Traveler Tuesday – Mark from Migrationology

Today I am starting a new weekly series where I spotlight a traveler whose blog I read and really like. We all read different kinds of blogs and may not get the opportunity to meet bloggers in other genres, so I want to introduce you to people you may not come across in your normal blog reading. (This is why I love Saturday Six so much. It gives me the opportunity to share great stuff that I am read all over the web whether it be food, travel, French or whatever!)

So for the inaugural edition of Traveler Tuesday I'd like to introduce you to Mark Wiens of Migrationology. I have been reading this blog for several years and know exactly what drew me to it…food! Like me, Mark travels through his stomach and I am a big fan! I have to remind myself not to read his posts if I am hungry because the photos he shares and the food he likes are right up my alley.

Besides being a big foodie, Mark has a lot of great content on Migrationology from how-to's and quick tips to exploring the unusual corners of places that are often overlooked. I am also impressed with his video skills – I'm too shy to do it, so I dig it that he is so comfortable in front of the camera!

I am going to be asking all my travel cohorts who participate in this series to answer the same questions. I always enjoy seeing the differences in responses from person to person. So here goes!

[1] When and how did you become a traveler?
I grew up traveling along with my parents who were missionaries and moved to a number of different countries. After graduating from university in the US, I was itching to get out and travel again. So in the beginning I was introduced to a travel lifestyle when I was young, and then I decided to continue traveling as an adult.

[2] What is travel to you in 10 words or less?
Opportunity to see, taste, and learn about our fascinating world.

[3] What is your favorite mode of transportation and why?

Walking, because you can see, hear, smell, and observe things better than any other form of transportation. If walking isn't possible, the next best option would be an open air window bus (for the same reasons as walking).

[4] What do you typically do while traveling by plane?
Sleep. For the past few years nearly every flight I've taken I've beforehand made myself extremely tired before boarding – sometimes I'll work all night before a flight or just stay awake doing something. As soon as I sit down in the plane I crash hard and usually don't wake up until we arrive.

[5] What is your favorite travel memory involving food?

There have been numerous times when I've encountered a grandmother-like lady that has cooked an immensely satisfying meal. One time I stayed with a family in the hills of Sri Lanka near Pusselawa and a grandmotherly lady prepared a chicken curry completely from scratch – roasted and ground all the spices by hand, grated the coconut and squeezed it into both oil and cream, and simmered the chicken for hours in a clay-pot over a fire. The experience and the food was something I'll never forget!

[6] What is one blogging tip or lesson that you have learned along the way that you can share with my readers?
Blog what you're most passionate about and you'll thoroughly enjoy it. And along with that, remember that every article you write doesn't need to be a masterpiece magazine ready work of art (if you worry too much, you'll never get anything done). Instead write in your own voice and hit the publish button!

Thanks Mark! (P.S. I want that grandmother's chicken curry!)

You can catch more of Mark on his blog or Facebook page and check out his chatter on Twitter, wherever you catch him, I am sure it will be appetizing! I had a chance to contribute to one of Mark's collaboration posts on…what else…food, you can check me out at #31, but don't read hungry, I swear you'll want of everything!