Liebster Award Rules:
– Thank the blogger who gave it to you.
– Answer the eleven questions they ask you.
– Nominate other bloggers with less than 1,000 followers (or 500 or 5,000 depending on the rules you read).
– Ask those bloggers eleven questions.
– Let the bloggers know they’ve been nominated so they can continue the chain.
1. What’s your favorite thing about travel?
Perspective. As a part-time traveler with a full-time job, I find that going to other parts of the world provides serious amounts of perspective.We all get caught up in day-to-day inconsequential ridiculousness and clutter: you really don’t *need* another pencil skirt from J.Crew, no matter how cool the new colors are. You acknowledge the rest of the world actually is unscathed by having only 2 choices of peanut butter instead of 85.With perspective, you try to comprehend the incredible ingenuity and generosity of people, who are making the best of what they have. You observe how ‘the old’ and ‘the new’ can blend, in ways that are both good and bad. You see the power of history, of coups, of stability, of influence, and of genocide.
2. What is your favorite country and why?
Tanzania. Partly sentimental, and partly because the migration through the Serengeti is one of those not-to-be missed experiences.
Tanzania, in 2006, was the first trip I took off the beaten path. As we drove from Kilimanjaro Airport in the complete dark (no power in the surrounding villages) with a smokey smell in the air, I realized I needed to break out of my bubble. It ignited my interest in the world, in other cultures, and in travel.
We were in the midst of the migration, and there were wildebeest, zebras, and impalas galore. Babies too. We watched for over an hour as a lion chased a warthog (warthog 1, lion 0), until the lion collapsed in the dirt heaving with exhaustion. We saw a leopard, with its kill, nestled in a tree. I was hooked.
3. Do you prefer traveling alone or with others? Why?
As a self-identified/publicly called-out introvert, I prefer to travel with others. Yes, you read that right. I spend quite enough time alone, thinking. It’s nice to have someone else there to pull me out of my head. To make me see something I would have missed. To make me question things I wouldn’t have. Don’t get me wrong, though, I definitely need my alone time while traveling, I just prefer not to travel alone.
4. What is the most expensive location you’ve ever been to?
Charles de Gualle airport. I mean seriously, can you get a tiny bottle of water and a terrible sandwich for under 20€? Oh wait, I accidentally bought 20€ worth of macarons instead.
In terms of actual destinations, I actually haven’t gone anywhere that is out-of-this world pricy (no private islands in the Seychelles, yet). Our trip to Namibia, to see the Skeleton Coast and the rhinos was definitely expensive, though. But for full disclosure, it was a present from my mother for finishing my doctorate degree.
5. What is the cheapest location you’ve ever been to?
Probably Cambodia. I tend to stay at, um, non-budget accomodations, and Cambodia was definitely cheap in comparison to most/all other countries I’ve visited. Food (and beer) was also cheap (but good). And pineapple/banana fanta for $.25? Count me in!
6. What is the most exciting thing you ever did whilst traveling?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda. Our first hike was straight up the side of a very steep hill, and the altitude was around 8,500-9,000 feet. But the excitement…! You have to drop your equipment before nearing the gorillas, and you go with the trackers as they carefully go through dense underbrush and lead you towards the family (when the say impenetrable forest, they mean it). Suddenly you realize there are gorillas all around. It’s an incredible experience.
7. Was there a time when you narrowly avoided danger whilst traveling?
If you mean escaped the Olduvai gorge bathrooms without staph or e-coli, then yes, yes I have!
No, not really. I err-on-the-side of (too much?) caution when I travel.
8. Was there ever a place that far exceeded your expectations?
Actually, not a ‘place’ per se but I think it counts: the Chelsea Flower Show. I was dragged there, pretty unethusiastically, and had an absolute blast. I don’t care if you don’t know anything about flowers, even if you are apathetic towards flowers, it is super, super cool.
9. Was there ever a place that was a huge letdown?
Definitely not a huge letdown, as it was beautiful and the history there is incredible (Diocletian’s Palace anyone)? But the food…oh the food. Thank goodness for Haribo gummy bears, as I was not impressed with Croatian fare. I’ll admit to being a bit of a picky eater, but this is the only place I’ve had significant issues finding enjoyable food.
10. What’s the best photo you’ve ever taken whilst travelling?
Gotta go back to the gorillas. I think I have a number of good photos from different places, so I don’t know if this is my best, but it’s definitely my favorite.
Two big reasons. First and foremost, I really enjoy writing about the places I’ve been. I do a lot of technical writing for my job. Which, for good reason, is not intended to be entertaining. This blog fills the void I felt to write, but to write with a voice. Second, many travel bloggers are long-term travelers. I wanted to reach out to other full-time workers, like myself, who aren’t going to quit their day jobs. I wanted to make the world feel a bit more accessible, even if you only have short snippets of time to enjoy it.My nominees (I like to do things in threes!): Olivia Explores: I recently found Olivia’s blog, and she’s witty and refreshing. She’s also European, which means her blog is a trove of awesome tidbits and down-to-earth advice about Europe, like how to find cheap and good food (and drinks) in London.
Hannah on the Map: Hannah moved to Brazil after college to teach English, and her posts on Brazil are not only useful, but persuasive! She blogs for a wide audience, from those looking to visit to those wanting to teach English in Brazil. I also appreciate her posts on current topics, like the World Cup.
This isn’t Woody Allen’s Paris: Besides the awesome blog name, Erin spills all about how hard it can be living abroad, teaching, and making lemonade out of strange, strange students. She has very amusing tales, as well as good food posts and a good sense of sarcasm.
And my questions for the nominees if they want to answer (and continue the Liebster Award Nomination):
1. What do you miss most when you are traveling that you had, or could have, if you were at “home”?
2. What is your favorite museum, to-date?
3. Do you prefer traveling with family, with friends, or with strangers?
4. Do you like taking photos or editing/posting photos more?
5. Is there one thing you seriously regret doing during your travels?
6. Do you like talking about travel to people who don’t travel?
7. What helps you go with the flow, when the ‘travel powers that be’ throw a wrench in your plans?
8. What is the biggest splurge you’ve ever decided was worth it while traveling?
9. What is the most inspiring country you’ve ever been to?
10. What’s your next adventure?
11. What triggered you to take the plunge and start your own blog?
