Candid Reflections of a GlobeTrotting Educator: Meet the Voice behind ‘A Chatty Traveler’

Peter D’brass (Author & Educator) - I've always loved learning about diverse people groups. To do so, I traveled to their lands, lodged in their homes, shared their meals, engaged in long conversations, danced at their weddings, mourned at their funerals, studied their environments, and briefly lived their lifestyles.

The result? I get the privilege to embed, and elevate, their stories - in the classroom and beyond.Perhaps this book, A Chatty Traveler (with over 240 photographs from over 80 countries) will inspire you to journey far afield. An expectant world is waiting - for you.

How many countries did you visit?

As of June 1, 2025, I have traveled to 102 countries and 13 overseas territories (including places like Tahiti, Gibraltar, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Dutch and French Antilles, New Caledonia, etc.) across all seven continents. I visited Antarctica by ship two years ago.

Which is your favourite holiday destination and why?

This is a question that is often asked of me, and I have the hardest time answering it. Is it the country, the people, or both that define what we find charming and memorable about a place?

Every traveler has their own perspective and travel experiences.

As for me, I find beauty and charm in every land and among every group of people I’ve visited. Sure, some places may appear “tougher” than others—failed states perhaps, war-torn, or troubled societies. Still, just beneath any hard exterior are people who simply want to connect on a human level.

I remember my first visit to China in the early ’90s, before the economic boom. I couldn’t interact freely with the Chinese, as many were afraid of the plainclothes police. Despite this oppressive environment, we still connected—whether through smiles, a quick ni hao hello, when a Chinese man quietly paid my bill at a tea shop, or when someone offered me a cigarette at a bus stop. I took the cigarette, even though I don’t smoke, just to show my appreciation for that genuine gesture.

But since you asked me about the best places I’ve visited, I do have several favorites—besides the United States (and the great state of Texas) where I live.

I find the efficiency and picture-postcard beauty of Switzerland appealing, along with New Zealand, Chile, Taiwan, Mongolia, and Japan. Still, I fell in love with the simple Laotian Hmong tribes; the amazingly hospitable and hardy people of India’s stunning northeastern states; the backwater communities along the Amazon River basin in Brazil; and the laid-back islanders of the Caribbean.

What inspired you to write this book? Can you tell us about your writing journey?

I had been so busy traveling that I never took the time to document my journeys. My friends—who say they live vicariously through me—had been bugging me about this for decades. It was only when I fell perilously ill in 2018 while living in Taiwan—with a rare, potentially lethal blood disorder that affects only 2 in a million people—and had to be hospitalized for months, followed by a two-year recuperation period, that I finally began writing. It got me out of bed for 2–3 hours each day and became my daily motivation.

I first spoke with friends—authors, print shop owners, artists, and librarians—who helped guide me through the writing, design, editing, and publishing process. It took me two years to finish the book and bring it to publication on Amazon KDP.

How do you choose destinations?

This is a very good question. One key factor is money. I scope out airlines that are opening new routes and grab their specials early in the sale cycle. For example, I’ll be heading to Western Samoa this November because Fiji Airlines just launched a new route from Dallas.

Another factor is “people groups.” The more diverse they are, the more interested I become. I also tend to group trips into regional cultural clusters. For instance, I chose Tunisia, which shares a similar culture with Libya.

I also choose nations that have just emerged from conflict. In March 2026, I plan to go to Armenia to assist refugees there following their recent war with Azerbaijan.

I travel the world with just a backpack, but I give up my airline baggage space to bring school supplies, sports equipment, textbooks, and more to vulnerable and economically disadvantaged communities. I recently delivered dozens of footballs to several countries in southern and western Africa. I now have cricket supplies ready for Fiji, and an electric guitar for the very musical Samoan people.

I don’t go around acting like some first-world Santa Claus. I hand off the gifts quickly—often anonymously and without fanfare. God has blessed me so much, and it’s only right that I pass those blessings on to others.

A Magnetic Collection

Why do you think travelling is necessary?

It is simply the best education. It breaks stereotypes, exposes our common humanity, helps us to problem solve while on the go, improves our critical thinking, teaches us flexibility and patience, enhances our communication skills, and finally, gives us a lifetime of memories with

thousands of stories to share.

Which country broke stereotypes or changed your vision about the world?

Taiwan. Even though they are the same Han people as mainland Chinese, they are vastly different in their thinking, outlook, and appreciation of democratic freedoms. Only 100 miles of water separate these two ‘cousin groups,’ but ideologically, they are worlds apart. To leave China and arrive in Taiwan is to breathe much freer—it's like an invisible weight has been lifted off one’s shoulders.

Another surprise nation is Oman. Culturally, they are quite distinct from their Arab cousins. Oman lacks the showboating glitz of Dubai and the ultra-conservatism of Saudi Arabia. It’s a fascinating land of mountains, deserts, seas, and yes, even monsoon rains. It’s a joy to sip strong coffee with friendly locals and share stories about our life experiences.

Vietnam. Single women travelers can roam freely around this nation without being harassed. I saw solo female backpackers on trails far from the nearest towns and villages. And yes, they stayed in village homestays.

Botswana: The country is clean, sparsely populated, has a good standard of living, low corruption, strong rule of law, and is politically very stable.

Peru: South Americans are often described as laid-back, with a somewhat mañana culture—meaning “let’s do it later.” But Peru broke that stereotype. All my travel arrangements in the country were efficient and stress-free.

Which country did you have safety concerns with and why?

South Africa: Johannesburg and Cape Town are among the areas with some of the highest rates of violent crime in the world.

Mexico: Corruption among police and pervasive drug-related violence remain major concerns.

Italy: Especially in Rome, pickpocketing is rampant. Petty criminals can easily ruin the holidays of unsuspecting tourists.

Israel: We personally encountered young children throwing rocks at us—an example of the volatility in the tense Palestine regions.

India: In the conflict-ridden areas, including the Kashmir Valley, the Naxal region on the Andhra Pradesh–Maharashtra border, dacoit-prone areas in central Madhya Pradesh, and I also had a few unpleasant experiences in Nagaland.

Myanmar: Shan State where ethnic groups are fighting for Independence.

Nicaragua: High unemployment has pushed many young people into criminal activity.

Uganda: Corrupt cops and shady politicians.

Can we look forward to reading more books authored by you?

My friends have given me a few ideas.

Some have suggested I write about my healing journey—how I navigate the healthcare system and work with a team of doctors, participate in clinical trials, plan for end-of-life care, including my decision to donate my body to a medical school, and how I manage chronic physical pain.

Others have encouraged me to write A Chatty Traveler: Part II. Based on the reviews of my book, it seems the “Did You Know?” sections were a big hit.

I'm open to suggestions.

Peter spends his time teaching travel exploration and global conflict classes, playing his guitar, honing his hunting skills, tending to his wildlife-designated land, tinkering in his garage, visiting family, and yes, planning his next getaway. He lives in North Texas.