32 countries and counting

As a lover of local culture, Howard Smith devoted quality time with friends chasing waterfalls and discovering hidden gems across the island. This parish hopper also found it equally fascinating to immerse himself in the faces and places featured in movies. Visualising himself on similar international adventures, he decided to make those dreams a reality and began exploring the globe.

“I fell in love with just seeing these different cultures through movies and always wished I was there to experience firsthand. One of the movies that made me say I needed to travel was The Tourist that gave vivid scenes of Venice, Italy. It felt unreal and I vowed I had to visit,” the vice president of corporate banking at First Global Bank told Saturday Living. He made good on this promise in 2014.

Walking into Venice and seeing an entire city on water, he recalled, was a sight to behold. “It brought me back to The Tourist and I was simply amazed and blown away by the architecture and the way of living.”

Since then, he has visited 32 countries and counting, and takes great pleasure in sharing a few of his favourite spots.

“Locally, my favourite parish is Portland, just for the tranquillity, waterfall and beach options. No matter how often I visit, it’s always enjoyable and peaceful,” he said, adding, “Internationally, I recently visited Nairobi in Kenya and fell in love with the people and culture. They are similar to Jamaicans, but Kenya has such a warm and friendly atmosphere with lots to do and see. The city has a park in the centre with animals you only see in the movies or online.”

He also made special mention of Colombia, which he explained is an affordable destination with so many attractions to offer.

Travelling, however, isn’t always a bed of roses. Funding these ambitious trips is as grand as they appear. So, he sets a savings goal each year dedicated to his annual vacation, “Over the years, I have found ways to do hours of research to find affordable trips, and utilise those credit card points to help book my next vacation.”

During his adventures, he also faced challenges as a black man in predominantly white countries. Having satisfied his initial interest in Europe, he has now shifted his focus to visiting countries with more diverse cultures.

“I am a foodie so the thought of just finding a nice restaurant that has the best local food is critical for me; And, I am always up for a local experience that [allows] you to know a little more about the people and the culture,” he added.

He spoke about being pleasantly surprised by one of the countries in Africa, “I heard so much negative [things] about Zimbabwe and upon visiting I found [it to be] a country where the people love Jamaicans; they were so nice. Of course the food was good, even though we could only eat with our hands ”

On Smith’s list of travel essentials are a power bank, power adapter, sneakers, eSim provider and his phone, “I have to ensure that I always have a working phone to navigate the local areas and for that power is essential. You learn quickly that a lot of countries have different outlets or power types, so having one that has at least eight connections allows you to always be able to power up your devices. I think I walk more on vacations than I do while I am home. So, I now have a great appreciation for comfortable footwear.”

He always ensures he sets up eSIM service, as roaming has failed him many times. With so many countries advanced in technology, staying connected is a must. “There’s no way I can travel without a phone — it’s just as important as your passport. It’s essential for staying connected and capturing the moments.”

Smith hopes to hit 50 countries over the next five to six years, and see countries like Nigeria, Morocco, Japan, Argentina and Alaska.

“Nothing beats our firsthand experiences. And for me, travel is a form of therapy. The ability to take a break from the routine and learn about new cultures and experience things that seem out of reach, are what motivate me; the world is so much more than what we experience daily,” he shared.

For those planning their next trip or first adventure, this Rotarian encourages choosing destinations that spark your curiosity and bring you joy.

“For intentional travels, start with researching places you have heard about or talk to someone who has been [there]; don’t only focus on what you see on the news. Look out for those deals and don’t be afraid to start, [whether] with friends or alone. With planning and savings it’s possible. Also, not everywhere is as expensive as it seems, South America is currently an affordable area for travel,” he said.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com