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Traveler Tuesday Preview – An Interview with ME

I've got a new season of Traveler Tuesday coming up starting, you guessed it, NEXT Tuesday! The series has been on hiatus for the past six months, but it is back with new questions and new bloggers to highlight!

Traveler Tuesday-on-Misadventures-with-Andi

If you are a travel blogger who is interested in appearing on Misadventures with Andi, leave a note in the comments and I will send you the questions and information you'll need to make it happen.

Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). Opinions are always my own and I’ll never promote something I don’t use or believe in. Also as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I have some amazing bloggers coming up, I'll just give you a sneak peek at October:

> Henry Lee of Fotoeins
> Tamara Gruber of We3Travel
> Brianna Simmons of Causal Travelist
> Howard Blount of Backroad Planet

And that is *just* October people!

I thought it would be fun to share my new questions by interviewing myself. It is a great way to test out the questions and for you to get to know me a little better, so let's unpack them and try them on for size!

Meet Andi.

Travel blogger Andi of Misadventures with Andi
Photo credit: Sel & Poivre Photography

When and how did you become a traveler?
I was born into it! My father was in the Army and I spent my childhood moving all over the United States and the world. My family was passionate about exploring the surrounding area no matter where we lived and it definitely developed a desire to keep on traveling. I love to travel and am constantly scheming with my husband on how to make it a full-time endeavor.

Fishers-in-Panama
My family in Panama.

Where do you love to travel?
Paris has my heart and I never tire of visiting. It started in 1989 when I visited Paris with my family for the 200th anniversary of Bastille Day. We didn't stay very long, but I was impressed. While living in France, my hubby and I would drive the five hours between Paris and the town we lived in on the French-Swiss border at least once a month. Now we try to get back once a year if we can.

However, when it comes to food, I have to say I love to travel to Asia, Japan in particular, for all the food and Hong Kong for dimsum!

Most memorable travel moment:
The most memorable moments are often the ones that are unexpected. While driving along the back roads of Tuscany, Mr. Misadventures and I stumbled upon a town that for all intents and purposes was deserted.

We parked our car and walked through the center to find something quick to eat. What we ended up finding was one of the most memorable meals of my life. An entire meal of Italian white truffles, something I had not eaten before, I can still evoke the taste!

La Bottega de Cacio Truffle Pasta
Photo credit: Sel & Poivre Photography

What won’t you travel without?
Scarves! I have hundreds. They are so versatile. An added layer when it is cold. Shelter from the sun when it is hot. Protection from the wind. Something to sit. There are endless uses. It is also a memento. I buy one in nearly every place I visit. I wear a scarf almost every day of the week and every time I put one on, I think about where I bought it.

Travel blogger Andi of Misadventures with Andi
A scarf from Barcelona.

A day isn’t complete until I…
Write something down. Call it a habit, or as I age call it survival, but there is something soothing about writing out my thoughts, even if it is just a to-do list! When traveling, it is essential.

A quirky daily habit of mine is…
Who wrote this question? This is a hard one! Oh right. Me.

I am not sure if it is quirky but I wear French earplugs when I sleep. They are called Boules Quies and they are basically pure wax and they are a miracle. Used to be I would buy half a dozen from the pharmacy in Paris on every trip, but now I can get them at Amazon! Can't sleep without them!

Travel essential – 3 things you always travel with
My phone (as a camera), my Moleskine or Shinola notebook, and a scarf! I have given up trying to figure out my DSLR, and Mr. Misadventures takes amazing photos.

I am often waiting for Mr. Misdaventures to take a photo so I take advantage of that time (and any other downtime) to jot notes to myself in a notebook. I also use it for interviews, I don't use a recorder, I prefer to write notes. And well scarves, I already professed my love for them!

Travel blogger Andi of Misadventures with Andi
Waiting for Mr. Misadventures in White Pocket!

Name one thing people would be surprised to find in your travel bag:

Ziploc bags! I use them for everything!

Perfect travel day from start to finish.
Assuming that I have a rocket ship to get to all these time zones in one day. I would start in Kyoto with a beautiful sunrise over the temples and breakfast at the Westin Miyaki (I love Japanese breakfasts!).

Late morning, I would have a nice cup of matcha green tea while watching the magnificent geisha walking down the street.

Kyoto Geisha
Kyoto Geisha.

By mid-day, I would be in Paris enjoying a walk along the Seine and picnicking in the Tuileries Garden. I'd have an afternoon adventure with my girlfriends and say goodbye to them with a proper apéro before heading to Moorea in French Polynesia for a spectacular ahi tuna sandwich and some kind of pineapple drink as I watched the stunning sunset over the water.

That is just one scenario, I can do others!

What are your favorite food cities? What restaurants do you go to in each?

Toyko! The Tsukiji Fish Market for sashimi overload! And then Mai-sen for the most delicious tonkatsu you've ever had! Dinner at Nagatacho Kurosawa is the ultimate, or at Shiba Tofuya Ukai under the Tokyo Tower.

Mai-sen Tonkatsu
Maisen Tonkatsu, photo credit: Victory or Death in the Kitchen.

Paris, especially in the autumn, is the time of year that they have most of my favorite seasonal specialties. Too many restaurants to name, you'll have to read my blog! And I had a life-altering meal at the Willows Inn on Lummi Island in the San Juan Islands.

Have you been anywhere which turned out to be totally different to how you imagined? If so, how?

Osaka. Whatever I imagined, it was definitely not what I experienced. Osaka is like a mini Tokyo, but more frenetic since it is smaller. It was weird to go from the very peaceful world of Kyoto to stimulation overload!

Osaka Scenes
Photo credit Sel & Poivre Photography

What has travel taught you?
Respect for other cultures, peoples, and religions. And that food is the one true equalizer and uniter of people.

Best and Worst place you’ve been to and why?
Oh, the best has to be Paris. I am not done with her yet, there is still so much to explore!

Travel blogger Andi of Misadventures with Andi

I absolutely hated Beijing. Crowded, dirty, polluted. It wasn't for me. But what was for me was the food! I got to discover a cuisine I had never heard of and a style of dimsum I did not know existed. The lesson here is even when you don't like someplace there is always something to appreciate.

What's one location on your bucket list?
Croatia. Ever since I saw Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations episode in Croatia I have been craving Croatia.

Travel blogger Andi of Misadventures with Andi


Favorites:

Hotel: The Westin in Paris.
Airline: Korean Air.
Airport: Hong Kong.
Mode of Transportation: Boat.
Travel snack: Musubi. Realistic snack: jerky.
Country: Italy.
Travel Gear: Scarf.
Travel App: AFAR.
Travel Magazine: AFAR.
Travel Book: Eat Pray Love.
Travel Movie: Lost in Translation.
Song on your smartphone: Locked Out of Heaven by Bruno Mars.

Whew! I did it! Now it's your turn! Pick a question and answer it in the comments! Also, if you have an additional question for me, ask away!

Like it? PIN it!

Andi of Misadventures with Andi

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24 Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing your backstory. I have always wanted to go to Japan and wow a meal of all truffles. So jealous! How awesome!

    1. Andi Fisher says:

      @Shannon, thanks so much, I am glad you enjoyed learning more about me!

  2. Hi Andi,
    This serious is great! I love to learn more about fellow travel bloggers experiences and get to know them on a more personal level. Love to be part of the series, if you are looking for more interviewees! Keep up the great work.

    1. Andi Fisher says:

      @Don, thanks so much! Would love to have you, will send you over the questions!

  3. I totally related to your interview from your love of Paris and Tokyo to your appreciation of food when you travel. Although I have bought various scarves when traveling, especially in SE Asia markets, earrings are my favorite thing to buy when traveling. Compact to carry and always the perfect size, earrings bring back happy travel memories whenever I wear them at home.

  4. Aileen Adalid says:

    This is a great series! It’s always great to know more about others who are traveling like me. If you don’t mind, I’d love to participate as well. Let me know!

  5. Brandi @ penguinsinpink.com says:

    Wow! What a beautiful life you live. I’m a little jealous of all your traveling but one day I’ll get to travel some of the world too. I have to finish the 50 states first. I also love a good scarf and keep them with me too. I can’t wait to read the other travel bloggers. I’m not much of an adventurous food eater which is why world travel is probably not for me but I did just have Japanese the other day and enjoyed it.

  6. Tammilee Tips says:

    What a fun interview! I love to learn more about bloggers, especially travel bloggers. I love being able to travel, there is nothing like exploring a new country and or part of the country. Paris is a favorite destination of mine.

  7. Yes, I think in Asia, Japan and Hong Kong are best for tourists who are exploring Asian countries for the first time. Paris is always a traveler’s top choice. There are so many places to visit and activities to try given a day. I wonder what Italian white truffles taste like. It sounds interesting!

  8. Thank you for sharing your story. I had fun reading it.

  9. Emma Spellman says:

    I have never been out of the United States, but I would love to visit another country. I have dreamed of visiting Greece or Italy, so those are definitely on my bucket list. I hope you get to to Croatia soon and I can’t wait to hear all about it1

  10. Jaime Nicole says:

    I love, love, love to travel. Food is one of my favorite parts of traveling – trying local cuisine and new things. You have one of my bucket list item on your favorites list – Paris in autumn. I can’t wait to go to Europe, and Paris is truly one of my biggest dreams. I really hope I get there one day!

  11. I’m interested in Traveler Tuesday! I laughed about your zip lock bags. I always travel with them too. Lots of them. I have to have a backup 311 bag. Bises! Kimberly

  12. Cynthia/What A Girl Eats says:

    Interesting about the scarves. I’ve never thought of a scarf as such a useful object before. I used to look at people wearing scarves in the summer and think, “what?”. Now I know that there was probably a method to their stylistic madness! I’m bringing one with me to NYC in two weeks now!

  13. Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says:

    Fun! I’m so happy that you’re starting this series again, I love reading it. I feel the same way about scarves as you do (though I haven’t been able to wear them in as many locations). 😉

  14. Nyssa | The Cultureur says:

    Loved getting to know you better — thanks for sharing!

  15. laurie damrose says:

    thanks for the interview,Im looking forward to more!

  16. Do you prefer traveling alone or with a companion, Andi?

  17. Denisa Ivascu says:

    I love the interview. I’ve never traveled to another country, but I would like to go to Italy and France.

  18. Wow! Tokyo looks like such an experience for the eyes and mouth! I would expect it to be a real culture shock for me but in a big city kind of way with so many lights!

  19. The Westin in Paris sounds like an amazing place to stay. I can only hope to visit one day. Croatia is beautiful – I’ve never been but I have friends who say it is paradise!

  20. Jessica White says:

    So glad to be introduced to your blog!!!!

  21. Heather S says:

    What a fun series! Love your blog; I have major wanderlust but can’t fulfill it just yet in my life, so reading and hearing about others adventures is the best!!

  22. Oh my goodness, where to start? Those truffles! I need that in my life. I’ve just ordered those earplugs (my foam ones just aren’t going to cut it now) AND I’ve been meaning to visit Japan for years, so your photos and food recommendations have sealed the deal – 2016 it is! Thank you!
    If you’re still accepting bloggers for future Travel Tuesdays, please bear me in mind – I’d love to get involved 🙂