Hello everyone Happy Thursday (Well considering only one more working day left, does make me happy.. don’t you agree?) and welcome back to my series Thursday Traveler. This week spotlight is on Claudia from My Adventures Across the World. A passion rather I should say obsession for travelling , Claudia has been travelling ever since she was a child. She has traveled extensively in Europe and Latin America and loves travel designing and travel advertising to an extent that she is ready to give up her career as an academic and human rights lawyer. Well what can i say, she is truly an adventurist and inspiration for solo female travelers.
So Claudia what does Travel mean to you and what is the inspiration behind?
Travel is a way of life. A way to learn about new cultures and explore new places and an instrument to learn more about ourselves and our fears, as well as our cultures. It means adaptability and challenge; it means sharing and giving; helping out and learning to ask for help; learning to trust but at the same time to watch out; respecting the place we visit and appreciating what is different from our expectations and what we are used to.
Name 3 things you can’t travel without?
My passport, my toothbrush and my sunglasses. Or else, my sense of adventure, my adaptation skills and my ability to communicate.
I think I check those 3 things off too while leaving for any trip 
.. What do you think has been the biggest thing you’ve learned while traveling (about yourself, a culture or travel itself)?
I have learned that… I want to travel more! I can’t live without, this is a passion and an obsession and I want to make it a lifestyle too.
I know you have traveled a lot . So what are your top 3 destination experiences you’ve ever stayed to date and why?
- The Inca Trail is the best experience I have ever had so far. I had never even gone camping before, yet I achieved my goal: resisting extreme fatigue, spending days without showering, adapting to the most rustic hygienic conditions and, what is most important, seeing the sun rise over Machu Picchu from the Inti Punku. WOW!
- Zip lining above the Juramento River near Salta (Argentina) was extreme fun and a pure adrenaline rush.
- Funny enough, I also think that attempting to sail from Panama to Colombia (via San Blas) has been an incredible experience, although I had to cut it short due to extreme sea sickness. I learned that at times places and things look better on pictures than they are in reality (ie San Blas islands which to me where not so great, and even sailing boats which look so charming in pictures and in movies can be a total nightmare in real life); I have learned that there is no shame in giving up or saying “I can’t do this”.
Have you got lost whilst travelling? If yes, what happened?
I never really got lost, but I got stuck several times. I did not seem to find an easy and cheap way to leave Camaguey, in Cuba and eventually resorted to an expensive taxi that would take me to Trinidad. I was stuck in Bocas del Toro, Panama, where I kept getting sick with some stomach bug. I ended up spending ten days there and I truly hated it.
What’s your most practical tip for travelers?
Negotiate, always! You never know you may get a cheaper price.
Knowing the kind of adventurist you are, who plays you in the movie about your life?
I would, no actors needed! I am such a character, I would act really well
OK finish this sentence: The funniest thing that’s ever happened to me while traveling is…????
Having to pee in the helm whole while attempting to sail to San Blas. It was utterly humiliating – I was so sea sick I could not dare going inside to use the toilet, and I could barely stand. I had to ask all others on the boat to face the other way, and then position myself above the helm. Thinking about it makes me laugh so much now, although back then it seemed I was going through hell!
Oh my God.. that is hilarious!!!! I mean hilarious now but I am sure you had your reasons back then.
THIS or THAT.. kinda rapid fire..
Books or Listening to music ?
Books, no questions about it.
Planned itinerary or just wing it?
It depends on the duration of the trip. I generally “study” my destination a bit before going, and if I am on a 3 weeks trip I try to plan the itinerary to save time and see as much as possible. If I have more time, I just wing it, change plans en route, etc.
Solo or group travel ?
I have mostly traveled with my sister or with another friend so far. But I want to travel by myself next.
Cruise Trip or Backpacking ?
Backpacking. Helloooo I get sea sick here!
Winter Vacation or Summer vacation ?
Vacation? What vacation? Travelling is not a vacation. Anyways: any season is good!
Wow.. that was amazing.. I am sure you will succeed in you mission to travel the world and will bring more such fun stories. Guys you can follow Claudia on her adventures on :
Website: www.myadventuresacrosstheworld.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: My Adventures Across the World
Love reading it! fun fun
Kanika, Great interview…a lot of sea-sickness going on, but other than that very inspirational!