WHY DON'T YOU STAY ¿POR QUÉ SIMPLEMENTE NO TE QUEDAS?

EARLY MORNING IN IDUKKI, KERALA 

ADMIRAL ZHENG HE LEFT THESE FISHING NETS ALONG THE COCHIN COAST 

TAKING MY COLLEAGUES TO VISIT THE SMALLEST POST OFFICE IN THE UNITED STATES LOCATED IN OCHOPEE IN THE EVERGLADES WHERE THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE LIVE

IT TOOK TIME TO FALL IN LOVE WITH FRANCE, IT HAS BEEN DELICIOUS NEEDLESS TO SAY 

PERSIAN LITERATURE HAS HAD A GRAND INFLUENCE IN MY LIFE AND FEELINGS . THANKS TO THE PERSON WHO INTRODUCED ME TO AHMAD SHAMLU

I AM A DOCTOR TO THE POOR, THE EXILED, THE MARGINALIZED, THE EXCLUDED, IT IS I WHO THANK THEM EVERY DAY FOR THIS WORK 

AT THE MAUSOLEUM OF SOME OF THE GREAT RABBIS OF ESSAOUIRA MOROCCO

THERE ARE NO PATIENTS NO CLIENTS BUT FRIENDS WHO MAY BENEFIT FROM YOUR KNOWLEDGE, SO YOU MUST BECOME WEALTHY IN YOUR KNOWLEDGE 

THE WELCOME CREW AT THE MALABAR HOUSE HOTEL IN FORT COCHIN, A LOVELY PLACE TO STAY 

A MULTINATIONAL CLINIC CREW 

MY HAIRDRESSER IN MARRAKECH SPEAKS NEITHER FRENCH NOR ENGLISH NOR DOES HE ALLOW ME TO INTERFERE WITH HIS TONSORIAL PROFESSIONALISM HENCE THE RESULT !

SUCH GOOD FRIENDS IN KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA 

PLEASE READ The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity

Co-authored with David Wengrow, this book challenges conventional narratives about human history offe offering a fresh perspective on societal development.  You would appreciate the Indigenous peoples more 

THE SMALL BRAZILIAN TOWN OF TABATINGA IN THE AMAZONAS. A TICUNA INDIAN SAID TO ME : WHEN I AM BRAZIL, I AM A TICUNA, MY RELATIVES IN COLOMBIA ARE NOT COLOMBIAN, THEY ARE TICUNA, THE SAME OF MY FAMILY IN PERU, THEY ARE TICUNA

WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS, NOT PASSPORT DESIGNATED NATIONALITIES , I ADD.

I HAVE KNOWN JUAN EVER SINCE HE DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL TO BE A WAITER AT THIS RESTAURANT CALLED JACAL IN A TOWN IN THE INTERIOR OF MEXICO CALLED MELCHIOR DE MUZQUIZ , MUZQUIZ FOR SHORT , USED TO BE CALLED SANTA ROSA DE LIMA. NOW THIS PROUD FATHER OF FOUR HAS HIS OWN HOUSE AND MANAGES THIS RESTAURANT .. AS I ENTER, HE GETS READY HIS TRADEMARK DRINK, EL VAMPIRO 

WHY DON’T YOU JUST STAY?

My mother had an exceptional memory. On the rare occasions I saw her throughout her  life, she often reminded me that I was born to be a traveler. She recounted how, on the third day of my life, someone visited her to lift her spirits and made a bold statement: "This boy will be a traveler. He will cross all the oceans." He was dismissed as a hopeless diviner, but I did fulfill his prophecy.

To my fellow travelers, and those who aspire to wander the world: there are, of course, dangerous regions, particularly in parts of Africa and the Middle East, but the world is filled with wonders waiting to be explored.

Before setting out, always take time to read about the country you’re visiting. Understand its culture—a complex tapestry of psychological, philosophical, geographical, political, and religious dimensions. Safer countries are a good starting point for your journeys and a comforting return for when you wind down your explorations. I began my travels in Europe: Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, where I was deeply influenced by their egalitarian and democratic values. Norway, in particular, opened my heart to love. Later, when I left Australia to pursue medical specialization, I traveled at every opportunity—exploring the Caribbean islands, and upon my return to Australia, venturing into the Australasian region.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that I fall in love easily—with places. Each country gave me something unique, something unforgettable.

MY MOTTO BECAME: LIFE IS A LONG HOLIDAY WITH INTERVALS OF WORK.

I had read this somewhere in my youth, and it remains my guiding philosophy to this day.

I’m always planning my next trip, blending my career and my passion for travel. As a Doctor Without Borders, I travel insatiably.

Though I am an Australian citizen, I feel culturally divided: one-third Cuban, one-third French, and one-third Israeli. During 2025, I hope to meet new friends during my journeys. Let’s make plans!

More than once, I’ve been asked: "Why don’t you just stay?"

Students of Yogic and Buddhist philosophy might recognize attachment as one of the Kleishas (structural flaws). Just as aversion cannot truly exist without attachment, neither can attachment endure indefinitely. This doesn’t mean I don’t love Australia, Cuba, France, Israel, or the many other places I’ve called home. But as a traveler, I am always looking forward to the next destination—while a tourist, perhaps, looks forward to going home.

¿POR QUÉ SIMPLEMENTE NO TE QUEDAS?

Mi madre tenía una memoria excepcional. En las raras ocasiones en que la vi a lo largo de mi vida, solía recordarme que nací para ser un viajero. Me contaba cómo, en mi tercer día de vida, alguien la visitó para animarla y le dijo: "Este niño será un viajero. Cruzará todos los océanos". Fue descartado como un adivinador sin esperanza, pero cumplí su profecía.

A mis compañeros de viaje, y a aquellos que aspiran a recorrer el mundo: claro que hay regiones peligrosas, particularmente en partes de África y Oriente Medio, pero el mundo está lleno de maravillas esperando ser exploradas.

Antes de emprender un viaje, siempre tómate el tiempo para leer sobre el país que visitas. Comprende su cultura, un complejo tapiz de dimensiones psicológicas, filosóficas, geográficas, políticas y religiosas. Los países más seguros son un buen punto de partida para tus aventuras y un refugio reconfortante cuando decidas descansar. Comencé mis viajes en Europa: Suecia, Noruega y Dinamarca, donde fui profundamente influenciado por sus valores igualitarios y democráticos. Noruega, en particular, abrió mi corazón al amor. Más tarde, cuando dejé Australia para especializarme en medicina, viajé en cada oportunidad que pude—explorando las islas del Caribe y, al regresar a Australia, aventurándome en la región de Australasia.

No tardé mucho en darme cuenta de que me enamoro fácilmente... de los lugares. Cada país me ofreció algo único, algo inolvidable.

MI LEMA SE CONVIRTIÓ EN: LA VIDA ES UN LARGO VIAJE CON INTERVALOS DE TRABAJO.

Lo leí en algún lugar durante mi juventud, y hasta el día de hoy sigue siendo mi filosofía de vida.

Siempre estoy planeando mi próximo viaje, combinando mi carrera con mi pasión por viajar. Como Médico Sin Fronteras, viajo incansablemente.

Aunque soy ciudadano australiano, me siento culturalmente dividido: un tercio cubano, un tercio francés y un tercio israelí. Durante 2025, espero conocer nuevos amigos en mis viajes. ¡Hagamos planes!

Más de una vez me han preguntado: "¿Por qué simplemente no te quedas?"

Los estudiantes de filosofía yóguica y budista podrían reconocer el apego como uno de los Kleishas (defectos estructurales). Así como la aversión no puede existir sin apego, tampoco el apego puede sostenerse indefinidamente. Esto no significa que no ame Australia, Cuba, Francia, Israel o los muchos otros lugares que he llamado hogar. Pero como viajero, siempre estoy pensando en el próximo destino, mientras que un turista, quizá, espera regresar a casa.