southern part of Africa was hit by travel restrictions, and we had a feeling that it would affect our cruise.

But Norwegian Cruise Line didn't say anything about this. We heard several rumours of changes, but nothing from NCL. They didn't even change it on their website, and just for fun, I tried calling them one day, to see if they were still selling it. And they were.

Then as I was on my flight to Dubai a few days before departure, I got an email saying that it was cancelled. I did get all my money back and even a 25% discount on my next cruise, but still. They could have told us a long time before.

Cynthia was also on her way to Dubai, and we ended up spending a few weeks there, and even spent several days going to the World Expo that was held in Dubai at the time.

At the same time, we were discussing where to go. We were seconds away from booking a flight to Kenya – and actually doing the 2.0 in Nairobi. But then Cynthia said: "Hey, why don't we go to Saudi Arabia".

And so, we did. But before we get there, we had to go through a stressful day in Dubai Airport.

Stressful day in Dubai Airport

We flew "FlyADeal" for 2 hours to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from Dubai. It was not much of a "deal" at 364 USD/340 EUR. Plus, the service was very poor, even for budget airlines.

We waited in line at check-in for 15 minutes and found out that we were in the Saudi national's line. We then switched to a big line, and it hardly moved. We stood in that line for 2.5 hours (!!) to finally get checked in.

There are lots of steps to entering Saudi: VISA (which was very hard to get until a few years ago), a Covid test, register your visa and covid test, print these first three requirements, and download a special monitoring app, that we needed to enter shops, restaurants, and other places in the country.

Cynthia's app didn't work for four days, but she used her vaccine card or showed the app – and was never denied entry even without the QR identifier, that didn't work.

She had done her registration and printed it but back at the airport at check-in, the gate agent said it wasn't right, as there was no QR code. She didn't know there was another step to the ones she had done; it was tense at the airport as she was doing the final step there at the check-in counter – with many people behind us in the line.

The Gate Agent said there was no rush, as the flight was late due to check-in not being completed. When we asked, "for how long", they didn't know. You would think that someone could have called the check-in people, so they could inform the stressful passengers.

We also asked if we were able to make it in time for the flight – now that check-in was so slow. And all they said was "we will try…"

So, once we finally got our boarding passes, we sprinted through the airport, arriving at the gate at 10:29 for the 10:30 am flight.

On the plane, Cynthia was upgraded to the "Ladies Only Row" with a Saudi Mom and her four Daughters.

"They were so sweet to me – helped me store my bag, travel tips; and when they thought I was cold: they wrapped me up in a black fur coat."

She also says that this was a wonderful encounter with Saudi women – we would soon find out that Saudi's are warm, welcoming, polite and enjoy meeting foreigners.

Yes, flight delayed

The flight took off 1.25 hours late. The pilot apologized twice with a lame excuse:

"We are delayed 15 minutes as a passenger forgot a bag at security; it is out of our control."

Ahhh, what about the extra 1 hour, as check-in took 2.5 hours?!

We finally arrived in Saudi Arabia or "KSA" – the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as it's officially called.

The Riyadh Metro

On the first day, we decided to take the metro to the center, but when we got to the station, we discovered that it's so new that it wasn't running yet. I even asked our Airbnb host if it was close to the Metro station, and he just said, "yes, it's very close". Not "but it's not working yet".

Who needs a Metro that isn't working? Since we were there the Metro in Riyadh should be running – or at least most of it. It will have six lines that serve the city and its suburbs and is designed to help avoid traffic congestion and improve mobility in the city.

The Riyadh Metro has a total length of 176 kilometres (109 miles) and serves 85 stations. It's fully automated and features state-of-the-art trains and stations, and is equipped with advanced security and safety systems. The metro system is also accessible to people with disabilities, and then it's eco-friendly. The stations come with solar cells that will contribute to 20 percent of the entire station's energy. The service once up and running will contribute to the decrease of nearly 250,000 car journeys a day, thereby reducing the city's fuel requirement of 400,000 litres.

A project like that isn't cheap: Around 22.5 billion US dollars or 21 billion Euros. But that's possible when money's not an issue.

Saudi Arabia's 2030

All of this is a part of Saudi Arabia's 2030 plan also known as Vision 2030.

It was launched in April 2016 by the Saudi Arabian Government as a program aimed at transforming the country into not being so dependent on oil export in the future.

Here are some of the key goals:

Diversification of the economy

The plan aims to reduce the country's reliance on oil exports and encourage the growth of non-oil sectors such as manufacturing, tourism, and small and medium enterprises.

Job creation

The plan aims to create more than 3 million new jobs for Saudi citizens by 2030.

Social and cultural development

The plan aims to improve the quality of life for Saudi citizens by investing in education, healthcare, and cultural initiatives.

Infrastructure development

The plan includes investments in transportation (like the new Metro system in Riyadh), energy, water, and telecommunications infrastructure to support economic growth and development.

Environmental sustainability

The plan aims to reduce the country's carbon footprint and increase its use of renewable energy sources.

Open to tourists

And then the big one for someone like me: Saudi Arabia began welcoming tourists in September 2019, also as part of its 2030 plan. Tourism is seen as a key growth sector in Saudi Arabia.

It can generate significant economic benefits, including jobs, tax revenues, and foreign exchange earnings. By attracting more tourists, Saudi Arabia hope to diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on oil exports. It's also in the plan that tourism also can contribute to cultural exchange and understanding between different countries and regions.

They feel that by welcoming visitors from around the world, Saudi Arabia can promote its culture and traditions and learn from other cultures.

Overall, the decision to open up to tourists is part of Saudi Arabia's broader efforts to transform itself into a more diversified and innovative economy, and to create a more prosperous and dynamic society.

To transform Saudi Arabia into a global hub for trade and commerce, and to create a more prosperous and dynamic society.

Renting a car and two quad bikes

To see Saudi, a car is a must, so the next day, we picked up a rental car for the next 10 days at a place called Hanco at the Riyadh airport. It was 31 USD (29 EUR) per day, so definitely not too bad.

Then we drove about an hour from Riyadh to the Al-Dahna desert. We came here to drive Quad Bikes in the famous and dramatic Red Sand Dunes. After talking to two vendors and doing a bit of bargaining for the 1-hour rental, we rented a Quad Bike each.

These sand dunes are formed from fine, red sand that has been blown by the wind over the years, creating towering mounds that can reach up to 100 feet in height. The terrain is rough and rugged, with steep inclines and sudden drops that can be challenging to navigate. Except for when we got stuck, it was totally fun.

We were at the far end of the Dunes looking for a route back when our vendor came out to find us.

FACTS ABOUT RIYADH

• Riyadh is the capital city of Saudi Arabia and is home to over 7 million people.
• The city was founded in the early 18th century and has a rich history that can be seen in the many historical landmarks and museums scattered throughout the city.
• The Masmak Fortress, a historic castle located in the heart of the city, played a crucial role in the founding of modern-day Saudi Arabia and is a popular tourist attraction.
• The city is known for its vibrant nightlife and has a thriving arts and culture scene, with numerous galleries, theaters, and music venues to explore.
• Riyadh is also home to some of the world's most luxurious and exclusive hotels, including the Ritz-Carlton and the Four Seasons, which offer breathtaking views of the city and surrounding desert landscape.
• The city is also home to many world-class shopping malls, including the Kingdom Centre, which features a rooftop skybridge that offers panoramic views of the city.
• Riyadh has a number of world-class sports facilities, including the King Fahd International Stadium, which is one of the largest football stadiums in the world and has a seating capacity of over 75,000. One that would be put into good use if they win the bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Stuck in Traffic

At 3 pm, we started the drive back in to Riyadh because Ali, one of Cynthia's CouchSurfing friends was leading a walking tour, and we wanted to join in. But that didn't go as planned. We got the outskirts of the city just in time for the glorious rush hour.

One of the main challenges of driving during rush hour in Riyadh is that there are so many cars trying to get ahead at the same time, not always sticking to their lanes.

It is definitely not for the faint at heart and a challenging experience, especially for those who are not used to heavy traffic or driving in busy cities.

We were already getting late for our appointment for the walking tour with Ali, and then we had another challenge. Finding a place to park.

We finally did find one and met for a quick chat with Ali, for just a few minutes.

Sunset at Nabd Al Riyadh

Then, we strolled the exterior of the Palace Museum, Fort and an Original City Gate and ended up in "Nabd Al Riyadh," an outdoor courtyard area with coffee shops, live music, and a chalk-art artist.

It's a peaceful and pleasant spot to end our day and with a local performer in the background and the sun setting over Riyadh, we sat down and reflected on an adventurous day.

Much more from Saudi Arabia

In the next episode, we literally go to the Edge of The World. But there's much more in that episode /next Tuesday).

You'll get the full travel versions of The Radio Vagabond like this one on Tuesdays (let's call it "Travel Tuesday"), and then Flashback episodes every Friday and the ten-minute diary entry from where I am right now every Saturday.

But there's more: Sometimes, you'll get a short one about the country we're covering in the travel episodes on Thursdays. And this week I have one for you.

Having listened to this episode, you might think that I'm painting a rosy picture of Saudi Arabia. And yes, I did like it. But not all is perfect, they still have some challenges in my eyes; so, on Thursday I'll give you an episode, that I call "The Good and The Bad about Saudi Arabia". Here I'll share what I think is good about Saudi Arabia and also what I think is not so great.

If you like what you hear, please tell a friend about The Radio Vagabond.

My name is Palle Bo, and I gotta keep moving. See you.

Poem about this episode – written by an AI

The Radio Vagabond, Palle Bo, Took a trip to Saudi Arabia with his friend, Cynthia. A CouchSurfing Ambassador, and a big-time traveler, She calls herself "Cynthia Globe," and she's quite the explorer.

They caught a flight from Dubai, but not without a fight, And soon they found themselves exploring the city of Riyadh at night. Quad biking through the Red Sand Dunes, they got stuck in the sand, But they had a lot of fun and made the most of their planned

Adventure, even if it didn't go quite as planned. But then they hit some traffic, causing them to arrive At Nabd Al Riyadh, an outdoor courtyard to their delight, Where coffee shops, live music, and chalk-art artists ignite

Their senses and keep them entertained until the morning light. In the next episode of this podcast, they set out to see The Edge of The World, where they meet many camels, wild and free. The Radio Vagabond continue to travel and explore this land of gold.

Her er ti minutter, hvor jeg fortæller dig, hvad der sket i mit nomadeliv i denne uge, hvor jeg lige er ankommet til Tamborine Mountains nær Brisbane.

Welcome to Flashback Friday.

Join me in this episode of The Radio Vagabond, where I'm at a Couchsurfing CouchCrash called "ConnectiCOUCH" in Connecticut, USA. I learn about the Yankees, Colt revolvers and the magic of warm Connecticut hospitality.

This one was first released in March 2021.

Her er ti minutter, hvor jeg fortæller dig, hvad der sket i mit nomadeliv i denne uge, mens jeg er ved at gøre mig klar til at fejre nytår på en båd i havnen i Sydney, Australien.

Welcome to Flashback Friday.

Join me in this episode of The Radio Vagabond, where I spend two days in the Philippines in 'The Enchanted Farm'. The farm is much more than just agriculture. They have a wide range of social entrepreneurship projects, and there is also a university in the place where young people from poor families to educate themselves for free via scholarships.

I also meet Rafael Dionisio, the founder and leader of MAD Travel, which arranges trips to Gawad Kalinga's many projects.

This one was first released in December 2016.

Nedbryder grænser og rejser verden rundt alene

Vi har en sidste samtale fra Extraordinary Travel Festival, og jeg tror ikke, jeg fornærmer nogle af de tidligere gæster ved at sige, at vi har gemt den bedste til sidst. Faktisk er jeg helt sikker på, at de alle vil være enige.

For dagens gæst er ikke alene en inspiration for os alle, og især alle der siger, "jeg kan ikke rejse alene fordi dit og dat".

100% blind og 80% døv

Af alle de ekstremt-rejsende, jeg mødte ved denne festival, skiller min sidste gæst sig meget ud. Han er berejst (har været i 128 lande, da jeg mødte ham i oktober), men det er ikke det, der gør ham speciel. Han er totalt blind og 80% døv på begge ører. Det stopper ham dog ikke i at se verden.

For det meste rejser han alene. Han har ikke en førerhund eller en medhjælper ved sin side til at advare ham om en forhindring eller et hul i fortovet. Eller fortælle ham, hvilken lokal bus han skal med, selv i lande, hvor de færreste taler engelsk.

Hvorfor og hvordan?

Første gang, jeg hørte om Tony, var der to spørgsmål, der rumsterede i mit hoved: For det første, hvorfor? Kan han overhovedet få noget ud af det, når han ikke kan se noget. Og mit andet spørgsmål: Hvordan i alverden er det muligt?

Lyt til episoden og hør Tony fortælle om, at han får meget ud af at rejse; noget, der ligner meget, hvad vi andre får ud af det. Møde de lokale, lære noget om deres måde at leve på, opleve lydene og duftene på et sted. Alt sammen det samme som os, med den lille detalje, at vi er i stand til at se, hvordan ting ser ud.

Udvidede sanser

Tony har en speciel evne. Han er i stand til at fornemme et lokale uden at være i stand til at se det. Om jeg giver ham en udfordring om at beskrive det lokale vi sidder i. Et lokale, han naturligvis aldrig har set. Hør hvordan han rammer plet.

Forfatteren Tony

Tony har udgivet tre e-bøger om sine eventyr: "Seeing the World My Way", "Seeing the Americas My Way", og "Seeing a Slice of Southern Africa My Way". Du kan bestille bøgerne på Tonys hjemmeside, TonyTheTraveller.com.

To episoder mere i år

Det var næsten det hele for denne episode, og også næsten alt for i år. Det vil sige, du får stadig en Flashback fredag (den er fra Filippinerne) og endnu en rå og uredigeret Vagabond Dagbog fra Sydney, hvor jeg er nu. Den kommer på årets sidste dag.

Vi kommer til at starte det nye år med flere episoder fra mit besøg i Saudi Arabien. Og så meget mere, for jeg har rigtig mange planer med Radiovagabond, og jeg kommer til at kaste en masse mere i din retning i det nye år.

Så sørg for at du har klikket på "follow", "subscribe" eller hvad det nu ellers hedder i din foretrukne podcast app.

Jeg håber, du kan fornemme, at jeg lægger en masse energi i at producere Radiovagabond, og du skal mange, mange tak for at du er med mig på rejsen.

Hvis du vil give mig en julegave i år, så skulle det være, at du giver mig fem stjerner og en lille anmeldelse i din podcast app, og deler den med dine venner. Du kan simpelthen bare sende en kort besked til en af dine venner, som ka' li' at rejse. Eller deler den player, jeg lægger ud for hver episode på Facebook.com/TheRadioVagabond.

Mit navn er Palle Bo. Ha' nu et godt nytår. Vi ses.

Bringer verden til masserne

I dag møder vi manden bag YouTube kanalen "Geography Now". Det er en sjov og vildt informativ kanal for alle, der gerne vil lære noget om lande rundt omkring i verden.

Kanalen er kæmpestor og har mere en 3 millioner subscribere og mere end 400 millioner visninger.

Hver episode af "Geography Now" fokuserer på et specifikt land, og går i dybden med dets kultur, historie, geografi og forhold til andre lande. Paul startede med Afghanistan og er tæt på at nå det sidste land Zimbabwe.

Gør geografi-undervisning sjov og tilgængelig for alle

Noget af det, der gør "Geography Now" anderledes end andre kanaler, der lærer om geografi, er den nærværende og underholdende stil. Pauls begejstring for geografi skinner igennem og smitter os, der sidder på den anden side af skærmen. Han præsenterer kompleks information på en måde, der drager os ind og er let at forstå. Han bruger humor og referencer til popkultur, hvilket er med til at gøre kanalen et hit for følgere i alle aldre.

Ud over lande-episoderne i "Geography Now", kan man også se en masse bonusepisoder med forskellige emner. Om mad, historie, kort og flag. Her dykker Paul og hans team mere i dybden.

Alt i alt er "Geography Now" en fantastisk kanal for alle, der vil lære noget om spændende ting om alle lande i verden.

Uanset om man er studerende, lærer eller bare en, der er lidt af en geografi-nørd som mig, så har kanalen meget at byde på.

Fremtiden for Paul Barbado

Paul er tæt på at lave videoen for det sidste land, Zimbabwe, og han fortæller, at han så vil til at rejse mere og se verden.

"Helt ærlig, så vil jeg tage en pause. Jeg har snakket om verden i omkring otte år, og det vil nok være ni-ti år inden jeg er færdig. Ja, jeg vil tage en pause og se verden. Jeg har snakket om den så længe, så nu er det på tide, at jeg rent faktisk ser den."

Han fortæller også, at han nok vil til at lave rejsevideoer fra sine ture. Og jeg har på fornemmelsen, at han er allerede tyvstartet. Han laver nu en serie på kanalen, som han kalder "GEO GO", og siden jeg mødte ham, har han faktisk lavet en video fra Armenien. Også disse videoer er fantastiske.

E-mail fra en lytter

Denne kommer fra spanske Berte, som ville fortælle mig, at hun og hendes kæreste blev inspireret af mine episoder fra Cape Town og Garden Route. Hun skriver:

Hej Palle,

Spørg mig ikke, hvordan vi fandt din podcast, men vi gjorde det i tide inden vi (min kæreste og jeg) var ved at afslutte et to måneders ophold i Cape Town, hvor vi arbejdede og udforskede byen og omgivelserne, inden vi tog på en tredages køretur fra Cape Town til Port Elizabeth og tilbage.

Jeg vil bare fortælle dig, at jeg ELSKER din podcast og det var en ren "copy-paste" af din tur med tonsvis af oplevelser i de seneste 2,5 måned.

Jeg vil blive glad for at høre fra dig.

Hav en fortsat god dag,

Berte

Mange tak Berte. Fedt at høre fra dig og jeg er glad for at I blev inspireret.

Hvis du også vil sende mig en e-mail, så må du meget gerne. Gå til Radiovagabond.dk/kontakt og se, hvordan du gør.

Næste episode fra Armenien

Vi har en enkelt episode mere fra Armenien, som kommer om et par dage. Og den er med en helt ekstraordinær rejsende. Jeg tror ikke, jeg fornærmer nogen af de andre gæster ved at sige, at jeg har gemt den bedste til sidst. Faktisk er jeg sikker på, at de alle vil være enige med mig.

Tony Giles er meget berejst – han har været i 128 FN-Nationer, da jeg mødte ham i oktober. Men det er ikke det, der gør ham speciel. Han er 100% blind og 80% døv på begge ører. Det er dog ikke noget, der stopper ham i at se verden, mens han rejser alene.

Hør hvad han får ud af det og om, hvordan det i det hele taget er muligt. Det er en vild historie.

Mit navn er Palle Bo. Vi ses.