0:00:04 > 0:00:07If Cold War spy stories are your thing
0:00:07 > 0:00:09then maybe you should head for Latvia.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12In this week's programme, we'll tell you why.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39Coming up on the programme, we go underground in Latvia.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42We're on the hunt for gold in Colombia.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46- Roger the hairy armpit.- Three!
0:00:46 > 0:00:50'I'll be hoping for a few laughs as I try out stand-up comedy.'
0:00:51 > 0:00:55And Tommy will be testing a new way of getting around town
0:00:55 > 0:00:57as part of Global Gadgets.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Welcome to The Travel Show.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08This week, we're coming from Grand Central Station
0:01:08 > 0:01:10in the city that never sleeps - New York.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12And later on in the programme,
0:01:12 > 0:01:14I'll be showing you why I've been having sleepless nights
0:01:14 > 0:01:17as I prepare for a comedy improv session.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21I don't know who roped me into that! But first...
0:01:21 > 0:01:25This month marks the 20th anniversary of the agreement
0:01:25 > 0:01:28that saw Russian armed forces withdraw from Latvia.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32As the Baltic States reassess their relationship with Russia,
0:01:32 > 0:01:36we sent Damien McGuiness to explore the Soviet-era military bases
0:01:36 > 0:01:39that are now becoming popular tourist attractions.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44Here on the very western tip of the former Soviet Union,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Russian secret services, in Soviet days,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50would use this huge radio telescope
0:01:50 > 0:01:55to intercept radio and telephone conversations among NATO allies.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02When the Soviet troops left Latvia 20 years ago,
0:02:02 > 0:02:07they removed or destroyed all their secret spying equipment.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11But this huge dish was too big to take to Russia,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14so Latvian astronomer Juris Zagars
0:02:14 > 0:02:18took it over as a radio telescope to explore space.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23In Soviet Latvia, he says, hardly anyone knew this dish even existed.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27It was a secret military installation in the middle of the Latvian forest.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31A forbidden no-man's-land on the USSR's border.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34It was a restricted area for everybody.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38Everybody who was entering was arrested and punished
0:02:38 > 0:02:40and very few people were living inside
0:02:40 > 0:02:45and these people have no right to leave this borderland.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52Now, this is really interesting.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56This part of the radio telescope was built by Soviet shipbuilders,
0:02:56 > 0:02:57which is why this shape here
0:02:57 > 0:03:00wouldn't look out of place on a Soviet submarine.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16We've come right into the centre of the dish itself.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19It's moving round very slowly, horizontally,
0:03:19 > 0:03:24but it can also tip vertically, right over to a 90-degree angle.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38But some of what the Soviets left behind is less visible.
0:03:38 > 0:03:44In Soviet days, this was a hotel for the Communist elite, here in Latvia.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47This building was a cover for a bunker, from where,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50in the event of a nuclear war with the West,
0:03:50 > 0:03:55Latvia's Communist government would still be able to run the country.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Ludmila...
0:03:57 > 0:04:01'Ludmila worked in the hotel in the 1980s as a chamber maid
0:04:01 > 0:04:06'and, now that it's a spa, she still works there, today as a manager.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09'She says no-one knew there was a bunker right underneath their feet,
0:04:09 > 0:04:14'but they all suspected something was going on.'
0:04:14 > 0:04:18- TRANSLATION: - As far as I was concerned,
0:04:18 > 0:04:20what's forbidden is forbidden. That was it.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25Maybe it was important not to think about it, to have a peaceful life.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29Now, for very important guests, such as ministers or government leaders,
0:04:29 > 0:04:33there was direct access from this hotel down to the bunker
0:04:33 > 0:04:34through a secret passageway.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43And here, deep underground,
0:04:43 > 0:04:47you eventually get to the bunker itself behind this metal door.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49Now, even people who managed to find this place
0:04:49 > 0:04:52wouldn't necessarily be able to get in.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54To do that, you need a secret password
0:04:54 > 0:04:57and you give that through this red intercom here
0:04:57 > 0:04:59to a guard on the other side of the door.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06This is the main entrance of the bunker
0:05:06 > 0:05:09and there we can see the plan of the bunker.
0:05:09 > 0:05:14The coverage of the sonogram facility is 2,000 square metres
0:05:14 > 0:05:19and 250 persons can hide there for three months
0:05:19 > 0:05:22without any help from outside.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25And this is my favourite room.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28It's the office of the leader of the Latvian Communist Party,
0:05:28 > 0:05:30complete with desk and chair.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Now, you can tell he was pretty important
0:05:32 > 0:05:35because there are lots of phones on his desk.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38The red one is a direct line to Moscow.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49I ask Oskars, though, if keeping all this Soviet memorabilia
0:05:49 > 0:05:54doesn't encourage nostalgia for a regime generally seen as oppressive.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57Those persons who lived in Soviet time,
0:05:57 > 0:06:00today maybe they trying to glorify the Soviet period
0:06:00 > 0:06:03because they was young, they was happy.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06But it doesn't mean that they're glorifying politics
0:06:06 > 0:06:07or economical system.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Anyone feeling really adventurous, though,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16can get even more off the beaten track.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20So, now we've reached Skrunda.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25This is a former military base where 5,000 Soviet troops
0:06:25 > 0:06:30and families used to work, live, play, shop, go to school.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32Everything is all in here.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46'Nightclubs, bars, cinemas, schools, all deserted.
0:06:46 > 0:06:51'It's as if an ancient civilisation had just vanished overnight.'
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Short stories by Chekhov.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Oh, look. Here we've got an old map
0:07:00 > 0:07:03showing who lived where on the army base.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07So, at the top, you can see it says "information" in Russian.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11And then it shows you who lived in which block.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13So, on one side you have the administrators
0:07:13 > 0:07:15and it looks like in the middle there,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17that's where the army staff lived.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26You know, the Soviet period was very difficult for many Latvians.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29But having looked around at the incredible military installations
0:07:29 > 0:07:33that the Soviet troops left behind, I can't help but think
0:07:33 > 0:07:36that if these sorts of sights were used for tourists,
0:07:36 > 0:07:38something very painful
0:07:38 > 0:07:40could be turned into something quite profitable.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Damien McGuiness reporting from Latvia.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49And if you're thinking of heading there,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52here's The Travel Show guide to all the things you'll need to know
0:07:52 > 0:07:54before you go.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Tip one - head to Latvia's capital, Riga.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02This year, it's a European Capital of Culture,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05which means a schedule of ballet, opera, art exhibitions
0:08:05 > 0:08:09and musical performances will all be on offer to the public.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11You can see the upcoming events
0:08:11 > 0:08:14and book tickets through the official website.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19Tip two - if you're thinking of booking a trip for later in the year
0:08:19 > 0:08:21then you might catch Staro Riga,
0:08:21 > 0:08:24the largest light festival in northern Europe.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28The event is held in mid-November, when the city's buildings
0:08:28 > 0:08:31and monuments will be illuminated by light artists.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35And tip three - the country's transport network
0:08:35 > 0:08:39is reasonably priced and buses run regularly.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41If you want to take a tour
0:08:41 > 0:08:43of some of the country's major towns and cities
0:08:43 > 0:08:46then tickets can be purchased from bus stations,
0:08:46 > 0:08:48online or from the driver.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Next, your travel update for this week.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57If you're travelling to Jordan this year,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00you'll need to take some extra cash with you,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03as the price of a tourist visa has doubled.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06It will now cost you £34 to enter the country.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09However, if you're travelling in a group of five or more
0:09:09 > 0:09:11and staying for more than three nights,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14the current waiver on the visa fee still applies.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Here's some good news if you've ever faced hefty phone bills
0:09:18 > 0:09:20when travelling in Europe.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23The European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favour
0:09:23 > 0:09:25of ending roaming charges.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29The new legislation will see the charges scrapped across the EU
0:09:29 > 0:09:31by December next year.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Skiing is not a sport known for being cheap,
0:09:35 > 0:09:38and it might just cost even more than you thought.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41The Post Office insurance group has found that British skiers
0:09:41 > 0:09:45dropped £31 million of valuables on the slopes this winter.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Items left buried in the snow included phones, glasses and cameras
0:09:50 > 0:09:54costing, on average, £219 per insurance claim.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58If you've ever fancied a free holiday in Italy
0:09:58 > 0:09:59then now's your chance.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02But you'll have to roll up your sleeves.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05The island of Ponza is offering free accommodation
0:10:05 > 0:10:08to tourists who volunteer as litter pickers.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10It's part of the city's plastic-free campaign,
0:10:10 > 0:10:14which aims to keep the island's beaches clear of rubbish.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19And finishing in the UK where, after decades underwater,
0:10:19 > 0:10:23the HMS Alliance is now open for visitors in Portsmouth.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25You get a chance to climb aboard
0:10:25 > 0:10:28the last surviving British submarine from World War II
0:10:28 > 0:10:31and find out what life was like for naval officers.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39You know if there's one thing that universally excites mankind,
0:10:39 > 0:10:41it's buried treasure, you know?
0:10:41 > 0:10:44It's lost gold, it's X marks the spot,
0:10:44 > 0:10:46it's quiet rumours and antiquated maps.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Then if you're talking about treasure,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50you have to talk about the one, the big one,
0:10:50 > 0:10:54the one that's claimed thousands of lives and billions of dollars.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Talking about El Dorado.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58And that's why I was in Bogota, Colombia.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00See, unbeknownst to most,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03the legend of history's most famous search for lost gold
0:11:03 > 0:11:05started and ended here.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07And it all has to do with a tiny golden boat
0:11:07 > 0:11:12called the Muisca Raft, found in some caves around Bogota in 1969.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15The scene depicts a chief covered in gold,
0:11:15 > 0:11:17surrounded by his soldiers and gold offerings
0:11:17 > 0:11:19about to jump in the lake.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22A scene that explorers would hear about, witness and pass down,
0:11:22 > 0:11:25thus igniting the speculation of a city so rich
0:11:25 > 0:11:27that people were literally covered in gold.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30A place they would name El Dorado.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32But how true was it all?
0:11:32 > 0:11:34I sat down with William Gamboa, the director
0:11:34 > 0:11:38of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, to find out.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42Well, I think it was crucial for history
0:11:42 > 0:11:46because the Muisca Raft showed and proved
0:11:46 > 0:11:51that the legend was not a legend and a myth, but was...
0:11:51 > 0:11:54well, something that really happened.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57However, it was his mentioning of the lake where this all took place,
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Lake Guatavita, that piqued my interest.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04That lake is like miracle and mysterious,
0:12:04 > 0:12:06and the lake is protecting the treasure
0:12:06 > 0:12:09that is supposed to be at the bottom.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13And so I hopped in a cab and headed to the town of Guatavita,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16all the while with the most wonderful idea for my own treasure.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18I would stop and buy a handmade flask.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20Nice, sure, but hardly unique.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22But what I'd do then is walk down to the lake
0:12:22 > 0:12:25and take some of that water, the water that held flakes of gold
0:12:25 > 0:12:28and the bones of those who dove down trying to find it.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31But when I proposed this idea to my guide, Rudolf,
0:12:31 > 0:12:34the protectiveness of the lake took over.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52It was there, almost within reach, but still so far away.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56My trip to Colombia had failed and my only treasure was a stupid flask.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58But Rudolf had an idea.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05And just like that, my idea for a true treasure was back on.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07He showed me a small puddle of water,
0:13:07 > 0:13:10an offshoot from the lake itself, to take from,
0:13:10 > 0:13:11but as I held it and reflected back
0:13:11 > 0:13:14over that mysterious, defensive and miraculous lake,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17I couldn't help but realise what a special place we were in.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20There's...a guy used to go out there
0:13:20 > 0:13:22covered in gold on a raft and jump in.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24And in this tiny little flask, you know,
0:13:24 > 0:13:26I'm holding part of that energy.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31And if that is not the most amazing treasure that you can get,
0:13:31 > 0:13:34I just...I don't know what is, I really don't.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Still to come here on The Travel Show.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43Why's there a banana on the TV?
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Oh, well, it's a...it's a cartoon before the movie, Barnaby,
0:13:45 > 0:13:47it's supposed to put you in a good mood.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50'I'll be learning a thing or two about improv comedy
0:13:50 > 0:13:51'from these jokers.'
0:14:05 > 0:14:08You want more travel, but less effort, right? Well, I'm your man.
0:14:08 > 0:14:13You need my helpy. You want my helpy? Yeah, you want some helpy?
0:14:13 > 0:14:14I'm not being patronising,
0:14:14 > 0:14:16that's actually the name of my first bit of kit.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20The Helpy is basically a harness that attaches to your suitcase
0:14:20 > 0:14:22and allows you to pull it along behind you.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25If you're heading to the airport and you've got your suitcase,
0:14:25 > 0:14:27you'll also have your travel documents, naturally.
0:14:27 > 0:14:28You'll have a mobile phone
0:14:28 > 0:14:31to make a quick call along the way and then, of course,
0:14:31 > 0:14:34a free newspaper that you picked up from the hotel lobby.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37Oh! With a coffee, just to keep you going along the way.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Oh! And a secondary bag,
0:14:39 > 0:14:42because you'll always want some hand luggage there with you.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44God forbid if you've got a small child with you as well.
0:14:44 > 0:14:45CHILD CRIES
0:14:45 > 0:14:48It's OK, I don't actually need the child - they get the gist.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51All of the sudden, I'm realising I'm running out of limbs
0:14:51 > 0:14:53to carry everything.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56'It's quite easy to clip the strap onto the handles on the suitcase,
0:14:56 > 0:14:58'but you might need another pair of hands
0:14:58 > 0:15:00'to help you get the actual harness on.'
0:15:00 > 0:15:04OK, so it's not so great if you want to turn a corner sharply
0:15:04 > 0:15:06because the cord can get twisted
0:15:06 > 0:15:08and it can cause the suitcase to flip over,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11but if you're not going to pull off any wild manoeuvres
0:15:11 > 0:15:14then your hands are freed up to burst into a little dance move
0:15:14 > 0:15:18or even just go round high-fiving random people.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Can I have a high-five?
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Can I get a high-five? Just a high-five?
0:15:23 > 0:15:24Aw, man, in my face.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26You know what it's like when you're on a trip,
0:15:26 > 0:15:29you can only take a certain amount of clothes and, if you're like me,
0:15:29 > 0:15:33the things you wore at the start of your holiday will start to smell -
0:15:33 > 0:15:35your sweaty vest and your smelly socks.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38But you don't want to send these down to the hotel laundry
0:15:38 > 0:15:40because that can be quite pricey.
0:15:40 > 0:15:41Ooh!
0:15:41 > 0:15:46So, along comes the Scrubba, a wash bag for people on the go.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50There's a textured washboard inside, which helps get the clothes clean.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Now, I know what you're thinking.
0:15:52 > 0:15:53If you're in a hotel room,
0:15:53 > 0:15:55you'd use a sink to wash your small items like this,
0:15:55 > 0:15:58but think of the water that you're wasting.
0:15:58 > 0:15:59Or perhaps you're on a camping trip
0:15:59 > 0:16:02where you don't have a sink or running water.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06Here's how the Scrubba works. You put in your soap or detergent.
0:16:06 > 0:16:07Add the water.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11Stuff in a few small items and then get scrubbing!
0:16:13 > 0:16:17So, this may not be so effective with red wine stains
0:16:17 > 0:16:20or perhaps with heavy soil, but it does mean
0:16:20 > 0:16:24you can do some light washing wherever you are in the world.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Now, I asked my producers, I mean, I practically begged them,
0:16:29 > 0:16:31to allow me to strip down to my underwear
0:16:31 > 0:16:34to show you my next item in action, but they weren't so keen on it.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Last chance?
0:16:36 > 0:16:37- No, Tommy!- Fine.
0:16:37 > 0:16:42The Clever Travel Companion is a range of clothing and underwear
0:16:42 > 0:16:45with concealed pockets.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Imagine if you're on a beach or in a crowded city
0:16:48 > 0:16:50and you want to keep your valuables on you,
0:16:50 > 0:16:55safe and out of the way, then something like this is handy.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Yeah, I know that having a pocket on the front of your T-shirt
0:16:58 > 0:16:59is a little bit geeky,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02but if you got pick-pocketed or if you lost your passport
0:17:02 > 0:17:04then that would ruin your holiday.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08This way, it stays as our little secret.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11I won't tell anyone if you don't.
0:17:11 > 0:17:12Sh.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14What do you get if you cross a skateboard with a Segway?
0:17:16 > 0:17:19You get the nearest thing to a hoverboard,
0:17:19 > 0:17:20just like in Back To The Future!
0:17:20 > 0:17:23The Zboard is powered by a lithium-ion battery
0:17:23 > 0:17:25which charges in just a few hours
0:17:25 > 0:17:29and can go for ten miles at around about 17mph.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32So, you press on the front pad to accelerate
0:17:32 > 0:17:33and move the board forward.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36And then the back pad acts as the brake
0:17:36 > 0:17:39and also, if you hold it down, the reverse motion as well.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42It ain't cheap, but being cool comes at a price.
0:17:42 > 0:17:43The engine on there is so silent
0:17:43 > 0:17:46that most people just thought I was on a regular skateboard.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50Now, because of the weight of the motorised engine, it is pretty heavy.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Therefore, you can't whip yourself on and off the kerbs
0:17:52 > 0:17:55or change direction quickly but, when it comes to the handling,
0:17:55 > 0:17:58I did find the turning circle to be pretty sharp.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02And, let's face it, if you are on a flat, level surface
0:18:02 > 0:18:05then this is a whole lot of fun!
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Now, Tommy might be The Travel Show's resident funny man,
0:18:16 > 0:18:20but if you want real comedy, few places beat New York City.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Hundreds of comedy gigs are put on here every week,
0:18:26 > 0:18:29from nervous first-timers taking their early tentative steps
0:18:29 > 0:18:32to pros packing out huge venues.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36With that in mind, the team are sending me to a comedy improv class.
0:18:38 > 0:18:43And, let me tell you, scared didn't even start to cover it.
0:18:43 > 0:18:44Come down here.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47So you can get close to my sweaty pits!
0:18:47 > 0:18:51'Improvisation in its simplest form is the art of creating a scene
0:18:51 > 0:18:55'or play with absolutely no preplanning.'
0:18:55 > 0:18:57We all are in unfamiliar territory.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59'I've come along to The Pit in Manhattan
0:18:59 > 0:19:00'to give it a go myself.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04'The venue offers classes for first-time tourists,
0:19:04 > 0:19:06'as well as a place for more experienced comedians
0:19:06 > 0:19:08'to hone their craft.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13'Lesley Collins, an improv veteran, led the class.'
0:19:13 > 0:19:16I think I did see a ghost, not recently,
0:19:16 > 0:19:18but, like, a few years ago.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20THEY SHOUT
0:19:20 > 0:19:23'To kick off, we did some warm-up exercises.'
0:19:23 > 0:19:26- Un-boxers.- Five.- Boxer briefs.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28'Everyone was given a category
0:19:28 > 0:19:31'and had to list seven things in quick succession.'
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Seven types of hairstyles.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- The bob.- One.- Bangalicious.- Two.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38- Short hair.- Three.- Long hair.- Four.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41- Pigtails.- Five.- Long tails.- Six.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- Tails.- Seven! - OK, I'm really nervous.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47I'm about to get a category and I've got to name seven different types,
0:19:47 > 0:19:51what's going on, whilst patting my legs and rubbing my stomach.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53They're coming, they're coming!
0:19:53 > 0:19:56'Trust me, with the pressure on, it's not as easy as it looks.'
0:19:58 > 0:20:00Seven creatures that make bad house pets.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- OK. Agarista!- One.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07- Erm... Gremlin with one toe.- Two.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Er...Roger the hairy armpit.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12'Right, game's over. Time for the comedy to start.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15'I let the pros go first.'
0:20:15 > 0:20:17You ever been in an old timey gang fight?
0:20:17 > 0:20:19LAUGHTER
0:20:19 > 0:20:21'All you're given is a word or song
0:20:21 > 0:20:24'and where the skit goes from there is totally up to you.'
0:20:26 > 0:20:27My fists are always right, bro.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Good. You're going to need to keep them there.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32I like your attitude. I like your game face.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Yeah, it's a lot of fun.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37It's not something I'd expect to be doing, but I'm enjoying myself
0:20:37 > 0:20:40and you're learning a lot and it's a good way to meet people.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44- I feel like I'm getting swindled here a little bit.- But I'm nervous.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48This is sort of like trying to release your inhibitions
0:20:48 > 0:20:52in a place where people are so uninhibited.
0:20:52 > 0:20:53..what your life could be like.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55- I'm running for president. - Yeah, I know!
0:20:55 > 0:20:58'A key part of improv is supporting your scene partner
0:20:58 > 0:21:00'and building on their ideas.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02'Something these guys have down to a T.'
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- Richard, but you probably know that too, right?- I do.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07LAUGHTER
0:21:07 > 0:21:09You must be Joan.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Joan, yes, Joan Collins.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Future president of the PTA. Nice to meet you.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Nice to meet you too, I'm sorry the book career didn't work out.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21LAUGHTER
0:21:21 > 0:21:22You are so funny(!)
0:21:22 > 0:21:25Sorry about your failed marriage.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27These guys are really good.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31This is like... It's great to actually watch them at work.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36But this is just like... This is too much.
0:21:36 > 0:21:37'Before long, it was my turn.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40'With knots in my stomach, I took to the stage.'
0:21:40 > 0:21:44You asked for a seven-storey bronze statue of yourself. That's modest.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46LAUGHTER
0:21:46 > 0:21:49I mean, you had a school and a hospital levelled
0:21:49 > 0:21:50so you could put this here.
0:21:50 > 0:21:51LAUGHTER
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- It's beautiful, though. - It is beautiful, don't get me wrong!
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- I'm coming round to it.- I would think you would...- You are a genius!
0:21:57 > 0:22:01I mean, it takes a long time just to get around it.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- Good job! - 'All right, so the other guy
0:22:04 > 0:22:06'definitely put in most of the legwork
0:22:06 > 0:22:08'but I gave it my best shot.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11'So, verdict time. How did I do?'
0:22:11 > 0:22:16Ade did great! I know he was so concerned before the class.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18He was very worried.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21- It's just too much.- What? - This is too much.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24'I think most people are scared at improvising
0:22:24 > 0:22:26'cos they don't really actually know what it is
0:22:26 > 0:22:28'or how much fun it is.'
0:22:28 > 0:22:31They are also very concerned about being funny
0:22:31 > 0:22:37and the pressure to be funny, but improv isn't really about that.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39It's about being honest and having fun.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Nobody gets me more pumped up than you do, son.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44'If you're on a budget in New York,
0:22:44 > 0:22:48'improv gigs are a great way to pack in some entertainment.'
0:22:48 > 0:22:50It's tremendous!
0:22:50 > 0:22:52'A lot of places put on free nights
0:22:52 > 0:22:54'and if not, tickets are usually cheap.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57'Or, if you're brave enough, why not try it out for yourself?'
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Know what? I was really sceptical about that,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04coming in to do an improv class with some actor types.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08But it was a lot of fun, my heart was pounding and I feel good.
0:23:08 > 0:23:09I enjoyed it!
0:23:11 > 0:23:14That's your lot for this week. Next week...
0:23:16 > 0:23:18That looks like a lot of wasabi.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Carmen Roberts is in Tokyo to meet the people
0:23:21 > 0:23:24who are opening their homes and kitchens to tourists.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30And don't forget to check out our website,
0:23:30 > 0:23:32where you'll find lots more from The Travel Show team,
0:23:32 > 0:23:36and we are all over social media, so look for us there.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40But from me, Ade Adepitan, here in New York, it's goodbye.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42See you next time.