South Africa: A beauty torn by History 06.12.2018
South Africa is now a trendy destination. Not actually really original in my choices of travels (I have to admit that), I too succumbed to the temptation of the ocean views and safaris... but History was waiting for me around the corner and hit me as soon as I landed in Cape Town. There, the beauty of the country sharply contrasts with the ugly face of the social reality. It has been a travel made of tears of joy and tears of sadness. (...)
Myanmar (Burma): Paradise of Five Senses 06.04.2016
Myanmar is the most authentic country I've visited in South-East Asia." How many time have I (you) heard this claim? At least ten times for the last three years. Just a few tourists, no scams, only welcoming people, they said. So I decided to see this with my own eyes. It turned out it was half true, and the half of truth was well worth the other one. I will not tell you that Myanmar feels like a tourists-free paradise, like it used to be when my parents traveled there in the 90s: Burmese tried to touch them because they had never seen white people and it was impossible to speak to them in English. You meet many people from Europe along the way, a few from North America and also from other Asian countries. Tourism agencies, organized tours, and luxurious hotels are already implanted. However, you get to live a boundary-breaking experience. (...)
Australia: lost between wild nature and excessive urbanization 20.02.2015
My relationship with Australia, this country that is at the heart of so many fantasies in Europe, has been conflictive. At first, I did not especially want to visit this huge isolated island, but it was apparently a "must-see" ; I first visited it through a road-trip and, later, I tried to find an interesting job there but could not ; I tried to figure out a way to make a PhD between Lausanne and Sydney but it turned out to be very difficult to drive an interesting sociological comparison between the two countries in terms of religions, my field of studies. Anyway, my four-month experience there is worth a long and dense blog, since "Straya" (the way Australians call their homeland) brought me a lot of surprises, moments of joy and bewilderment. So let me just take you to this land of contrasts. (...)
United Kingdom: Who Said Grey and Rainy? 27/11/2014
Either I was very lucky, or the reputation of the English weather is more based on a myth than on empirical observation. I went to the United Kingdom not less than four times in three years and I have always been able to enjoy the sight of blue skies and sunny weather. Of course it rains sometimes, and the air can be quite cold during autumn, but nothing compared to what people had warned me about London and Scotland. So do not be afraid of booking a week or more in this huge and rich island because you fear the bad weather and check out my experiences before packing! (...)
Spain: Where Everything Began 22/10/2014
This section is particularly important, more to myself than to my readers - although some of them might be especially interested in traveling in Spain. The reason for this is very simple: Spain, or Madrid to be precise, is the very place where I lived abroad for the first time in my life. I went there for an Erasmus program: what a thrilling experience!
It was by far the most intense months in personal evolution and self-knowledge. And most importantly, it was the first step of an intoxicating need to travel and live in different countries for the years following my Erasmus... Berlin: The Realm of Thousands Moods 20/03/2014
"Where to begin? This is the question I asked myself when I started my stay in Berlin; and this is the very same question I am asking myself right now, trying to find a proper introduction to my Berliner section. Some of you who already know my World of Wander are maybe surprised to see a page about Berlin and not about Germany. Let us start with that: Berlin is such a particular city and was such an experience to me that I deeply believe it deserves special attention. I will not sound very original if I say that I fell in love with this city. But I really did. On the other hand, I hope to bring an original vision of it, as I have lived there for a couple of months. So let us begin with "my" district: Mitte.
I was very lucky to live in this very nice area located in the "center" of Berlin. You will find out that the term "center" does not make much sense in Berlin, unless you define it. (...) You will soon discover my favorite city: Berlin 10/03/2014
Long time no written. I finally found some time to write and share about the city in which I could live, other than my hometown. Berlin is the favorite destination of numerous young and less young people from all over the world. This came as no surprise to me after spending three months there. This a very special place, where time takes different dimensions.
New Zealand:Colors and Skies Beyond Reality 23/09/2013
"It came as no surprise to me that The Lord of The Rings got recorded in New Zealand. Without any hesitation, I can indeed say this island country displays the most beautiful landscapes I have seen in my life, especially in terms of color intensity.
This exceptional beauty extends in both northern and southern parts of the island. If you have, like me, only a few days before you to visit the country, it is still worth it to chose one of them. I personally opted for North, and I will show why I think it was a good choice. But I am looking forward to flying back to New Zealand and discover its the southern world." (...) To please your inner artist, you should undertake this wander into New Zealand and its works of art. Have a look into the world of The Lord of the Rings. New Zealand is coming soon 26/08/2013
After U.S.A., I will take you to the other side of the globe, in an isolated but famous island country: New Zealand. Pictures are already on-line, enjoy them and stay tuned for the publication of my tips and thoughts about this amazing country.
The U.S.A: When Fiction meets Reality, and Vice & Versa 30/07/2013
"The sensation a European gets as he treads the New Continent for the first time is probably the opposite feeling Christopher Columbus must have experienced: while the latter discovered unknown and infinite landscapes inhabited by American Indians, the former experiences with amazement the materialization of well-known pictures often marked by architectural density and human crowds. So many "Oh it's like in the movies!" ; "It reminds me of this famous photo" ; "Look, that’s Central Perk from Friends" ; etc.
But, as you will read, I also thought and said to myself, so many times, "it is totally different from what is said in Europe" or "I really didn't expect Americans to be like this". I love the exhilarating emotion when clichés are breaking ... or confirmed." Find out why my stays in the U.S. were a powerful experience in my life, and how it is so worth booking a flight to New York, Chicago, San Francisco, or even Detroit. Next Destination 12/07/2013
After Armenia, we will be heading to North America and wander in the United States: I will take you to some of the most dynamic and clichés-breaking cities I have ever seen. The tour will begin in about a week. Be ready!
Armenia: a World of Reminiscence 08/07/2013
"The first country I would like to introduce to you, Armenia, deserves this special place not because it makes sense alphabetically - although this is a lovely coincidence - but because I have an intimate link to its culture, its people, and its History. (...)
Unique. This is the most suitable and representative word for this monastery. Its location in the Ararat plain offers an amazing decor. In fact, if you are lucky to come when no mist is to be seen on the horizon, you will be able to admire the still and colossal Mount Ararat in the background..." Find out more about this small and puzzling country: In progress... 01/07/2013
Welcome to the World of Wander! Although this website is under construction, I still wanted to share with you the first steps. You can already get to know me through the "About" section and have a look at some views from Armenia, the first country I want to introduce to you. Texts, drawings, paintings, and more pictures will follow very soon...
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