On a trip to Australia, not long ago, I visited the fabled Outback and the infamous Ayer’s Rock and was truly amazed by this most marvelous and yet desolate space. Aside from being remote, I was amazed at the interesting wildlife found throughout. The nearest major population center to Ayer’s Rock is Alice Springs, famous for its historic importation of camels from the Middle East and North Africa for use in intercontinental transport of goods and people. When the use of modern technology transplanted the camel, the thousands of dromedaries and their decedents were released or escaped into the wild and today, the area surrounding Ayer’s Rock and Alice Springs is home to the world’s only surviving population of feral (formally domesticated or descended from domesticated ancestors) camels. In addition to the camels, other introduced species in the area include the cat, dog, mouse, fox, and rabbit.

However, the area in and around the Uluru – Kate Tjuta National Park is home not only to imported animals but is also home to a host of exotic and varied native species as well. Perhaps most notorious and iconic is the kangaroo. Similar to the North American white tail deer in terms of their continental distribution, the kangaroo is found throughout central Australia (as well as the whole of the continent) and also lives within close proximity to its smaller but similarly built cousins the wallaroo and the wallaby.

In addition, to the animal life, this part of Australia is known for its isolation and remoteness and, as I said, I was struck as to just how alone we really were out there. The native aboriginal peoples often spoke of the “walkabout” a solitary journey into the bush of the outback in order to find one’s self. Today, modern travelers from the west often attempt to emulate this ancient ritual in an attempt to connect with nature and to leave the rat race fully behind them. Whether you make the journey alone, like the natives once did, or whether you choose to bring along your friends or loved ones, you are sure to find an excursion into the outback rewarding and therapeutic. I know that for me, my trip to Australia – and to the Outback in particular – was a memorable time and destination and one that I long to return to.

During my senior year of college I took a semester abroad in London where I not only went to school but interned as well. It was a very exciting time for me. My placement was with the UK’s Court Service. In the complete opposite of American efficiency, the Court Service exists a giant and useless organization. While people call the agency for legal advice they do not staff lawyers and are therefore not allowed to actually give such advice. I know, I know….it doesn’t make much sense. But enough bloviating on that subject, as despite my objections, the internship afforded me an amazing opportunity as I was given direct access to the infamous Old Bailey. The Bailey is England’s largest criminal court and is the final stop for all the country’s biggest criminal cases. During my time there I was able to see countless high profile cases, including the gruesome slaying of two young girls: a huge story by London standards during my time there.

In addition, I was able to travel the country and participate in “charter mark” award ceremonies. Basically, in yet another display of the UK’s propensity to waste tax payer’s money, we traveled the country congratulating various court districts for a job well done and put on shows featuring motivational speakers as well as hosting luncheons. While the award ceremonies themselves were, bluntly, something of a joke the opportunity to travel England and Scotland by train was pretty darn cool and allowed me enjoy the country in a way many of my fellow travel abroad students could not. I saw green hills and the picturesque British country side, small farms and villages, and even enjoyed my first taste of haggis on a train speeding toward Edinburgh. Even more cool than the things I saw were the people I met. Traveling by train brings with it a certain level of intimacy not offered in other forms of travel and I was quick to converse with those on the train and was able to make a few friends along the way – of course, the fact that the train sold wine in abundance helped this cause immensely. Finally, the last really neat thing about traveling the country was that I was put up in fancy hotels as I traveled. Considering I was only 21 at the time, working for the Court Service might just have been one of the more interesting experiences of my young life thus far.

My first trip to Europe was an epic bike trip that took place the summer after I graduated from high school, a trip that lasted two months and spanned 5 countries. My friend and I had been planning the trip for almost 2 years, scrimping and saving at our high school jobs to put the cash together for our adventure. We had intense training rides for the entire month before we left, with a week of 70-mile bike rides right before our departure. We were as ready as we could possibly be, or so we thought.

We arrived in Paris, wet behind the ears and speaking only some basic French phrases. We rebuilt our bikes in the train station, got hounded by a security guard, and made it to the streets jet-lagged and only a little worse for wear. From there our adventure began, one that would eventually total almost 1,700 miles of riding. We made from Paris to Amsterdam in two weeks, spending our time biking through the breadbasket of France and pitching our tent in farmers’ fields. Contrary to what we had heard from others, the French people we met were very warm and helpful (it may have had to do with the Tour de France being held while we were riding!).

From Amsterdam we flew to Barcelona and then on to Sevilla, where we bike along the Atlantic coast all the way up to Lisbon. That was my favorite stretch of the trip, because our days consisted of biking along beautiful coastline and resting on beaches when the mood struck us. The trip was probably the best preparation I could have asked for when it came to college, because I had learned to survive on my own with no support network for two months already!

I spent two weeks in Tokyo two years ago visiting a friend that was studying abroad there, and had an absolutely amazing time. Tokyo, and Japan in general, is one of those places where a Westerner has no frame of reference culturally. Everything that you encounter is new, strange, and intoxicating. When I first arrived at Narita airport, I had to navigate the subway system on my own to find my friend, which was an experience and a half.

I was the proverbial fish out of water. I am blonde-haired and blue-eyed, and got stares from what seemed like every single person in the subway car. There was to be no blending in on this trip. I was incredibly relieved when I reached my friend’s apartment, and I was also incredibly grateful to have a tour guide of sorts that had been living in the city for the past 8 months. I spent two weeks wandering the city, often on my own, because my friend was still in school at the time I was visiting.

Let me be the first to say that Tokyo is like some Bladerunner-esque city on the moon. The fashion is loud and cutting-edge, and often ridiculous. In the park on weekends there are endless people dressed up in anime character costumes, alongside four guys that sing Elvis every single weekend rain or shine. The nightlife is amazing, especially the karaoke. You can rent your own room, complete with drink services, and sing to your heart’s content with your friends. It is a bit different than the cheap bar setups you usually find in the United States. If given the chance, I would definitely return to Tokyo for a reunion tour, because that city is absolutely insane. There was never a dull moment while I was there.