The Psychology of Travel

5 Reasons for Travelling Alone

5 Reasons for Travelling Alone

Travelling alone was the only option when I went to Asia for two years. It was what I aspired to, what I planned for and what I built up to. The first page of my book, 9 Months in Tibet,  …
Dealing With Nationalists

Dealing With Nationalists

Some of the most interesting places in the world are beset by nationalists and extremists: minority groups wanting to break away and form an independent state; high levels of anger between ethnic groups and almost everywhere you go the people...
Can George Get a Job in Mongolia?

Can George Get a Job in Mongolia?

My friend George asked me if I thought he could get a job in Mongolia and, even though I don’t know anything about the jobs market in Mongolia I instantly replied: “of course you can.”…
How to Adapt to Foreign Cultures

How to Adapt to Foreign Cultures

Learning to Adapt to foreign cultures is easier than you might assume. It’s all about attitude rather than about studying the country you’re planning to visit.…
Is Macedonia a “Fully Fledged Mafia State”?

Is Macedonia a “Fully Fledged Mafia State”?

A friend recently emailed me from Macedonia and said “we are witnessing a fully-fledged mafia state being endorsed for EU membership by some of the leading democracies on the planet.” I groaned. I couldn’t be bothered. I was on the …