The Nameless Women Who Shaped My Travel Perspective - March 2016

As I sat staring out the airplane window, I heard the thud of a large backpack landing in the overhead bin above my head. A woman with short dark hair shoved into the seat next to me. She sighed loudly and began talking to the seat back in front of her, "I can't believe I made it. The flight from Belize City was delayed two hours, and I literally had to run to catch this plane."

Belize City, I thought. That sounds cool. I was tired but decided to take the bait and engage in a conversation. "Why were you in Belize?" I asked. The woman explained that she and a friend had planned a week-long vacation to the Central American country but at the last minute, her friend had to cancel. My seatmate went on to tell me that even though her friend bailed she decided to travel to Belize on her own and had a fabulous time exploring ancient ruins, lazing on beaches and making new friends.

I studied the seemingly-normal-looking 20-something woman and asked in disbelief, "You traveled to another country by yourself? Weren't you scared?" She shook her head shrugging off the questions, and for the next hour described every last detail of her exciting, solo adventure. As I drove home from the airport that night I thought to myself: It's perfectly acceptable to travel by yourself. Be fearless; you may even make some new friends along the way.

Fast forward to three years later. I'm in my office staring at the computer. I've made up my mind that I'm quitting my job and am already enrolled in graduate school on the other side of the world. The email in front of me is from an American student at the university I'll be attending. It reads something like this: "Everything in Australia is different than it is back home. My parents send me care packages once a month with my favorite foods and much needed supplies. Make sure you bring plenty of soap, shampoo, make-up, and all the brands you like from home because they don't have anything like it over here. Everything is really expensive, too. Bring your own sheets and a lot of warm clothing. No one believes it, but it gets cold here in the winter."

Worried about the new frontier I'd soon find myself in, I bought a monstrously large suitcase and loaded it with all of the goods I would need to survive for the next year. I packed everything from bar soap to blankets, and threw in four tubes of my favorite brand of toothpaste for good measure. But wouldn't you know it, upon settling into my new city, I learned that they had grocery stores just like ours at home. Rows after rows of shelves with bar soap, blankets and toothpaste. Even though I didn't see all of the brands I was accustomed to buying, I found what I needed and I survived. That girl from the emails who I had never met taught me a valuable lesson: Travel light. The differences between where you go and home are part of what makes traveling an adventure. Embrace the culture around you and be open to trying something new.

Still on the other side of the world a couple years later, I got to talking with another woman while playing pool at an outdoor bar in Thailand. She was from Sweden and had a shocking nest of blond curls perched on top of her head. "How long are you on holiday?" I asked casually. "When do you head back to Stockholm?

"I'm not going back," she smoothly replied and pointed to a man playing cards at the bar. "That's my husband. We live here." Covered in tattoos and with a permeating white smile, she shared her story about how she had come to Thailand on vacation with friends, fell in love with a local and got married. They had been together for quite a while, and she had no intentions of going back to what she described as a boring and cold place miles away from anything worthwhile. Wow, I thought. How bold of this girl to travel so far from home to a place so different and bravely establish a new life for herself. A vivid example to support my building suspicion: Home is where you want it to be. Home may not always be a place or the country where you are from, but can be anywhere you feel comfortable and are surrounded by those you love.

As we travel through life, countless people cross our paths and influence our decisions. With each of these women I shared only a passing exchange, but they left impressions on me that would shape my travel perspective for a lifetime. Though I may not remember their names, these women's experiences continue to inspire me to this day. 

We Will Not Travel in Fear - January 2016

Today the world woke to the news of yet another terrorist bombing rocking a nation; this time the senseless killings took place in Jakarta, Indonesia. Two days ago the headlines screamed of 23 innocent people murdered in Istanbul, Turkey. Tragedy also recently struck Paris, Beirut, San Bernardino and Kandahar. Our world is broken.

My heart goes out to the people who call these places home. I tremble imagining the horror and grief the families are experiencing. Attacks target coffee shops, restaurants, airports and revered cultural sites; terrorists are aiming to make people feel unsafe in their own homes. The terrorists are succeeding.

Shock waves from these inhumane acts of violence are being felt around the world. While following the media in disbelief, masses display an outpouring of support and plead for the atrocities to end. An undeniable feeling of powerlessness abounds.

It is a tough time to be a traveler. My husband and I were in Istanbul four days ago. We stood in Taksim Square revelling in the beauty of the city. In the recent days family and friends have called panicked, urging us not to travel. And in response we question: is the place we consider home any safer? How can we anticipate where the next tragedy will occur? Do we stop living our lives?

Our world is spectacular and boundless. Its people are largely kind and good-hearted. I will not let extremists color my outlook or hinder me from doing what I love. I will not change how I live my life. We will not travel in fear.

Elite Travel Blog: Five Travel Questions Interview

Earlier this month I was interviewed by Elite Travel Blog out of London and featured on its website's Five Travel Questions Interview Series. Visit the site to read similar travel interviews; read my story here.

Elite Travel Blog: A real life wanderluster, I’m pleased to have Kimberly from Girl Lost in the World take on our Five Travel Questions! She’s travelled to more than 100 countries – find out where!

Why do you love travel?
For me traveling is an opportunity to step outside of the comfort and familiarity of my world and into someone else’s. My favorite aspect of traveling is immersing myself in another culture: to travel somewhere I haven’t been and meet the people, taste the food, drink the wine, see the sights and learn the local customs. Visit my travel blog, Girl Lost in the World to read my post: Overcome with Wanderlust: Why I Travel 

What destination is top of your bucket list?
I have an endless list of places I’d love to see or visit again, but one near the top is Palau. Palau is an island nation in the western Pacific Ocean and home to Jellyfish Lake. Within the marine waters, two types of jellyfish, golden and moon, have evolved so that their stinger cells are not powerful enough to cause harm to humans. It would be a surreal experience to snorkel in the lake and swim with the jellies.

Where is your most favourite place you have travelled to?
Hands down my favorite region of the planet is Southeast Asia and the country I could visit time and time again is Thailand. I think the reason I like it so much is because it’s such a stark contrast from home. From the first time I stepped foot there in 2006, and the handful of times I’ve been back, the country and its people exude warmth and hospitality. From its unique tribe culture in the northern mountains to the picturesque beaches in the south, Thailand welcomes you with its distinct culture, pride and charm. I can’t get enough of the red curry or Tom Kha Gai either! Check out my post: Thailand Top Ten

What is your most favourite memory or experience whilst travelling?
My all-time favorite travel memory is and always will be getting married to my amazing husband in my 100th country of Jamaica this past summer. It was incredible celebrating the occasion surrounded by our closest family and friends in an idyllic setting. Aside from that, a few other unforgettable experiences include sneaking into Cuba with a press badge, learning to dive in the Great Barrier Reef, camping for two weeks in southern Africa, backpacking for seven months from Sydney to New York City westward, volunteering at a monastery in Thailand, and right now having the opportunity to live in Finland while commuting to work in Russia.

What is your favourite photo from your travels?
Photos are the perfect way to make your travel adventures timeless. I couldn’t pick just one so I put together a collage which includes a few of my favorites: Kathmandu, Nepal; Zulu Kingdom, South Africa; Santorini, Greece; Cappadocia, Turkey; Havana, Cuba; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Kruger National Park, South Africa; Easter Island, Chile; Copenhagen, Denmark; Imatra, Finland.

Follow Kimberly’s travels on Twitter too!

Five Reasons to Raise an Eyebrow at Bolivia

Formerly known as Upper Peru, Bolivia is land-locked South American country in the Amazon Basin. The nation boasts 38 official languages and capitalizes on the exports of coffee, cacao and Brazil nuts. While notorious for being home to the most dangerous road in the world, "The Road of Death," Bolivia also has a few other questionable claims to fame.

5.) Altitude Sickness. Many parts of Bolivia sit at the altitude that jet liners fly. The city of La Paz is the highest capital in the world resting in a bowl-shaped valley at 11,910 feet. Also within the country's borders is Lake Titicaca - the highest navigable lake in the world at 12,382 feet and also one of the world's deepest. The people of Bolivia build their homes at all elevations and those who elect to nest in the Andes Mountains live at more than 10,000 feet and frequently circumvent clouds drifting through their living rooms.

Life and travel at such elevations often times brings with it altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is a potentially deadly affliction occurring in humans at elevations above 8,000 feet. The illness is caused by acute exposure to low levels of oxygen, with symptoms ranging from headache and fatigue, to fever, nausea and loss of consciousness. Combat altitude sickness by staying hydrated, ascending gradually to higher altitudes if possible, getting plenty of rest and taking medicines or drinking cocoa leaf tea.

4.) Little Black Hats. With tiered, flowing dresses and colorful shawls, it's the little black hats that have come to be the unique accessory to distinguish Bolivian women. The little black hat, also known as bowler hat, bob hat, billycock or bombin, is a hard, rounded, felt hat that was originally designed for British soldiers. The hats migrated to Bolivia in the early 1920s when an influx of Brits traveled to the country to work on creating a railway. Rumor has it that the hats were too small for the working men's heads so they gifted them to the Bolivian Quechua women. The trend caught on quickly and while they were imported from Europe for several decades, the little black hats are now manufactured locally.
 
3.) Invasive Body Searches. El Alto International Airport in La Paz is the world's highest international airport at more than 13,000 feet above sea level and considered by many as the most invasive. Plan for several hours to get through the passport and customs lines upon arrival, only then to have to endure the dreaded drug search. Due to the country's rampant drug problem, both your body and your luggage will be aggressively searched for illegal narcotics. In an attempt to somehow protect the last shred of dignity one may have, the body drug searches are performed in a small, windowless room. Be wary though, while unpleasant security personnel frisk you from head to toe, their corrupt colleagues may be snatching the valuables from your luggage.

2.) Drunken Tour Guides. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Bolivia is the Uyuni Salt Flats. Spanning more than 4,000 square miles, the Bolivian salt flats are the largest deposit of salt on the planet containing more than 64 million tons of salt. When it rains the water forms a thin layer covering the flats which reflects the entire sky. The salt flats were formed from the evaporation of prehistoric lakes and now serve as prime breeding ground for pink flamingos. A visit to Bolivia wouldn't be complete without tricking your friends with optical illusion photos taken from the flats, but beware: to get to the flats, you must enlist the help of a local tour company for a three to four day tour by 4x4 vehicle. Most companies have the unfortunate reputation of employing drunk drivers. Accidents in the salt desert are commonplace so be sure to scout your tour company and select your tour guide wisely.

1.) Witch Markets and Deadly Superstitions. While more than three quarters of the Bolivian population is Roman Catholic, the practice of voodoo is ever present. Many in Bolivia regularly worship "El Tio," or Satan, and "Pacha Mama," Mother Earth, with ritual sacrifices. In villages and cities alike, witch markets touting potions, amulets and powders are abundant. Walking through the beaded entrances, you'll see dried frogs, armadillos and medical plants for use is centuries-old voodoo rituals. The Bolivian people, half of whom live in poverty, believe these rituals can bring health, luck, beauty, fertility and fortune. One well-known belief is the ritual of planting a dried llama fetus under the foundation of a new home as a sacrifice to Pacha Mama. This act of respect ensures for the safety and luck of the home-dwellers. For added security and good fortune, it is rumored that many Bolivians bury a human under their house. The only stipulations are that the person must be killed for the sole purpose of the ritual and that he must die happy.

Anyone going to La Paz should try to see the witches market. It is an unusual place that makes it interesting. Weird, colorful display of voodoo stuff for sale from anything to charm a lover or cure a serious ailment. Whatever your heart desires is here.....as long as you believe in "magic." You have to be prepared to do a lot of walking though. The streets are uphill and because of the altitude in La Paz it can be more tiring. Some areas are very crowded too. Along the way you can buy and try their fresh fruit shakes and empanadas Bolivia is known for.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294072-d317326-r235778856-Witches_Market-La_Paz_La_Paz_Department.html#

Easter Island, Chile: Flashback - November 2005

Thirty-foot tall stone moai stare down on those below holding secrets yet to be shared.

Easter Island, referred to by the locals as Rapa Nui, was given its name by a Dutch explorer who landed on the island on Easter Sunday 1722. The small island has a population less than 6,000, and is technically a territory of Chile. More than 2,000 miles away from the South American continent, Easter Island is one of the most remote, inhabited areas on the planet.

Several of Easter Island's 887 moai statues weigh nearly 80 tons and the majority are carved from compressed volcanic ash. It is thought that the moai, constructed between 1250 and 1500 A.D., represent ancient Polynesian ancestors and were powerful religious and political symbols.

There are many theories as to the development and movement of the monolithic stones that govern the 62 square mile island landscape. One thought is gods willed the statues to their spots and situated them with their backs against the ocean eyes gazing inland to watch over the villagers. Another belief is that the large headed, legless monuments were moved from the stone quarries using wooden sleds or cleverly-constructed rollers. But the most popular theory is that through the might of more than a hundred men, the moai were transported using rope and a rhythmic rocking and pulling motion at a rate of around 300 feet each day.

The few days that I spent exploring "the navel of the world" were humbling. This tropical paradise with its vast volcanoes, wild horses and untouched beaches was the perfect locale to relax and daydream about the history of the mysterious moai and the secrets they held.