jennavans

About me

I am an aspiring freelance journalist, interested in online media, art, culture, music and people. i love having the freedom to travel aimlessly and love waking up in unfamiliar surroundings. I feel happiest when I am somewhere new, and writing about these experiences is something I want to do forever.

Why I travel

I feel happiest when I am away from familiarity, and I love meeting new people. I love experiencing life outside my comfort zone, learning new languages and realizing that there are so many different ways to live your life.

Travel style

I like to travel without any plans, restrictions or deadlines. A backpack, money, a camera, and like-minded people is all I need. Travelling alone has made me appreciate the freedom of being able to go wherever I want, without obligations.

Ideal place to watch the sunset

Ko Phi Phi, after wandering through the side streets and finding yourself on the other side of the bay, Mancora and Huanchaco, Peru, in the middle of the Andean mountains on the Inca Trail.

Ideal place to watch the sunrise

Mpande Beach, Transkei- watching the cows sleeping on the sand, Playa del Amor, Mancora, Peru when you can see all the locals head out for a morning surf.

Before I die I'd like to

Live in a foreign country, write several novels and visit as many different countries as possible.

I felt the most immersed in a foreign culture when

My friend and I took a walk down a street in Ko Phi Phi to find some food, and ended up eating spicy papaya salad in a corrugated iron hut, trying to fight off mosquitos. When I spent time with a Peruvian skater/surfer and learnt to ride on his longboard. When I left the confines of a hostel to spend time with my friends and three Peruvian sushi bar owners.

Let's collaborate

I am a freelance travel writer who would like to network with other travel writers around the world, and write articles and reviews for travel oriented publications.

Favorite artist(s)

Lautrec, Klimt, Banksy, Quentin Blake

Sports I do

Scuba Diving, Pilates, Yoga

I want to make a difference by

Shifting people's view of so called "developing countries" to include a more holistic view of culture, people and positive attributes, that are not necessarily based on a comparison to a preferred "first world" ideal.

Tunes I rock out to

Joy Division, Bloc Party, Husky, Headdress, Have a Nice Life, The Kills, Death from Above, Jack Parow, ph.fat, Crystal Castles, I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness, Deerhunter

Favorite books

Jitterbug Perfume and Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins

My links

http://saffakidlife.blogspot.com