Traveler Tuesday – Abbie of Speck on the Globe

I'm so pleased to introduce you to another amazing BlogHouser, Abbie Synan of Speck on the Globe. She is confident solo travel who treks to the far corners of the globe to seek out new cities and new experiences. She is constantly on the go and concerned about sustainable travel. I am jealous of her recent adventures in Morocco which you can see on Instagram.

She is a beauty, you cannot miss her freckled-face (get it? Speck on the Globe?!…) smile wherever she goes, her smile lights up the room and I was honored to meet her in Indianapolis.

Let’s meet travel blogger Abbie!

[1] When and how did you become a traveler?
Probably cliché, but I think my whole life! When I was growing up I was such a social child, I loved to go anywhere, and was dubbed a little “gypsy baby”. If I had to pick a specific event it would be my first real sense of exploration was when I was 16. My aunt and I went to Ireland and it was my first flight, my first trip overseas and from the moment I visited I knew there was more of the world I wanted to see.

[2] What kind of traveler do you define yourself as?

I prefer “slow travel” if I can help it – I think I could have easily covered a lot more ground over the last five years but I’ve opted to stay in cities or countries longer to make a more lasting impression. I love being able to have a routine in a place (yoga classes or going to the same little café every afternoon for tea) and being more immersed in the location.

[3] What do you love most about traveling?

There’s way more pros than cons about travel in my mind. I love the sense of adventure, the feeling you have when planning to visit a place you’ve never been. The excitement of trying something new and the comfort you feel when meeting new friends and connecting with people that may on paper be completely different from you. Travel to me is exhilarating and I think that is what I love the most.

[4] What to you dislike about traveling?

Carrying all of my luggage. I pretty much live out of my suitcase or backpack and after a while on trips where I’m bouncing around a bit more I start giving them an evil eye when it’s time to move to a different place. If I had one lavish wish it would be to have someone just move my luggage around for me. It’s lazy, I know but sometimes I’d love to just go with no baggage. You could take that figuratively or literally I guess!

[5] Why should people travel?

I’m a big believer that we should look at ourselves as more as global citizens. I think travel is a living classroom; it’s a way to eliminate stereotypes, educate yourself in world history and learn more about yourself in the process. It can be a scary, rewarding, eye-opening experience. Just like introvert vs extrovert, I think travel doesn’t have to appeal to everyone and it isn’t right or wrong, but I do think it’s important for everyone to try at least once. It doesn’t have to be exotic, but getting outside of your own backyard is important for self-awareness and global insight.

[6] What famous person would you like to travel with?

I think I’d have to travel with someone who would be fun on vacation, either someone who makes me laugh or makes me smarter so I’d have to pick either Neil deGrasse Tyson or Aziz Ansari.

[7] What won’t you travel without?

My Computer – at this point it’s an extension of myself.

[8] Travel essentials – 3 things you always travel with.

Camera, bathing suit, journal.

[9] If you’re a foodie, what's your favorite food city? Do you have a restaurant recommendation?

I’m in the “live to eat category” and not “eat to live”. I love food, learning about local dishes, how things are prepared and why foods are important in the different regions. I’m a big believer that food is one of the ways to connect with a culture, it’s usually the focal point of family and friendship. Food tours or cooking classes are always a great way to really dive into in a place through a plate.

[10] What's one location on your bucket list?

Mongolia or Bhutan. I’m of the mindset that if a destination pops up on the list then I’m thinking “When or how can I get there?” instead of “I wish I could go there”. That philosophy has gotten me to a lot of other places that have previously topped the list.

[11] Do you have a piece of advice for bloggers starting out?

Keep working at it and don’t be discouraged! It is a competitive, draining and occasionally overwhelming job but it can also, usually simultaneously, be the most rewarding. You work for yourself, you have a creative outlet and you are making a dream to see the world a reality so don’t let a few setbacks in the beginning squash a dream. I usually try to remind myself that if it wasn’t work they would call it something else 😉

Abbie's Lightning Round of Favorites

Airport: Singapore
Mode of Transportation: Train
City or Country: City: Florence / Country: Myanmar
Travel Gear: Camera
Travel snack: Pringles (they are EVERYWHERE and are my go to “American” snack)
Book: Passionate Nomad – it’s a biography about Freya Stark, one of my favorite explorers
Movie: I’m a notoriously horrible movie watcher (I talk & ask questions) so I don’t often watch but I’d pick The Usual Suspects or Princess Bride
Song: It changes so frequently! Don’t laugh, but right now I’ve been obsessed with Hipster Cocktail Party Channel on Pandora (I know it’s horrible but it has been the best soundtrack for background work music)

Thanks Abbie!

You can keep up with Abbie on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and of course on her blog. Wherever you catch her, I am sure you will enjoy her travel adventures!

How about you? What would you like to know about Abbie?

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