In the latest issue of Wanderlust, the one that hits the newsstands today, staff here were asked to nominate the movies that inspired them to travel. Tom, our production guy, nominated the Before/After series (I think he has a thing for Julie Delpy). Daisy, aka the Flower in Power, nominated The Beach (I think she has a thing for Leonardo Di Caprio). The magazine editor, Phoebe, suggested The Motorcycle Dairies (I think she has a thing for Gael García Bernal and/or Che Guevara).
I mention this for two reasons. One, Phoebe has taken the debate to the Forum, so you can nominate your movie of choice there. And secondly, because it presents me with the opportunity to tell you about the time I ‘starred’ in an Oscar-winning movie.
It was when I was passing through Nairobi on my way from Cape Town to Cairo. I was staying at the Iqbal, a legendary fleapit on the wrong side of River Road that, sadly, is no longer with us. There was a note stuck on the wall calling for extras for a German movie being shot on the outskirts of town. The only qualification was that you needed to be Caucasian and aged between 20-60.
The movie was Nowhere in Africa, directed by celebrated German auteur, Caroline Link, and it went on to win Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards. I’d like to think that my convincing performance as German prisoner No.69 helped sway the judges (I’ve circled myself in the movie still above just to give you an idea of my powerful screen presence).
Unsurprisingly, Nowhere in Africa was the movie I nominated. Not because of the spectacular African scenery. Not because of the international acclaim it garnered. But because of the $US150, hard currency, it put in my pocket. You can nominate your most inspirational travel movie here. While you’re at it, you can nominate your ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’, tell us about your most embarrassing linguistic faux pas and point Pathfinder in the direction of a good value Botswana safari.
Over at Experiences, R Lishman has a cautionary tale of the MAMILS of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra and the threat they pose to local wildlife. Ianhoward takes us to Nepal’s northern most town, Kodari. And NickLangridge over-shares with a story of a toilet emergency in Rome. All are worth a look at.
Just Back From this week is guaranteed to induce envy and itchy feet in equal measure. Harshp has just returned from witnessing the Arirang Mass Games in North Korea. KeithRuffles has been soaking up the history in Moscow’s Red Square. And Shussey27 rode a Harley Davidson from Prague to Rome. Chuck in billbain’s report from Northern Peru, the Bogtrotter’s inside tips on Belize and Gordon005’s suggestions on the best vineyards in Kranja Gora in Slovenia and you’ve got your travel plans sorted for the next year.
Finally, to our Photography section, where you’ll find a plethora of galleries showcasing the best images from our readers entered in our weather-themed photo competition. Rather than unfairly single out any particular gallery, may I suggest you pop over and check them all out? And then enjoy this photo of me in the powerful ‘cinema scene’ from Nowhere in Africa?
