Where was your photo taken: De La Concha, a tobacconist in mid-town Manhattan. This is my home away from home, where I do my writing, watch tourists come to my city and turn cigars into ashes.

Where do you live now: I'm on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, near the wine shop-no, the other one.

Scariest airline flown: Icelandair-it wasn't so much frightening as brutal. You can tell the airline is state-owned.

Favorite city/country/place: There's nothing quite like a cigar and a Provençal red at the Chevre d'Or in Eze, France.

Most remote corner of the globe visited: Paeju, South Korea-it may not sound remote, but it's inches from the Demilitarized Zone, one of the most dangerous places on Earth.

Favorite guidebook series: I don't really use guidebooks. I prefer to hit the ground with a map in hand. I'll figure the rest out on my own.

Dream travel destination: I'd like to go anywhere most people can't. Pyongyang, North Korea is at the top of my list. I'd love to experience the wide, traffic-free streets. Also, I'd like to get to Baghdad, Iraq in the near future. I need a thrill.

Solo traveler or group traveler? Generally, I prefer to go solo. I don't like waiting for people, and there's nothing ... NOTHING ... worse than watching five people try to figure out where to have lunch. It's moronic.

Favorite means of transportation: Ol' fashioned shoe leather.

Country with the most beautiful women/men: South Korea-by far.

Where do you hide your emergency cash? Wouldn't you like to know ...

Filed under: About The Bloggers