Traveler Tuesday – Kirsten Alana of Aviators and a Camera

To say I admire the formidable photographic skills of Kirsten Alana of Aviators and a Camera is an understatement. She is fiercely talents and her creative vision resonates with me. She is drawn to colors the way I am. She frames her images in the way I would want to. That is if I had even one ounce of the talent she has in her pinky! She has a particular skill when it comes to iphoneography and her Instagram is one not to miss!

Being a fellow AFAR Ambassador I have the opportunity to interact with Kirsten a bit more and admire her amazing AFAR wanderlists….and of course, live vicariously through her! She graciously agreed to take time from her busy travel schedule to answer my Traveler Tuesday questions.

[1] When and how did you become a traveler?
My mother took me to England with her when I was barely a teenager. There was something about the feeling of that first passport in my hand that began a love affair which was only deepened by seeing things like the Tower of London, Stonehenge and Windsor Castle. Yet it wasn't until much later, at the end of my twenties, following a bitter divorce — that I struck out as a full-time traveler and haven't looked back since. I'll soon be slowing down a little and traveling less but I will always consider myself a traveler at heart.

[2] What is travel to you in 10 words or less?
Freedom to learn through doing, instead of by reading.

[3] What is your favorite mode of transportation and why?
Overland by train. I like actually seeing the country that I am traveling through or to. Also, there's some kind of romance to train travel that never seems to fade for me.

[4] What do you typically do while traveling by plane?
I usually try to catch on up on needed sleep or I watch the in-flight movies since I so rarely go to the cinema while traveling. If I've been short on time while on the ground, that's instead of when I catch up on writing.

[5] What is your favorite travel memory involving food?
My first sip of Guinness in Ireland brought a smile to my face that made the men around me laugh audibly. It was 8:30 in the morning and I was wearing a skirt and high heels in the airport bar in Dublin. Even there, it was better than it has been anywhere else and that was clearly written all over my face. Now, I need to get outside the airport into a neighborhood pub in Ireland for the real deal. I can hardly wait for that!

[6] What is one blogging tip or lesson that you have learned along the way that you can share with my readers?
Look at your blog and at blogging as a business if you actually want it to successfully be a job and not just a hobby.

[7] Where to next?
I'll be returning to two countries I really fell in love with on first visit: Scotland and Italy.

Thanks Kirsten!

You can see all of Kirsten’s AFAR Highlights and Wanderlists where she shares her experiences all over the world as well as keep up with her on her blog Aviators and a Camera or Facebook page and check out her chatter on Twitter. She’s also on Pinterest and as I mentioned Instagram. Wherever you catch her, I am sure you will enjoy her adventures!