Valerie

About me

I love to wander the world while writing about and photographing my experiences. I grew up speaking and learning multiple languages, a lifestyle that has continued into my adult life. My college strongly encouraged its students to learn about other cultures and to travel abroad, and even after I have graduated I could not put an end to it. I did an internship in London during a summer while I was still in school, and studied abroad in Madrid and Paris the year after I finished. From then on, I was hooked on travel and have been abroad every year since. I have also developed a taste for all sorts of exotic cuisines that I attempt to recreate in my kitchen at home. I try not to bring back any tacky, kitschy souvenirs from my travels, only ones that are practical, consumable and/or useful, such as clothing, food and pottery. My travels have so far taken me to four continents, including a few stints living in Washington, DC, London, Madrid, and Paris. I have a fairly low tolerance for mediocre food. I like meeting new people and am convinced that everyone has a story to tell. My passion is writing and my dream as a travel writer is to introduce others to new lands and cultures they would otherwise be unaware of. I have written for World Hum, Tango Diva, The Travel Channel, Hungry? San Francisco (restaurant guide), Not For Tourists, and soon to be contributor to GrassRoutes Travel guides (a new series of sustainable travel guides).

Why I travel

I want to see as much of what the world has to offer as possible. I believe that travel is the best way in which to learn about other countries, people, and cultures.

Travel style

I usually travel solo, with my rucksack, a limited budget and an open mind. Traveling with others is always a possibility, especially in areas where solo travel is difficult or dangerous. I always like to sample the local cuisine, learn some of the local language, dive headfirst into the culture and way of life. I always enjoy meeting fellow travelers, especially those from other countries, and locals. I love to wander through the streets and take local public transportation and stay in hostels.

Ideal place to watch the sunset

At any beach

Before I die I'd like to

Own a house, travel all 7 continents

I felt the most immersed in a foreign culture when

I go out of my way to experience local culture and cuisine.

Let's collaborate

I'm freelance food and travel writer and photographer and would like to collaborate with any publications that need travel stories and photographs from all over the world. I would love to hear from other travel writers - let's network!

Favorite artist(s)

Claude Monet, Georgia O'Keefe, Lynn Johnston

I want to make a difference by

Encouraging others to expand their horizons through travel and embrace new ways of thinking and ways of life

Tunes I rock out to

Coldplay, Jack Johnson, Sarah McLachlan, Norah Jones, Lisa Loeb, Natalie Merchant, Green Day, Switchfoot, Juanes, Shakira, Natasha St. Pier, Maroon 5, James Blunt, Colbie Caillat, Sara Bareilles

Favorite books

Eat Pray Love, My Life in France, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Catcher in the Rye, The Great Gatsby, Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Time Traveler's Wife, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, Postwar.

My links

http://valeriewng.wordpress.com, www.bbc.co.uk, www.worldhum.com, www.gettyimages.com, tangodiva.com, www.fborfw.com, www.notfortourists.com, www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,,00.html