I asked Mr. Irwin about his favorite place he has been to, and he replied with, “Choosing a favorite places that I have visited is tough. Every place has its own charm, history, food, and things to do, here is a list of a few favorites. Istanbul, Turkey: It has history from the Greeks, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman Turks, and modern Turkey.
Getting to visit the Hagia Sophia, Suleymaniye Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and Galata Tower were highlights. I also took a trip outside the city to the archeological site of the ancient city of Troy. I love their take on Mediterranean food including unique versions of kebabs, fish, coffee, and my favorite dessert of all time called knafah. The Grand Bazaar shopping was fun to haggle for products like art and spices. The city is friendly, and I had no trouble talking to locals and taking both trains and boats to travel around”.
Kyoto, Japan: “It was a great city that to me was the best of what Japan has to offer. It is a smaller city than Tokyo but has just as much to do. The Buddhist temples and gardens are beautiful like Kinkakuji Temple or Heian Shrine, and Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace give great examples of history and architecture. Kyoto’s tradition of small sushi bars and noodle shops offer great options for foodies. The Nishiki Market and other weekend outdoor markets were a great way to get souvenirs. The city had a great bus and subway system and, on the subway, students wanted to practice their English and talk to me”.
Paris, France: “also has great museums, architecture, culture, and history. The Eiffel tower, Louvre museum, a day trip to the royal palace at Versailles, Notre Dame cathedral, and the Arc de Triomphe were all must see sights in Paris. Getting around the subway system is a bit tougher than some other cities, but still doable. The highlight was a tour of the Paris catacombs underground. The coffee and food were great, if expensive, and most people were helpful. I also attended my first opera at the Bastille opera house. I was in Paris during the 2018 World Cup Soccer Tournament, so I got to watch the games on TV with the locals at various places”.
Bukhara, Uzbekistan: “I went to say that I had been to central Asia on the silk road, I did not expect to fall in love with Bukhara. The city has history from the Neolithic revolution, pre-Islamic Asia, Islamic, Mongol, Chinese, and Soviet era communism. Lyab-i-Hauz is a great small town square with restaurants, pools, shops, small hotels, and a very friendly family atmosphere. The Po-i-Kalyan mosque and minaret and Bolo Hauz mosque are impressive, and the Ark of Bukhara is a massive middle ages fortress. Trading domes around the city were set up for silk road traders where shops still set spices and art today. Plov is the national dish of Uzbekistan and is a great dish. The old city is easily walkable and everyone was incredibly nice.”
Boston, Massachusetts:” a top city for me in the United States. I went to a baseball game at Fenway, and got to see the Green Monster. At the Museum of Fine Arts Boston I saw a collection of Hokusai wood block paintings including the famous Wave over Kanagawa. As a history teacher I spend an entire day walking the Freedom Trail and seeing Bunker Hill, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere’s house, the Old State House, and the USS Constitution. Quick trips out of town include John Adams’ house, the Kennedy Library, and Plymouth Rock. Clam chowder, oysters, lobster rolls, and Boston cream pies all create a unique New England food scene. Public transit is good but not great, and traffic is heavy, but it’s easy to find your way around”.
Lastly I asked Mr. Irwin what place he wouldn’t want to go to again and he replied with, “I would return to any of the places I have been. Nowhere in the World have I felt unsafe or just not liked a place. Of course the occasional person is rude, but most people are nice, want to talk about their country, and are curious about America. I am not a sit on the beach for vacation type of guy. As long as there is culture and food I will travel there”. Overall Mr. Irwin loved all the places he has traveled too and each one has its own story.
