Globetrotters Writer Spotlight - Randy Duke
Hello Fellow Globetrotters!
Hi Globetrotters. My name is … Randy Duke
I love to travel because … I learn more from traveling than I could ever learn buried in a classroom. Until about 15 years ago, I never had the time/funds to travel, but since then, it’s opened my eyes to all the different ways of living. For me, a big part of the fun of travel is the misadventures along the way, so I wrote a gonzo-style travelogue about my mess-ups that’s being posted here on Medium.
My number one travel activity is … Beach and food and keeping my mind open to all the different dialogues, accents, and mannerisms of the people around me.
I originally come from … Portland, Oregon. But my wife and I have lived in Los Angles, Las Vegas, Kissimmee, and Tampa over the last five years. We’ve also spent a lot of time in Peru, Chile, Argentina and Spain in that time span, so we’ve been fortunate in our ability to travel.
I work as a … I’m not technically working a real job. I worked in the public school system for 19 years, but right now I have a few rental properties. My wife is a voice actress (if you land in Lima, Peru, she is the voice of the airport) who can work from anywhere that has a reliable internet connection, so that helps out immensely with our travels.
The best place I’ve been is … Too many choices! Best beach was probably Saona in Punta Cana, although the Florida gulf beaches are amazing as well. Best food: Lima (love ceviche), although Buenos Aires has some amazing cuisine as well. Mancora in Peru is a wonderful beach place to get away from it all.
In my spare time, I like to … I’m usually taking walks, writing and watching documentaries. Anthony Bourdain travel series are a particular fave.
My top travel tip is … Plan, but don’t over plan. Oftentimes, the most fun is spontaneous.
If I could live somewhere else, I’d live in … In the Costa Blanca region in Spain. My wife and I really liked Alicante, and Torrevieja looks promising as well.
My favorite way to travel is … I like road trips and love train travel. Haven’t tried the cruise ship thing, but I’d like to see what it’s like at least once.
Three lessons I’ve learned from traveling are…
- Pack light.
- Always bring water and snacks.
- Don’t forget to fully charge the phone before long trips. It’s can be a lifeline when things get wacky.
Cheers.
