Back in the US of A

After a relatively long and uneventful flight over the Pacific and across the date-line, I found myself feeling like a zombie as I collected my bags and cleared customs before meeting my Dad at the San Francisco airport. Still can't believe the trip is over. It's strange because nothing, and I mean NOTHING has changed at home and it feels strangely as if I never left. I haven't done too much in the past day and a half, so I'm anticipating a pontential reverse culture shock will set in later, or perhaps because I was constantly jumping into and out of different cultures I am no longer shocked by dramatic changes. Who knows?

And now, after months of observations, I am now ready to unveil some of my favorites from around the globe. And the winners are:

Best Food:

1. Thailand (anyone who has been following my blog could have probably guessed this one)
2. Bulgaria
3. Costa Rica (such amazing exotic fruits)
   

Most Beautiful Women:

1. Sao Paula, Brazil (I couldn't have escaped all the beauties if I'd tried - of course why would I hide?)
2. Romania
3. Australia
   

Most Beautiful City:

1. Rio de Janeiro (breathtaking)
2. Dubrovnik
3. tie Venice and Amsterdam
   

Best Beaches:

1. Montezuma, Costa Rica
2. Natal, Brazil
3. Dubrovnik, Croatia
   

Best Hiking:

1. The Andes in Peru
2. Transylvania in Romania
3. Lublijana, Slovenia
   

Most Expensive:

1. Denmark
2. Amsterdam
3. Venice
   

Least Expensive:

1. Thailand
2. Peru
3. Bolivia
   

Coolest looking Currency:

1. Qatar
2. Romania
3. Australia
   

Most Pollution:

1. Peru
2. Thailand
3. Malaysia
   

Friendliest People:

1. Brazil
2. Thailand
3. Holland

Best Drink:

1. Caiparinha (Brazil)
2. Thai Iced Tea (Thailand)
3. Fruit smoothies (Costa Rica)
   

Best Football (soccer) Match:

1. Denmark v. Northern Ireland
   
2. FC Porto v. some other Portuguese team
3. Copenhagen v. Bronby (the game where my buddy Henrik broke his nose)
   

Best Airport:

1. Copenhagen
2. Athens
3. Sydney
   

Favorite Country:

1. Portugal
2. Peru
3. tie Romania & Slovenia
   

Favorite City:

1. Copenhagen, Denmark
   
2. Lisbon, Portugal
3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
4. Sarajevo, Bosnia
5. Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria

Place most likely to return to:

1. Tasmania
2. Transylvania
3. Portugal
   

Place least likely to return to:

1. Salvador, Brazil
2. Bangkok, Thailand
3. Singapore
   

Best book I read:

1. Honeymoon with my Brother (can't remember the author right now)
   
2. State of Fear by Michael Chriton
3. The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connolly

Most Memorable Moments (here are just a couple in no particular order):

• Hiking to Macchu Picchu with my Dad
• Hang-gliding over Rio de Janeiro
• Halloween in Transylvania
• Soccer match between Denmark and Northern Ireland
• Knights Templar fortress in Portugal
• Surfing lesson in Costa Rica
• Riots in Budapest
• 30 minute foot massage in Thailand for less than $2
• Port wine tasting in Porto, Portugal
• Zip-line through the cloud forest in Costa Rica

Best Picture I took:

1. I will post these in the next couple days after I've had a chance to review them all