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A. That's a difficult question to answer, because I don't think I'll ever understand what it's like to be a minority. But you are out of the ordinary with fair skin and a hair color that really catches the light. People notice you more. But it's not anything negative, it's more curiosity, because (someone like me is) not seen every day.

Q. How are you with foreign languages?

A. I'm so bad. I'm trying to learn Afrikaans. Julian's family will speak to each other in Afrikaans when they're trying to say something so the kids don't understand, and I can't play along. I want to learn, but I don't have an ear for languages.

Q. Which city surprised you with its cuisine?

A. You know what? Toronto has really good food and I didn't really expect it. There are incredible restaurants where I've had some of the best meals in my entire life. And a lot of people think about London for high tea, and it is really good there. But the best high tea I've ever had was at the Belmond Mount Nelson in Cape Town. It was just beautiful and incredible.

Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A. I am an anxious flier. Since I first started taking a lot of trips when I was 16 and flying a lot, I would take this stuffed animal I have named Snowflake -- a cat that I've had since I was 3. I still take her in my luggage; also, an empty suitcase for souvenirs, so that I can pack trinkets and stuff when I come back home.

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(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and travel writer. You can respond to this column by visiting her website at www.jaehakim.com. You may also follow "Go Away With..." on Twitter at @GoAwayWithJae where Jae-Ha Kim welcomes your questions and comments.)

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