I have done a bit of traveling myself and I would like to say I am able to dispence a fair bit of advice. So here are some tricks of the trade... hey they worked for me.

1) Ride the subway. There is something to be said about the amount of energy the government has put into this. I love the modern exposed structure of Westminster (London Tube) and all the stations in Moscow. They are built up to look like churches; vaulted ceilings and sculptures.

2) People Watch. This is one of my all time fav activities. I love to pick a spot by a window or heavy traffic area (i.e. stair case, busy intersection, point of sale) and see where that takes me. There is more in the non verbal communication then one would think.

3) Eat at a "hole in the wall". For the most part these are really good places. I love to get coffee there. I am talking about one in particular called Cafe Cresent on Camden High Street in London. Great coffee, great "chips", great atmosphere. I loved it.