Traveler Tuesday – Steph of A Nerd At Large
I was a nerd in high school, I knew it quite painfully and there was no way I was going to scream from the rooftops about my nerdiness like travel blogger Steph of A Nerd at Large! These days with shows like Big Bang Theory and King of the Nerds there is definitely far more nerd pride and coolness around being uncool something that Steph has grasped and seriously rocked!
Let’s meet Steph!
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[1] When and how did you become a traveler?
It’s difficult to pinpoint when my career as a traveller officially began. In one sense I have been a traveller from day one, because I have always had this innate, intense feeling of wanderlust. However we didn’t travel much during my childhood, at least not in the way that families go on holiday today. We would drive to visit relatives, mainly.
I didn’t take my first flight until I was 11, and it wasn’t until I was 16 that I left Canada for the first time and visited my brother in Germany. I only began to travel in my own right in my mid-twenties. Now that I’m pushing 40, I’m making up for lost time by being location independent and travelling constantly.
[2] What is travel to you in 10 words or less?
A magnificent obsession.
[3] What is your favorite mode of transportation and why?
Having recently tried ziplining for the first time in Southern Illinois, it’s become my new favourite mode of transportation. I’ve been having fantasies about networks of urban ziplines enabling cityfolk to speedily zip from place to place.
Until that dream becomes a reality, and since I don’t qualify for a driving license, my favorite way of getting around is walking. It’s not uncommon for me to arrive in a place spend my entire stay walking everywhere I want to go. It is such an engaging way to travel and sets the stage for all kinds of wonderful serendipity!
[4] What do you typically do while traveling by plane?
Even though I’m a voracious reader otherwise, I am typically too keyed up about the journey to concentrate on reading a book or watching a movie during flights. I usually pass the time reading the in-flight magazine from cover to cover, watching the map channel, or chatting with seatmates if the mood is right for it.
[5] What is your favorite travel memory involving food?
There are so many. Food is an essential part of my travels. Since I have to narrow it down I think I will pick a dinner I had at a restaurant called Zen Palate in New York City back in the 1990s as my favourite foodie travel memory. It was one of the first trips I took as an adult and this dinner broadened my horizons and blew my mind. It was a sophisticated vegetarian restaurant and I ate all kinds of foods I had never tried before. It redefined my idea of vegetarian cuisine.
[6] What is one blogging tip or lesson that you have learned along the way that you can share with my readers?
My best advice about blogging is to be yourself. Have something to say and a point of view. Above all, act with integrity and professionalism.
Thanks Steph!
You can keep up with Steph on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+; Pinterest; Flickr; LinkedIn and of course her blog. Wherever you catch her, I am sure you will enjoy her adventures!
How about you? What would you like to know about Steph?
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What a colorful post, love it! 🙂
Lol I love the idea of ziplining as a mode of transportation — if only I could get more places via that method!
@Katie, it does seem like so much fun! I think it would be awesome to do in Paris…maybe from the [lower level of] the Eiffel Tower?
You look like a very fun person, Steph. I love all the pictures — they’re very entertaining. Traveling mercies!! Andi – it is so nice how you feature travellers on your site. I enjoy the feature mucho.
@Jen, I love peeking into the traveler’s world, everyone does it so differently!
haha i love that ziplining is her favorite mode of transportation. way to think outside the box. i love it!
@Esther, you’ve done it I know, in the desert, but have you tried it in an urban environment? I am fascinated by learning you can do it in NYC!
I’ve never done city-scapes but that sounds like a lot of fun. I want to try the one in Costa Rica bc everyone says it’s amazing. 🙂
I love to travel…since I am busy raising 4 kids I will have to do most of my travel through your eyes!!
@Jamie, don’t forget your own backyard. Lots of fun adventures to be had with the kiddos!
Great interview piece! I love reading about people and their adventures!!!!
@Michelle, me too! So glad you enjoyed it!
I so wish I could be location independent as well! I would travel as much as I could too…I love to explore new places, so I always love to read about kindred spirits that have the same passion. Love that she’s following that passion! Very inspiring! 🙂
@Vicky, you and me both, I see them as my travel heroes!
I love taking a peek inside Steph’s adventures! Have a great time in Greece!
@Shannon, she definitely looks like she has a lot of fun!
I love that idea of ziplining in urban areas! What a riot. And I agree with her advice about blogging. 🙂
@Jenna, I had not even heard of that before – so cool. Now that I know you can do it in NYC I am going to look into that!
So jealous with all the travelers having fun on their journeys! I’m getting there some day!
@Mai, I hope you do!
Like you, I didn’t go on my first plane trip until collage with my then boyfriend (now husband) and his family from PA to FL. He couldn’t believe I’d never been on a plane but my family just drove everywhere! I have now been bit by the travel bug but will need to wait for the kiddos to get a little older until we pack up 🙂 thanks for sharing your adventures.
@Christine, I am sure you will have wonderful adventures with your family! There are so many great travel blogs out there that focus just on that topic!
I’ve never tried ziplining but now I have to!
@Amanda, I know, doesn’t it look like so much fun?!
This gives me hope that I can make up for lost time! So fun…
@Randell, for sure, it is never too late to get out and have an adventure!
I always get so jealous when I read about the fun adventures travelers go on!
@Lauryn, oh no, don’t do that! Make your own adventures in your backyard. Every place has something interesting to explore!
What an interesting post. I was (am) also a nerd in school. I’d spend all of my time with my nose in a book. I often dreamed of traveling to the places I read about. In all of my dreams I would have never thought to zipline. I think that’s amazing as well as doing all of the walking. Thanks so much for sharing.
@Terri, I was lucky enough to have a military father and move around as a child, but when we weren’t out and about, my nose was buried deep into books about foreign places all over the world. I still read a ton of books and love it if they are set somewhere exotic!
Oh my goodness, you’ve just totally conjured up images of a NYC in which we can zipline from block to block. Seriously the best thought I’ve had all day {need coffee}! I love the pictures in your post, you can literally see on your face in each and every one that traveling truly is your “magnificent obsession.” Thanks so much for sharing this!
@Ashley, no way!!!! You can zipline in NYC?!!! That is awesome! I want to do that! I am heading there late Spring I will definitely check that out!
I love travelling too. I spent a week in Rome this Summer and we walked everywhere. I think you definitely learn more about a country when you spend so much time walking around that city. We had a blast. I’d love ziplining to work..haha.
@Dina, I love Rome, I have been lucky enough to go three times. Each time I do a TON of walking (awesome for working off all that pasta) and just soak it all in!
Well, Steph and I are surely the same in terms of me feeling too anxious to sleep on the plane too (unless I am utterly exhausted from all the packing and travel rush) that I have my iPad (with tons of digital books and magazines) to keep me wide awake. And if I tons of stories in mind I may start brainstorming. Anyway, I love that Steph has ziplined too. I only tried it a little bit in Cabo San Lucas…I was terrified and excited at the same time! 🙂
@Cara, I have never tried and totally want to, but I am scared too!
Still loving this post!
I just stumbled upon your blog. If you ever decide to go to Egypt, definitely look us up. From everything I am reading and seeing, you definitely enjoy an active holiday, which is always a healthy choice. Thanks!
We were just in Greece last year you will love it there! My favorite part of traveling is the food as well, it just says so much about the culture and the country. I love how much you are just your self makes the posts fun to read.
@TammiLee, I have not been to Greece (although my hubby went many times when he was younger) but I have always wanted to go. The closest I got was Cyprus, I was in the Greek part and if that food is any representative of the food in actual Greece, it is heaven!
What a great interview. I love reading blogger interviews because it allows you to get to know more about the blogger. Based on her pictures it seems as though she has gotten to see some great places so far.
@Giveaways4Mom, I love interviews too, so glad you enjoyed this one!
I’ve always wanted to travel around the world. It seems like I somehow got away from that after having a child. I love that you’ve shared this fun blogger with us! She seems so fun!!
@Lauren, there is still a chance to get out there! If you can’t go far, explore what is in your own backyard and make it an adventure!
I really enjoyed this interview! I so wish I could travel professionally and document it for my blog. People like Steph just make me realize how very cool it is 🙂
@Winter, for those of us who can’t we just squeeze in as much as possible and maximize the hell out of it when we do get a chance! Here’s to wishing you many of such opportunities!
I love the face in the zip lining picture. That is something that I have always wanted to do. I like this question and answer session. I am not really a traveller, but I like living vicariously through those that do.
@LifeAsAConvert, it is something I have always wanted to do as well. I think over water is the best, being able to drop in at the end would be fun!
I love the response … “A magnificent obsession.” I am addicted to travel as well and can attest to the fact that it can indeed be an obsession. But I love it! I’ve got trips planned to Jamaica, Fiji and Turkey all within the next 60 days!!!
@Cherri, those are some great trips. We are going to Fiji in December so I am looking forward to that as well!
Love the costume. You should visit Trinidad during your next adventure!
Fantastic interview. Awesome answer to favorite mode of transportation. I’m afraid of heights and won’t try ziplining.
@Ash, I don’t know if I am afraid of heights and I have never ziplined, but I would like to try it out to see!
Great feature Hello there Steph! Your zipline fantasy is really cool! We could be all “flying” from city to city! Amazing!