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“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” – Tim Cahill

Friends we’ve made around the world:

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Abdul Aziz Dar (aka Uncle-ji), grandfather of my friend Najia Dar from medical school, and the rest of the amazing Dar dynasty...for taking us in as part of your own family, inviting us to an unforgettable multiday Kashmiri wedding in none other than Kashmir itself, and being omnipresent in ensuring all our needs were taken care of. 07/01/11.
Abdul Aziz Dar (aka Uncle-ji), grandfather of my friend Najia Dar from medical school, and the rest of the amazing Dar dynasty…for taking us in as part of your own family, inviting us to an unforgettable multiday Kashmiri wedding in none other than Kashmir itself, and being omnipresent in ensuring all our needs were taken care of. 07/01/11.
Ankur, Andrei, and Dan, my friends from Downstate Medical School...for driving 2 hours from south of Delhi in order to have dinner with me only a few hours after I arrived into India, and right before I was about to leave for Kashmir. Thanks for an amazing meal and making the seemingly impossible happen. 06/30/11.
Ankur, Andrei, and Dan, my friends from Downstate Medical School…for driving 2 hours from south of Delhi in order to have dinner with me only a few hours after I arrived into India, and right before I was about to leave for Kashmir. Thanks for an amazing meal and making the seemingly impossible happen. 06/30/11.
Joyce and Anya...for immediately trusting us the moment we met on our flight to New Delhi, and accompanying us all the way from Delhi to Kashmir to Rajasthan to Mumbai. Couldn't ask for better travel partners; thank you for being a crucial part of our travels in India because we couldn't have imagined them without you. 06/30/11.
Joyce and Anya…for immediately trusting us the moment we met on our flight to New Delhi, and accompanying us all the way from Delhi to Kashmir to Rajasthan to Mumbai. Couldn’t ask for better travel partners; thank you for being a crucial part of our travels in India because we couldn’t have imagined them without you. 06/30/11.

Seiki and her friend...for a quick conversation while waiting in line at the Kathmandu Departures Terminal, and the coolest way to take a polaroid picture. See you in Hong Kong! 06/30/11.
Seiki and her friend…for a quick conversation while waiting in line at the Kathmandu Departures Terminal, and the coolest way to take a polaroid picture. See you in Hong Kong! 06/30/11.
The volunteers and administators of Hindu Vidyapeeth: Emilie, Sam, Hathu, and Vishnu...for taking us in as guests for the evening and inspiring us with your service to the children of Nepal. 06/28/11.
The volunteers and administators of Hindu Vidyapeeth: Emilie, Sam, Hathu, and Vishnu…for taking us in as guests for the evening and inspiring us with your service to the children of Nepal. 06/28/11.
Anais and her French posse...for surviving a bus ride from hell together to running into each other again for drinks in Thamel. 06/28/11.
Anais and her French posse…for surviving a bus ride from hell together to running into each other again for drinks in Thamel. 06/28/11.

Mona and Behiye...for making our Dubai dreams come true. Words cannot express how much I learned and the fulfillment I experienced by being in your presence. "If it happens once, it will never happen again, but if it happens twice, it will surely happen a third time." Already looking forward to that third time. 06/22/11.
Mona and Behiye…for making our Dubai dreams come true. Words cannot express how much I learned and the fulfillment I experienced by being in your presence. “If it happens once, it will never happen again, but if it happens twice, it will surely happen a third time.” Already looking forward to that third time. 06/22/11.
Hannah Wallace...for paragliding with us in Pokhara, being a good sport at Busy Bee, for showing us around Hindu Vidyapeeth in Nepal, and for being a descendant of Trotsky, you secret commie. 06/27/11.
Hannah Wallace…for paragliding with us in Pokhara, being a good sport at Busy Bee, for showing us around Hindu Vidyapeeth in Nepal, and for being a descendant of Trotsky, you secret commie. 06/27/11.
Nisreen...for a great conversation on the airplane to Dubai and for frequenting all the places I go to in NYC without ever actually running into each other until now! 06/22/11.
Nisreen…for a great conversation on the airplane to Dubai and for frequenting all the places I go to in NYC without ever actually running into each other until now! 06/22/11.

Molly and Arthur...for the company in Pokhara from paragliding to staying at the same hostel to stories at Busy Bee to possibly joining up again a week later in India. 06/27/11.
Molly and Arthur…for the company in Pokhara from paragliding to staying at the same hostel to stories at Busy Bee to possibly joining up again a week later in India. 06/27/11.
Sadikchya, my friend from ECAASU...for showing us around her native Kathmandu and being the best foodie tour guide one could ever ask for. Giving you VIP treatment ECAASU 2012! 06/24/11.
Sadikchya, my friend from ECAASU…for showing us around her native Kathmandu and being the best foodie tour guide one could ever ask for. Giving you VIP treatment ECAASU 2012! 06/24/11.
Peter...for just happening to be in the same cab heading to the same hotel as we were, and then joining us for dinner and drinks afterwards in Amman, Jordan. 06/21/11.
Peter…for just happening to be in the same cab heading to the same hotel as we were, and then joining us for dinner and drinks afterwards in Amman, Jordan. 06/21/11.

Ana, Maricela, and Andrew...for hanging out with us as we rested a bit before ascending up to the Monastery. See you at Yosemite! 06/21/11.
Ana, Maricela, and Andrew…for hanging out with us as we rested a bit before ascending up to the Monastery. See you at Yosemite! 06/21/11.
Pete and Spenser, friends from the airplane to Kathmandu...for accompanying us on a memorable 2 days of adventure in Kathmandu. No other city in the world would be as fitting. Except for the early-closing nights of course. 06/24/11.
Pete and Spenser, friends from the airplane to Kathmandu…for accompanying us on a memorable 2 days of adventure in Kathmandu. No other city in the world would be as fitting. Except for the early-closing nights of course. 06/24/11.
The students of Bringham Young University...for a very chilled out session while perched at the top of the High Place of Sacrifice in Petra as we exchanged stories and phone numbers. See you in Utah! and NYC! 06/21/11.
The students of Bringham Young University…for a very chilled out session while perched at the top of the High Place of Sacrifice in Petra as we exchanged stories and phone numbers. See you in Utah! and NYC! 06/21/11.

Max Friedman, our friend from Columbia...for the WTF moment when we ran into each other at a random bustling street in Kathmandu, Nepal. 06/22/11.
Max Friedman, our friend from Columbia…for the WTF moment when we ran into each other at a random bustling street in Kathmandu, Nepal. 06/22/11.
Ali...our cab driver to the Beirut International airport, for quizzing us emphatically on how much we really knew Beirut after 2 days there, enlightening us on the politics of the Middle East, and inspiring us to find the solution. 06/19/11.
Ali…our cab driver to the Beirut International airport, for quizzing us emphatically on how much we really knew Beirut after 2 days there, enlightening us on the politics of the Middle East, and inspiring us to find the solution. 06/19/11.
Sue Yang, my friend from Columbia...for such gracious hospitality as you hosted us for the night in and around Dubai. See you in NYC! 06/22/11.
Sue Yang, my friend from Columbia…for such gracious hospitality as you hosted us for the night in and around Dubai. See you in NYC! 06/22/11.

Segolene Ragu...for a wonderful conversation despite the impossibly loud techno music at B018 nightclub in Beirut. I don't know how we managed to talk, dance, and appreciate the open roof and the sunrise all at the same time, but I knew you would be my next welcome guest in NYC. See you soon. 06/17/11.
Segolene Ragu…for a wonderful conversation despite the impossibly loud techno music at B018 nightclub in Beirut. I don’t know how we managed to talk, dance, and appreciate the open roof and the sunrise all at the same time, but I knew you would be my next welcome guest in NYC. See you soon. 06/17/11.
Lord Sam Sleiman...for being our gracefully kind bartender at Rococo, the enthusiastic love for Americans, and directing us to all the happening nightlife spots in Beirut. You will make it to NYC one day, I promise! 06.17.11.
Lord Sam Sleiman…for being our gracefully kind bartender at Rococo, the enthusiastic love for Americans, and directing us to all the happening nightlife spots in Beirut. You will make it to NYC one day, I promise! 06.17.11.
Zaid...for striking up a conversation when I disembarked from my flight into Beirut, which eventually led to an entire morning of teaching us how to enjoy Beirut to its fullest. Have fun at the wedding! 06/17/11.
Zaid…for striking up a conversation when I disembarked from my flight into Beirut, which eventually led to an entire morning of teaching us how to enjoy Beirut to its fullest. Have fun at the wedding! 06/17/11.

Karde, my friend from Columbia...for taking us out for a great dinner and a beautiful lounge afterwards in Beyoglu and Istiklal Caddesi, while we chatted and reminisced the good old times as we overlooked the Istanbul skyline. 06/15/11.
Karde, my friend from Columbia…for taking us out for a great dinner and a beautiful lounge afterwards in Beyoglu and Istiklal Caddesi, while we chatted and reminisced the good old times as we overlooked the Istanbul skyline. 06/15/11.
Little Ahmet Ginar...for making us gush over and over on how cute a little 7 month old could be. 06/15/11..
Little Ahmet Ginar…for making us gush over and over on how cute a little 7 month old could be. 06/15/11..
Tony Gudge...for entertaining us endlessly with his stories on working as a sound engineer for The Clash, his travels all over the world, and everything else about British sensibilities while waiting in line for the treasury at Topkapi Palace. 06/15/11
Tony Gudge…for entertaining us endlessly with his stories on working as a sound engineer for The Clash, his travels all over the world, and everything else about British sensibilities while waiting in line for the treasury at Topkapi Palace. 06/15/11

Nikhil Chandra...for being the coolest brother Sonya Chandra could ever ask for and being a wonderful and helpful travel partner throughout Turkey. Trust us, you have a little bit of Turkish inside you. 06/13/11.
Nikhil Chandra…for being the coolest brother Sonya Chandra could ever ask for and being a wonderful and helpful travel partner throughout Turkey. Trust us, you have a little bit of Turkish inside you. 06/13/11.
Melis, my friend from Columbia...for providing me a wonderful and beautiful free place to stay at your apartment in Istanbul. Even though you were busy most of the time with work, it was so good to see you and catch up. Looking forward to having you back in NYC! 06/11/11.
Melis, my friend from Columbia…for providing me a wonderful and beautiful free place to stay at your apartment in Istanbul. Even though you were busy most of the time with work, it was so good to see you and catch up. Looking forward to having you back in NYC! 06/11/11.
Laura Ly, my friend from Columbia...for having her last day in Istanbul be my first, and for almost running into me in the airport when I arrived as you were trying to make your departure flight (we missed each other by a span of only a few minutes!). We'll make up for it back in NYC. 06/11/11.
Laura Ly, my friend from Columbia…for having her last day in Istanbul be my first, and for almost running into me in the airport when I arrived as you were trying to make your departure flight (we missed each other by a span of only a few minutes!). We’ll make up for it back in NYC. 06/11/11.

Karen and Diego...for befriending us at Playa Blanca that eventually led us to stay over at your apartment in Cartagena and going out for 2 full days in the city. Your companionship was what made our trip all the more meaningful and we look forward to having you when you come in the States. See you in Bogota! 04/01/11.
Karen and Diego…for befriending us at Playa Blanca that eventually led us to stay over at your apartment in Cartagena and going out for 2 full days in the city. Your companionship was what made our trip all the more meaningful and we look forward to having you when you come in the States. See you in Bogota! 04/01/11.
Hilda...for being an amazing and invaluable travel buddy while we were in Cartagena. Your thirst for adventure is inspiring and I can´t wait to travel with you again. See you in Caracas! 04/01/11.
Hilda…for being an amazing and invaluable travel buddy while we were in Cartagena. Your thirst for adventure is inspiring and I can´t wait to travel with you again. See you in Caracas! 04/01/11.
Karo...for taking good care of me even if we never met before, showing me around Bogota at night even though you had to wake up at 6am the next morning. See you back in NYC where I can owe you a proper tour! 03/30/11.
Karo…for taking good care of me even if we never met before, showing me around Bogota at night even though you had to wake up at 6am the next morning. See you back in NYC where I can owe you a proper tour! 03/30/11.

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