Interviews

Dame Traveler Behind the Lens Interview with Erika Hobart of Erika Explores

Could you give us a brief introduction to who you are and what you do?
Hello! I’m a Japanese-American travel photographer and writer based in London. I had a fairly nomadic upbringing that inspired my love of adventure. And I worked in journalism for several years before deciding to turn my passion project, Erika Explores, into a creative business for all things related to travel.

This is a challenging time to be running such a business, but I have come to believe it is an opportunity to reflect on my experiences and practice gratitude. Travel is a privilege, and I hope when the time is right, we return to it with more love and respect than ever before.

As we begin our new #DTBehindTheLens series, we’re aiming to spotlight female travel photographers who are not only artists in their field but also showcase more than just a female figure in a photograph.

Why do you think it’s important for women photographers to be celebrated?
About four out of five working photojournalists are male — which means that a majority of the time, we are viewing the world through the lens of a man. It is crucial in photography (and all other forms of media!) that we are inclusive of and give voices to all genders, ethnicities, races, and sexual orientations.

What change would you like to see happen in the travel industry?
I want all of us — travelers and professionals in the travel industry — to embrace an approach that is adventurous, curious, and kind. To make well-informed choices about where to eat, shop, and sleep. To support locals and small businesses. To recognize and take a stand against tourism activities that exploit animals, people, and the world’s natural resources. Now that all but essential travel has stopped, it’s become evident what a luxury any travel otherwise really is. We all need to behave in a way that reflects that.

What is one of the most enthralling experiences you’ve had while photographing the world?
I remember sitting on a rooftop terrace in Marrakech last August, looking down at the bustling main square. The call to prayer sounded at sunset and the sky turned pink. Gas lanterns were turned on and smoke from the food stalls wafted through the air. It was absolute madness and made me feel intensely alive. I was photographing the scene below me, and had to put my camera down to take it all in. I just had this overcoming urge to stop what I was doing to thank the universe for its existence (and mine).

Through your experiences, what has travel taught you? What lessons does travel bring to those who experience it?
Travel has taught me that the world is a fascinating place and I know very little about it. That is both humbling and thrilling. It motivates me to never stop learning, to always strive to become a better person. Travel reminds me that I am forever a student, and I must keep my mind and heart open. I hope that’s what we all get out of travel.

Have you ever faced any hard circumstances or issues as a female travel photographer?
In all industries, particularly male-dominated ones, women who are assertive can be perceived as “difficult.” But it’s so important to advocate for yourself, to know your worth, and to be clear about how you expect to be treated.

What piece of advice would you give to new female travel photographers?
Get to know other female photographers — they are your community, not your competition. I love connecting with creative women and sharing experiences, as well as information and inspiration. Not only is there room for us all, but there is room for us to grow together and change the landscape of travel photography for future generations.

What is your editing process like? Any helpful tips for beginners?
Photography, like all forms of art, is subjective. I gravitate toward warm, earthy tones and images that possess a nostalgic feel. But there’s no right or wrong way to edit, it’s about finding an aesthetic that looks and feels right to you. So pay attention to what inspires you. Art, movies, music, quotes — any and everything. I think finding and developing one’s editing style comes from studying the things we are drawn to. Then we bring aspects of these things we love into our own creative work.

What is it that you aim to photograph during your travel experiences?
I want to capture moments and scenes in a way that feels like something between documentary and dreamy. Because that’s what travel feels like to me — real, but surreal at the same time. This planet is truly spectacular. I hope my photographs reflect that and do justice to the sentiment in even a small way.

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Advice Journal

How Travel Transformed My Love For History

Years ago, you could find me daydreaming during my early morning classes. Quite like many high schoolers out there, I particularly found history courses boring. Foolishly, I’d call these classes old, antiquated, unimportant. “Why study the past? We should be looking into the future!” (Oh how much I regret those days!) No matter how engaging the professor was, or the relevancy to modern politics… I was jaded.

Flash forward 10 years later, and I’m studying to become a world history teacher. Yep, you read that right! This former history-hater is en route to becoming a teacher of the world’s past. What brought about this complete change of heart? I’ll tell you – travel.

First-Hand History

Travel completely transformed my love and admiration for history. It wasn’t until I saw the world’s ancient relics, its weather-worn battle fields, its monuments and temples with my very own eyes… that I realized just how crucially important historical education is.

I never realized the impact of war until I had heard the stories of locals, sharing their parent’s plight. It wasn’t until I witnessed a tea ceremony first hand to find beauty in its ancient practice. I’d never considered my own privilege or freedom until I walked through another form of life.

You can sit in lecture upon lecture discussing The Great Wall of China or the Taj Mahal – but until you see their grandeur, it’s all a game of imagination. You can read books on Vikings and seafarers – but until you see their massive ships and epic, native fjord lands, it’s all a figment of your imagination.

It’s a selfish and ignorant thing, isn’t it? It wasn’t until I gained my own experiences out there in the world… then I found importance in historical events. But, I think it’s important to acknowledge that in order for some people to grasp history – they need to observe, soak in and explore. And guess what provides all of those experiences? Travel does.

Classes Today Include A Traveler’s Perspective

What excites me about becoming a history teacher one day is the idea that I can bring experiential moments to students. Virtual reality, 3D glasses, Google Earth, explorations via immersive maps. 21st century history education is changing. And it’s becoming more immersive. It’s an exciting time to be teaching the world’s history because we can finally have students experience the world right in the classroom. (Even though, as travelers, we know that seeing something up close and personal is complete and utter magic! Baby steps, right?)

It’s my hope to create curious, compassionate, open minded, educated travelers of tomorrow. In my wildest dreams, I hope that my students leave my classroom eager to see the world. It’s my hope that they leave my doors knowing that the world is a wondrous, ancient place – an open book to read and learn from. They just have to go out and see it.

Has travel transformed your perspective on history? Or have your interest in history driven you to see ancient sights? I’d love to know!

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Advice Giving Back Journal

5 Simple Ways To Deepen Your Travel Experiences

“Be a traveler, not a tourist.” It’s an overused quote in the travel world, but one that we wholeheartedly abide by. A constant theme here at Dame Traveler is the important lessons and empowerment travel can bring to those that experience it. Every trip, every adventure has limitless lessons to take in. Choosing to dive in and deepen your travel experiences is a decision adventurers will never regret. Here are some of our tried and true ways to intensify your explorations.

Invest Your Time In Conversation

It can be a bit intimidating, but extending ourselves to conversing with the people we encounter in our travel experiences is the only way to really make a connection. So say “hello” to the person at the cafe next to you. Ask the owner of a shop if they’re from the area, or the story of their business. If you’re staying in an AirBnb, ask your host for their recommendations or if you can buy them a drink. Taking the small steps toward communication (even if the conversation is stunted by language barriers) elevates your travel experience ten fold. Be a student of this world. Ask questions. Adopt a mindset of true curiosity. Take the time to listen. You might not make a BFF through each conversation, but even the briefest encounters will teach you something.

Go Local

Go local in all shapes and forms. Avoid restaurants that tout “tourist favorite” in its descriptions and choose a more authentic one instead. Go where the locals go. Eat where the locals eat. Live how the locals eat. You’ll deepen your understanding of the place, and you’ll have the unique opportunity to connect with the people who call your destination home.

Your biggest power as a traveler is where you spend your time and your money. If you’re spending your hours enjoying the environment of a family owned boutique, book store, or cafe, buy yourself a little souvenir to remember it by. That little token of joy you’ll bring home will feel special and will support the well-being of the local economy.

Spend A Few Days “Off The Beaten Path”

If you have the time in your itinerary, take a day or two away from the larger cities. Drive into the countryside or take the train to a more remote village. The act of getting off of the well beaten path will deepen your understanding of where you are. Not all life is city life. Not all locals look or dress like what you’ve seen in the metropolis you’ve flown into. What do the people’s lives look like outside of what your guidebooks have told you? There’s only one way of knowing, and it’s to get out there and find out for yourself.

Unplug

You don’t necessarily have to experience your whole trip truly unplugged (although, here are some ideas if that sounds like heaven to you). But, instead of being careless with your devices – be mindful of how much of your time is in front of a screen. Be present. Choose to experience your destination with open eyes. Notice the little details that are romantic and go unnoticed. Write them down in a journal. Keep a diary of your daily excursions. Collect moments. Find balance in documenting and being aware and present.

Go With No Plan

Get wonderfully lost in the charming neighborhoods of your destination. Not every minute of your trip should be timed and planned. (If you’re a super planner, just dedicate a whole morning or afternoon to “wandering time.”) It’s during this unstructured time that we learn the most about ourselves and the place we wander through.

No matter what you do during your travels – taking the effort and initiative to deepen your travel experiences will elevate your entire trip. You’ll be shown more and you’ll leave with more gratitude and understanding. What do you do to get more out of your travels?

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Advice Dame Traveler Trips Tech Travel Planning Will Work for Travel

11 Ways You Can Get Paid To Travel The World

Have you ever considered making a career out of travel? Working your way around the world? Being a digital nomad so you can travel wherever, whenever? Years ago, the idea of working while traveling never occurred to me. I thought in order to travel you had two options: 1) wait until your annual vacation days rolled around, or 2) save up so you could quit your job and budget your way around the world until your travel fund ran out before repeating the process again.

Back then, I knew there had to be another way. I felt homesick for Italy (where I had studied abroad two years prior) and with a yearning desire to see more of Europe, I consulted Google University to see if there was any way I could travel for my job. Not much came up on Google back in 2013, however, I remembered the names of some group travel companies for students during my time in Italy. There are tour guides leading the trips, right? So that’s exactly what I set out to do: be a tour guide.

I applied for a company based in Italy, landed an interview, and got the offer. A few months later I found myself stepping off the plane in Florence, Italy, dragging my luggage across cobblestone streets to the apartment I would call home for six months.

Everyone said I was crazy when I told them what I wanted to do; they would say that when you graduate college you “have to” get an 8-5 job you don’t really like in order to justify your diploma. “Keep your head down for two years” was a phrase I heard many times. When life is anything but guaranteed, “keeping my head down” and droning through my days was the exact opposite of what I wanted – especially when I had a feeling my work + travel experience would boost my resume, not hurt it.

Working while traveling is a challenging, rewarding, and growing experience. Not only do you gain valuable skills through your job (or simply by being on the road), working abroad stands out on your resume. When I returned home after working in Italy, my work + travel experience was always a point of conversation during interviews, and it helped me land what was my dream job at the time (yes, it was an 8-5)!

Now having worked multiple jobs abroad, whether it was during my vacation time, between moves, or most recently, online work for my business, I truly believe travel careers are something worth considering for those who feel called to them.

Here are 11 ways you can get paid to travel.

Location Based Jobs Abroad

There are many ways you can work abroad, whether it is short-term, long-term, or open-ended.

First, you’ll want to consider your schedule, current work situation, and – if you’re looking at long-term or open-ended jobs – if you’re able and willing to move to another city or country when looking at location-based jobs.

After, you’ll need to determine how you’re getting paid and/or if the job covers any travel expenses.

1. Tour Guide

As mentioned above, being a tour guide in Italy introduced me to the world of working abroad.

You can work for a group travel company like I did, which offered full package multi-day trips (this means working overnight and long hours, but you’re literally traveling for work so it’s not a bad tradeoff).

Alternatives could be leading city tours, day trips, or specialty tours (think wine tours or food tours).

2. Work for Your Company at Their International Office

Do you already work for an international company? Do they have offices in other countries, and can you do your position at any of those offices? Do you speak the language if the international office doesn’t communicate in your native language?

A friend of mine did this a few years ago. She works for an international hotel chain and was able to transfer to the hotel in London, and her husband did the same with his accounting job. I have another friend who works at a public relations agency and transferred to the New York City office.

Look into it!

3. Work for an NGO or a Government Organization Abroad

There are both NGOs and governmental organizations all over the world. If you have the experience and drive to work abroad in support of an NGO or your country, then it doesn’t hurt to see what’s out there.

4. Educational Conferences

Over the past six years I’ve worked eight conferences as a faculty member for international students, teaching curriculum on cross-cultural communication and business/entrepreneurship. Doing this took me to Europe, China, Washington, DC, New York City, and Yale University. In exchange for the (very) long hours I would get a paycheck and/or travel expenses covered, like flights, housing, and meals.

The conferences I personally worked at ranged from nine days to 2.5 months, and I applied for conferences that worked around my schedule (shorter ones when I was using vacation time from my 8-5 job; longer ones when I was working for myself since my work was flexible).

There are many educational conferences or student travel companies, usually in the summer. Like any event, conferences don’t just need educators or speakers – they need managers and logistical, behind-the-scenes staff, too. There are many roles you can find with this if you’re looking for a short-term work + travel opportunity.

5. Seasonal Jobs

Going off the point above, there are many seasonal jobs you could consider if you’re looking for something short-term. Summer camps and ski resorts around the world are two examples that come to mind of places who seek additional help for a short time.

6. Flight Attendant or Pilot

This one seems obvious, doesn’t it?! You are literally traveling for your job and go wherever the plane goes. Flight crew tend to get decent perks and discounts from the airline they work for, too.

7. Cruise Ship Employee

This is another job that has you traveling for work, as you go wherever the ship goes!

Because a cruise ship has a lot of moving parts in order to keep it running successfully, there are a variety of jobs available, even ones you might not normally think of – a few years back I considered applying to be a fitness instructor (out of all positions!) aboard a Caribbean cruise ship.

8. Teach English Abroad

If you’re a native English speaker, consider teaching English at a school abroad. This is a very popular travel job, especially for recent grads, as the requirements are usually pretty simple: be a native English speaker, have a bachelor’s degree in any subject, and hold a certification with TESOL or TEFL. Many TESOL or TEFL certifications can be done online, and there are also companies that will match you up with a school.

You’ll be based in a foreign country and can travel on weekends and school breaks. Some positions might cover your travel expenses, too, like flights, housing, or travel insurance.

Do your research on this one. Luckily, there is plenty of information online you can find with a simple Google or Pinterest search.

Work Online and Travel

We live in a fascinating day and age with the advancements of technology. Many people are working a full-time job remotely, doing freelance/contract work, or starting businesses they can run entirely online.
If you have the self-motivation to get work done on your own and an entrepreneurial spirit, then consider these opportunities you can do anywhere with Wi-Fi.

9. Freelance Work

When you are freelancing, you are self-employed and work with clients (businesses or individuals). You get paid for the service(s) you provide, whether that be hourly, project-based, or on an on-going basis. You can freelance anything, and if you’re working online, all you need is your laptop and an internet connection.

Many companies that hire freelancers do so to save on costs they would put toward a traditional employee like health care or benefits. Depending on what you’re doing, as a freelancer you can usually set your own hours (get work done on your own time) and work from anywhere.

For the past 2.5 years I’ve worked entirely online as a freelancer, doing social media marketing, Pinterest, and online coaching for various companies. Most of my client work is month-to-month which helps me feel more secure with my income.

I highly recommend looking into freelance work if you are just getting started with your work + travel lifestyle as it doesn’t require you to start a business or create products of your own. You can get started with no upfront cost, and since you’re getting paid for your services, there is no physical inventory you need to worry about when traveling.

10. Start an Online Business

With that said, starting and running an online business is definitely something you can do while traveling. Depending on what you do it will likely take a lot of work, hustle, and determination to validate your offerings, make sales, and keep it running.

But wait, how do you run an online business without physical products?

For one, you could do something service-based, like run a marketing agency or do online coaching. You could create a mobile app. You could sell digital products like e-courses, online memberships, e-books; license stock photos or videos; do consulting, do drop-shipping…the list goes on!

11. Blogger or Content Creator

Many people are monetizing their online presence and personal brands, whether it be through blogging, social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and podcasts.

This is usually not the quickest route to making money online, though it can be entirely rewarding if you feel passionate about it. Additionally, you can use it as a platform or portfolio for freelance services (before my blog made any money I used it as a portfolio for potential clients to showcase my experience building an audience).

As far as making money as a blogger or content creator, there are many ways to do so. The most popular and common way is to work with brands and showcase products in exchange for exposure on your platform.

Bloggers and content creators often set up affiliate marketing links (earning commission off recommended products clicked through their links) on their blog posts or video descriptions.

Another common option is to consider selling digital products based on the niche of your platform. For example, if you are a photographer you could create and sell an e-book or e-course on photography tips for beginners.

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There you have it! Use this list as a launching pad to see what is out there in terms of working abroad, or even making a career out of travel. Do your best to ditch the excuses and get resourceful about how you can make it happen!

Free online training on working online: bit.ly/passport-pursuits

Book: bit.ly/TheAdventureClub

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Advice

How To Cope With A Bad Mood While Traveling

It finally happened. I was on a road trip with my partner that I was looking forward to for months. And around day 4, I just wasn’t feeling it. I was mildly irritated, nothing sounded fun, and felt guilty that I felt this way! There is nothing more frustrating than doing something you love, exploring a new place, and not enjoying it. While luckily this bad mood was temporary, there are a few things I tried to help get my head back on track. Here are some of my simple tricks to help you overcome a bad mood while traveling.

Get Rid Of The Guilt

A good first step, really, is to try not to blame yourself for your mood. This will likely make your mood even worse. Sometimes, there may be a reason why your mood has shifted, and sometimes there isn’t.

If you can pinpoint something that occurred that contributed to the shift in your mood, find what you can do to directly address that event. If there wasn’t any obvious reason as to what may have led to the mood change, spending time poring over “what happened” may also not be helpful.

Being able to tolerate certain emotions can be difficult, but it is super important is to allow ourselves to be okay with feeling them. When we become more accepting of the emotions we feel, they tend to not last as long or be as intense.

Go Back To Basics

This can feel like a no-brainer, but it can actually be really helpful. Have you eaten recently? Had enough water? Taken any medication you are prescribed? Have you slept enough? Showered or bathed?

Checking off these often times overlooked basics can ground us and help us to refresh our mood and behaviors.

Watch Your Alcohol Intake

This is a difficult one for me while traveling, as my favorite activity while traveling is finding local breweries, wineries, distilleries, etc. The idea of having a glass of wine or a beer to “loosen up” may sound appealing, however it can overall contribute to a lower mood. Alcohol is a depressant, after all!

Talk About It

If you are traveling with someone, let them know where you are at, emotionally.

You don’t have to spend a significant amount of time discussing your mood, what may be contributing to it, or searching for solutions. Sometimes just the acknowledgment that you aren’t feeling as excited or as energized as you want to be can be a good kick start to allowing your mood to move past any discomfort.

If you are traveling solo, reach out to others if you are able to. Send a loved one a text or call/FaceTime briefly. Reconnecting for a short period of time may be helpful.

Gratitude

This can be difficult to practice when our moods are not great. Take some time to reorient yourself to all the great things that traveling does for you. Remind yourself of things that went right today. This can include any safe travels thus far, any new and beautiful things you have seen and did, and what else you may be looking forward to.

For some people, journaling and documenting their gratitude is more effective, and for others, simply thinking about them is just as helpful.

It’s Okay To Need Support

It is important to note that there is a difference between experiencing a low mood and if you are experiencing a depressive episode, panic attack, or other significant mental health concerns.

Further support may be necessary – and this is totally okay! Reach out to any mental health or medical providers when you can.

We’re human and we experience emotion. We are likely to experience a variety of moods, especially if we travel often. If we can give ourselves some space to recognize how we are feeling and tolerate it to the best of our ability, we can feel even more present and engaged when doing the things we love most.

Have you ever had to overcome a bad mood while traveling? What helped you manage your emotions?

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