Episode 50: The Best

"Cause you're simply the best. Better than all the rest. Better than anyone. Anyone I ever met."

— Mike Chapman and Holly Knight, 1988


Think fast! If push comes to shove, what's your all-time favorite album? How about the greatest movie you've ever seen? Number one book!? The best meal you've tasted!?! Cat got your tongue? Okay then, here's a simple one — what's the most fun you've ever had on vacation? Not easy, right? That being said, to celebrate 5 seasons and 50 Episodes of the Blog-O-Daria series, I've painstakingly compiled a list, ranked from #50 all the way down to #1, featuring the very best moments spent abroad since first meeting my girl from the north country and relocating to the Sunflower Capital of the World. 

As a special bonus feature, I've included many unseen photographs, segments from four rare unpublished pilots, and several top tens in between. On that note, let's take a stroll down memory lane...

50. BLACK MOUNTAIN COUNTRY (from Episode 16, 2010) The subject of mountains will appear a few more times in the countdown, but in this first entry, none will be described so deliciously devilish as the dark, colorless peaks of Montenegro — who's name itself means 'black mountains' in Italian. A few words of warning, though: be sure to keep your eyes focused on the road while driving through the range; due to the mesmerizing view, one can easily drift off into the abyss.

49. MEKITSI, HONEY, AND BELOGRADCHIK (from Episode 15, 2010) Sarah will certainly concur with the inclusion of this next entry. It's a traditional Bulgarian dessert or breakfast treat called mekitsi, which is a bit similar in taste to a funnel cake found in American amusement parks. However, when rising up early in the morning and having it served up hot and fresh with a side of honey from Belogradchik, while gazing out at the latter's splendid otherworldly landscape, you'll understand why it's one of the best moments.

48.  GORGEOUS GAUDI BUILDINGS OF BARCELONA (from Episode 19, 2010) This next entry involved a journey to Spain where I reunited with a few goods friends, Rishi, Liv, and Steve. And while I wasn't quite that impressed with Barcelona as a whole, the trip was an introduction to Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi and his greatest works, such as the Casa Batllo, a building restored by the artist himself, located in the Eixample district of Barcelona, and his unfinished masterpiece, The Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family, commonly referred to as the Sagrada Família, a large Roman Catholic church and one of the biggest tourist attractions in Barcelona.

47. FRESH FISH OF THE AEGEAN SEA (from Episode 29, 2011) Throughout my European travels and even beyond, I've yet to come across water more beautiful and enchanting as the Aegean Sea. With that being said, the fresh water must certainly play a big part in making the fish taste ten times yummier than any I'd ever eaten. After taking a bite, it's easy to find yourself feeling sorry for all the Greek fish eating virgins of the world.

46. MOTHER TERESA AND THE REBUILDING OF SKOPJE (from Episode 25, 2011) Believe it or not, I find underdeveloped countries far more interesting and fascinating than developed countries. For the most part, when visiting an underdeveloped country, I get far more mental nourishment from the experience. So in this first of several entries that feature underdeveloped countries, next to stumbling upon The Mother Teresa Memorial House, which is dedicated to the humanitarian and Noble Peace Prize laureate, me, Sarah, and our friend Kami witnessed the rebuilding of Scopje. But, because that was nearly two years ago — I think it's time for a second helping...

Bulgaria's Ten 
Best Destinations

01. Buzludzha

02. Seven Rila Lakes

03. Alexander Nevsky

04. God's Bridge

05. Plovdiv Roman Theatre

06. Belogradchik

07. Monument to 1300 Years

08. Rila Monastery

09. Madara Rider

10. Tsarevets Fortress

45. PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THE NATIONALIZATION OF KOSOVO (from Episode 26, 2011) In the second entry to feature a vastly underdeveloped country (recognized in some parts of the world), I'll admit there wasn't a whole lot going on in Kosovo. However, witnessing the hope and passion of the people of Pristina's efforts in rebuilding a land demolished after the war, made for a most memorable journey. Moreover, a monument and boulevard dedicated to my boy Slick, located in the heart of Pristina's city center, was like a cherry on top of a double layered chocolate cake.

44. BENNY HILL AND SOUTHAMPTON (from Episode 13, 2010) In the first of many cemetery hunting entries, Sarah and I embarked on the most difficult tombstone trek for the burial of comedian extraordinaire Benny Hill, which was located in the British legend's quaint little English hometown of Southhampton. Due to the coffin having been robbed on several occasions, it was relocated from its original plot to an unmarked spot. But after several hours of hunting high and low — with some additional help from friendly locals — the Cemetery Hunters triumphed.

43. SUNFLOWER FIELDS OF BULGARIA (from Episode 27, 2011) Ever wonder why I call Bulgaria the Sunflower Capital of the World? Well, there's a simple answer for that. Take a journey across the Balkan countryside during the Summer months of Bulgaria, and feast your eyes on miles of the most magnificent view of yellow fields filled with flowers faithfully facing the sun. They'll leave an everlasting memory in your heart, soul and mind.

42. A DAY IN THE LIFE OF HELSINKI (from Episode 40, 2012) Although it was a tease, last year's day trip to Helsinki — where Sarah and I explored the futuristic architecture of Temppelixaukio, one of the most visited sites in Helsinki, Suomenlinna, an inhabited sea fortress built of six islands, and the Eastern Orthodox cathedral in honor of Dormition of the Virgin Mary, which pleasantly overlooks the city from the rocky mountainside of Katajanokka — is still one of the best moments abroad.

41. BOMBED OUT BUILDINGS OF BELGRADE (from Episode 35, 2012) No matter what the reasons or causes may be, war is ugly. With this in mind, this next entry might have you scratching you're head, 'why, feature it as a best moment?' Well, after witnessing the ugliness of the eerie bombed-out buildings that remain untouched throughout Belgrade's center after the NATO air strike, the scene was a great reality check of just how ugly war can be.

The Ten Most Disappointing Moments Abroad
01. Anti-Romanyism in Bulgaria
02. Turkish Men Assaulting Women In Istanbul
03. Losing My Temper On An Airline Attendant
04. Sarah's Food Poisoning
05. Stray Dogs and Cats of the Balkans
06. Getting Fired By Sylvester Stallone
07. Not Being Able To Locate Luke's Home
08. Lack of Motivation to Learn Bulgarian
09. Serbian Calling Me A "Yellow Belly Coward"
10. Closed Castles

40. A TASTE OF THE BUDA AND THE PEST (from Episode 21, 2010) What makes Budapest a moment to remember? Lots — but for starters, the amazing architecture, beautiful surrounding sculptures, Széchenyi Chain Bridge, that connects the Buda to the Pest, the tranquil Buda Castle, the picturesque Liberty Bridge, the Art Nouveau style Gellért Bath House with mineral hot springs, St. Stephen's Basilica, The Museum of Fine Arts, Heroes' Square, City Park, Vajdahunyad Castle designed by Ignác Alpár, and to top it all off, a cool memorial dedicated to the first President of the United States. See what I mean? Lots.

39. SANTORINI SUNDOWN (from Episode 4, 2009) Not long after arriving in Bulgaria for the long haul, Sarah and I spent a dreamlike vacation on a tiny Greek island called Santorini. While there are quite a few reefs to choose from in that region, we were initially undecided on the best option. But not less than an hour after arriving in Santorini, we both agreed the right choice was made, when first laying eyes on the red and black sandy beaches, which were created by a nearby volcano over a 100 years ago. For three days, Sarah and I took simple pleasures in cruising around the breezy island on a little red ATV, watching the sun go down.

38. DISCOVERING DUBROVNIK (from Episode 16, 2010) One of the best things about traveling is discovering great vacation spots that don't get all the hype it deserves. This was the case for the enchanting city of Dubrovnik. Accompanied by Sarah, Joe, and Teresa, during the day light hours we'd take a stroll down the sensational Stradun, located on Dubrovnik's main street, near Onofrio's Fountain and The Walls of Dubrovnik. During the night hours, we'd dine out in some of the city's most delicious restaurants, surrounded by live music and dancing in the streets.

37. DACHUA CONCENTRATION CAMP (from Episode 23, 2011) In what is perhaps one the most important moments abroad, during a solo journey to Munich, I took a tour of Dachua Concentration Camp, where the genocide of approximately 9 million European Jews, as well as an additional 8 million people from other racial, political and religious opponents, such as Romani, homosexuals, Soviet prisoners of war, Polish and Soviet civilians, the disabled, and Jehovah's Witnesses took place. You can learn about it in the history books or watch it on television, but witnessing first hand where Hitler's inhuman atrocities occurred changed my whole perspective on the Holocaust in ways I can't describe.

36. STONEHENGE (from Episode 13, 2010) This entry is one of many destinations on the list that I'd always imagined visiting ever since I can remember. With that being said, after Sarah and I took a tour to see the mysterious and ancient Stonehenge, located in Wiltshire, north of Salisbury, they simple lived up to everything I'd envisioned and more.

Ten Countries that Gave Me 

the Most Celebrity Status

01. Bosnia and Herzegovina
02. Kosovo
03. Macedonia
04. Serbia
05. Bulgaria
06. Hungary
07. Lithuania
08. Romania
09. Montenegro
10. Czech Republic

35. SURVIVORS OF SARAJEVO (from Episode 16, 2010) During a journey to the heart of Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which underwent the longest siege in post WWII Military history during the Bosnian War, I was captivated by the awesome religious diversity — which apparently coexisted for centuries — displaying mosques, synagogues, and churches, standing side by side in peace. However, my captivation was quickly turn to consternation, after observing the many city streets filled with buildings riddled with bullets and blood spattered ground sculptures. Although the atrocities were difficult to believe that it took place in just a little under 15 years ago, in a city that was host to the 1984 Winter Olympics, it was a needed reminder that evil acts of genocide can happen at any given time or place — with the USA being no exception.

34. MARC BOLAN AND LONDON (from Unpublished Pilot #1, 2008) In the first entry to feature the subject of a rock star pilgrimage, during a premiere journey to London — England’s famous capital located on the River Thames — Sarah and I enjoyed one of the best moments abroad touring many destinations such as the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower, the Houses of Parliament, London Eye, and Westminster Abbey, as well as that other Abbey made famous by the Fab Four. By journey's end, after a near impossible cemetery hunt for the grave of Glam Rock inventor and T. Rex frontman Marc Bolan, I was finally able to pay my respects to one of my biggest musical heroes.

33. HUNTING FOR ANTOING (from Episode 46, 2013) In this recent best moment, Sarah and I endured another arduous castle hunt in search for Antoing, the castle of all castles; the mothership; the one that got me into castle hunting; as a result of watching Jean Brismee's 1971 horror film Devil's Nightmare in my childhood. However, during the tour of the creepy 13th century Neo-Gothic chateau, a strange aura made me feel like I was destined to be there. Now don't that give you goose bumps?

32. ABBA AND STOCKHOLM (from Episode 28, 2011) Even though the ABBA Museum opened six months after visiting Stockholm, Sarah and I created our own tour of the essential ABBA related sites, including Polar Music Studios, Chiana Teatern, the ABBA bench, and Royal Swedish Opera House where the band delivered a first ever live performance of "Dancing Queen." In addition to locating nearly all the Swedish group's hangouts, the tour enabled us to discover many fascinating off the beaten path destinations throughout the sensational Stockholm.

31. HIKING THE SEVEN LAKES (from Episode 17, 2010) One of several hidden gems of Bulgaria that made the list, the Seven Rila Lakes — and all of its beautiful surroundings — had a unique look and name associated to each body of water's characteristic feature. For example, the highest lake was called "The Tear" due to its clear waters; the next one called "The Eye," was perfectly oval in form; "The Kidney" was the lake with the steepest shores; "The Twin" was the largest one overall; the irregular shaped lake was called "The Trefoil" because it had low shores; the lowest lake was apply named "The Lower Lake"; and last but not least, the shallowest lake was called "The Fish Lake," my favorite of the seven, because it housed a school of tiny smelts that lovingly nibbled on my fingers.

Ten Best Concerts Attended Abroad

01. Kid Creole and The Coconuts (London)

02. AC/DC (Sofia)

03. Ennio Morricone (Sofia)

04. Sade (Sofia)

05. Bob Dylan (Sofia)

06. Elton John (Sofia)

07. Guns N Roses (Barcelona)

08. Belle and Sebastien (Cologne)

09. Brand New Heavies (Sofia)

10. Madonna (Sofia)

30. LEANING TOWER OF PISA (from Episode 16, 2010) Sometimes the brief moments abroad are the most memorable ones. And this was certainly the case in this next entry. You see, during the Summer of 2011, I experienced one the best moments of my life, after taking a detour from Florence on a short train ride to a nearby town known as Pisa to catch a quick glimpse of the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa in all its crooked glory.

29. MEETING SALEM (from Episode 42, 2013) Destinations aren't the only things worth remembering abroad. Sometimes everyday people make for the best moments. This was the case after meeting Salem, a friendly Tunisian gentleman who was like the Star Wars' wise Obi-Wan Kenobi to Sarah and I. Initially starting off as our tour guide, in no time, Salem became a great friend and gave us the 411 on his country, as well as heartbreaking stories of family struggles and hardships. Today, when I think of Salem and our great times in Tunisia — moments of which I'll cherish forever — I remain hopeful that he and his family are making out okay.

28. MICHELANGELO AND THE ART OF ITALY (from Episode 16, 2010) Michelangelo and vast amount of amazing traditional art throughout all of Italy certainly made for one of my best moments abroad. To name a small few, there was Sandro Botticelli's The Birth of Venus, the hypnotic and tranquil Trevi Fountain, the Basilica of Santa Croce — better known as the burial place of Michelangelo, as well as the latter's masterpiece David at the Accademia Gallery, the Vatican Museums' St. Peter's Basilica, and last but certainly not least, the Sistine Chapel, where I took a brave shot of The Creation Of Adam, without getting caught.

27. OLD TOWNS OF TALLINN (from Episode 39, 2012) After exploring the Baltic states last year, Sarah and I unknowingly saved the best for last, when we arrived at the glorious gates of the Old Towns of Tallinn, the capital and largest city in Estonia. I had a heart warming experience on a day to day basis just simply taking a stroll through the city's charismatic cobble stoned roads, filled with castle-like structures and cathedrals topped with stunning steeples that were fit for a classic fairy-tale.

26. BUSSING ACROSS TURKEY (from Unpublished Pilot #4, 2008) During one of the Traveling Twosome's early adventures, we explored Istanbul and many of its treasures, including the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Bosphorus, and the unbelievable Hagia Sophia. Having never traveled solo abroad, I recall thinking how cruel it was for Sarah to put me on a bus alone to Cappadocia. However, after being tossed in the deep end without knowing how to swim, so to speak, I ended up having one of the best moments of my life, climbing otherworldly rocks, sleeping in caves, and touring the film set of Return of the Jedi. After the journey, I discovered that my girl from the north country was seasoning me up for future solo travels to come...

Ten Best Moments that Nearly Made the List

01. El Djem Amphitheater

02. St. George's Day in Samokov

03. Munich's Make-shift Memorial To MJ

04. Thessaloniki

05. Abbey Road
06. Highgate Cemetery
07. Novi Sad
08. God's Bridge
09. Sofia Cemetery
10. Plovdiv

25. SOLO SEARCH FOR ELTZ (from Episode 23, 2011) During one of my rare castle hunting adventures alone, I took a train to a deserted small town called Moselkern near Koblenz in Germany in search of Eltz Castle. After a 90 minute exhaustive, but picturesque hike inside the deepest reaches of a forest, where I lost my way more than a few times due to sign less detours, I eventually got help along the way from a friendly German stranger. In the end, what emerged from the trees brought both tears and joy to my eyes — one side of Castle Eltz was covered in scaffolding and cranes. It was a total bummer, but who said the best moments have to be perfect? The amazing journey there was all that mattered to me.

24. BUZLUDZHA MONUMENT (from Episode 45, 2013) The next entry will probably have the noses of many Bulgarian's slightly turned upward. You see, when I finally got the long awaited opportunity to visit Buzludzha Monument, perhaps the best example of communist architecture, after only 10 minutes of exploring its otherworldly exterior, it rocketed to number one on my list of all the places traveled within the Sunflower Capital — respectively shooting past adoring sites like Belogradchick, God's Bridge, and the Seven Rila Lakes; an ambitious statement that will surely have Bulgarian readers shaking their heads in disapproval.

23. FIRST CASTLE HUNT (from Unpublished Pilot #2, 2008) Serving as another one of those important entries, rather than a best moment, is Warwick, a 12th century medieval castle located in Warwickshire, England, and the subject of my first castle hunting adventure ever. Seeing Antoing in a film was, no doubt, the spark, but after laying eyes on Warwick, the mere surreality and mammoth nature of it, set off a bug that united the Brave and Fearless Castle Hunters. On a side note, located in the book of firsts, coincidentally, Warwickshire was also the place where I'd eaten my first hot plate of English fish and chips.

22. BELGIAN SWEETS (from Episode 46, 2013) Although Belgium and its many beautiful cities were indeed wonderful, my irresistible sweet tooth makes the country's chocolate and waffle culture one of my most treasured moments abroad. From the start of the journey, this certain confectionery popularity was quite apparent when Sarah and I were gaily greeted by countless numbers of waffle wagons and chocolate chains, including Godiva, the lord of all chocolates, originally founded in Belgium in 1926. Yummy. Yummy. Yummy.

21. THE COLOSSEUM AND ROME (from Episode 16, 2010) There's really no way to best describe this next entry. It's one of those landmarks you'll have to see to believe. The moment I exited the turn-styles of the subway station, and saw the Colosseum, one of the greatest works in Roman architecture, it was everything I'd imagined and more. Initially assuming the surroundings of the bustling big city would distract from its beauty, the colossal Colosseum didn't allow for any distractions. Like a drill sergeant, the iconic structure commanded attention, and I obeyed its every order by spending the entire day devoted to exploring its exterior and interior, as well as all the other surrounding areas of Rome.

Europe's Most 

Beautiful Women

01. The Netherlands
02. Lithuania

03. Sweden

04. Bulgaria

05. Czech Republic

06. Latvia

07. Estonia

08. Romania

09. Ireland

10. Germany

20. THE PARTHENON AND ATHENS (from Episode 4, 2009) Keeping with the theme of colossal structures, ever since studying ancient Greek art during undergrad, The Acropolis and Parthenon has always been a big dream destination. Luckily, on the day of arriving in Athens back in 2009, not only did I pay a long awaited visit to the aforementioned locations in the flesh... uh, I mean... stone, it was also the opening day of the impressive New Acropolis Museum, built to house every artifact found on the monument and its surrounding areas, which range from the Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece.

19. SAILING THE NILE (from Episode 22, 2010) In the first of two Egypt related entries, this best moment consisted of two-nights — Christmas Eve and Christmas Day — sailing up Nile river on a felucca. But before the journey, I had know idea what was in store. By the time it was over, I had experienced an adventure filled with pesky mosquitos, freezing cold weather, and creepy pitch black nights sleeping in constant fear of being eaten alive by a shark. But guess what, folks? I was loving every single minute of it.

18. INDEPENDENT UZUPIS (from Episode 37, 2012) This next entry can easily be described as hippie paradise. Until Lithuania's Declaration of Independence in 1990, with an abundance of abandoned homes, derelicts and prostitutes liken to modern day Detroit, Uzupis was one of the most neglected areas of the Vilnius. Today, it's a steady refuge for many squatting young artists, poets, musicians, and a common base for bohemians. Whether meant to be sarcastic or tongue-and-cheek, on April Fool's Day of 1997 — with no government recognition — 'The Republic Of' Uzupis declared its independence with its own currency, president, cabinet, flag, and anthem. Power to the people, right on!

17. THE BEATLES AND LIVERPOOL (from Unpublished Pilot #2, 2008) I often get annoyed at the U.S.A.'s lack in honoring its countless numbers of rock stars. For instance, when visiting my DC hometown, with no statues erected or streets named in honor, one would never know that the late great Marvin Gaye was a native. Well, this certainly wasn't the case with The Beatles and Liverpool. During a most memorable visit to the Fab's wonderful hometown, there was an abundance of reminders in honor of the 'band that change the world,' including a Magical Mystery Tour, museum and hotel, as well as many National Treasures still standing like The Cavern Club, Strawberry Field, Penny Lane, and John, Paul, George and Ringo's childhood homes, that Sarah and I luckily entered.

16. ART NOUVEAU ARCHITECTURE IN RIGA (from Episode 38, 2012) Located on Albert Street, Riga's historic art nouveau section is consummately characterized and recognized by UNESCO's World Heritage Site as "the finest collection of art nouveau architecture in Europe," mainly for its "quality and quantity." After Riga experienced an unprecedented financial and population boom between 1857 to 1915, the architectural bourgeoisie used their wealth to erect over 800 eye-catching art nouveau buildings in the heart of city's center and old town. With that said, after a slow scenic stroll through what I call the world's largest outdoor art gallery of the most splendid architecture I'd ever laid my baby brown eyes on, it instantly became one the best moments ever spent abroad.

Europe's Ten Most 

Friendliest Countries

01. Ireland

02. Scotland

03. Germany

04. Lithuania

05. Sweden

06. Bosnia and Herzegovina

07. Kosovo

08. Czech Republic

09. The Netherlands

10. Macedonia

15. STAR WARS AND THE SAHARA (from Episode 42, 2013) During a trip to Tunisia at the start of the year, Sarah and I got treated to a death defying drag race through the Sahara, where we explored many of the original Star Wars' film sets, which, by the way, were purely surreal to see simply hanging out in the middle of the desert. The tour included natural locations, like Yardangs, Juntland Wastes, Sith Infiltrator landing site, and Lars Homestead (the interior shot of Luke's home), which is now used as a hotel in Magmata. Moreover, and rather surprisingly, there was an abundance of Lucas-made locations left behind after filming, such as Watto's Shop, Sebulba's Cafe, and the market place in the town of Mos Espa. The best, no doubt.

14. EILEAN DONAN AND THE MYSTICAL LANDSCAPES OF SCOTLAND (from Episode 32, 2012) The next entry played like a scene from a movie. While driving down a road near River Ness — home of the legendary Loch Ness Monster — salivating over the breathtaking view of Scotland’s stunning mystical mountainous landscapes (which were reminiscent to The Lord Of The Rings) Sarah and I came upon Eilean Donan, located on a small island in Loch Duich, connected to the mainland by a footbridge. One look at ol' Eileen, and she instantly became the castle of my eye.

13. VAMPIRE HUNTING IN TRANSYLVANIA (from Episode 9, 2009) When Sarah and I traded in our Castle Hunters persona for Vampire Hunters, one might consider it the 'jump the shark' moment of the Blog-O-Daria series. And while that certainly might be the case — after setting off for Romania on a five day journey through the creepy foggy countryside of Transylvania in search of Prince Vlad Tepes of Wallachia, better known as Dracula Prince of Darkness, visiting well-known spots like the vampire's crib at Bran Castle to his childhood home in Sighisoara, and ending it all in a frightening conclusion, which took place at the blood sucker's mysterious grave located on a tiny island in the middle of Lake Snagov — shark jumping or not, it still made for one of the best moments abroad.

12. PHIL LYNOTT AND IRELAND (from Unpublished Pilot #3, 2008) Country and music go hand and hand. So, before exploring the former, I always research the latter for native songsters. That being said, one of the greatest moments abroad was during a trip to Ireland, where it was all about my hero Phil Lynott, frontman of legendary hard rockers Thin Lizzy. So after me, Sarah, and a few of her close friends explored many towns and castles within the country side — including Cork, Cliffs of Moher, and a kiss on the Blarney — the Traveling Twosome split from the group and headed for Dublin on a pilgrimage to Lynott, where we enjoyed iconic locales, such as Ha'penny Bridge, a bronze statue honoring the late musician, and his resting place where we luckily spotted Lynott's mother placing flowers on the grave. The cherries on top? The Book of Kells, Oscar Wilde's home, W.B. Yeats museum, Irish folk dancing, Guinness beer, and one of the last Tower Records in the world still standing.

11. BERLIN AND THE WALL (from Episode 23, 2011) This next entry features my kind of city in just about every way. Berlin, the capital of the former East Germany, is a mecca for the beautiful and stylish with a large diverse subculture, that included hippies, hipsters, punks, and granolas. Standing as one of the best moments to date, was renting a bike and touring Berlin's important and historical landmarks, including The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Brandenburg Gate, The Fernsehturm, The Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie, Gendarmenmarkt, the Führerbunker, Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin Cathedral, Bebelplatz, a glorious ride through the Tiergarten and Potsdamer Platz, and a view of one of the last remaining sections still standing of The Berlin Wall.

Ten Most Livable 
European Cities
01. Amsterdam
02. Prague
03. Vilnius
04. Berlin
05. Stockholm
06. Dublin
07. Riga
08. Edinburgh
09. Brussels
10. Tallinn

10. FIRST HOLLYWOOD EXPERIENCE (from Episode 6, 2009) I'm sure, just about everyone has flirted with the idea of acting in a movie or television show, right? Well, during my childhood days, this was a 24/7 fantasy. With that being said, having acted in a major film for the first time is not only a best moment abroad, but a dream come true. And because I'm an avid fan of all things horror, having my first Hollywood experience be in a zombie film was about as sweet as the creamy filling inside a Twinkie snack. That, and uh... having a trailer with my name on it.

09. CHARLES BRIDGE AND PRAGUE (from Episode 8, 2009) I was enamored by the Czech Republic and the people. There was a magical feeling abound that warmed my heart. Next to strolling back and forth across the baroque statue laden Charles Bridge — that connects the Castle to the old town of Prague — I enjoyed many aimless night walks through the city, which ranks second only to Amsterdam on my list of the most livable places in all of Europe. At the end of the journey it was difficult to tear myself away, as I almost recklessly missed the flight home, hoping to stay a little while longer.

08. TEACHING IN SOFIA (from episodes 18, 2010 and 49, 2013) From instructing art, street dancing, world history, and journalism at the American English Academy of Sofia to the more recent tutoring of baby Bella, the experience of teaching abroad has been a real pleasant surprise since moving abroad. While there are many perks and even dislikes that come along with the job, one of the main reasons it makes a best moment, is having the rare opportunity to share knowledge with students from all over the globe.

07. INGMAR BERGMAN AND FARO ISLAND (from Episode 28, 2011) After taking a train, two ferries, and several buses to Faro, a remote island in Sweden populated by fewer than 600 inhabitants, where my hero and film director Ingmar Bergman lived and died, Sarah and I spent a surrealistic adventure riding bikes through what felt like a familiar scene from Persona. Faro's unique landscape, which includes an abundance of iconic stoned fences and a constant array of rain clouds overhead that matched picture perfectly with the endless fields of wildflowers and unique pine tree shrubbery, was one of the main reasons why Bergman loved the island. It's also why this moment remains one of the best.

06. CANALS OF VENICE (from Episode 16, 2010) Perhaps if someone had told me beforehand, this next entry may not have made the top ten. With that being said, surprises can count for high ranking numbers. After arriving in Venice and assuming that only a few sections would feature those iconic canals and gondolas (mainly for tourists to ride and such), I had no idea the entire city was engulfed in water. It was simply otherworldly and unlike anything I'd ever seen or ever will. Next to the romantic feel abound, just watching water buses and taxes taking people from point A to B was fascinating beyond belief and made for one of the best moments abroad.

Ten Most Gorgeous 
European Castles
01. Eilean Donan (Scotland)
02. Antoine (Belgium)
03. Bran (Romania)
04. Neuschwanstein (Germany)
05. Warwick (England)
06. Linlithgow Palace (Scotland)
07. Kalmar (Sweden)
08. Eltz Castle (Germany)
09. Blarney Castle (Ireland)
10. Trakai Island (Lithuania)

05. AMSTERDAM (from Episode 47, 2013) Even before moving abroad, I'd payed a visit to Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, also known as the bicycle friendly capital of the world and the world's most liberal state. And during a most memorable second visit, the city's bicycle culture, politics, delightful Dutch architecture, picturesque canals, and the Anne Frank House made it all the more clear that it's the most livable city in all of Europe and a home away from home.

04. FAMILY VISIT (from Episode 45, 2013) Someone once said, "What's success, without anyone there to share it with?" Well, that saying goes true when you live in a Foreign country that is so vastly different from home, that it's difficult to describe in writing. So in 2013, when I got a visit from my brother and his wife, I greeted them with the biggest smile imaginable and wanted to do my Happy Dance right there in the airport. In fact, upon embracing the visiting couple, I'll admit to having struggled with holding back the tears. I guess seeing family on Bulgarian soil was surreal, emotional, and quite needed.

03. MY WOMAN'S WORK (from Episode 15, 2010) The better half of the Traveling Twosome, otherwise known as Sarah, has been called everything from Girl from the North Country, Corn Belt Native, World's Greatest Navigator, and Bulgaria's Bobby Kennedy. However, after witnessing her enduring commitment to change with regards to Roma and minority issues in Bulgaria, the latter is perhaps the most fitting. And even though the system can often bring about frustrations, Sarah still manages to find the strength and courage needed to keep fighting the good fight. Oh yeah, and being the kind of girl who doesn't like the fanfare and recognition, she's probably not going to like that I'm writing about her work. But then again, her modesty is yet another reason why she's so damn awesome.

02. CAMEL RIDE TO THE GREAT PYRAMID (from Episode 22, 2010) During a solo exploration to Egypt five days prior to the country's revolution, I woke up in the early morning hours, with advice given by Sarah — in hopes of missing hordes of tourists — and rode a camel to my all-time number one dream destination, the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the only existing Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing.

01. COMING TO BULGARIA (from Episode 1, 2009) Sometimes the best moments can come in simple packages. You see, the number one question asked by Bulgarian friends or strangers is "why are you in Bulgaria?" Due to the country's admiration for the U.S., many citizens find it difficult to comprehend why anyone would want to leave the States and come live in a second world country. So, next to giving them the obvious "I'm here to be with Sarah" or "your country is beautiful" replies, my initial reason is rather hard to explain in words. Having lived a conservative lifestyle always under the safety net, such as maintaining the same job for over 10 years, or rarely relocating homes, I was never one to take chances without knowing exactly what was ahead of me. So, the fact that the moment after Sarah suggested coming to Bulgaria, I bought a plane ticket, locked my belongings into storage, and stepped out into the void was unimaginable. I recall thinking it was a bad decision all the way up until the moment I landed in Sofia. Then a few days after settling in, I took a walk across Lover's Bridge and grinned a sigh of relief. I was grateful to have taken a leap of faith. And although my number one best moment didn't entirely take place abroad, without that spark, none of the above would have been ignited.

Well, it wasn't easy, folks, but there you have it; the 50 best moments spent abroad — so far, that is. Hope each one has provided a little inspiration for all of your future travels.

Be seeing you.

O