FrankMcD's TravBuddy Profile

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Name:	Frank
Hometown:	Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Location:	Norfolk, Virginia, USA
Join Date:	April 30, 2011
Contributions:	FrankMcD has written about 118 places, shared 878 photos, left 15 comments, and smiled 2 times.
Interested in:	meeting new people, meeting other people to travel with, showing people around my hometown, sharing travel tips and blogs

Travel Plans

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA

May 25, 2013 – May 27, 2013

The history of coal mining is something that has long fascinated me. I did my thesis on the history of mining in the United States. This trip offers an opportunity to check out some of the sites associated with coal mining in the U.S.

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

May 28, 2013 – Jun 2, 2013

I love cities. Given that, I am looking forward to attending the Congress of New urbanism conference in Salt Lake City in May.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Jun 29, 2013 – Jul 4, 2013

I hve wanted to visit Iceland for many yeaars. I am definitely going to make it this year and I cannot wait. i look forward to the long nights and the amazing scenery.

» see all 9 future travel and dream destinations

Countries I've Traveled To

[View Map]

Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Botswana, Canada, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Mexico, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, United States Virgin Islands, Vatican City, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Languages Spoken

English, Spanish

Interests

Architecture, local food, nature, photography, wine,

Most Memorable Travel Experience

While I have enjoyed many memorable travel experiences (looking up from the swimming pool at Elephant Sands, Botswana and seeing a herd of elephants frolicking in a watering hole just feet away; seeing a lioness and her cubs feasting on a dead elephant at Chobe National Park near Kasane, Botswana; Victoria Falls; Yosemite Valley), my experience in Wadi Rum has to take the prize as the single most memorable one. I was the only guest in a Bedouin camp on a cold November evening. After dinner, my host asked if I would mind if he joined me so that he could practice his English. I welcomed him and invited his two colleagues (who turned out to be his brothers) who did not speak English to join us around the wood burning stove since it was so cold. For the next three hours the four of us talked -- actually communicating -- even though I spoke no Arabic and two of the brothers spoke no english. We laughed. We shared tea. It was a remarkable evening -- demonstrating that communication and friendship is possible if we give it a chance.