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A. I heard from a professor that if you really want to gain wisdom, you need to read and to travel. I would say that's true. I feel I've learned more from traveling than I ever did in university or in high school. My hometown is identical to how it was when I was growing up. That's part of the reason why I originally left for Korea. I wanted to make sure I didn't get too comfortable.

Q. What is on your Travel Bucket List?

A. I would like to go to Brazil, because I was a huge jiu-jitsu fan. I love Brazilian barbecue. The people seem to be so happy. I've never been to Mexico, which is a little weird since I wanted to be Mexican and I live in L.A.

Q. One of the luxuries of traveling is getting to try different cuisines. Where have you enjoyed some of your best meals?

A. It's all so good. I love a good burrito. But Japanese ramen is so delicious. I would go back to Japan for some really good sushi and ramen. Also, Germany. I went to Munich when I was 16 and the Wiener schnitzel was so good. It was also one of the first times I had beer with friends, because it was legal (to drink beer at my age) there. I was 16 and told a 30-year-old waitress that I wanted to marry her. She said, "I could be your mom."

Q. What are some of your favorite places?

A. I love Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. The food is insanely good. I love the convenience stores, because you can get everything you need. Tokyo has the best ones! Bangkok is amazing. I also really liked being in Italy. Beijing and Hong Kong are great, too.

Q. What is something you do in every city you visit?

A. I really like checking out convenience stores and trying their local canned coffee.

Q. Where are some places you've been that stand out in your mind?

A. Australia and Singapore. I've been to New Zealand and visited where they shot "Lord of the Rings."

Q. What is your worst travel memory?

A. Being forced into a mental hospital in Korea, due to the lawsuit about my hand. I had to prove almost losing my hand was causing me to be depressed. After that, I'm at the point where every moment alive is a blessing. There are so many things left to see and none of us are guaranteed that we will be around forever. It's good to be in the moment.

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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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