Andrew Kay: Come fly with me

It was years before I left the UK for the first time. I was twenty years old and I had won a bursary from the then Thames Television to travel to Paris and study clowning. Up until then I had seen a lot of the UK, spent a week in the Isle of Man on a school trip, and that was it.

Paris was a joy. I became addicted to the place – the style, the arrogance of the Parisians and the warmth of the people, not Parisian, who lived there. I studied and partied, I went to see productions of Hamlet, David Copperfield and Mr Fox. I saw great art and ate great food. I was absorbed by and with the city. To this day my memory of Paris smells of butter, sugar and vanilla as every day started with milky coffee and palmier pastries.

It was a good start and since then I have had no fear of travel, happily jumping on planes and trains, often alone. Solo travel should have been scary but for me it meant freedom. You go where you like, when you like and have no one but yourself to answer to. It’s bliss, choosing whether to go culture crazy or to lie by the pool reading a book and drinking ice-cold beers.

The job is somewhat ambassadorial as we will be representing Brighton and Hove, albeit unofficially …

So why is it that my most recent trip has filled me with a newfound fear? It is the longest journey I have made for many years, but I cannot see how that makes a difference. It is to Canada and the USA where I have never been before, but why should that matter? There will be no language barrier.

Perhaps I am scared after my terrible trip to the Channel Islands last year. Four nights in intensive care certainly tainted my view of travel, and despite this seeming terribly English, it is not. For anyone visiting the Channel Islands be aware that there is no NHS, nor is it Europe, so your European Union health cover card has no validity.

Shocked and surprised? Yes, so was I. Fortunately the money I have spent for years on a bank account that includes travel insurance paid off – and paid up!

Needless to say I will be avoiding milk of the unpasteurised type on this trip and being very careful in anything else I do.
Vancouver is my first stop. I am very excited about being there and making a new International Chef Exchange TV film with Matty Bowling, head chef at Terre à Terre. The job is somewhat ambassadorial as we will be representing Brighton and Hove, albeit unofficially, showing once again that our city is an amazing place to visit, especially when it comes to great food.

Following that, and as you read this, I will be flying down to Las Vegas where we plan to make another film, although I must confess that Las Vegas does look like the sort of city that can be scarily addictive. In moments online I discovered at least ten shows that I would love to see, especially the magic shows. Added to which there are the casinos.

Now, I’m not a gambler. I don’t bother with things like the Grand National and although I enjoy a trip to Brighton Racecourse I hardly go mad, little bets of a few pounds are my limit and I certainly never go above my pre-decided budget.

Maybe this fear is of gambling, the idea that on the tip of a coin you can lose everything.

Maybe it’s the fear of cocktail bars with a ‘happy four hours $19.99 drink as much as you like/can’? You know, I’m feeling better already.

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