Of Orbs and Itchy Feet...

Globe at Columbus Circle

Sculpture at the UN entitled Sfera con Sfera (Sphere within a Sphere) by Arnaldo Pomodoro. The inner ball represents the Earth and outer ball represents Christianity

The sight of globes causes itchy feet. Oh wanderlust! I keep hearing about this travel show host, Samantha Brown.  She is from Texas, as am I. She studied theatre, as did I. She now lives in NYC, as do I.  But she is the one with the dream job, traveling 230 days out of the year and filming several travel related shows for the travel channel. I've never actually seen a show of hers in full; I've only just started watching clips online after having several random people mention her to me. And I'm not sure if this is a fair assessment since my viewing has been limited, but so far I'm not too impressed. Admittedly, jealousy could be clouding my judgement, but she seems a bit boring to me. I'm pretty sure I could host with a bit more panache. Just saying. Does anyone have a more informed opinion about Ms. Brown? She's a cute, sporty-looking, girl-next-door blonde type that seems to be every producers dream. If there are any producers out there looking for the exact opposite of that type, I've got some badass travel show ideas!

Do Americans know Michael Palin? Oh! Well of course you know him from Monty Python, right?  I'm not sure if his travel shows are aired in the states, though. When I lived in the UK, I would often watch  his travel documentaries on the BBC which are brilliant. Palin is funny and charming, and he is a proper traveler, not just a tourist. I think I recall seeing a DVD box set somewhere. It would make a nice gift for the globetrotter in your life. He also wrote a book after each of his trips. I haven't read any of those myself, but I've heard rave reviews from fellow travelers.

Who/what is your favorite travel host/travel show and why?

"Elope with me, Miss Private, and we’ll sail around the world/ I will be your Ferdinand and you my wayward girl/ How many nights of talking in hotel rooms can you take?/ How many nights of limping around on pagan holidays?/ Oh, elope with me in private and we’ll set something ablaze/ A trail for the devil to erase" --Belle and Sebastian, Piazza, New York Catcher