Chris Arnade Walks the World

Chris Arnade Walks the World features thoughtful explorations and observations from walks around various cities globally. It delves into local cultures, music, architecture, societal issues, and personal encounters, offering a blend of travel insights, social commentary, and reflections on diverse global experiences.

Travel and Culture Music and Entertainment Architecture and Urban Planning Societal Issues Personal Reflections and Stories Food and Cuisine Political and Economic Perspectives

The hottest Substack posts of Chris Arnade Walks the World

And their main takeaways

Walking the Netherlands: From Amsterdam to The Hague

770 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🏝 Travel Adventure Transportation Sustainability Culture Infrastructure
  1. The Dutch culture emphasizes good citizenship, seen in how they are thoughtful, friendly, and helpful to strangers.
  2. The Netherlands is clean and functional due to being a high-trust society, which allows for nice things without fear of them being misused.
  3. Placing a focus on pedestrians and cyclists over cars has made Dutch cities more livable and charming, contrasting with the struggles in the US.

Oh No!

605 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Physical health Travel Injury Recovery Wellness
  1. The author is experiencing physical limitations due to an injury, preventing them from continuing their walking journey.
  2. Despite the setback, the author plans to focus on recovery and potentially work on finishing their novel during this time.
  3. The author hopes to resume walking and traveling in about ten weeks.

Walking Sofia (Bulgaria)

803 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🏝 Travel Destination Culture Food History Experience
  1. Sofia, Bulgaria is an underappreciated city with an insecure identity.
  2. Despite self-criticism, Sofia is a wonderful city with delicious Bulgarian cuisine that deserves recognition.
  3. There is a lack of advice and pride in Bulgarian culture and food in Sofia, despite its worth.

Some additional thoughts about Sofia

550 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🏝 Travel Experiences Freedom
  1. The author reflects on a childhood memory from Sofia, Bulgaria, during the Communist era.
  2. The experience of living behind the Iron Curtain shaped the author's skepticism towards official narratives and authority.
  3. The restrictions on travel and fear experienced by the people in countries like East Germany, Bulgaria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Romania left a lasting impact on the author.

Walking Fuji

627 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
🏝 Travel Reflection Experience Memories Culture Adventure
  1. The author recalls childhood experiences of traveling with family to unique places around the world.
  2. The author's parents believed that experiential learning through travel was the best form of education.
  3. The family's travels were often to less touristy locations and driven by a desire to experience the world on a budget.
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I could live in Seoul

858 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🏝 Travel Exploration Cuisine Nightlife Cultural Exchange
  1. The author fell in love with LP bars in Seoul, enjoying rock music from the '60s through '90s and experiencing the unique bar culture.
  2. Seoul LP bars offer a fun project of exploring different places, talking to owners, and understanding their passion for collecting music.
  3. Despite spending time in Seoul's LP bars, the author found insights that people admire US pop culture, something he already knew.

Interview with a young Mongolian

539 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Interview Travel Family TV Series
  1. The interview provides insights into the life of a young Mongolian growing up in Ulaanbaatar, including experiences in the Ger district and education.
  2. Family plays a significant role in the interviewee's life, showcasing both challenges and strong bonds.
  3. There is a desire among Mongolian youth for quality education abroad and improvement in political and economic conditions within Mongolia.

Walking Japan: From Akashina to Fuji

671 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
🏝 Travel Exploration Culture Adventure
  1. The author experienced a mix of unexpected situations during their time in Japan.
  2. Cultural differences and universal behaviors were observed, such as dealing with 'hot messes'.
  3. Despite facing some challenges, the author's excitement for exploring Japan remained high.

Walking Darkhan (Mongolia)

561 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🏝 Travel Exploration Photography Culture Adventure History
  1. Exploring beyond big cities provides a richer understanding of a country's culture and lifestyle.
  2. Transportation challenges like construction work and sheep herds can make intercity travel in Mongolia time-consuming.
  3. Engaging encounters with locals, even if unexpected, can add unique experiences to travel adventures.

Walking England's Coast Part 2: From New Romney to Brighton

792 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🏝 Travel Adventure Nature Culture
  1. The trek along England's coast from New Romney to Brighton was mostly surrounded by nature, with challenges like stinging nettles and harsh conditions.
  2. England's walking culture allows for public access through private lands and a network of public footpaths, though some paths can be difficult to navigate.
  3. Despite England's great walking system, challenges like thick fields and narrow roads without sidewalks were encountered during the trek.

To my subscribers. A quick note.

297 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🏝 Travel Travel
  1. The author is currently in Sofia and unable to upload content due to laptop issues.
  2. Next piece of content expected to come out sometime this weekend or around Christmas.
  3. The post is for paid subscribers only.

Walking England's Coast Part 1: From Dover to New Romney

671 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
🏝 Travel Hiking Exploration Culture People Lifestyle
  1. The author's walk from Dover to Portsmouth revealed the reality of Dover, which was different from the romanticized image portrayed.
  2. Encountering Sandra, a woman with a complicated background involving human trafficking, provided a glimpse into a harsher side of life in Dover.
  3. The honesty and openness of Sandra in sharing her story with the author was a surprising and impactful moment during the visit to Dover.

Walking (South) Salt Lake City

550 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
🏝 Travel Exploration Destinations
  1. The author went on a trip to Salt Lake City after being asked by their daughter.
  2. The daughter rarely travels due to a fear of flying and prefers online gaming with friends.
  3. The author was initially looking forward to a travel-free August but ended up going to Salt Lake City.

Some thoughts from a long summer of travel

506 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🏝 Travel Reflections Experiences Destinations
  1. The author shares experiences from a summer of travel to Senegal, Jakarta, and Japan
  2. In Senegal, the author's spontaneous decision to visit a mid-sized town led to a memorable and somewhat terrifying cab ride with a unique driver
  3. Rather than forcing connections between experiences, the author opts for a list approach to share their observations

America does not have a good food culture

92 HN points • 29 Sep 23
🍲 Food & Drink Food culture
  1. America's food culture is not seen as strong as in other countries, according to the post.
  2. The diversity and availability of restaurant choices is a main strength of US food culture.
  3. US food culture often prioritizes convenience and variety over farm-to-table and social eating experiences seen in other cultures.

Some things I like about El Paso and San Antonio

308 implied HN points • 28 Nov 22
  1. The author highlights the local music scene and cultural experiences in El Paso and San Antonio
  2. The description of a sports bar in West San Antonio showcases a vibrant community atmosphere
  3. The author addresses the diversity and inclusivity of the crowd at the bar, reflecting on being an outsider in such environments

Things I really like about Istanbul

341 implied HN points • 29 Sep 22
  1. Istanbul is a beautiful and well-functioning city with low crime and a comprehensive public transportation system.
  2. Istanbul is a religious city with a mix of different influences, making it a global place where diverse ideas and cultures converge.
  3. Residents in Istanbul enjoy a blend of religious and secular activities, creating a pleasant and enriching environment for living and walking.

Walking Phoenix

1 HN point • 03 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Society Homelessness Mental health Public Health
  1. Phoenix has contrasting sides - while some parts showcase a version of the American Dream, others are plagued by chaos and despair, highlighting societal issues like drug addiction and homelessness.
  2. The experience highlighted the challenges of navigating through a city with broken infrastructure, lack of facilities, and intense disorder, impacting both residents and visitors.
  3. There was a clear call for more empathy, support, and community to address the issues of substance abuse, homelessness, and societal emptiness observed in parts of Phoenix.

Thanksgiving thoughts

4 HN points • 24 Nov 22
  1. Homelessness and loneliness are prevalent issues in America's society.
  2. US culture emphasizes individual material success, which can lead to mental illness and addiction.
  3. The US has a visible problem with homelessness and mental illness, highlighting systemic issues in society.