Interview – Kathryn From withasinglestep.org

Kathryn is a fun-loving and passionate traveler who has turned her interest in exploring the world into a job as the Director of Marketing and Communicationsat Travelfusion She also writes about her own personal journey on her blog. In this interview she tells us about her future travel plans, why she loves Beijing and how she almost met her end off the edge of a canyon on a bus in the Swiss Alps!

Tell us about yourself and your story?
I’m a part time traveler who has been lucky enough to turn my love of travel into a full time job marketing for a small travel company. When I’m not on the road or planning my next trip, I spend my days researching and writing about inspiring destinations and growing my list of the many places I want to see!

What was your inspiration or the event/idea that made you want to travel?

I was lucky enough to take my first international trip at age 17 – my school class, led by my favorite teacher, toured 9 European countries in just 30 days. To call it a whirlwind would be an understatement but I credit that trip for opening my eyes and making me want to see more! I also think that trip was what made me want to live abroad as well and I’m so happy I’ve been able to realize both parts of this traveling dream of mine!

What has been your favourite travelling experience/destination?

My favorite place has to be the one that’s been the furthest from home and the most unique that I’ve visited yet on my travels – Beijing, China. My China trip was one of the trips that officially cemented the “travel bug” in my heart and even though it was a whirlwind trip, it made me motivated to keep traveling and exploring new places. I’ll never forget the feeling of standing on the Great Wall of China – overwhelming, thrilling and surreal!

What has been your scariest moment while travelling?

On a trip to the Swiss Alps in high school, the bus I was traveling in with my school group was winding through the narrow mountain roads when suddenly we heard the screeching of the brakes and the shouting of the driver as we nearly went over the safety rail. With the height of the road and the depth of the canyon below, it’s easy to believe that we would have had a terrible outcome if indeed we had plunged off the road.

If you could go back in time to before you left home, what would you tell yourself?

You don’t need this much STUFF. Things are replaceable and can be purchased anywhere around the world really. What’s really important are the experiences!

What do you miss most when you are away from home?

Friends and family, most definitely, though technology seems to bridge the gaps between us in ways that I would never have imagined when I started traveling in the late 90’s!•

What do you miss the least?

Predictability and knowing exactly how each day will pan out before it even begins.

What’s in your backpack? Which item could you not live without?

 

 

 

 

 

I’m a voracious reader so I always need to have at least one but usually two books with me as I travel. I’m always worried that I’ll run out of things to read so I’ve usually got a spare book! Also, I couldn’t live without my iPod full of music that acts as a soundtrack for my adventures!•

What are your future travel plans?

I’m planning an amazing honeymoon in Kenya and the Maldives this autumn. I love the idea of a trip that will first involve adventure and excitement and then plenty of time to just lounge around and relax in what I believe to be one of the most beautiful places on earth!

©Global Goose