Jose Ignacio, Uruguay
In Europe it’s snowing. But on a different part of the world, Uruguay offers this beautiful sunset on a beach of Jose Ignacio. Ornella Maggi from Brazil, thank you for capturing it.
Postcard from Uruguay
Thailand | Solo backpacking
Krizia, originally from Italy, currently lives in Amsterdam. Read about her solo backpacking traveling experience in Thailand, from November to December 2014. The first interview for the Trevelers category of the blog.
1. The first thing that comes to your mind remembering this trip.
Buddha.
2. The places you visited during this trip.
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Elephant Sanctuaty, Pai, Mae Hon Song, Chiang Rai, Trang, Koh Lipe, Koh Lanta, Petchaburi.
3. The best and the hardest part of being a solo traveler.
I don’t like planning that much and it seems strange because overall I am very organized in my daily chaos! I liked traveling alone because my plan was basically not to book anything in advance. The only plan was to live and to feel what I wanted to do and to experience every single coming day. A positive aspect of traveling alone is that you count on yourself only and being alone you open yourself to other people more easily. It’s also true that I chose Thailand for my first trip alone because by other friends I knew it was an easy country to start with, especially for a woman. I was lucky in Thailand and I didn’t have any hard time but the negative aspect I would say is when you want to share something with another person but next to you, you only have your… silent backpack.
4. Your favorite area or neighborhood.
The beach in Koh Lipe (super small Island) and the city of Chiang Rai in the north: a very cheap city with amazing street market as well as night life. Every Saturday night, there in the main square, people meet just to dance and it’s simply fun to join them! I also loved the White Temple outside Chiang Rai and… too many other things that come to my mind.
5. A view to remember.
Mae Hon Song Mountain in sunset time.
6. A café/bar to remember.
Route 66 in Bangkok, a bit classy but interesting to see local Thai having fun. Along that street there are many clubs. Dress code is appreciated: I remember that because I was looking like I was just came out from a jungle and people looked a me a bit weird. But everyone is welcome! Other than that, if you are alone a good place to meet other travelers is to go around the touristic famous street of Kao San Road. There you find shops that sell everything you need for your trip and during the night the street is full of party everywhere (too touristic though…). There was a bar with live music outside and a Thai guitarist, a blonde one, which was the most handsome Thai guy I’ve seen during my trip. On top of that, he was good playing music as well.
7. Your favorite local food.
In Chiang Rai the Hot Pot is a super good. The Pad Thai is everywhere super good (You say Pet-pet is you want it veeeery spicy but then be careful, I’m warning you!
8. The people of the city.
In general Thai people are very welcoming. They are used to tourists and they are kind with them. Thailand is a country that offers all types of facilities for travelers and overall everything is easy to find. Thai people will help you find things you need. But they will also try to sell you over-priced things or to address you to their friends, cousins, relatives etc… to buy stuff. No panic! It’s normal in Thailand you only need to know how to be clear with them and how negotiation works. After a few days of experience you will see yourself negotiating with Thai people everywhere and getting into the idea that it’s a standard procedure and can also be fun. But do not negotiate in shops: I experienced myself trying to negotiate the price for a haircut at a hairdresser’s, in a shopping center. They were not very happy…
9. Country’s culture in 3 key-words.
Culture, beaches, wellness.
10. Something you find unique about the culture of the country.
The majestic Buddha everywhere and so its Monks with the orange dress which I found very warming.
11. A couple of highlights.
Get a lot of Thai massages in Thailand! Why? Because it s cheap and relaxing. I was walking a lot during my trip and I remember enjoying the massages almost everywhere also in front of the beach for 1 hour for only 10 euros, for example. So as part of traveling you can also spoil yourself for a low price in this country!
12. Something you will keep forever.
The smile of the people.
13. Your tips for future visitors.
Keep passport in the hotel and go around with a copy only. Bring the basic clothes because there you will shop and everything is cheap. Check your PIN card before traveling; are international transactions activated? I also made a health insurance, just in case. Make a good trip respecting the people, the animals and the environment. Do not judge.
Krizia in Koh Lipe island
[ All photos captured by Krizia ]
Postcard from the Netherlands
…said an old and tired mattress that night, lying on a street in Amsterdam. Met by Gina Tsilimpi, from Greece.
Postcards from Croatia
Olga Ladugina from Ukraine, sends some summer breeze from Hvar, in beautiful Croatia and…
…the little island of Helmizana!
Postcard from Spain
Taking a ride in Barceloneta on a sunny day of June! A touch of exoticism in Europe. Lived and captured by Natalia Zenetzidaki from Greece.
Postcard from Portugal
Colorful Porto in a sunny day. Captured from the side of Gaia, by Scott Stoltz, from the USA.
Postcard from Croatia
Sunny Dubrovnik, as captured by Catarina Silva from Portugal.
Volunteer in India
Despina Chelioudaki, grown up in Johannesburg and Crete, lives in the Netherlands since 2012. From September to January 2016, she volunteered as Primary school English teacher in India. Here are some words and pictures about her experience.
1. The first thing that comes to your mind remembering this trip.
My students, the scenery, the chaos.
2. The places you visited during this trip.
Manali, Dharamsala, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Rajasthan, New Delhi, Mumbai, Goa and Kerala.
3. The school and the children.
The school was a slum school in an almost rural area, south of New Delhi. We were 6 teachers in total (including me) and around 100 children ranging from the ages of 3-14.
4. The best and the hardest part of your role in the school.
The hardest part, initially, was finding an effective way of communicating with the children and the teachers. Not only was there a language barrier which I did not anticipate, but also a cultural one making it difficult to convey experiences and traditions on both sides. Of course this did change for me as I was the lucky one, being given a chance to experience their culture first hand. In addition to that, facing and getting a first hand glance on what it is like to live in a slum area as such in India proved to be quite a challenge. Even after five months I still cannot say that I fully comprehend what life is like living in the slum areas of India. That would be quite unfair.
The most rewarding, I would say, after almost two months, was realizing that I was able to develop some common grounds with my students. Some form of unconventional communication that did eventually lead to both ends being able to receive and give in terms of learning the language and the culture. It was interesting to see this unfold.
5. Your favorite area or neighborhood.
I would say the mountains of India. They were almost magical. Peaceful.
6. The hardest thing to get used to.
The smell.
7. The people of the city.
Kind, chaotic, afraid.
8. Country’s culture in 3 key-words.
Colorful, contradicting, spicy.
9. Something you find unique about the culture of the country.
The go with the flow attitude adopted by everyone.
10. Your favorite local food.
Most of the dishes I had were vegetarian so I would say the Korma with garlic naan and rice.
11. Something you will keep forever.
The faces of my students. I did after all spend most of my time with them!
12. Your tips for future visitors or volunteers.
Plan as much as you can ahead of time but also keep in mind that traveling in India can prove to be quite a challenge. Expect the unexpected. Having this in mind may save you from having a panic attack in the streets of New Delhi (never happened to me!).
13. Quick fire bonus questions:
Favorite city: Manali
Favorite cuisine: South Indian
Dream destination: Next stop Cuba!
Elephant sanctuary in Jaipur
Postcard from Iceland!
Magic glows in the Icelandic sky, as captured by Alinda Safaka, from Greece.
Postcard from Bosnia and Herzegovina!
The stunning Kravice waterfalls, of about 25 m. height. Seen and captured by Scott Stoltz, from the USA.
See YOUth Around 