Brooklyn, NY

On the website for www.intlconnections.com

Go in with an open mind and leave with an open heart.

The craziest place I have ever visited was a pay-by-the hour hotel in Paris. I was in Paris with some friends the night before New Year's Eve and our hotel had given our room to someone else, all the hotels in our price range and above, were booked, the only game in town was this hotel frequented by prostitutes. The room was so disgusting I slept in my clothes and the bathroom was even worse so I washed up in the bathrooms of Bon Marche for the two days I was there.

I was at party in Zimbabwe when a guy found out I was from the United States. He proceeded to talk to me as he had saw and heard men do in music videos, using some really derogatory names for women. After some firm explanations about the reality vs. the imagery of the US, he understood that his language wasn't appropriate, but it just showed me the power of images.

Plan your trip, but be open to serendipity. Even if you're traveling with someone else, take some time to wander by yourself, you meet more people that way and can take your time to enjoy the experience.

I want to go to Madagascar. I would love to see the rich flora and fauna and get to know the people of this unique island nation.

I have been to France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Bahamas, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Cape Verde, Zambia and Zimbabwe. I also have traveled extensively in the United States.

I'm going back to Brazil in October.