Speedy Boarding with Dr. Kathleen Waller
Talking Paris, Japan, travelling for experiences and more with the author of The Matterhorn
Welcome back to Speedy Boarding, a bi-weekly series on Not That You Asked that is great news for those of you who are getting sick of me. That’s because it’s a series where I ask some of my favourite writers on Substack eight quick-ish questions about travel. So, the vast majority of the words you’re about to read weren’t written by me but by someone else.
This week the questions are being answered by
of .Kate writes novels and researches culture through the arts. She has taught literature, cultural studies, the arts, ethics, and epistemology for 20 years and has a PhD in Comparative Literature (as well as degrees in English, Art History, Literary & Cultural Studies, and Education). She’s a specialist at putting texts together to form ideas rather than one particular area of research. Having lived in seven countries has added to the way she is able to investigate the arts from an international perspective. However, it’s also made her more aware of what she doesn’t know…which is a ton.
Kate has also been kind enough to interview me on her podcast which was great fun. One of the best things about
is that its content is incredibly varied and always fascinating.With that, let’s get to the questions.
Where is the best place you’ve ever been and why?
I’m sorry but I’m giving you a boring answer. Paris. I lived there for a year back in 2003-4 and have since been going back for short or long trips. I like to visit as if I still live there. I am always seeing new art in many forms and trying wonderful food in Paris. I often end up with unexpected experiences, and (maybe for this reason) it is the best place to write. The cafes are alive with thinkers. Every conversation is a dance. Freedom of many kinds is a persistent force here, and I feel more free or perhaps connected to my inner self when I speak French. I’ve seen more amazing things in terms of urban culture or natural landscapes, but Paris just feels like the right fit for me and is my constant elsewhere.
I guess in some ways Hong Kong would tick all the above boxes as well. But I lived there for eight years, so it doesn’t feel like travel anymore. In many ways, I think you can travel right where you are, however. I travel right in Basel all the time, but I digress.
Where is the place you most want to visit?
Norway! I’ve visited Copenhagen twice, but that’s the extent of my Scandinavian travel experience. I’m fascinated by its landscape and noir films.
For similar reasons, I’d love to visit Russia once the world changes again. More specifically, St. Petersburg and Petropavlovsk. Oh and then in the south, there’s Argentina and Chile that I’ve always dreamed of seeing…I’m cheating, sorry!
Who’s your dream travel companion?
I love traveling by myself…or my husband and son…or any friends or family who are cool with each of us taking time on our own as well. I like traveling with people who are excited to go off the typical path many tourists would take and want to engage with locals as much as possible.
Great news! I’m going to buy you a hat. The catch is that you have to wear this hat on every future travel trip at all times. What kind of hat would you like?
Funny question. I like it! I’m a practical person, so firstly I’m thinking it has to be multi-seasonal. Something to block the sun is good in any season, because it can also block the rain. I don’t want to forget where I’m from, so I’m going with my Red Sox baseball hat.
Where is the place you never want to go back to?
Yangshuo, China. It’s near Guilin, a little market town where you can take boats along the Li River to see the famous landscape of bulbous hills. I had a good time and even took a Chinese cooking course with a local. But, the problem there was the same as several places in China as well as Southeast Asia. It’s just overused, overly touristic and you can feel the way a beautiful place has been spoiled for locals.
And then, I realize I’m part of the problem by visiting as well, even if I try to travel in a more sustainable way or buy local products. I’ve also felt this in Cebu (The Philippines) and Ha Long Bay (Vietnam), for example. All three of these places have a ton of trash in the water. It’s also their respective governments’ fault for not regulating or cleaning it up.
You’ve been given a million pounds to live your best life in one destination for a year. The problem is - you’re trapped there and can’t leave for the year. Where would you go?
What a great question. Initially, I’m torn between Paris and somewhere in the Alps – maybe Tignes or Courcheval. I’m a Francophile, as noted already, and Paris is just a marvellous place to live (more than visit, in my opinion) and then there’s my love for the mountains.
However, given the whole year with this nice salary, I would take the opportunity to live in Japan. My husband and I often talk about taking a couple years there at some point in our lives. I’ve visited several times and love the culture and food, as well as the mountains! Last time I skied there was near Nagano (Nozawa Onsen – amazing place – so quietly vibrant) so I’ll go to Hokkaido and stay in Niseko. Maybe I would even learn Japanese. With a million bucks, I’ll eat very well and purchase a lot of Japanese literature. Do I get the whole island? I’d want to visit Asarigawa Onsen Ski Resort, more off the beaten path.
Readers, please tell me where I should go!
How do you decide where to visit next?
I often look for experiences when I travel. I try to visit a place with the idea of doing something active – like skiing, yoga, or great running, even rock climbing once upon a time – this helps me find such a variety of natural spaces. But the experience likewise might be a concert or festival, perhaps a museum show. Additionally, I go and explore the place beyond the event or the experience. I find this makes my trip more authentic somehow as it doesn’t start with the ‘top destinations’ even though these might make their way into my itinerary.
And finally, what’s the one thing you never leave home without when travelling?
I always carry a notebook and pens! Traveling gives me the best inspiration for writing, even if they are just minor sketches or fleeting thoughts that become something later. This notebook goes hand in hand with a good pair of sunglasses…how else can I spy look around from a café terrace perch freely?
A huge thanks to
for agreeing to be part of Speedy Boarding. If you liked this post please do consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to Not That You Asked. Paid subscribers get two free travel guides a month for just £4.99, which is way cheaper than Netflix. There’s also 25% off for the entire month of February which you can get by pressing the button below.The next Speedy Boarding will come out on the 22nd of February, next up is
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Paris waits for you. Fun interview! Looking forward to seeing that hat! ;)
So good to see Kate here, thank you for this fun interview, Tom!