The World Reacts to a Trump Presidency - January 2017

2016 was an incredulous year rocked by tragedy, scandal and upset. But of the many torrid events, one will be remembered in perpetuity.

People around the globe have been fixated on the U.S. presidential election with its outcome having repercussions not only in the United States, but sending shock waves felt the world over. With the inauguration this week, I asked my friends living outside of the U.S. to share their thoughts on how a Trump presidency may impact them, their country or the planet.

Here is the world sounding off:

KENYA: "There's a fair bit of anxiety in Kenya and the continent at the moment. While Trump has signaled he will be going for a quid pro quo relationship if current trade, aid and other humanitarian assistance is to continue, many doubt he understands the complexities of modern day Africa. The continent is witnessing fast-paced development and a growing middle class is now hungry for luxury goods and other conveniences. In approaching the continent, he needs to understand that many are looking east more and more. I believe his presidency will see China's influence grow in Africa." - Wanjiku, 34

GERMANY: "Donald Trump is a ticking time bomb. His statements worry us and we are scared." - Alex, 37, and Christoph, 37

IRAN: "The people of Iran are hopeful. We are waiting for Trump to get rid of the Ayatollah. The former administration caused more suffering and suppression for our people. If there is no real threat of war, our dictator can relax and escalate bullying in and out of the region. Dialog doesn't work with murderers who use religion to promote their agendas." - Mehrdad, 37

AUSTRALIA: "I'm completely freaking out about the Trump presidency. Combined with Brexit and the upcoming French and German elections, it feels like we're on the verge of World War III. If that happens Australia will be forced to choose between our Commonwealth (the U.K.), our Asia-Pacific neighbours, and our big brother and best friend, the U.S.A." - Amy, 36

UNITED KINGDOM: "People worry about the big red button and all the harm he will do but Trump isn't a dictator. He can't really go ape and get away with it without approval. Yes, he's appointing like-minded folks and is going to make changes, but don't we always hate change?" - Jason, 38

MEXICO: "It is still unknown what [Trump's] actual official policies will be but I can anticipate a good level of hostility towards us in one form or another. I will personally avoid the U.S. for a while until its government establishes a clearer position on foreign policy ... and by the way, that wall will never be constructed!" - Roberto, 35

PAKISTAN: "I was a big fan of 'The Apprentice.' Trump is not the idiot that he pretended to be during the campaign. He was playing everyone. He is a very sharp guy in disguise. I think he will be good for the world politically; the U.S. will hopefully mind their own business since his main focus will be on the American economy and his own wealth. As far as him being against Muslims, lol, he was just being a politician to win the votes of white conservatives. He's fooled the whole world!" - Imran, 36

CHINA: "Trump being elected president is an absolute joke. How could a business person be elected president? The Chinese government is now waiting to see what his attitude towards our country will be. Right now we aren't seeing anything in the Chinese media illustrating Trump's policy on China." - Kevin, 34

MALTA: "I think Trump will inspire a lot of right-wing Maltese people to take a stand to 'make Malta great again.' This makes me sad." - Luca, 25

ARMENIA: "Trump is very unpredictable and slightly mad. If he keeps his ties with Turkey, like Obama, it won't be good for Armenia, but if he improves relations with Russia and recognizes the genocide, it would be great for our country." - Elena, 37

TURKEY: "I feel it may be problematic to visit the United States after he takes over. I believe immigrants in the U.S. will have more pressure when extremist attacks occur in different parts of the world." - Olgun, 30

JORDAN: "I was relieved when Trump won. To us in Jordan, Clinton represents the establishment and a war was inevitable. It's time for the common, good Americans to have their voice heard. Trump is not my best choice but he accomplished the mission by cutting off the mainstream establishment." - Nizar, 50

BRAZIL: "We all know that water is the new petrol. Climate change is a reality which amazingly is denied by Trump. I wonder if he will raise his military power against Brazil and Argentina due to our supply of running water. I heard last week that the U.S. is building a military base at the Iguacu waterfalls. If that is true, I pray for God to help us as our water may be endangered." - Rodnei, 38

ESTONIA: "Based on where Estonia is located and how angry European and Russian relations have become, it's going to be playing with fire. Not sure how Trump will work with Estonia's female president and if he'll ignore NATO being needed to secure borders with Russia." - Helju, 58

RUSSIA: "The U.S. should stop thinking that their internal affairs are so influential that they can change the world." - Daria, 33

PHILIPPINES: "We need a reality check. We're all living in our own bubbles. No one noticed the angry old man in the street. Hence, Duterte, Brexit and now Trump." - Mia, 43

THAILAND: "This is the first time I've seen Americans fight each other. Trump brings conflict and war. He will also bring back some business to the U.S. instead of expanding production in Asia or Thailand. This means that the U.S. dollar will strengthen in Thailand and cause a low volume of imports." - Kannika, 64

ISRAEL: "We've been very disheartened with the past administration and disappointed in their lack of support for Israel. Trump's disapproval of the recent U.N. resolution gives our people hope that the future U.S. administration will be more favorable." - Charles, 54

CANADA: "I fear that [Trump's] reactive, myopic and egotistical approach will lead to global economic disruption with the result being a deepening gap between rich and poor. Canada needs to maintain a neutralizing position and Trudeau has the opportunity to demonstrate real leadership if he can make things work. The optimist in me feels the best case scenario is that [Trump] continues to make errors in judgment so that [the U.S.] can quickly build a case to impeach him." - Tamara, 42

FINLAND: "[Trump] is like a teenage boy getting a driver's license and his first car. Anything can happen! If Mr. Trump copes well with Mr. Putin and the economical sanctions towards Russia are stopped, Finland will get a lot of benefit." - Vesa, 59

RUSSIA: "I am curious to watch how this rather unprofessional-looking type will rule a country like the U.S. Does he really have as much power as people think? If he starts doing bad things, Americans will be able to stand against it. They have a long history of fighting for their rights and freedoms, unlike Russians, and I hope they have not lost that skill." - Anna, 31

CAMBODIA: "If the new president keeps playing games with China, my country will be affected. My government is in strong support of One China." - Peou, 44

PORTUGAL: "It's certain that Trump's presidency means a step back in the fight against climate change globally. World peace and stability is a wildcard at this point, but Portugal is usually a neutral country and I don't expect it to be affected in any particular way." - Octavio, 39

INDIA: "The new president wants to focus on jobs for Americans which means more insourcing rather than outsourcing. This could have huge impact on business being carried out by U.S. entities that have centers in India. One thing that could work in India's favor, however, is that [Trump] doesn't like China and they are currently our largest competitor and threat to India-U.S. trade." - Karthik, 38

THAILAND: "Trump is not the right man for the U.S. presidency because of his uncompromising personality. The U.S. may lose their political alliances because of his meager political experience. The U.S. will confront huge problems both inside and outside of their country." - Manit, 76

COLOMBIA: "Trump will change global geopolitics in that there are many issues that leaders will not take seriously and will affect relations. The important thing is that he be well-advised and the advisers forget their partisan disputes. Countries like Colombia and many in Latin America are not important to the U.S. and I don't think that will change." - Diego, 38

ICELAND: "Our country is focused on Trump - even the smallest things he does hit the news. Some speculate Trump and Putin will have their first meeting here in Iceland. I'm not excited about it; I think it'll be a circus." - Reynir, 51

TANZANIA: "Mr. Trump seems inclined to launch nuclear war. He thinks he can run a country like he has been running his personal business. U.S. citizens need to find a way to trim his erratic thoughts before he puts them into action. If not checked he might turn back all the good efforts intended to make the world better." - Switbert, 59

IRELAND: "I'm scared! The might of the American army under that man's control and his loose, poorly-chosen words could case consternation and unrest around the world." - Conor, 37

CHINA: "Having Trump as president is like the whole world playing Russian roulette. As a 70-year-old battle-tested businessman, he has picked up some bad habits. He will have to learn to treat other countries with respect otherwise there will be no happy ending." - Fiona, 28

ESTONIA: "I hope Trump will fix relationships with Russia and the world economy will start to grow again. He is a businessman and must know these things easily." - Kairi, 40

RUSSIA: "I assume that with Trump as president the U.S. and Russia will fight less." - Tatiana, 34

THAILAND: "I worry about corruption similar to what we've experienced in Thailand because Trump is a businessman. The Thai economy may be affected due to a decreased tax duty in the U.S. on domestic products. This will encourage cash flow and trade in the U.S. but many other countries will suffer in terms of profits." - Krerkwich, 37

UNITED KINGDOM: "The morning I woke up and found that Trump was to be the next president of the United States I was in the same shock as following Brexit. I feel that both results were heavily influenced by a disillusion with mainstream politics and maybe an apathy towards what the world has achieved over the last fifty years. I do not think America will be any greater than it was before the election, and personally I think [Trump's] legacy will be a step backwards for the U.S.A. on the world stage." - Craig, 44

PHILIPPINES: "There's a lot of fear going around, but I want to see what really happens on 'day one' rather than listen to all the noise from the media, social media and even [Trump's] own Twitter account." - An, 43

Today is "day one" and now the United States and the world will have a front row seat to the inner workings of a Trump presidency. No matter what side of history you are on, the world has greater hope if you take the time to see it differently through someone else's lens.

The Nameless Women Who Shaped My Travel Perspective - March 2016

As I sat staring out the airplane window, I heard the thud of a large backpack landing in the overhead bin above my head. A woman with short dark hair shoved into the seat next to me. She sighed loudly and began talking to the seat back in front of her, "I can't believe I made it. The flight from Belize City was delayed two hours, and I literally had to run to catch this plane."

Belize City, I thought. That sounds cool. I was tired but decided to take the bait and engage in a conversation. "Why were you in Belize?" I asked. The woman explained that she and a friend had planned a week-long vacation to the Central American country but at the last minute, her friend had to cancel. My seatmate went on to tell me that even though her friend bailed she decided to travel to Belize on her own and had a fabulous time exploring ancient ruins, lazing on beaches and making new friends.

I studied the seemingly-normal-looking 20-something woman and asked in disbelief, "You traveled to another country by yourself? Weren't you scared?" She shook her head shrugging off the questions, and for the next hour described every last detail of her exciting, solo adventure. As I drove home from the airport that night I thought to myself: It's perfectly acceptable to travel by yourself. Be fearless; you may even make some new friends along the way.

Fast forward to three years later. I'm in my office staring at the computer. I've made up my mind that I'm quitting my job and am already enrolled in graduate school on the other side of the world. The email in front of me is from an American student at the university I'll be attending. It reads something like this: "Everything in Australia is different than it is back home. My parents send me care packages once a month with my favorite foods and much needed supplies. Make sure you bring plenty of soap, shampoo, make-up, and all the brands you like from home because they don't have anything like it over here. Everything is really expensive, too. Bring your own sheets and a lot of warm clothing. No one believes it, but it gets cold here in the winter."

Worried about the new frontier I'd soon find myself in, I bought a monstrously large suitcase and loaded it with all of the goods I would need to survive for the next year. I packed everything from bar soap to blankets, and threw in four tubes of my favorite brand of toothpaste for good measure. But wouldn't you know it, upon settling into my new city, I learned that they had grocery stores just like ours at home. Rows after rows of shelves with bar soap, blankets and toothpaste. Even though I didn't see all of the brands I was accustomed to buying, I found what I needed and I survived. That girl from the emails who I had never met taught me a valuable lesson: Travel light. The differences between where you go and home are part of what makes traveling an adventure. Embrace the culture around you and be open to trying something new.

Still on the other side of the world a couple years later, I got to talking with another woman while playing pool at an outdoor bar in Thailand. She was from Sweden and had a shocking nest of blond curls perched on top of her head. "How long are you on holiday?" I asked casually. "When do you head back to Stockholm?

"I'm not going back," she smoothly replied and pointed to a man playing cards at the bar. "That's my husband. We live here." Covered in tattoos and with a permeating white smile, she shared her story about how she had come to Thailand on vacation with friends, fell in love with a local and got married. They had been together for quite a while, and she had no intentions of going back to what she described as a boring and cold place miles away from anything worthwhile. Wow, I thought. How bold of this girl to travel so far from home to a place so different and bravely establish a new life for herself. A vivid example to support my building suspicion: Home is where you want it to be. Home may not always be a place or the country where you are from, but can be anywhere you feel comfortable and are surrounded by those you love.

As we travel through life, countless people cross our paths and influence our decisions. With each of these women I shared only a passing exchange, but they left impressions on me that would shape my travel perspective for a lifetime. Though I may not remember their names, these women's experiences continue to inspire me to this day. 

Nong Khai, Thailand: Flashback - June 2007

If you are wearing red panties, steer clear of the monastery.

Unfortunately I learned this lesson the hard way as a five-foot-tall nun slapped my backside and scolded me in front of dozens of bewildered monks during morning prayer. I had signed up to volunteer for three weeks at a monastery in the Loei province in northeastern Thailand near the town of Nong Khai. The arrangement as it was explained to me was that I would teach monks English in exchange for accommodation, food and meditation lessons. Sounds like a rewarding and enriching few weeks, right?

Well, unfortunately the adventure didn't go quite as planned. After a grueling 14 hour bus ride from Bangkok, I showed up at the monastery grounds only to be told that these monks were forbidden to talk to women - an important fact that would have been good to know prior to paying for the privilege to volunteer.

Despite the ripple in plans, I was informed that I could still stay at the monastery so long as I helped the nuns with the daily chores. I was shown to my room which was a 6 foot by 6 foot dirt-floored wooden hut. June in Thailand is hot. Reaching upwards of 100 degrees Fahrenheit and with potentially malaria-juiced mosquitoes buzzing around, the fact that the windows were cut-outs with no screens was concerning. Even more concerning was the blue bucket in the back that would be both the toilet and shower.

After being shown my living quarters, I was advised of the strict daily routine. Wat Nuen Pananao Monastery was a classic Buddhist temple with a disciplined focus on solitary meditation and spiritual enlightenment. Wake up each day was indicated by a loud gong strike at 4 a.m. sharp. After the morning prayer ritual where we knelt on the floor repeating chants, the orange-robed monks would venture into the nearby forest village knocking on doors to collect leftover food. Meanwhile the nuns, dressed in white from head to bare feet, would tend to chores. Arriving back with baggies of scrap, the monks meditated while the nuns prepared the food. That one meal served precisely at 10:30 a.m. would be the only food eaten all day. After all of the monks ate and left the area, the nuns were then permitted to scavenge the remains. The rest of the day at the monastery was spent in meditation and quiet reflection. Sometimes walking. Sometimes sitting. Speaking softly only when absolutely essential.

In addition to embracing the daily routine, I learned a few practices critical for survival at the monastery:

• The Wai, or act of raising your hands to your chest with palms pressed together, was the mandatory greeting when encountering a monk. Bowing was appropriate when being seated in a hall with a Buddha image or when being introduced to a monk; a proper bow is slow and deliberate and requires you to kneel and bring your forehead to the floor.
• Never walk ahead or next to a monk. When walking by a seated monk, you must stoop your shoulders out of respect. When listening to a monk, you must always be seated at a lower position.
• Women can never touch or be alone in a closed room with a monk.
• Feet are only for walking and standing and should be tucked away at all other times. Never point your toes or stretch your legs in the direction of a monk or Buddha image.

I wish I could say I enjoyed the three weeks at the monastery and experienced a spiritual awaking, but due to the unbearable cocktail of heat, mosquitoes, early wake-ups and bum-spanking nuns, I sadly lasted only 72 hours.

Thailand Top Ten: Flashback 2006-2011

Thailand is my favorite country on the planet. The first time I traveled there, I was enchanted, and since I've returned a handful of times. I definitely plan to visit again soon. Here's why:

10.) Shopping. Whether it's a tailor-made suit, blouse or coat, or counterfeit movies and television series, you can find it here. Cheap. Nearly every town hosts its own market where you can purchase everything from fruits and vegetables to shoes and umbrellas; there are also night bazaars where you can sift through hand-stitched tapestries or if it suits your taste, imitation designer apparel and bags. Larger cities, like the capital of Bangkok, are home to shopping palaces that would wow even the most spoiled shopper with themed floors, elaborate decor and heights towering more than ten stories.

9.) Language. A melodic tonal language as beautiful in sound as it is in script. สวัสดี ชื่อของฉันคือ คิม และฉัน รักเมืองไทย (Hello. My name is Kim and I love Thailand.) In the Thai language there are five tones: low, mid, high, rising and falling; each syllable earns its own tonal attribute, and while spelled the same, the use of tone can considerably alter the meaning of a word. ขาว, said in various tones, refers to either the color 'white', or the foodstuff 'rice' or could also be used as a greeting to indicate the sharing of gossip.

8.) Landscape. With its limestone rock cliffs towering over crystal clear waters, or dense rainforests hidden within rolling hills, the landscape throughout Thailand is breathtaking. It has it all: cityscape, jungles, beaches, mountains and farmland. Best explored by boat, train, tuk tuk, parasail or on the back of an elephant.

7.) Wildlife. You don't have to look very far to see something slithering, stomping or swinging by. The Thai people share their land with elephants, monkeys, snakes, tigers and an assortment of other creatures in near-perfect harmony.

6.) Religious Preservation. Buddhism is the country's most widespread religion, however, in Thailand all religions co-exist and are revered. Temples, monasteries and other religious artifacts dot the nation as abundant as the stars in the sky. Centuries-old temples can be found around every corner ripe for you to explore. Many of the sites continue to house practicing monks and nuns, and invite the community for ritual ceremonies and celebrations.

5.) Bang for Your Buck. Your dollar extends far in Thailand. Currently one U.S. Dollar will buy you a little greater than 30 Thai Baht (THB). With 30 THB you can buy a plate of noodles or stir-fried vegetables over rice. 1,000 THB can get you a decent night's accommodation on the beach. Internet access at a local café is typically 1 THB per minute and four mangoes will set you back 15 THB.

4.) Marinelife. The underwater world surrounding Thailand is captivating. Fish and sea creatures of all colors and sizes play off the coastline. It's an ideal spot to get scuba certified with countless accredited schools and well-preserved dive sites. Day trip and live-aboard scuba excursions are touted at all the popular beach destinations in the southern part of the country: Ko Phi Phi, Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan - to name a few. 'Ko' is Thai for 'island.'

3.) Food. If your palate craves spice, look no further. But adventurous foodies beware: 'Thai Hot' will set your taste buds afire. Traditional Thai dishes that are popular with travelers include: Pad Thai: stir-fried rice noodles with chopped peanuts, Pad Kee Mao 'Drunken Noodles': stir-fried rice or noodles with basil and pepper, and, of course, THE Thai Curry. Thai curry, with its rich coconut milk base and use of fresh ingredients, differs greatly from its Indian cousin, and typically comes in the varieties of red, green, yellow, matsaman and phanaeng. In the eastern parts of Thailand mangoes and sticky rice is a common dish, while at the bar shooting pool you can nibble on a bowl of salted crickets.

2.) Culture. Sawatdi. Unwavering devotion to the King. Thai boxing. Rice fields. Full moon parties. Respect and harmony between the old and the new. Karma. Night bazaars. National Elephant Day. Ladyboys singing on street corners. The third gender. Floating river markets. Long ingrained social customs and norms. Respect for elders. Ramakien. Massage parlors. The Thai New Year in April with water festivals and squirt guns. Temple art and architecture. Street vendors. Ancient Siam.

1.) Hospitality of the People. Where ever you travel within Thailand undoubtedly you will be greeted with a smile and the wai. The wai is the traditional Thai welcome comprised of a slight bow and the pressing of the palms of the hands together in a prayer like fashion. The wai is almost always accompanied by the melodic and beckoning 'sawatdi' which is a pleasant wish of well-being. The Thai people are proud of their culture and welcoming to foreigners. Many like to practice their English and to teach you a word or two of Thai. As with every person, in every country around the world, behind each smile, each has a story. If you are fortunate enough to hear it, the story may just change your life.