Zamboanga – In 2006, I was lucky enough to start working with Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU). Zamboanga is located in the southern Philippines in a region known as Western Mindanao. Zamboanga is known for several things, nature pearls and difficulties with extremists.
Zanzibar – Zanzibar has the most fluffiest white sand I have ever felt. I have been there several times. The first time was in 1998 with a friend from Canada. We explored the entire island and met the most interesting cab driver in the world. In fact, he even know he was the most interesting by introducing us to him by a cassette that he played once we were in the vehicle. “Hello tourist, you are traveling with an actor, writer, musician, television personality, etc, etc” as it played.
Zomba – When I moved to Malawi, in 1997, my first position was at Chancellor College at the University of Malawi. Chancellor College was located in Zomba, which was the old British colonial capital city of Malawi (Nyasaland). Zomba consisted of a wide variety of neat looking colonial houses at the base of the Zomba plateau. It was also the home of the most interesting people I would ever meet.
Zambia – Zambia is one of my favorite places in the world, especially a game reserve known as South Luangwa. I worked on several projects there, most notably a project on reproductive health and family planning. However, the wildlife was truly special with so many experiences with lions (some good and some scary).
Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe is another one of those interesting places. I’ll remember it as one of those places visiting after spending 2 years in Malawi and being exposed to civilization again with a trip to the West Gate mall and seeing the Matrix for the first and second time.
Zermatt – Zermatt is the home of one of the most famous mountains in the world, the Matterhorn. I went to Zermatt during my time interning at the World Health Organization in Geneva. While there, 2010, I took one of the luckiest and most beautiful photos I have ever taken. A mountain goat on the edge of a cliff looking over.
Lost City of Z – I have never been here. In fact no living person has. The Lost City of Z is said to be in the basin of the Amazon in Brazil. It is an interesting story and well worth reading about.