People - 17/7/2010

I've come to believe there is a fundamental difference between seeing a country as a 'tourist', and seeing it through the eyes of a local, a friend. There are always many spectacular monuments, temples and thousands of other sites to see around the world. It is only when you are lucky enough to meet with the locals, dine with them, experience the culture and life through their eyes, that you have truly travelled.

Vienna is one such city for me. A city of incredible history and spirit, you can lose yourself for weeks in the museums and monuments. Whilst these were wonderful, it was seeing the city through the eyes of one of the most beautiful souls I have met, Clarissa Canete, that will make the experience live forever in my heart and mind.

Dining at the revolving restaurant, high above the city, as the sun sets over the horizon with a special friend... These are the travel experiences that will stay with me.

In Egypt, I felt I was on the verge of having the opposite experience. Within 48 hours of landing in Egypt you will likely hear the phrase, "Egyptian hospitality". Unfortunately, my initial experience was to see this phrase co-opted by the unscrupulous few, where it could be loosely translated to, "Egyptian hustle".

However, I discovered that one experience can truly change your perspective. After stepping onto the wrong overnight train, I eventually discovered that I have five hours to travel before I could switch onto my intended train, and a much needed bed at 3AM in the morning.

The unmitigated kindness of two elderly gentlemen, sharing their seats with me, offering me food and drink and making certain I found my way to the correct train was an act that both surprised and heartened me.

To offer this type of generosity to a clearly frustrated foreign stranger in your country, served to remind me that the greatest power we have still comes from an innate kindness and generosity within us.

My preconception was that my most impressive memory of Egypt would be the incredible Pyramids, or perhaps the greatest archaeological discovery of all time in Tutankamen's tomb. I was wrong. What will remain with me forever will be the kindness of two complete strangers on one lonely train ride to Aswan. :)

"We'll always have Paris"

Ever since the quintessential lonely, tough guy Humphrey Bogart uttered those famous words 68 years ago, and perhaps dating back to the romantic era of the 18th century, Paris has been an enduring global symbol, the city of romance, the city of love.

Whilst there are so many global icons within Paris, from the Lourve, to the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower, it is elsewhere that I began to feel the pulse of the city, its culture, its spirit.

It is felt during a picnic by sunset in front of the Eiffle Tower with good friends. It is felt wandering the Champs Elysee and seeing the passion of the young lovers making out in the park. It is felt cycling busy streets and stopping for a cold drink by a street corner.

In my typical business school fashion, I asked my friend recently, "What is Paris' competitive advantage today? What keeps them strong?"

Her answer accurately captured it, "The history."

More than any other modern city I've visited, perhaps with the exception of Moscow, Paris is amazingly clever at keeping and restoring its history into the modern age. This helps propel the story, the ideal of Paris into every young romantic in the world. Whilst Mark Ritson may disagree, it helps maintain the brand of Paris. I envisage this allure of Paris continuing into the next generation. :)

Why sport matters - 23/6/10

"And here's to you, Joe DiMaggio, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you..." Paul Simon - 1968

My earliest memory of sport was spending Saturday afternoon's watching my Dad play cricket as a kid. One particular sunny, Saturday afternoon always stuck in my mind. Dad had never made a century, often finishing in the 90's. On this particular day he was in fine form, and it looked like the drought was over.

He was also taking a torrent of racial abuse through the day. In characteristic style, he never said a word, letting his bat do the talking. On 99, he was hit on the pad to a ball going down the leg side. The umpire incorrectly ruled him out.

I always remembered the image of Dad walking away, long before Adam Gilchrist, without a moments hesitation to the wrong call. As I greeted him at the edge of the field, I could see how angry he was, but the integrity and dignity with which he played the game never wavered.

Sport so often demonstrates these moments to us, achieving the change that social and political movements aim for, but struggle to deliver. From Don Haskins starting five African Americans in the 1966 NCAA Basketball Championship, to Nicky Winmar's famous gesture at Victoria Park, to Mandela using rugby to unite South Africa in '95 and North and South Korea marching under one flag at the 2000 Olympics; sport brings out our best.

This rather long introduction is to reinforce the power of what I have experience across the US these last three weeks with the NBA Finals. From the playgrounds of Venice Beach, LA, to Rucker Park in Harlem, NY; from rabid Laker and Celtic fans inside Staples Centre, to the crazy sports bars across LA.

At every point along the way, I experienced the power of basketball and sport to break down the racial, cultural and social barriers we put between ourselves. The enduring respect and integrity of sport bonded us together. In a country that is experiencing such economic turmoil, where the gap between haves and have nots is so vast and apparent every day, it is inspiring to live these moments. They continue to remind me of our common humanity.

Here at the Basketball Hall Of Fame in Massachusetts, I continue to be inspired by the homage paid to the trailblazing leaders who achieved positive change through basketball. It inspires me to continue to believe in sports as the most powerful medium for change in society. :)

Moments - 12/6/10

Since I was young, I remember a poem on the bathroom wall at Nanna and Grandpa's. It was from an 85 year old woman, talking about how she would take more risks, worry less and have more 'moments' if she could live her life again. In fact, she would try to have nothing but moments.



These last couple of days have been a plethora of moments for me. It has been said that every man should own a convertible once in his life. Well, I haven't owned one, but I have driven arguably the two most famous roads in the world, the Great Ocean Road and Highway One, in a convertible with the top down.



Feeling the cool breeze flow through your hair, with soft jazz accompanying the sweeping coastal views... I can take all the photos in the world, but nothing will capture the experience of the moment. I hope there are many more 'moments' in front of me. :)