Sean Paul Kelley

Graduated from University of Houston in '93, on a lark went to South Korea in '94 and taught English.

Returned home, attained "real" job working for Morgan Stanley in NYC and then San Antonio from '95-'03. After learning the asset management ropes he ran money independently with a partner from '03 but got a bad feeling in early '07 and sold his book of business. No TARP money for Sean Paul becuase Sean Paul saved his money and bailed himself out.

Went 80 miles north to sell network administration software in Austin in '07. Was such a stellar salesman they--it's always they, ain't it?--sent him to be "the big shot" in Singapore. Had a lot of fun in Singapore.

Almost too much.

Succeeded beyond wildest imagining in Singapore but then his wanderlust came out of remission. He told "the man" (politely) where to put it and walked off into the jungle for a year.

After wandering said jungle and subsequently most of the entire globe for a full year he returned to Austin. Sold more software until late '13 when he finally had enough of the commission based life. Just say no to sales.

Off to grad school in San Antonio, studying history, his first true love. Writing too. Occasional radio and TV spots round life out.

In between all this professional activity he managed to travel to 63 countries (and counting) including the 'Stans of Central Asia and Iran, China and Russia--places fortunately not found on the Conde Nast Bucketlist.

In December he spent three weeks in Central America and has now seen all seven of the republics: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama. Plus, he witnessed Tikal on the Winter Solstice. Magical.

In the summer of 2014 he spent three weeks conducting academic research in Central Asia, including the ancient cities of Merv, Gonur Tepe and Nissa. He also had the distinct privilege of riding an Akhal Teke, the same kind of horse Genghis Khan rode as he conquered the whole world.

Later that summer he spent a full month digging with archaeologists on the side of a great Mayan pyramid, known as Xunantunich, along the border of Belize and Guatemala. Hard work, hot weather and one amazing learning experience.

Last, but certainly not least: he will someday live in Istanbul once again for it is the glory of the world's cities.

Did some travel writing for the San Antonio Express-News, Houston Chronicle, Alternet