People Who Travel: Heather from San Diego, California

I was born and raised in California to a hardworking mother and a forest fireman father who took the summers off to take us camping, hiking, fishing, etc. around the western US and Canada. I have a Bachelor’s degree in International Business with an emphasis in French from SDSU, an M.B.A. from GWU, and am a Foreign Service Officer with USAID, awaiting departure for my first assignment to Haiti.

Number of countries visited:

47

Language(s) Spoken and/or want to learn:

English, French, Spanglish and a little Fon. I would love to become fluent in Spanish and maybe Portuguese because it sounds so cool.

Age and First International trip you took:

~ age 2

Favorite airline:

Etihad for international, Southwest for domestic

Your Go-To In-flight Apparel:

leggings, loose shirt, and comfy shoes that are easy to take off to go through security.

Things/Gadgets you can’t travel without:

passport, WHO card, unlocked phone, some sort of computer, snorkeling gear, hiking boots, and a bathing suit.

Favorite country and why:

Indonesia, because it gave me the best scuba diving of my life and was off the beaten path.

WTF moment:

When I was spat at in Dubai in a fancy hotel by a drunk guy from a brothel down the street.

Favorite city and why:

Sevilla, for everything it offers: amazing food, great culture, awesome nightlife, friendly people, warm weather, the list goes on…

Most embarrassing moment:

Saying “mistress” instead of “Master’s” in French-they’re very similar!

Favorite cuisine:

Anything delicious

Hotel, Hostel, or AirBnb?

Hostel or Couchsurfing in my youth, Airbnb now

Most memorable travel experience:

Hiking the Dogon Country in Mali in the days leading up to the coup d’etat in 2012.

Most challenging travel experience:

traveling by public transport across West Africa.

Best travel activity:

scuba diving or hiking

Favorite travel souvenir:

memories backed up with photos

Most Liked Instagram pic:

I have no idea, I barely use Instagram

Favorite travel picture taken:

one of a dock/hut over the water off of a remote island

Future travel plans:

moving to Haiti! Then we’ll see from there.

Bucket list:

Hiking in Patagonia, going to Cuba, scuba diving throughout Raja Ampat, hiking the Annapurna Circuit (and maybe Everest Base Camp), visiting Burma (Myanmar), going to Antarctica, swimming with a blue whale, and the list is on-going.

Your travel influencer(s) and why:

my father: he has taught me that there are no borders for the determined.

Favorite travel quote:

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us” -Anonymous

Best travel hack/your travel tips:

dress like you’re really poor on travel days, especially if you are planning on showing up in a place and negotiating lodging.