Five Miles Up with ... Russell Hornsby

Season Two of the NBC series "Grimm,"  which kicked off Monday night, will see Hank Griffin (played by Russell Hornsby) coming to grips over an encounter with an otherworldly creature. As for the actor himself, he’s got calm down to a “sweet science,” especially when it comes to traveling. As for those pesky creatures? Well, they should know in advance  –  Hornsby’s packing a Fijian war club.

What’s the thing you never fail to pack?
A toothbrush, my iPod and portable Bose speakers. Music gets me through lines, waiting for luggage, bumpy bus rides, waiting to check-in, as well as helping me to relax and unwind after traveling or sightseeing. In the morning, it gets me moving and in the proper frame of mind before hitting the streets.

Do you bring food on the plane?
Oh yes! Dry salami with crackers and Brie. I also make my own trail mix with almonds, cashews, raisins, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, carob chips and coconut.

Window or aisle?
I used to be an aisle. Then I started noticing my wife, who travels more extensively than I do, always going for the window, which got me hip to window and we started fighting for it. Now we flip for it.

Carry-on or check-in?
My wife and I travel so much now, even internationally it’s carry-on. We’ve gotten traveling down to a sweet science. We inspect each other’s bags – “You know you don’t need that extra pair of jeans. Last time you brought three pairs and only wore one.” The reality is, you don’t want anything holding you down. You want to be quick and light on your feet.

What’s your idea of the perfect vacation?
I prefer a mix of traveling and vacation. The perfect blend starts with traveling to a city or country to sightsee, explore and to get engrossed in the culture, food, people and atmosphere. Then, leave two or three days as a buffer at the end to go to a nice hotel or resort to lay back and get centered before returning to home and work.

Tell us about a vacation you’ve taken that’s come close thus far.
The most fun trip my wife and I took was to Venice. We weren’t yet married, so we were in that pre-marital bliss, traipsing around the city streets, stopping for a kiss, a dip, trying to find some love in the afternoon in some secret honeycomb hideout.

What’s on your playlist?
I always have Kevin Sandbloom; his rendition of Sade’s "Is It a Crime" beats the band. I’m in love with that song "Falling Slowly" from the soundtrack Once, and a song from Hootie and the Blowfish called "Let it Cry."

What's the most unusual souvenir you’ve ever come back with?
A one-of-a-kind Fijian war club that I got to watch being made over the 10 days we were in Fiji.

Ever try a food that you wished you hadn't?
Tripe. I was told it tasted like chicken, which, after taking a bite, made me ask, “Have you ever tasted chicken?”

Favorite hotel/resort?
We’re part of the Starwood family. My wife loves staying at the W anywhere. I’m a fan of boutique hotels where every room has its own theme.

Biggest regret you've ever had while traveling?
Rushing through sites and not taking time to absorb all each city has to offer. Another regret – not buying a piece of art when I should have. I’ve learned not to second guess, but to go ahead and buy it because I may never get back to the place where I found it.

The one thing you're willing to splurge on above all else?
Eating what’s specific to a region for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It doesn’t have to be a top-notch restaurant. I’ll eat off a cart or truck. For example, when my wife and I were in Vietnam recently, we ate pho (noodle soup) every morning for breakfast.

Where would you take someone visiting your hometown?
In my hometown of Oakland, I’d take them up into the Berkley Hills – the Wildwood Trail. It’s a very peaceful place where you can sit, talk, and look out over the city.

You only get one more trip in your lifetime. Where will it be?
Either the Egyptian pyramids or Great Wall of China. They’re fascinating to me because of their magnificence and scale, and that they were built without sophisticated equipment and has stood the test of time. And, from a standpoint of being African-American, saying my ancestors had a hand in that is beautiful to me. It lets me know that anything you set your mind to can be accomplished.