Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

Walking Dakar (part 2)

339 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🏝 Travel Destination Cultural impact Personal Reflection
  1. The resilience and perspective of the citizens in Dakar is admirable.
  2. Dakar is described as dirty, crowded, and dysfunctional.
  3. Residents in developed countries may have material advantages, but may lack the deeper fulfillment found in other places with strong community and culture.

Walking Görlitz (Germany)

285 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🏝 Travel History Family City Tourism Memories
  1. Görlitz, Germany is a historical town untouched by WWII, now popular with tourists.
  2. The author's family history in Görlitz includes Jewish heritage and tragic Nazi-era stories.
  3. The author's visit to Görlitz brings out feelings of isolation and a quest to fix a broken sandal.

A pointless little Japan story

195 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🏝 Travel Cultural experience Local Cuisine Exploration Adventure
  1. Japan may not work at all times, like after 11pm when the transportation shuts down.
  2. In Japan, cash is still commonly used due to many family-run businesses, but obtaining cash as a foreigner without fees can be challenging.
  3. Visiting a local izakaya in Japan can provide a welcoming and homey atmosphere that immerses you in the culture.

Thick Travel

181 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🏝 Travel Cultural Exploration Anthropology
  1. Anthropologists study human behavior by observing different cultures.
  2. Understanding cultural differences helps us grasp the complexity of being human.
  3. Our ability to adapt and create tools sets us apart from animals and defines our cultural diversity.
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Walking Jakarta, part 1

172 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
🏝 Travel Cities Culture Neighborhoods Tourism
  1. Jakarta may not be a popular tourist destination compared to Bali
  2. Jakarta is a large city filled with diverse neighborhoods and unique personalities
  3. Despite its challenges, Jakarta has a warm and friendly atmosphere due to its village-like neighborhoods

Walking the Rhine Valley: From Duisburg to Cologne

155 implied HN points • 29 Apr 23
🏝 Travel Nature Europe Adventure
  1. The cities of Duisburg and Cologne are only forty miles apart but have different post-WW2 identities.
  2. Duisburg seems rebuilt cheaply with little historical celebration, while Cologne appears wealthier and rebuilt in a quaint European style.
  3. The nature and atmosphere on a walk along the Rhine drastically improves once outside Duisburg, with fields of flowers and crops replacing factories.

So what makes a city more walkable?

1 HN point • 21 Feb 24
🏝 Travel Urban planning Infrastructure Public Transportation Climate Safety
  1. Walkability in a city is about the ability for a random citizen to live happily without a car or reliance on private transport services.
  2. Factors like density, localized distribution of resources, proper infrastructure, public transportation, connectedness, and climate/play a vital role in determining a city's walkability.
  3. The idea of walkability may differ among individuals, with personal preferences affected by lifestyle, wealth, and cultural norms.