Seeing Asia Through CNN’s Handsome Furs

Though I’ve extensively traveled both Europe and the US, will soon be in Mexico, and have an immanent honeymoon in Africa, one area I have not even begun to look at is Asia. Sure, I know many people who’ve planned successful trips, even sabaticals, with no issue, and had a great time. But language barriers plus a lack of knowledge on the, well, entire continent, has always nudged my planning brain to shrug, “maybe next year.” However, just one flip through the photo slides of CNN’s “Indie Asia” and I want to push all other vacations to the side and concentrate 100% on Beijing.

Documenting their trip via videos, photos, and travel blog, a husband and wife team in indie band, the Handsome Furs, jets off the Beijing to love, live, learn- and play a little music on the side. Juicy pork buns and porridge and enormous, funky Flower Tree sculptures give me a yearning my travel books never have.

Instead of the obligatory karaokee and temple tourism, Alexei and Dan take us through their world of parks, eating (a lot!), and preparing for shows- a view someone like me, who plastered many a telephone pole with flyers for local bands in her teenage years, can understand.

But more than that, by featuring slightly off-kilter travel lovers, CNN is moving away from their mainstream news format and featuring something that’s slightly more “by the people, for the people.” Let’s face it, not everyone has the same travel experience, and the  inertia that keeps us going back to TripAdvisor, Where I’ve Been and Vagabondish is the same need that will make you want to spy on Dan and Alexei’s trip.

Episodes 1 and 2 are available on CNN.com and you can follow the band through their travel blog and Facebook account, while they maneuver through Hanoi, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, and more.