Andrew it’s a huge pleasure to sit down with you on stage and talk to you about
with you on stage and talk to you about
with you on stage and talk to you about the facets of your career I wanted to
the facets of your career I wanted to
the facets of your career I wanted to begin by going back to the original
begin by going back to the original
begin by going back to the original professional facet of acting and just
professional facet of acting and just
professional facet of acting and just ask you how did acting enter your life
ask you how did acting enter your life
ask you how did acting enter your life how did you become an actor how did you
how did you become an actor how did you
how did you become an actor how did you get started good grief I had just gotten
get started good grief I had just gotten
get started good grief I had just gotten cut from the high school basketball team
and I was moping around the house and my
and I was moping around the house and my mother said why don’t you go try out for
mother said why don’t you go try out for
mother said why don’t you go try out for the play dear oh my god I want to be in
the play dear oh my god I want to be in
the play dear oh my god I want to be in a play and so I did and it was a musical
a play and so I did and it was a musical
a play and so I did and it was a musical Oliver and I was cast as The Artful
Oliver and I was cast as The Artful
Oliver and I was cast as The Artful Dodger and it’s the best I’ve ever been
Dodger and it’s the best I’ve ever been
Dodger and it’s the best I’ve ever been it’s that experience I’ve say changed my
it’s that experience I’ve say changed my
it’s that experience I’ve say changed my life I had that experience that there’s
life I had that experience that there’s
life I had that experience that there’s a famous Tennessee Williams line of a
a famous Tennessee Williams line of a
a famous Tennessee Williams line of a room that was always half in the dark
room that was always half in the dark
room that was always half in the dark was suddenly in the light and that’s the
was suddenly in the light and that’s the
was suddenly in the light and that’s the way I felt about my life at that moment
way I felt about my life at that moment
way I felt about my life at that moment when I did that play it my life suddenly
when I did that play it my life suddenly
when I did that play it my life suddenly made sense to me in a way it hadn’t
made sense to me in a way it hadn’t
made sense to me in a way it hadn’t before I felt like I belonged in a way
before I felt like I belonged in a way
before I felt like I belonged in a way I’d never experienced before I felt
I’d never experienced before I felt
I’d never experienced before I felt powerful seen and I wanted to be seen
powerful seen and I wanted to be seen
powerful seen and I wanted to be seen whereas opposed before that I’d been
whereas opposed before that I’d been
whereas opposed before that I’d been very reticent than shy and I knew it was
very reticent than shy and I knew it was
very reticent than shy and I knew it was important because I told no one I told I
important because I told no one I told I
important because I told no one I told I didn’t tell anyone helpful I just yeah
didn’t tell anyone helpful I just yeah
didn’t tell anyone helpful I just yeah it was good I liked it yeah when’s the
it was good I liked it yeah when’s the
it was good I liked it yeah when’s the next one and so then I went to college
next one and so then I went to college
next one and so then I went to college for acting and I took it more seriously
for acting and I took it more seriously
for acting and I took it more seriously it took me more seriously and after two
it took me more seriously and after two
it took me more seriously and after two years of college I was kicked out of
years of college I was kicked out of
years of college I was kicked out of college and got a job as an actor and
college and got a job as an actor and
college and got a job as an actor and then it sort of happened very quickly
then it sort of happened very quickly
then it sort of happened very quickly for me so that’s how how it began and
for me so that’s how how it began and
for me so that’s how how it began and after I was kicked out did my first
after I was kicked out did my first
after I was kicked out did my first movie the university called me up and
movie the university called me up and
movie the university called me up and said do you want to come back right you
said do you want to come back right you
said do you want to come back right you can use that as independent study and
can use that as independent study and
can use that as independent study and you just pay the thirty thousand dollars
you just pay the thirty thousand dollars
you just pay the thirty thousand dollars and you could just pick up we left off
and you could just pick up we left off
and you could just pick up we left off and that’ll be a semester of independent
and that’ll be a semester of independent
and that’ll be a semester of independent study and I said no thank you
study and I said no thank you
study and I said no thank you what was the first movie and how did
what was the first movie and how did
what was the first movie and how did that happen
that happen
that happen it was called class it was 19 years old
it was called class it was 19 years old
it was called class it was 19 years old it happened because a friend of mine I
it happened because a friend of mine I
it happened because a friend of mine I just gotten kicked out of school because
just gotten kicked out of school because
just gotten kicked out of school because I didn’t go frankly was the reason I was
I didn’t go frankly was the reason I was
I didn’t go frankly was the reason I was in the acting theater program and I went
in the acting theater program and I went
in the acting theater program and I went to all my theater classes but I didn’t
to all my theater classes but I didn’t
to all my theater classes but I didn’t go to my other classes because they just
go to my other classes because they just
go to my other classes because they just didn’t interest me and I was 19 and I
didn’t interest me and I was 19 and I
didn’t interest me and I was 19 and I didn’t really occur to me you know I
didn’t really occur to me you know I
didn’t really occur to me you know I just wanted to do what I want to do and
just wanted to do what I want to do and
just wanted to do what I want to do and I didn’t really even notice I was kicked
I didn’t really even notice I was kicked
I didn’t really even notice I was kicked out of college in a certain way you know
out of college in a certain way you know
out of college in a certain way you know and so anyway there was an ad in the
and so anyway there was an ad in the
and so anyway there was an ad in the newspaper called backstage which is the
newspaper called backstage which is the
newspaper called backstage which is the unemployed actors sort of guide about
unemployed actors sort of guide about
unemployed actors sort of guide about wanted 18 vulnerable sensitive to play
wanted 18 vulnerable sensitive to play
wanted 18 vulnerable sensitive to play lead in the movie and I thought and so I
lead in the movie and I thought and so I
lead in the movie and I thought and so I went and waited with but this many other
went and waited with but this many other
went and waited with but this many other 18 vulnerable sensitive kids and met a
18 vulnerable sensitive kids and met a
18 vulnerable sensitive kids and met a casting director and chatted for two
casting director and chatted for two
casting director and chatted for two minutes and they said come back tomorrow
minutes and they said come back tomorrow
minutes and they said come back tomorrow okay and I went back and back in ten
okay and I went back and back in ten
okay and I went back and back in ten meetings auditions later I had to lead
meetings auditions later I had to lead
meetings auditions later I had to lead the movie this couldn’t happen now I
the movie this couldn’t happen now I
the movie this couldn’t happen now I mean it was different then but that it
mean it was different then but that it
mean it was different then but that it wouldn’t happen like that now generally
wouldn’t happen like that now generally
wouldn’t happen like that now generally huh so it was one of those experiences
huh so it was one of those experiences
huh so it was one of those experiences again of I was completely thrilled and
again of I was completely thrilled and
again of I was completely thrilled and over the moon but not at all surprised
over the moon but not at all surprised
over the moon but not at all surprised in a certain way of like well this was
in a certain way of like well this was
in a certain way of like well this was what I just thought my life would be you
what I just thought my life would be you
what I just thought my life would be you know what I mean once acting sort of
know what I mean once acting sort of
know what I mean once acting sort of asserted itself into my life it just it
asserted itself into my life it just it
asserted itself into my life it just it just was I didn’t have to make any
just was I didn’t have to make any
just was I didn’t have to make any decisions I knew and I don’t know how
decisions I knew and I don’t know how
decisions I knew and I don’t know how anything would happen but I didn’t worry
anything would happen but I didn’t worry
anything would happen but I didn’t worry about that at 90 it didn’t occur to me
about that at 90 it didn’t occur to me
about that at 90 it didn’t occur to me that I have to figure out how this is
that I have to figure out how this is
that I have to figure out how this is gonna happen I just knew what I wanted
gonna happen I just knew what I wanted
gonna happen I just knew what I wanted and why I wanted it and just sort of it
and why I wanted it and just sort of it
and why I wanted it and just sort of it was clear and then when it happened it
was clear and then when it happened it
was clear and then when it happened it was like oh my god that’s amazing yeah
was like oh my god that’s amazing yeah
was like oh my god that’s amazing yeah cool and then I was utterly unprepared
cool and then I was utterly unprepared
cool and then I was utterly unprepared for it when it did happen because I
for it when it did happen because I
for it when it did happen because I wasn’t really bred for success you know
wasn’t really bred for success you know
wasn’t really bred for success you know what I mean I didn’t grow up a Kennedy
what I mean I didn’t grow up a Kennedy
what I mean I didn’t grow up a Kennedy where you plan for these kind of things
where you plan for these kind of things
where you plan for these kind of things and you know I was utterly unequipped to
and you know I was utterly unequipped to
and you know I was utterly unequipped to handle being successful at very young
handle being successful at very young
handle being successful at very young but anyway it’s another story that’s how
but anyway it’s another story that’s how
but anyway it’s another story that’s how it started and then one role led to
it started and then one role led to
it started and then one role led to another but I didn’t work for you
another but I didn’t work for you
another but I didn’t work for you and then I got a job as a Burger King
and then I got a job as a Burger King
and then I got a job as a Burger King boy in commercial and I was a Pepsi boy
boy in commercial and I was a Pepsi boy
boy in commercial and I was a Pepsi boy in the Burger King commercial the Pepsi
in the Burger King commercial the Pepsi
in the Burger King commercial the Pepsi boy in a Pepsi blue and white you know
boy in a Pepsi blue and white you know
boy in a Pepsi blue and white you know out of outfit with the hat and there was
out of outfit with the hat and there was
out of outfit with the hat and there was a girl Elizabeth Shue and access was she
a girl Elizabeth Shue and access was she
a girl Elizabeth Shue and access was she was the Burger King girl and we fell in
was the Burger King girl and we fell in
was the Burger King girl and we fell in love over Pepsi and burgers you know and
love over Pepsi and burgers you know and
love over Pepsi and burgers you know and so that supported me for a few years
so that supported me for a few years
so that supported me for a few years that commercial and then event then I
that commercial and then event then I
that commercial and then event then I got another job and then suddenly I got
got another job and then suddenly I got
got another job and then suddenly I got some jobs very quickly and I was
some jobs very quickly and I was
some jobs very quickly and I was suddenly a 22 year old star which was
suddenly a 22 year old star which was
suddenly a 22 year old star which was utterly baffling and great you know
utterly baffling and great you know
utterly baffling and great you know great I had to suddenly had a sexual
great I had to suddenly had a sexual
great I had to suddenly had a sexual identity I didn’t have before you know
identity I didn’t have before you know
identity I didn’t have before you know women very attractive noises great and
women very attractive noises great and
women very attractive noises great and there you go you know and then but at no
there you go you know and then but at no
there you go you know and then but at no time did I feel like I was sort of in
time did I feel like I was sort of in
time did I feel like I was sort of in charge of my life or my decisions you
charge of my life or my decisions you
charge of my life or my decisions you know I was just sort of along for the
know I was just sort of along for the
know I was just sort of along for the ride in a certain way and in hindsight
ride in a certain way and in hindsight
ride in a certain way and in hindsight I’ve often said I wouldn’t with success
I’ve often said I wouldn’t with success
I’ve often said I wouldn’t with success on anyone under 30 you know because I
on anyone under 30 you know because I
on anyone under 30 you know because I just I was clueless about what people
just I was clueless about what people
just I was clueless about what people approached me with opportunities to
approached me with opportunities to
approached me with opportunities to start planning production companies and
start planning production companies and
start planning production companies and buying material and I’m like yeah huh it
buying material and I’m like yeah huh it
buying material and I’m like yeah huh it just didn’t occur to me how to build a
just didn’t occur to me how to build a
just didn’t occur to me how to build a career really at that point I mean kids
career really at that point I mean kids
career really at that point I mean kids now are much more savvy and have much
now are much more savvy and have much
now are much more savvy and have much more sort of they’re just more on top of
more sort of they’re just more on top of
more sort of they’re just more on top of it at that time where I was I got
it at that time where I was I got
it at that time where I was I got another job oh great I got another job
another job oh great I got another job
another job oh great I got another job great oh cool I mean I wasn’t offered
great oh cool I mean I wasn’t offered
great oh cool I mean I wasn’t offered movies like people are now you just sort
movies like people are now you just sort
movies like people are now you just sort of know those days you always audition
of know those days you always audition
of know those days you always audition for jobs and sort of we’re happy to get
for jobs and sort of we’re happy to get
for jobs and sort of we’re happy to get the next one so in hindsight and end the
the next one so in hindsight and end the
the next one so in hindsight and end the whole thing with all the brat pack stuff
whole thing with all the brat pack stuff
whole thing with all the brat pack stuff started and all that and that was a very
started and all that and that was a very
started and all that and that was a very that’s like where did that come from and
that’s like where did that come from and
that’s like where did that come from and suddenly that took on its own kind of
suddenly that took on its own kind of
suddenly that took on its own kind of life mm-hmm and that’s terrified me so I
life mm-hmm and that’s terrified me so I
life mm-hmm and that’s terrified me so I would do that anyway
would do that anyway
would do that anyway when you want to literally you stopped
when you want to literally you stopped
when you want to literally you stopped well withdrew both I mean I my energy
well withdrew both I mean I my energy
well withdrew both I mean I my energy withdrew from it because I felt ill
withdrew from it because I felt ill
withdrew from it because I felt ill equipped for it and I didn’t like the
equipped for it and I didn’t like the
equipped for it and I didn’t like the parts that I was doing you know I could
parts that I was doing you know I could
parts that I was doing you know I could talk about that later when get to the
talk about that later when get to the
talk about that later when get to the writing bit but because I had no idea
writing bit but because I had no idea
writing bit but because I had no idea when I was young that the way you enter
when I was young that the way you enter
when I was young that the way you enter us
us
us a scenario or a scene is very important
a scenario or a scene is very important
a scenario or a scene is very important you know and that sort of launches you
you know and that sort of launches you
you know and that sort of launches you want a certain trajectory and pedigree
want a certain trajectory and pedigree
want a certain trajectory and pedigree and I just took whatever job came along
and I just took whatever job came along
and I just took whatever job came along and then I started to look back at a
and then I started to look back at a
and then I started to look back at a certain point where with this aren’t the
certain point where with this aren’t the
certain point where with this aren’t the kind of movies I want to be doing but I
kind of movies I want to be doing but I
kind of movies I want to be doing but I didn’t have the wherewithal and/or the
didn’t have the wherewithal and/or the
didn’t have the wherewithal and/or the opportunity to sort of alter that too
opportunity to sort of alter that too
opportunity to sort of alter that too much you know you only get one chance to
much you know you only get one chance to
much you know you only get one chance to make a first impression kind of thing
make a first impression kind of thing
make a first impression kind of thing and it wasn’t I would I was in a sort of
and it wasn’t I would I was in a sort of
and it wasn’t I would I was in a sort of a trajectory I didn’t really I see how
a trajectory I didn’t really I see how
a trajectory I didn’t really I see how it happened in hindsight but it wasn’t
it happened in hindsight but it wasn’t
it happened in hindsight but it wasn’t particularly my choosing I mean it was
particularly my choosing I mean it was
particularly my choosing I mean it was very fortunate no but it wasn’t wouldn’t
very fortunate no but it wasn’t wouldn’t
very fortunate no but it wasn’t wouldn’t have been what I I started out I want to
have been what I I started out I want to
have been what I I started out I want to be a little theatre actor you know
be a little theatre actor you know
be a little theatre actor you know anyhow I do that did that no but it was
anyhow I do that did that no but it was
anyhow I do that did that no but it was so it was an interesting complex time
so it was an interesting complex time
so it was an interesting complex time you know so how did travel writing enter
you know so how did travel writing enter
you know so how did travel writing enter this equation it entered because at a
this equation it entered because at a
this equation it entered because at a certain point in my life I was about
certain point in my life I was about
certain point in my life I was about thirty I looked up and said huh you know
thirty I looked up and said huh you know
thirty I looked up and said huh you know well I’m a big believer in sort of the
well I’m a big believer in sort of the
well I’m a big believer in sort of the gap year people going backpacking around
gap year people going backpacking around
gap year people going backpacking around the world or whatever and after college
the world or whatever and after college
the world or whatever and after college or after high school and I’ve been
or after high school and I’ve been
or after high school and I’ve been running around a lot making a lot of
running around a lot making a lot of
running around a lot making a lot of movies and things and I just started
movies and things and I just started
movies and things and I just started traveling basically I started reading
traveling basically I started reading
traveling basically I started reading Paul Thoreau’s books which I probably I
Paul Thoreau’s books which I probably I
Paul Thoreau’s books which I probably I suppose changed my life I thought his
suppose changed my life I thought his
suppose changed my life I thought his books his travel books I like it’s not
books his travel books I like it’s not
books his travel books I like it’s not what I think his travel early travel
what I think his travel early travel
what I think his travel early travel books particularly are really fantastic
books particularly are really fantastic
books particularly are really fantastic and so I started getting reading a lot
and so I started getting reading a lot
and so I started getting reading a lot of travel literature and I thought it
of travel literature and I thought it
of travel literature and I thought it was very interesting genre you know it’s
was very interesting genre you know it’s
was very interesting genre you know it’s sort of a malign genre in a certain way
sort of a malign genre in a certain way
sort of a malign genre in a certain way with but there’s certain when people do
with but there’s certain when people do
with but there’s certain when people do it well they can really capture the
it well they can really capture the
it well they can really capture the essence of a moment in time in a place
essence of a moment in time in a place
essence of a moment in time in a place in themselves and in the place so I just
in themselves and in the place so I just
in themselves and in the place so I just started traveling I just started buying
started traveling I just started buying
started traveling I just started buying tickets to places you know buy ticket
tickets to places you know buy ticket
tickets to places you know buy ticket into Cape Town and out of door a Salaam
into Cape Town and out of door a Salaam
into Cape Town and out of door a Salaam two months later and the rest I just
two months later and the rest I just
two months later and the rest I just fill in and I’d go to Southeast Asia and
fill in and I’d go to Southeast Asia and
fill in and I’d go to Southeast Asia and just go for a while and so I every year
just go for a while and so I every year
just go for a while and so I every year I would do you know cook a couple months
I would do you know cook a couple months
I would do you know cook a couple months and do that and I started just sort of
and do that and I started just sort of
and do that and I started just sort of writing little things well I wasn’t even
writing little things well I wasn’t even
writing little things well I wasn’t even keep a journal in any way but I would
keep a journal in any way but I would
keep a journal in any way but I would write little scenes
write little scenes
write little scenes encounters I had with people this for
encounters I had with people this for
encounters I had with people this for myself I’d write to sort of scene
myself I’d write to sort of scene
myself I’d write to sort of scene between because that’s what I knew how
between because that’s what I knew how
between because that’s what I knew how to do is being seen so I’d write the
to do is being seen so I’d write the
to do is being seen so I’d write the scene between me and the kid who picked
scene between me and the kid who picked
scene between me and the kid who picked me up you know on the moped in Hanoi and
me up you know on the moped in Hanoi and
me up you know on the moped in Hanoi and took me around for the day and I would
took me around for the day and I would
took me around for the day and I would write that scene I did nothing with them
write that scene I did nothing with them
write that scene I did nothing with them i sat him in a drawer so it seems like
i sat him in a drawer so it seems like
i sat him in a drawer so it seems like it was pretty organic for you that the
it was pretty organic for you that the
it was pretty organic for you that the the notion of how to craft a travel
the notion of how to craft a travel
the notion of how to craft a travel store how to get a yeah i mean i’m i’m a
store how to get a yeah i mean i’m i’m a
store how to get a yeah i mean i’m i’m a feel everything i’ve done it sort of
feel everything i’ve done it sort of
feel everything i’ve done it sort of learned by feel first and then okay now
learned by feel first and then okay now
learned by feel first and then okay now how do i do it
how do i do it
how do i do it Jesus okay I have the sort of core
Jesus okay I have the sort of core
Jesus okay I have the sort of core intentions or passions or sort of and
intentions or passions or sort of and
intentions or passions or sort of and then learned how to make the box mm-hmm
then learned how to make the box mm-hmm
then learned how to make the box mm-hmm do you travel differently as a travel
do you travel differently as a travel
do you travel differently as a travel writer than you did back when you
writer than you did back when you
writer than you did back when you weren’t a travel right yeah I talk to
weren’t a travel right yeah I talk to
weren’t a travel right yeah I talk to much more people as a travel writer
much more people as a travel writer
much more people as a travel writer because you have to you need quotes from
because you have to you need quotes from
because you have to you need quotes from them really I would go to places and and
them really I would go to places and and
them really I would go to places and and never talk to anybody sometimes instead
never talk to anybody sometimes instead
never talk to anybody sometimes instead of a great time but I would feel very
of a great time but I would feel very
of a great time but I would feel very just sort of watch and feel what was
just sort of watch and feel what was
just sort of watch and feel what was going on but I’m much more involved and
going on but I’m much more involved and
going on but I’m much more involved and engaged when I’m on assignment and much
engaged when I’m on assignment and much
engaged when I’m on assignment and much more sort of pursuing a story you don’t
more sort of pursuing a story you don’t
more sort of pursuing a story you don’t just land somewhere and go gosh I wonder
just land somewhere and go gosh I wonder
just land somewhere and go gosh I wonder what I’m gonna write about this place
what I’m gonna write about this place
what I’m gonna write about this place what am I gonna write about Vienna it’s
what am I gonna write about Vienna it’s
what am I gonna write about Vienna it’s really nice here you know I mean what
really nice here you know I mean what
really nice here you know I mean what taxi driver
taxi driver
taxi driver yeah I mean what’s my strength so I find
yeah I mean what’s my strength so I find
yeah I mean what’s my strength so I find that gives me a purpose you know when
that gives me a purpose you know when
that gives me a purpose you know when I’m at a in a place and so I’m much more
I’m at a in a place and so I’m much more
I’m at a in a place and so I’m much more involved and engaged when I’m on it
involved and engaged when I’m on it
involved and engaged when I’m on it Simon yeah but now I never just go
Simon yeah but now I never just go
Simon yeah but now I never just go somewhere without thinking either on
somewhere without thinking either on
somewhere without thinking either on assignment or thinking I’m gonna write
assignment or thinking I’m gonna write
assignment or thinking I’m gonna write about it anyway it’s or I’m ruined in
about it anyway it’s or I’m ruined in
about it anyway it’s or I’m ruined in that way yeah yeah way don’t you I mean
that way yeah yeah way don’t you I mean
that way yeah yeah way don’t you I mean don’t you yeah I’m always thinking
don’t you yeah I’m always thinking
don’t you yeah I’m always thinking whatever here yeah what’s the story yeah
whatever here yeah what’s the story yeah
whatever here yeah what’s the story yeah yeah no vacation doesn’t exist any yeah
yeah no vacation doesn’t exist any yeah
yeah no vacation doesn’t exist any yeah but you can write them off now which is
no no I didn’t want to be in Vail skiing
no no I didn’t want to be in Vail skiing with my family I had this is work it was
with my family I had this is work it was
with my family I had this is work it was recess when you are on the ground in a
recess when you are on the ground in a
recess when you are on the ground in a place do you find yourself consciously
place do you find yourself consciously
place do you find yourself consciously shaping your your you’re vacuuming up of
shaping your your you’re vacuuming up of
shaping your your you’re vacuuming up of information and encounters or are you do
information and encounters or are you do
information and encounters or are you do you sort of let yourself go into the
you sort of let yourself go into the
you sort of let yourself go into the universe and see what serendipity brings
universe and see what serendipity brings
universe and see what serendipity brings you away yeah I make sure I nail down a
you away yeah I make sure I nail down a
you away yeah I make sure I nail down a few things when I get there a few lamp
few things when I get there a few lamp
few things when I get there a few lamp posts along you know sort of hooks along
posts along you know sort of hooks along
posts along you know sort of hooks along the way that I know I can swing from one
the way that I know I can swing from one
the way that I know I can swing from one to the other and then I go I got it I
to the other and then I go I got it I
to the other and then I go I got it I got to get from here to here
got to get from here to here
got to get from here to here not sure how and then Oh suddenly I meet
not sure how and then Oh suddenly I meet
not sure how and then Oh suddenly I meet the guy selling ice cream who grew up
the guy selling ice cream who grew up
the guy selling ice cream who grew up where you know and then that’ll swing me
where you know and then that’ll swing me
where you know and then that’ll swing me to where I’m gonna Lynch pin me to the
to where I’m gonna Lynch pin me to the
to where I’m gonna Lynch pin me to the next one you know so I’ll have you know
next one you know so I’ll have you know
next one you know so I’ll have you know John Gielgud said about acting build a
John Gielgud said about acting build a
John Gielgud said about acting build a strong scaffolding and leave the big
strong scaffolding and leave the big
strong scaffolding and leave the big moments to chance hmm you know it’s a
moments to chance hmm you know it’s a
moments to chance hmm you know it’s a bit what I do with the truck you know
bit what I do with the truck you know
bit what I do with the truck you know get a scaffolding know something so I’m
get a scaffolding know something so I’m
get a scaffolding know something so I’m not suddenly going the day before I
not suddenly going the day before I
not suddenly going the day before I leave Jesus where is it where’s the
leave Jesus where is it where’s the
leave Jesus where is it where’s the story I’ve got all these interesting
story I’ve got all these interesting
story I’ve got all these interesting counters but what are they add up to so
counters but what are they add up to so
counters but what are they add up to so initially I’m very much in service of
initially I’m very much in service of
initially I’m very much in service of what I think I’m going to write about
what I think I’m going to write about
what I think I’m going to write about and that always alters mm-hmm but
and that always alters mm-hmm but
and that always alters mm-hmm but initially I have a pretty good idea and
initially I have a pretty good idea and
initially I have a pretty good idea and I guess I don’t trust myself as much to
I guess I don’t trust myself as much to
I guess I don’t trust myself as much to wing it you know I have a theory that
wing it you know I have a theory that
wing it you know I have a theory that every everybody a bit especially every
every everybody a bit especially every
every everybody a bit especially every writer has a trip that changed their
writer has a trip that changed their
writer has a trip that changed their life do you have a trip that changed
life do you have a trip that changed
life do you have a trip that changed your life
your life
your life yeah about 20 years ago now no not less
yeah about 20 years ago now no not less
yeah about 20 years ago now no not less 18mm some around 18 years ago I was in I
18mm some around 18 years ago I was in I
18mm some around 18 years ago I was in I walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain
walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain
walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain that changed my life yeah and I was in a
that changed my life yeah and I was in a
that changed my life yeah and I was in a bookstore waiting for my girlfriend the
bookstore waiting for my girlfriend the
bookstore waiting for my girlfriend the time I just sort of picked up some book
time I just sort of picked up some book
time I just sort of picked up some book you know and it was some guy who walked
you know and it was some guy who walked
you know and it was some guy who walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain I just
the Camino de Santiago in Spain I just
the Camino de Santiago in Spain I just sort of know that’s kind of weird guys I
sort of know that’s kind of weird guys I
sort of know that’s kind of weird guys I bought it and then it sat on my
bought it and then it sat on my
bought it and then it sat on my bookshelf for months and I got on a
bookshelf for months and I got on a
bookshelf for months and I got on a plane was getting on a plane I wasn’t
plane was getting on a plane I wasn’t
plane was getting on a plane I wasn’t agreed I just grabbed it read it on the
agreed I just grabbed it read it on the
agreed I just grabbed it read it on the plane when I landed I said I’m going to
plane when I landed I said I’m going to
plane when I landed I said I’m going to do that so I went to and
do that so I went to and
do that so I went to and weeks I guess I I but I know then there
weeks I guess I I but I know then there
weeks I guess I I but I know then there was no internet or anything to find out
was no internet or anything to find out
was no internet or anything to find out anything and I didn’t know I never heard
anything and I didn’t know I never heard
anything and I didn’t know I never heard of the Camino de Santiago which is this
of the Camino de Santiago which is this
of the Camino de Santiago which is this old pilgrims route across the north of
old pilgrims route across the north of
old pilgrims route across the north of Spain that started in the 8th century
Spain that started in the 8th century
Spain that started in the 8th century you know the Crusades and reconquest of
you know the Crusades and reconquest of
you know the Crusades and reconquest of Spain from the Moors and so I it was
Spain from the Moors and so I it was
Spain from the Moors and so I it was written by a guy named Jack hit who I
written by a guy named Jack hit who I
written by a guy named Jack hit who I didn’t know I don’t know anyone who
didn’t know I don’t know anyone who
didn’t know I don’t know anyone who wrote books and so I said he wrote for I
wrote books and so I said he wrote for I
wrote books and so I said he wrote for I think Harper’s magnum something anyway
think Harper’s magnum something anyway
think Harper’s magnum something anyway called up whatever magazine it was I
called up whatever magazine it was I
called up whatever magazine it was I said hi I’m looking for jacket hold on
said hi I’m looking for jacket hold on
said hi I’m looking for jacket hold on yeah jacket hi jack Wednesday I read
yeah jacket hi jack Wednesday I read
yeah jacket hi jack Wednesday I read your book it was so cool he’s like you
your book it was so cool he’s like you
your book it was so cool he’s like you read my book I said I want to go do that
read my book I said I want to go do that
read my book I said I want to go do that how do I do it and so he started to tell
how do I do it and so he started to tell
how do I do it and so he started to tell me and then he sort of told me and then
me and then he sort of told me and then
me and then he sort of told me and then I thanks a lot by and I had two more
I thanks a lot by and I had two more
I thanks a lot by and I had two more questions the next day I called him up
questions the next day I called him up
questions the next day I called him up again because I can’t talk call me at
again because I can’t talk call me at
again because I can’t talk call me at home later with that was a mistake and
home later with that was a mistake and
home later with that was a mistake and so he gave me his home phone number so I
so he gave me his home phone number so I
so he gave me his home phone number so I called him that night a good listen how
called him that night a good listen how
called him that night a good listen how do you how do you I need a backpack and
do you how do you I need a backpack and
do you how do you I need a backpack and you know so anything I called him pretty
you know so anything I called him pretty
you know so anything I called him pretty much everyday and fun his wife saw
much everyday and fun his wife saw
much everyday and fun his wife saw dancing phone and Jack’s not in that’s
dancing phone and Jack’s not in that’s
dancing phone and Jack’s not in that’s not it
not it
not it I so I went to Spain and I walked across
I so I went to Spain and I walked across
I so I went to Spain and I walked across Spain for a month and it was yeah it was
Spain for a month and it was yeah it was
Spain for a month and it was yeah it was just a transformative experience for me
just a transformative experience for me
just a transformative experience for me I found it terrifying and I was lonely
I found it terrifying and I was lonely
I found it terrifying and I was lonely and miserable for most of it and then
and miserable for most of it and then
and miserable for most of it and then something happened and I had sort of one
something happened and I had sort of one
something happened and I had sort of one of those experiences that you have and
of those experiences that you have and
of those experiences that you have and it’s just I I went there to see if I
it’s just I I went there to see if I
it’s just I I went there to see if I could take care of myself in a certain
could take care of myself in a certain
could take care of myself in a certain way and I didn’t know that at the time
way and I didn’t know that at the time
way and I didn’t know that at the time but and I sort of I just discovered that
but and I sort of I just discovered that
but and I sort of I just discovered that I was taken care of in a certain way and
I was taken care of in a certain way and
I was taken care of in a certain way and we wasn’t a religious experience but it
we wasn’t a religious experience but it
we wasn’t a religious experience but it was some kind of experience that I had
was some kind of experience that I had
was some kind of experience that I had or I felt I weren’t afraid in the world
or I felt I weren’t afraid in the world
or I felt I weren’t afraid in the world for the first time be on a deep level
for the first time be on a deep level
for the first time be on a deep level for the first time I had the experience
for the first time I had the experience
for the first time I had the experience of being unafraid and I didn’t I was
of being unafraid and I didn’t I was
of being unafraid and I didn’t I was carried so much fear with me in the
carried so much fear with me in the
carried so much fear with me in the world all the time that I didn’t even
world all the time that I didn’t even
world all the time that I didn’t even know that I carried it until it was
know that I carried it until it was
know that I carried it until it was suddenly absent for
suddenly absent for
suddenly absent for short time and that changed my life and
short time and that changed my life and
short time and that changed my life and that started me traveling that
that started me traveling that
that started me traveling that experience yeah that’s great it was
experience yeah that’s great it was
experience yeah that’s great it was great yeah I’d love to do it again
great yeah I’d love to do it again
great yeah I’d love to do it again someday with my son if you want to do it
someday with my son if you want to do it
someday with my son if you want to do it or my daughter but do that but it’s one
or my daughter but do that but it’s one
or my daughter but do that but it’s one of those things do you really want to go
of those things do you really want to go
of those things do you really want to go do those things again you know I don’t
do those things again you know I don’t
do those things again you know I don’t know but it was good yeah it changed my
know but it was good yeah it changed my
know but it was good yeah it changed my life
life
life mmm how long did it take a month and
mmm how long did it take a month and
mmm how long did it take a month and you’re staying in little staying in
you’re staying in little staying in
you’re staying in little staying in little little refugio this little sort
little little refugio this little sort
little little refugio this little sort of pilgrim hostels which you know truth
of pilgrim hostels which you know truth
of pilgrim hostels which you know truth be told at a certain point I was a gold
be told at a certain point I was a gold
be told at a certain point I was a gold card pilgrim I just said I can’t where’s
card pilgrim I just said I can’t where’s
card pilgrim I just said I can’t where’s the Pensione you know and then my I
the Pensione you know and then my I
the Pensione you know and then my I justified this but I want to meet the
justified this but I want to meet the
justified this but I want to meet the locals I don’t want to meet the Germans
locals I don’t want to meet the Germans
locals I don’t want to meet the Germans walking I want to meet you know the
walking I want to meet you know the
walking I want to meet you know the people who live here and I’m gonna have
people who live here and I’m gonna have
people who live here and I’m gonna have that experience that’s you half the time
that experience that’s you half the time
that experience that’s you half the time I slept with the sweaty pilgrims and you
I slept with the sweaty pilgrims and you
I slept with the sweaty pilgrims and you know with my back I’ve rolled out in the
know with my back I’ve rolled out in the
know with my back I’ve rolled out in the bunk beds and half the time I checked
bunk beds and half the time I checked
bunk beds and half the time I checked into little it was great it was great I
into little it was great it was great I
into little it was great it was great I much preferred sleeping beans yeah yeah
much preferred sleeping beans yeah yeah
much preferred sleeping beans yeah yeah what is it about travel that just got
what is it about travel that just got
what is it about travel that just got inside you and kept you wanted to keep
inside you and kept you wanted to keep
inside you and kept you wanted to keep going to places
going to places
going to places what is it the travel does for you I
what is it the travel does for you I
what is it the travel does for you I don’t know I well I dunno I you know
don’t know I well I dunno I you know
don’t know I well I dunno I you know that Mark Twain line that travels fatal
that Mark Twain line that travels fatal
that Mark Twain line that travels fatal to prejudice bigotry and narrow
to prejudice bigotry and narrow
to prejudice bigotry and narrow mindedness I think that’s a great I
mindedness I think that’s a great I
mindedness I think that’s a great I think I my whole soapbox is that if
think I my whole soapbox is that if
think I my whole soapbox is that if Americans traveled the world would be an
Americans traveled the world would be an
Americans traveled the world would be an entirely different place
entirely different place
entirely different place good twenty-eight percent of Americans
good twenty-eight percent of Americans
good twenty-eight percent of Americans have passports half of those have ever
have passports half of those have ever
have passports half of those have ever used them or something like this most of
used them or something like this most of
used them or something like this most of them go to Mexico or Canada something so
them go to Mexico or Canada something so
them go to Mexico or Canada something so I think Americans are incredibly fearful
I think Americans are incredibly fearful
I think Americans are incredibly fearful of the world and the way we react to
of the world and the way we react to
of the world and the way we react to things so when you’re out go out in the
things so when you’re out go out in the
things so when you’re out go out in the world you realize you have to lay
world you realize you have to lay
world you realize you have to lay yourself vulnerable to the world and ask
yourself vulnerable to the world and ask
yourself vulnerable to the world and ask for help and you become much less
for help and you become much less
for help and you become much less fearful in the world and so I think the
fearful in the world and so I think the
fearful in the world and so I think the country would be and if our country is
country would be and if our country is
country would be and if our country is different the world would be a different
different the world would be a different
different the world would be a different place much less fearful place but so for
place much less fearful place but so for
place much less fearful place but so for me travel that’s my soapbox and for me
me travel that’s my soapbox and for me
me travel that’s my soapbox and for me I’m a great believer I’m sort of drunk
I’m a great believer I’m sort of drunk
I’m a great believer I’m sort of drunk the kool-aid the Tran transformation
the kool-aid the Tran transformation
the kool-aid the Tran transformation that happens when you travel I am a
that happens when you travel I am a
that happens when you travel I am a better version of myself when I travel
better version of myself when I travel
better version of myself when I travel I’m happier when I’m trapped
I’m happier when I’m trapped
I’m happier when I’m trapped I I come home a better person I just
I I come home a better person I just
I I come home a better person I just it’s it’s been great for me in the way I
it’s it’s been great for me in the way I
it’s it’s been great for me in the way I just bask in being in a place even when
just bask in being in a place even when
just bask in being in a place even when you’re lonely especially I’d like to
you’re lonely especially I’d like to
you’re lonely especially I’d like to travel alone I prefer to travel alone I
travel alone I prefer to travel alone I
travel alone I prefer to travel alone I get to do less and less of it now but
get to do less and less of it now but
get to do less and less of it now but when you’re lonely and miserable that’s
when you’re lonely and miserable that’s
when you’re lonely and miserable that’s a full-throated write a lot about just
a full-throated write a lot about just
a full-throated write a lot about just the drudgery and misery of just being
the drudgery and misery of just being
the drudgery and misery of just being alone in these places like why am I here
alone in these places like why am I here
alone in these places like why am I here what’s the point
what’s the point
what’s the point and that’s always the next day you wake
and that’s always the next day you wake
and that’s always the next day you wake up and suddenly have a start having a
up and suddenly have a start having a
up and suddenly have a start having a good trip but for me it’s just have been
good trip but for me it’s just have been
good trip but for me it’s just have been very transformative experience travel
very transformative experience travel
very transformative experience travel and I find it very energizing don’t you
and I find it very energizing don’t you
and I find it very energizing don’t you I mean oh yeah know what you just said
I mean oh yeah know what you just said
I mean oh yeah know what you just said about being vulnerable in the world is
about being vulnerable in the world is
about being vulnerable in the world is exactly what I believe that’s what it’s
exactly what I believe that’s what it’s
exactly what I believe that’s what it’s all about is learning the to be
all about is learning the to be
all about is learning the to be vulnerable and learning how people will
vulnerable and learning how people will
vulnerable and learning how people will take care of you if you like yeah and
take care of you if you like yeah and
take care of you if you like yeah and I’m much less defensive when I’m away
I’m much less defensive when I’m away
I’m much less defensive when I’m away and on the road and you know I’m much
and on the road and you know I’m much
and on the road and you know I’m much less of a know-it-all and much less I’m
less of a know-it-all and much less I’m
less of a know-it-all and much less I’m trying to be in control of my world and
trying to be in control of my world and
trying to be in control of my world and because you can’t fit you’re just
because you can’t fit you’re just
because you can’t fit you’re just absolutely have no idea right sorry can
absolutely have no idea right sorry can
absolutely have no idea right sorry can you can you speak English can you help
you can you speak English can you help
you can you speak English can you help me very realize anybody ever said no
me very realize anybody ever said no
me very realize anybody ever said no right I can’t remember anyone ever
right I can’t remember anyone ever
right I can’t remember anyone ever saying no you know and people generally
saying no you know and people generally
saying no you know and people generally have a pride about where they live so
have a pride about where they live so
have a pride about where they live so they’re kind of into showing you were
they’re kind of into showing you were
they’re kind of into showing you were healthy unit so I find very interesting
healthy unit so I find very interesting
healthy unit so I find very interesting I think those are the four most powerful
I think those are the four most powerful
I think those are the four most powerful words in the English language can you
words in the English language can you
words in the English language can you help me people respond to that totally
help me people respond to that totally
help me people respond to that totally yeah these people want to help too
yeah these people want to help too
yeah these people want to help too generally outside of Spain what’s been
generally outside of Spain what’s been
generally outside of Spain what’s been the most singularly rewarding or FF anak
the most singularly rewarding or FF anak
the most singularly rewarding or FF anak travel experience that you’ve had
revelatory I had a lot of them you know
revelatory I had a lot of them you know I I had a trip across Southeast Asia
I I had a trip across Southeast Asia
I I had a trip across Southeast Asia that I just I remember 15 years ago I
that I just I remember 15 years ago I
that I just I remember 15 years ago I remember it like was yesterday just very
remember it like was yesterday just very
remember it like was yesterday just very vivid very Russian
vivid very Russian
vivid very Russian you know sensuous and what is it that
you know sensuous and what is it that
you know sensuous and what is it that you remember in particular this woman
you know it just you know the kindness
you know it just you know the kindness of strangers dawn I mean I find a lot of
of strangers dawn I mean I find a lot of
of strangers dawn I mean I find a lot of my trips er you know like that that’s
my trips er you know like that that’s
my trips er you know like that that’s like that but you know revelatory you
like that but you know revelatory you
like that but you know revelatory you know I I travel across Africa sort of
know I I travel across Africa sort of
know I I travel across Africa sort of alone and without a plan and I found
alone and without a plan and I found
alone and without a plan and I found that just you know blew my mind you know
that just you know blew my mind you know
that just you know blew my mind you know yeah and you just see the way people
yeah and you just see the way people
yeah and you just see the way people live and you see what people don’t have
live and you see what people don’t have
live and you see what people don’t have and how well they get on with what they
and how well they get on with what they
and how well they get on with what they don’t have and you know it’s just being
don’t have and you know it’s just being
don’t have and you know it’s just being a citizen of the world you know just
a citizen of the world you know just
a citizen of the world you know just engage and get out of away from staring
engage and get out of away from staring
engage and get out of away from staring at my little life you know and I all my
at my little life you know and I all my
at my little life you know and I all my trips changed my life really you know I
trips changed my life really you know I
trips changed my life really you know I mean accumulation of the trips I’ve
mean accumulation of the trips I’ve
mean accumulation of the trips I’ve taken really right you know that’s great
taken really right you know that’s great
taken really right you know that’s great yeah what is the hardest part of travel
yeah what is the hardest part of travel
yeah what is the hardest part of travel for you I’m not a good flyer and I hate
for you I’m not a good flyer and I hate
for you I’m not a good flyer and I hate flying you know flying sort of I just
flying you know flying sort of I just
flying you know flying sort of I just don’t fly well I decided a long time ago
don’t fly well I decided a long time ago
don’t fly well I decided a long time ago wasn’t gonna stop me but I don’t fly
wasn’t gonna stop me but I don’t fly
wasn’t gonna stop me but I don’t fly well and I always get jet lag and I’m
well and I always get jet lag and I’m
well and I always get jet lag and I’m miserable on a plane and I can’t relax
miserable on a plane and I can’t relax
miserable on a plane and I can’t relax on a plane and fall asleep because the
on a plane and fall asleep because the
on a plane and fall asleep because the plane might crash if I fall asleep
plane might crash if I fall asleep
plane might crash if I fall asleep that’s true
that’s true
that’s true so I don’t have any control issues done
so I don’t know flying um you know horse
so I don’t know flying um you know horse parts coming home unpacking you know I
parts coming home unpacking you know I
parts coming home unpacking you know I love going I love going anywhere when
love going I love going anywhere when
love going I love going anywhere when I’m out the door and I’m on my way that
I’m out the door and I’m on my way that
I’m out the door and I’m on my way that first it’s like yeah I miss everybody
first it’s like yeah I miss everybody
first it’s like yeah I miss everybody but yeah who knows what’s gonna happen
but yeah who knows what’s gonna happen
but yeah who knows what’s gonna happen in the next X amount of days I love that
in the next X amount of days I love that
in the next X amount of days I love that feeling right when you look at your life
feeling right when you look at your life
feeling right when you look at your life do you feel like you’re more an actor or
do you feel like you’re more an actor or
do you feel like you’re more an actor or a director you know I’m just a guy I
a director you know I’m just a guy I
a director you know I’m just a guy I don’t know I don’t I don’t think of it
don’t know I don’t I don’t think of it
don’t know I don’t I don’t think of it that way my life sort of transitioning
that way my life sort of transitioning
that way my life sort of transitioning you know I’ll always be the guy was in
you know I’ll always be the guy was in
you know I’ll always be the guy was in pretty pink you know I mean so that’s
pretty pink you know I mean so that’s
pretty pink you know I mean so that’s that’s that’s okay you know hopefully
that’s that’s okay you know hopefully
that’s that’s okay you know hopefully I’ll be it some other things too you
I’ll be it some other things too you
I’ll be it some other things too you know but that’s certainly a part of who
know but that’s certainly a part of who
know but that’s certainly a part of who I am and what I you know I wouldn’t be
I am and what I you know I wouldn’t be
I am and what I you know I wouldn’t be here sitting here if I didn’t wasn’t in
here sitting here if I didn’t wasn’t in
here sitting here if I didn’t wasn’t in those movies you know what I mean I may
those movies you know what I mean I may
those movies you know what I mean I may be a traveller you wouldn’t be just
be a traveller you wouldn’t be just
be a traveller you wouldn’t be just talking to some travel writer you know
talking to some travel writer you know
talking to some travel writer you know what I mean so it’s part of its given me
what I mean so it’s part of its given me
what I mean so it’s part of its given me opportunities and opened doors for me
opportunities and opened doors for me
opportunities and opened doors for me and you know certain so it’s it’s just
and you know certain so it’s it’s just
and you know certain so it’s it’s just part of my story yeah it’s all is on
part of my story yeah it’s all is on
part of my story yeah it’s all is on this leading towards something god I
this leading towards something god I
this leading towards something god I hope so let us know well thank you
hope so let us know well thank you
hope so let us know well thank you Andrew for
”
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