Risks taking

I am not risk averse: the best moments of my life have often involved risks, sometimes serious risks, especially in the Middle East and Central Africa. I like danger because it makes the moment intense, vivid and reminds me how brief and beautiful life is. I’ve ridden motorbikes through towns teeming with armed rebels, hitched airplane rides with very dodgy diamond dealers and defied government curfews to go to a (very good) all night party. I have been lucky, and quite well-prepared. For me the trick is to have good information sources, and to nurture your inner chimp, or gut instinct, before taking your decision. Don’t take anyone else along, unless they understand and agree to what they are letting themselves in for: if they do, then fire away.