Saturday, October 31, 2020
Friday, October 30, 2020
Thursday, October 29, 2020
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Interview Alexis Cannella | The Soul Traveler
1. Okay, Miss Alexis, what was the specific incident that got you to this interview?
I honestly found this interview by accident on a Facebook page I follow – Wandering Women Travel Bloggers. Tina posted in the community that she was looking to connect with travelers who would love to be interviewed about their travels and adventures. She is building a resource for female travelers to help them connect with local women to help them plan their adventures.
2. What has earned you the right to be an authority on this topic?
I have been a traveler my entire life. I did my first international trip when I was 3 years old when we immigrated to the United States. And since then, travel has been a large part of my life and my passion for travel has only grown. In 2017, I circumnavigated the globe on a ship with Semester at Sea for my university study abroad semester. And since then, I have been traveling 4-5 months out of the year. I also moved to Indonesia in January 2020 as an expat to teach English at an English learning institute.
3. What is your brand, your topic exactly about? Why is it important?
I created The Soul Traveler Diaries as a resource for travelers to find their voice and feel empowered to share their narrative. My goal is to help travelers master the art of travel through storytelling. I want to encourage the travel community to not just share the travel tips and travel guides, but to share their authentic and vulnerable travel experiences – the good, the bed, the ugly, and the fucking crazy. Through the power of our words and our stories we can share our travels with the world.
4. How are you implementing this on your travels?
To help me with my anxiety and depression when I travel, I carry a journal with me to help me process my thoughts and feelings. But, I also found it so helpful for me to document my adventures as I was traveling. I have been journaling my travels for over 3 years now and have found it so helpful. But my stories were never shared with anyone other than my family.
On my blog and social media posts, I honestly had no personality in my stories and my travel experiences. I was sharing travel tips and advice, but there was no person behind them. In April 2020, in the middle of COVID-19 and the world in isolation, I decided to make an investment in myself and changed that.
So, with the inspiration of Glo (@glographics), I decided to create an Instagram series – A Traveler’s Story – to share my travel stories. I began sharing stories of near-death experiences, love and happiness, stupid decisions and mistakes, and so much more. I dug into the vulnerable and authentic side of myself and my travels that is not shared with the travel community.
I found that my audience loved the vulnerable and authentic stories of my adventures more than the travel tips and guides I was trying to put out. Sharing a story was more impactful that travel tips that you can now find in every corner of the Internet. But, sharing your personal story about your travel experience or adventures, gives the destination more value and more memorable for you and your readers.
So, I now find myself changing my direction on my blog and social media. I am sharing these stories to encourage others to share their own and to inspire the community to go out and experience the world for themselves
5. What if people took advantage of your tips and steps you are providing? What will happen, how will their travels change?
Sharing our travel experiences through a story will absolutely change the way we look at travel the same way social media has changed travel. Social media platforms, like Instagram, changed the travel industry and changed the way people planned their destinations and adventures. Sharing our travel adventures will do the same thing. We change the narrative from a monotone, list of places to visit or food try, to a powerful story that hooks the community and encourages them to go out and experience those places and food and adventures for themselves.
By becoming a travel storyteller, you put the power back into your words and the experience.
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words.
But it is worth so much more than that. It is worth the endless happy moments remembered, the countless tears shed, and the infinite memories created. Those memories and stories are worth sharing.
About You:
When did you start traveling?
I always knew I wanted to travel the world.
My family introduced me to travel at a very young age. When I was 3 years old we emigrated from Canada to the United States, and when I was 4 and 5 years-old, we traveled to Sicily, Italy to visit my dad’s family. We took numerous road trips across the US as a family and we even did a family cruise to Mexico and Honduras.
As a child, I dreamed of becoming a wildlife veterinarian who lived and worked on conservation and rehabilitation centers all over the world (seriously, I don’t know where this ambition comes from).
I visited Spain and France with my high school language classes and traveled through Europe in university. But, it wasn’t until I studied abroad with Semester at Sea in my final semester at university that I was truly bitten by the travel bug. I spent four months circumnavigating the globe on a ship that was my home and my school all in one.
And in the 2.5 years since disembarking from my study abroad journey, I have traveled almost non-stop. I would travel for weeks, if not months at a time, exploring new places and enjoying places I had already explored. I traveled for 4-5 months of the year and would work the other months to pay for my next adventures.
I am very thankful for my parents providing me with the opportunity to travel the world at such a young age and for my ambition and passion to continue traveling that has led me to the life of full-time travel.
Do you remember how you felt when you traveled alone for the first time?
When I was 11 years old, I flew on my own for the first time. And I was so nervous and scared. I knew my mom would be waiting for me at the airport when I got home, but the 6-hour flight from England to Canada was so daunting. Since then, I had traveled back and forth between Colorado and Detroit on my own to head home during school breaks. I got used to the idea of traveling on my own and navigating airports.
But, that nervousness that I had felt at 11 years old came back tenfold when I was preparing for my first international backpacking trip. I was so anxious and not sure if I could do it. I planned out my trip to start off with familiarity by visiting family friends and my best friend.
My first stop was in Seattle to visit old family friends whom I hadn’t seen in at least a decade. I then made a stop in Hawaii for a week to visit my best friend. We had not seen each other in over 2 years and a visit to her was well overdue. Plus, why not go to Hawaii for a week!
By starting off my trip with familiar people and places, it really helped to ease some of my nervousness and anxiety. I also kept a journal. I wrote daily about my thoughts, feelings, and adventures of the day. This really helped me to process everything that was going on and to help calm my mind and anxiety.
Did it completely go away?? No. I had varying levels of anxiety throughout that entire trip. But, I am so glad that I went.
I challenged myself daily to overcome my anxiety and to enjoy where I was. I also challenged myself to step even more out of my comfort zone. I tried new foods, met new people, and slept in hostels or in cars while road-tripping through Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Is there a place where you have been and you would definitely not recommend it for women on their own and why?
To be completely honest, not really. I have been in very uncomfortable situations and walked through some really sketchy areas. But never have I felt that the entire place or city was not safe for traveling or exploring.
Each place presents its own challenges for different people. Some women have had amazing experiences in places that other women have had horrible or uncomfortable experiences.
The best advice I can give solo female travelers is to know your comfort level and to trust your gut – ALWAYS. If something feels off or uncomfortable, recognize that feeling immediately. Do not ignore it and get yourself out. Walk away, make up an excuse, and find a safe place – a cafe, grocery store, shop. Trust your gut and always have your wits about you.
What are your top 5 destinations and why?
The most memorable places I have ever visited are:
- Antarctica – It is one of the most beautiful and amazing places I have ever visited. There are no words that could accurately depict the incredible beauty of Antarctica.
- Turkey – This was my first big international trip without my parents or with a tour/group. I spent two weeks exploring Turkey with my partner at the time and fell in love with the culture, food, and language. I would go back and live in Istanbul for a couple of months, that’s how much I loved the country.
- England – I love the English countryside. The quiet and serene beauty that you cannot find anywhere else. And I have such great memories of spending a couple of summers there with my English family.
- India – I love the rich culture, food, language, and beauty. It is full of color, flavor, and adventure. I even attended (partially crashed) a Punjabi wedding while I was visiting family friends in India.
- Chile – I also fell in love with Chile, especially Valparaiso, while backpacking through South America this past winter. The culture, the food, the street art, and the people. It has a vibrant and energetic vibe that fils me with a lot of energy and passion. I would love to live there for at least 6 months and dive deeper into the city and the beauty of Chile.
The funniest story that happened to you when traveling?
Well, funny you should ask. One of the funniest things that has happened to me was when I was traveling with my little sister through Europe on a Super Sibling Adventure. We were spending two weeks in Europe and one of those weeks on a Mediterranean cruise.
After disembarking for our cruise and waiting for our overnight train to Paris, we decided to share a gelato ice cream cone. And that’s where things got really interesting.
THAT TIME MY SISTER MURDERED GELATO
“Ice Cream!” I found myself saying out loud. My sister beamed with approval. A perfect treat for the long train ride ahead.
We strode over to the gelato stall facing the Grand Canal. We practically plastered our faces on the glass deciding what flavors to pick. In broken Italian, I ordered mango and strawberry on a sugar cone to share.
As I placed our payment on the tray, a delicious cone was placed in my face. My eyes grew large with excitement and desire. “Grazie,” I bowed to the woman barely tall enough to reach over the counter. She reminded me of our Nonna.
I passed the deliciousness to my little sister and her eyes burst with excitement. She immediately took the first lick and then a second and a third. Moaning in approval of our treat.
I finished putting away my wallet and turned towards the train station. We walked side-by-side passing our gelato back and forth. She was excitedly speaking and trying to lick at the same time. And then it happened.
As she took another lick, her tongue pushed the mango scoop right off the cone and it began to fall. We screamed as I attempted to catch the scoop in mid-air.
The cold and half-melted mango gelato smashed in my hands. We sighed in relief. I looked at my sister as I put the scoop back on the scoop. You know the look. That “don’t ever do that again” look.
We walked into the station, laughing and loudly expressing our excitement of the epic gelato save. I searched for our train to Paris on the timetable. “On Time.” Perfect.
I turned back to my sister and we continue talking. She took a big lick and the mango gave way again, wishing to be free rather than stuck on a cone. In slow motion, I fumbled to catch the mango. It bounced from one hand to another to another and splattered on the cement floor.
My sister let out a loud cry of despair and I cried inside. People turned and stared at our failed attempt to save our gelato. I picked up the splattered mango and threw it in the bin.
Disappointed and upset, we held a moment of silence for our fallen treat.
** You can find this story and so many other travel stories on my Instagram (@_thesoultraveler)**
Call to action
“You can do it!”
My mom texted me after living here in Indonesia for 1 month asking what was my favorite thing I had learned about myself. And my response was “I can do it!”
Not that I didn’t believe that I couldn’t live and work on my own halfway across the world. But, more so that I had just lived an entire month here in Indonesia and I proved to myself that I really can do it. I can reach my goals and dreams.
And you can too!! Whatever it is you want to do, you will find the way to do it if it is founded by a dream and driven by passion. You are going to get there one way or another. You will find the means and the finances and the will. And when you look back on that journey, and at times may have been a struggle as well, you can say that you did it and can still do it to keep moving forward towards your dreams.
I believe in you because You Can Do It! And your story is worth sharing.
Social Channels + Blog Links below
Website: thesoultravelerdiaries.com
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/_soultraveler
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT23wQxs_0w968w7Wn2VxQ?view_as=subscriber
Alexis Cannella | The Soul Traveler
Free your travels, be a Travelita! #travelita #iamatravelita
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Monday, October 26, 2020
Sunday, October 25, 2020
Saturday, October 24, 2020
Friday, October 23, 2020
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Travel in Covid19 – part 2
As we talked about the traveling in these strange times earlier this year, we want to come back again, after the “official” announcement of the second wave. Which – curiously – did not happen to all countries. So let’s take a quick look at different areas and how they dealt with it. As you know, Sweden took a completely different approach to the situation, so let’s compare them to the rest of Europe.
Sweden: the Covid19 situation seems to be past them already. There are almost no masks around anymore, and if you see them, it is rare. Public life just went back to normal and the only reminder of the pandemic is the hand gels you see at toilets and in some public places.
So arriving in Sweden, actually one feels like nothing has ever happened. This turns into the exact opposite once you leave for Denmark, where masks are mandatory and hand gel dispensers are around basically every 10 meters of distance. But still, the handling of the situation seems to be quite relaxed.
Arriving in Germany, every changes. Again. One is not allowed to drink the coffee at the Airport Starbucks tables anymore, you need to take it to your gate. Checking the numbers, Germany seems to control them quite a bit, but it comes quite close to a second lockdown. Airport areas are deserted like in a zombie apocalypse.
So what did we experience on our trip? Huge differences. From complete freedom in Sweden to complete control in Germany. We do not want to judge right or wrong. Only, we want to experiment on the thought if it is really worth to shut down life completely, restrict everything, including freedom and a middle way of tasting the beauty of life still, despite everything that is happening.
Tell us your thoughts and experiences on the Covid19 traveling. If you did some.
Free your travels, be a Travelita. #travelita #iamatravelita
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Monday, October 19, 2020
Sunday, October 18, 2020
Saturday, October 17, 2020
Friday, October 16, 2020
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Malmö – a little touch of Sweden
Traveling to Malmö, you better do not even consider transit by land, as it is too simple to travel through Kopenhagen. And that trip includes passing the famous Øresund Bridge as well, and you will arrive directly in the heart of Malmö, and see the beautiful train station.
Is there something special about Malmö? The best part is to just go and stroll through its little streets and discover the details all around. The lovely town center is very inviting and has a very particular charm. You will love it. Don’t forget to get yourself a Fika, which is the Swedish coffee break.
The details are what you will like best about it. When taking a break in nature and going for a walk in the huge parks just in the middle of town, you will probably find a nice arrangement of flowers, little ponds, just placed so you can sit and enjoy. Particularly nice was the area around Malmöhus, with the small windmill.
If you are into architecture, the turning tower might be your point of interest. Also, there is the beach area, which is inviting to go for a walk. Just be warned, it is likely to be quite windy.
Do you have any special tips for Malmö? Share with us.
Free your travels, be a Travelita! #travelita #iamatravelita
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Monday, October 12, 2020
Sunday, October 11, 2020
Saturday, October 10, 2020
Friday, October 9, 2020
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Interview Allison Gibson
1. Okay, Miss Allison, what was the specific incident that got you to this interview?
I was scrolling through Facebook and noticed you were looking to interview women who have traveled solo before.
2. What has earned you the right to be an authority on this topic?
I started traveling quite young, but always with friends. It took me years to finally leap and take a true solo trip, which was life-changing. I want more women to gain the confidence and self-awareness that comes with traveling solo.
3. What is your brand, your topic exactly about?
I hope to inspire others to travel again once this global pandemic ends. On Ally Travels, I’ll share valuable tips, explore other cultures, and push my boundaries in far-off places. And, most shockingly, I’ll do all of this while living out of two suitcases!
4. Why is it important?
Travel is essential for the soul. I always learn so much about myself on these trips. I find every trip opens me up as a person and broadens my perception of the world. I think solo travel is an especially important experience to have. It really builds your confidence in having to rely only on yourself.
5. Now that I know what it is, now that I know why it’s important and relevant, how are you implementing this on your travels? I mean like, is there a process that you follow when traveling?
When traveling I like to research the location and come up with a few things that I’d love to do. I hate feeling too scheduled, so I choose a loose plan, then just see where the day takes me.
I try to say yes to as many things as safely possible. Journaling is something I also love to do. It’s so interesting to look back a year later and read it. I always realize how much personal growth I’ve had since the last entry.
Also, taking photos!
Solo travelers: Take as many selfies and photos as you can. I know it feels stupid, but trust me you’ll be so happy you have them later. Besides, you’ll likely never see these people again, so who cares if they judge you?
To avoid selfies, I try to spot another person trying to take a cute photo and offer to take a photo if they’ll take one of me. I’ve gotten such amazing photos this way (sometimes it takes a few tries).
6. What if people took advantage of your tips and steps you are providing? What will happen, how will their travels change?
They will likely have less stress, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
7. Now we would like to get just some general information about you and your travels:
(if not answered before) – When did you start traveling?
My first international trip was 5. My family moved to the island of Saba for 6 months. Then I to a summer acting program at Trinity College in Dublin for a month in high school. My first truly solo trip wasn’t until two years ago.
– Do you remember how you felt when you traveled alone for the first time?
It felt so freeing going off on an adventure. I love the anticipation of what lies ahead, anything could happen.
Personally, I had a really hard time dining alone before my first solo trip. I had so much anxiety about having to eat out alone so much on this trip. It always felt so awkward to me to be sitting there quietly playing on my phone or reading. Or doing the alternative of sitting silently staring into space.
That was a big leap for me. Being forced to face yourself can be daunting. We are always expected to be moving, to be doing something. We’re so busy that we rarely give ourselves time to reconnect with ourselves.
I walked away from that trip knowing more about myself and needs. For the first time in a long time, I felt really grounded and confident in myself.
– How did you, or do you deal with fears?
I remind myself that the reward is greater than the risk in most cases. Plus, the adrenaline feels so wonderful once you’re done facing down your fear.
In the dining alone case, I’d treat myself to a really delicious cocktail or glass of wine. Then order anything my heart desires on the menu with absolutely no guilt. I made it like a date night out with myself.
– Is there a place where you have been and you would definitely not recommend it for women on their own and why?
I’ve had really positive experiences on all my solo trips. While in Istanbul visiting a friend, he was very insistent that I shouldn’t go off alone. Personally, I felt safe but the fact he’s local and didn’t want me wandering off alone concerned me. I’d probably just try to be extra aware of my surroundings in Istanbul if I went back solo.
– Do you still have this excitement, when you go for a trip?
The anticipation and butterflies are my favorite part of the start of a trip. I love not knowing what adventures are ahead. I love how I feel traveling, there’s no greater high.
– What are your top 5 destinations and why?
Cote d’Azur: The South of France is stunning! I’ve been twice now, and I’m dying to go back again. There are a ton of tiny little beach towns to explore. It’s absolutely magical, and easily one of the most beautiful places that I’ve been to.
London: I am a big theater fan, so I love going to London to see shows. They also have an incredible restaurant scene. It’s great wandering around London, I find it to be really charming.
New York: New York is my home, and one of the greatest cities in the world. Plus, I can’t get enough of the theater scene there. The city has a really unique energy. There’s always something new to see. You’ll never be bored.
Nairobi: I haven’t been yet, but I’m dying to go. I know it’s a bit touristy now but I’d love to stay at Giraffe Manor. Between the giraffe encounters and elephant adoption, it’s every animal lovers’ dream. Africa itself is a continent that I still need to get to. I can’t wait to get over there.
Australia: This is another spot that I need to check off my list. Hopefully, I’ll be there with my boyfriend later this year (he’s Australian). I’m really excited to explore with him and especially thrilled about meeting kangaroos and koalas. Oh, and TimTams…they are these really delicious Australian biscuits covered in chocolate. My boyfriend has me addicted to them!
– The funniest story that happened to you when traveling?
While in St. Remy, France, I made friends with a horse that was tied up near the town. When the owner came back, he let me ride the horse all the way into the center of town to my dinner reservation with my dad. I should mention nobody else in this town had horses. It was an unusual sight.
We ended up parking the horse next to the outdoor section of the restaurant and all shared a few glasses of rose together. I should mention this man didn’t speak any English. My dad speaks no French, and I only have a limited high school level of French. There was a lot of miming and stifled laughter!
8. Call to action – what do you want people to do?
Take a leap, book that trip you’ve always dreamed of going on. I promise you’ll return feeling like a new person. Travel always changes you for the best.
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Free your travels, be a Travelita! #travelita #iamatravelita
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Monday, October 5, 2020
Sunday, October 4, 2020
Saturday, October 3, 2020
Friday, October 2, 2020
Thursday, October 1, 2020
We are taking a break
Covid has hit the world hard, and we feel it is getting more and more difficult to pack a bag and travel. It’s not impossible, but rather t...
