Turner

About me

Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, attended the University of Texas at Austin from 2001-2005. After college, I stayed in Austin for a year doing freelance work until I heard about an opportunity to travel to Japan.

Right now, I'm learning to make ends meet wherever I happen to reside, attending Couchsurfing gatherings, and spreading the word of independent travel to any willing ears... guess that would make me a vagabonding missionary. But I also divide between advising people on how best to come to the land of the rising sun, making day trips to interesting areas, honing my photography skills, and writing practical travel pieces for Matador.

I have a degree in aerospace engineering. I enjoy singing Phantom of the Opera (badly, I'm sure) when I'm wandering empty streets in a foreign country at night. I once went for 60 hours without sleep (and, consequently, slept for 26 hours after that). I've been the knight in shining armor, saved the maidens fair, and battled for my life. I've woken up at 4 AM to pull a bottom-dwelling fish with 200 feet of fishing line in Alaska. There's still so much more out there waiting.

Keep an open mind when you travel. Everyone has something unique to offer. Explore this world (and perhaps beyond) using all five senses.

Why I travel

I know it's not possible for me to see every square cm of this world before I die, but in the meantime, I'm learning more about foreign cultures, eating things I never thought I would touch back in Texas, and finding myself changing with each experience.

Travel style

I usually travel based on mood, though almost always by myself; sometimes I enjoy going entirely rural and backpacking through the mountains, relying on nothing but my feet to take me around. On other occasions I feel like checking into an expensive hotel, and making short day trips with plenty of snacking opportunities. I'd consider my trademark to be sleepless sightseeing in Kyushu, Japan: taking the last train to Fukuoka, partying or karaoke all night with friends, then taking the first train to any number of cities, using the local hot springs, and coming out refreshed enough to continue the day.

Ideal place to watch the sunset

Terayama Park overlooking a volcano and Kagoshima city, Japan

Ideal place to watch the sunrise

Kanahama Beach on Tanegashima island, Japan

Before I die I'd like to

Skydive over the Hawaiian islands, propose as the sun sets over Maldives, participate in an archeological dig in Egypt

I felt the most immersed in a foreign culture when

I was packed into a Japanese train car in the middle of Tokyo's rush hour

Let's collaborate

I'm a good writer, but I don't claim to be an expert in travel photography and reporting the kinds of experiences people want to hear; take a look at some of my work and offer me feedback where it's needed. I'm all for collaborating with people in similar positions around the world. In the meantime, I remain a freelance travel photographer, writer, and advisor, wherever I happen to reside.

Sports I do

marathon running, swimming, skydiving, hanggliding, bodysurfing, aquajogging, rock climbing, western horseback riding, weight lifting, cycling, Tai Chi

I want to make a difference by

The only way I know how. Having an impact on this world isn't all about having your picture on the cover of magazines, or your voice heard by millions... it's about the people around you, and how you treat them. What you leave behind isn't as important as how you lived your life.

Tunes I rock out to

Live Like You Were Dying, The Distance, Here I Go Again,

Favorite books

Timeline by Michael Crichton, The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, Vagabonding by Rolf Potts

My links

www.keepingpaceinjapan.com (my blog) www.flickr.com/photos/64521915@N00/sets (sample photos)