A few months ago, my friend Kait asked me to answer an interview for her travel blog "Where is Kait?" (Here is that interview if you never had a chance take a look.) Kait is a very experienced traveler, who is continuing her journey to Australia in January! We met each other while I was living in Prague. It seems like our paths are similar having both spent a bit of time in Prague, Croatia and her upcoming trip to Australia. I am sure we will meet again soon somewhere in the World. Anyway, please enjoy her wonderful interview. Also Follow Kait on facebook here or check out her travel blog here!
1.
What do you think the difference is between being a tourist and a traveler and
would you describe yourself as one or the other or both?
Oh those damn tourists! We all hate having
them around don't we? You know, those people dressed all funny, walking around
huge tour groups, or taking up all the space on the beach? Or taking funny
photos in front of national landmarks. The fact of the matter is, we are all
tourists sometimes and there is nothing wrong with that.
I would mainly describe a tourist as someone
visiting a new place that just wants to relax, take some photos and see the
sights mainly. Whereas, to me, a traveler is someone who makes more of an
attempt to get in with the locals and experience more of the culture of a
destination.
Depending on where I am and the point of the
trip, I would describe myself as both. Sometimes a girl just wants to lay on a
beach the whole time!
2.
If you could pick anywhere in the world to live for the rest of your life,
where would it be and why?
That is really hard for me to choose, because
there are still so many places that I haven't been. If I had to pick right this
moment, it would be Croatia. It is the most incredible and beautiful place I
have been on my travels so far, and I absolutely loved the 5 months I spent
living there. Plus, given its location smack in the center of Europe, you have
easy access to travel to a ton of other great countries so easily.
3.
What is one thing that you have learned while traveling that you wish you had
know before you left?
Be yourself! I know that this is kind of a
cheezy answer, but if there is one great thing I have taken from traveling, it
is that you don't need to impress anyone. I used to be so self-conscience and
worried about getting other people to like me. Then I went traveling and,
because I figured I would never see these people again, I could totally be
myself and cared less about what they thought. It was because of this that I
have actually made the best and closest relationships with a lot of friends I
have made. We except each other for who we are and think we all pretty much
kick ass
4.
What is the most challenging thing that has happened to you while traveling and
how did you overcome it?
The most challenging thing for me has been
saving and spending money wisely while on the road. I've come to the point
where I have been completely broke in a foreign country, but luckily I found
work and everything worked itself out. It is still something that I haven't
quite mastered yet, but I am definitely getting better. Plus, in the end, its
just money! The experiences are worth every penny.
5.
Tell me one strange or funny indecent that has happened to you while you’ve
been abroad?
Once, I was on a evening ferry by myself,
headed from Split out to a very non-touristy island to meet up with some
friends. There I was, reading my Kindle and listening to music, just minding my
own business, when a much older Croatian man plops himself down in front of me
and starts chatting to me. I made polite conversation with him for a bit - with
the little Croatian I knew, and the very little English he could understand,
but things took a strange turn when he kept touching my legs and laughing and
talking about Monica Lewinsky endlessly. Needless to say I got out of the
situation as fast as I could and escaped to a different part of the ferry. I
was very happy when we got off and he missed the bus I was on.
6.
Is this your last big traveling experience or do you plan on doing another big
trip (or trips) in the future?
Oh HELL NO this isn't my last! I have just
been granted my 12 month Work/Holiday Visa for Australia and am hoping to move
there in January. After that I am planning on doing South East Asia and then
South America. I will conquer the whole globe eventually!
7.
What is the best day that you have had traveling so far?
I know it doesn't sound like much to someone
that wasn't there, but a day that stands out in my mind in particular was one
spent on some rocks in Split, Croatia with a bunch of new and old friends,
drinking and being silly and sharing past travel stories. Looking around the
group, we had Americans, Canadians, Australians, Irish, and, if I remember correctly,
some French. Some I knew from living in Prague, some from working in Croatia,
and some we had just met. Its moments like that that I treasure and live for!
Its the simple things...
8.
If price didn’t matter, would you choose to stay in a hostel or hotel and why?
Well it would depend on the situation, but 90%
of the time I will choose a hostel. It is a great way to meet people while
traveling and get advice on what to see and where to go. Plus, anything that
saves you some money is a plus in my book.
9.
What advice would you give to people who are about to embark on their
adventure?
The first thing I always tell people is to
stay in a hostel. Put yourself out there to meet people and just be yourself.
Don't worry about the little things that may go wrong. It will be full of ups
and downs, but it will be one of the best damn times of your life!
10.
Besides friends and family, what is one thing that you miss(ed) from home?
Driving. In the 2 years of living in Europe, I
did not drive once, and MY GOD did I miss it.
Also, Flamin' Hot Cheetos Limon. Love those
damn things.
BONUS: Tell me about the most exciting hookup
you have had on your trip. (You know you had at least one!)
Oh, I love this question. The beauty of
traveling in your twenties is that you are going to meet a TON of like-minded
and fun individuals who, like you, are all looking to have a good time. This +
copious amounts of alcohol = hookups happen!
However, I would have to say that the most
exciting one for me would probably be the one that began as a hookup and, very
unexpectedly, turned into something more. Unfortunately things didn't work out
in the long run (distance and different paths in life always pose a problem),
but it is certainly something I won't forget.
