Old photographs and old podcasts have a similar effect on me.  They make me smile about experiences I’ve enjoyed – and also make me cringe a little.  On one hand, photos are usually marked with bad hair, dubious fashion choices and never being ready for the camera.  Podcasts, though, are a sonic reminder of progress – and that as a storyteller I continue to evolve.  (And, that makes me a cringe a bit.)

This week, we revisit an episode of my previous travel podcast series – Boarding Call – where I decide to take the show on the road to Chicago for the Memorial Day Weekend.

I get a chance to sample some stuffed pizza at Giordanos, and take an architectural tour of the city.

I do want to get back and visit Chicago again soon.  It’s a pretty awesome place.

The Swedish Tourist Association has set up a telephone number which anyone in the world can call which – when dialled – will connect the caller to a random Swede.  (Don’t worry – you’re not interrupting someone like a telemarketer would.  Swedes download an app on to their smartphone in order to take the call.)

The campaign is encouraging people to talk to Swedes about anything – a way to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary since the abolishment of censorship.

Since the tourist association set up the line, I figured it’d only be natural to talk to Swedes about their own country – and find out why they love where they live.

Ewan is no stranger to Canada.  He lived here for 10 months and worked as a ski bum up in the mountains in British Columbia and Alberta.  He also planted trees in Ontario.  He loves Canada’s wilderness, but has lots of great things to say about where he’s from.

Mattias encouraged us to check out Astrid Lindgren’s World – a park dedicated to the author of Pippi Longstocking.  It is located in Vimmerby, Sweden.

Richard downloaded The Swedish Number app on to his phone, but it was his friend Ahed who answered.  We had a great conversation about not only what’s great about Sweden, but also the importance of expanding our horizons on where we travel.

Finally, Ewacarin talked Swedish food, encouraging us to seek out great Michelin-starred restaurants in her country.

When it comes to selling a destination, the best spokespeople are always the everyday, ordinary folks who live somewhere.  The Swedish Number is a fantastic advertising campaign to connecting the world to the nordic nation.

In an effort to help guests save long distance fees, local dial-in numbers have been established in a number of countries to access the Swedish Tourist Association’s line.

Otherwise, the number to call is +46 771 793 336.  Remember that long distance/airtime/all regular charges apply as this is not a toll-free number.

There’s just something magnetic about the mountains.  Not only are the amazing to look at, but they’re even more fun to play in.  I loved getting out as much as I could as a kid to go skiing, and it’s been too long since I’ve been back to take in that fresh alpine air.

But a friend of mine who I grew up with is making the most of having one of the most famous mountain ranges in his own backyard.  Most days after he’s done his day job, you’ll find Jamie Junker sprinting up one of the many ranges which paint the backdrop of Alberta’s picturesque Kananaskis Country.  You might think he’s a little crazy… I just think he’s fearless – and inspiring for making his mountain passion a part of his everyday life.

Check out some of these photos Jamie has taken up in Alberta’s Rockies.  You’ll agree – it’s breathtaking.  (All photos in the show notes for this episode – including the header image are credit to Jamie.)

For more on mountain running, visit Jamie’s website.

Yes!  There’s a slightly different sound to this week’s show.  Let me know what you think of it at [email protected].

Also on this week’s show :

I’ve often seen airline employees hold signs looking for passengers arriving on international flights who need to make a connection.  But I’d never been one of those connecting passengers, until I arrived in Beijing en route to Toronto from Hong Kong.

What followed was a rather pleasant surprise, and a bit of a revelation about myself (hint : it’s scary how easy I’d be easy to kidnap).

On this week’s show :

If you haven’t listened to Episode 28.5 yet, be sure to check it out.  It’ll give you more context for my thoughts on Vietnam.

You often hear about censorship and propaganda when discussing Communist countries like Vietnam, but you never really see it in action.  But last Sunday night in Hanoi, I watched it take place before my eyes.

Not all censorship is as forward as the incident I describe in this add-on to episode 28 of the podcast.  There are other ways that conversation is curtailed and a world view is shaped on a regular basis – like the tape delay of cable news channels like CNN and BBC World, or laws which prohibit saying certain things about certain historical figures.

My biggest takeaway is that we fail to understand the gravity of the words “censorship” and “propaganda” when we throw them around trivially.  To truly appreciate these words, you have to look to places where they form public policy.

It’s important to not let this one part of my Vietnam visit take away from the incredible experiences I had with so many people in the country.  But, I’d be failing in providing context to my trip if I didn’t talk about this.

On this episode of the show, we take a trip in the Gone John time machine back to April of last year.  I was just starting to produce my then-new travel podcast, Boarding Call (which is a damn fine show which you should check out if you haven’t done so already), and I had just scored an interview with someone who I didn’t realize at the moment would be a huge inspiration for the trip I’ve embarked on.

Matt Kepnes – aka Nomadic Matt – has been travelling since 2008, and penned what the BBC has called the “bible of budget travel” – How to Travel the World on $50 a Day.  He was on a cross-country tour of the United States to promote the latest version of his book when I Skyped him last year, and the result is the interview that’s in this week’s episode of the show.

I always knew I wanted to travel.  While close friends who’d been backpacking helped push me over the hump, it was Matt’s advice, and book, and blog which were the catalyst for me to believe I can afford to do this (because the alternative costs just as much, if not more).

As this leg of my adventure draws to a close, I wanted to revisit this interview.  Matt’s advice has been sage, and has gone a long way to helping me stretch my dollars abroad (while also teaching me to not be pennywise and pound foolish).

If you know a young person who is keen to travel, get them Matt’s book.  Inspire the spark of curiosity in them to go explore the world.  You won’t regret it.

This week’s featured image, by the way, is a photo of sunrise (this morning!) on My Khe Beach (aka “China Beach”) here in Danang.

Coming up on this week’s show :

For more on Mojzo Dorm in Nha Trang, check out their Hostelworld entry.  For more on Danang Beach Hotel, click here.

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On this week’s episode of the show :