Meet the Nomads: Ayngelina Brogan

Ayngelina’s blog posts are fun and witty. She documents her solo travels across South America and every article makes me feel as if I was travelling with her too. That’s how engaging her blog (and writing style) is.

What struck me the most is, the honesty in every post that she writes. My personal favorite would be the article posted last January 6. It’s about a big decision that she have to make. (Go check it out).

Get to know her more and follow her adventures at Bacon is Magic

Here’s Flip’s short interview with Ayngelina.

How did you discover your passion for travelling?

“When I was 16 my mother sent me to France for the summer to learn French. I’m from a very small town of 5000 people and I had never seen people live that way. It really changed my life and made me a much more open person.”

What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?

“I was robbed in Vietnam. A motorcycle came by me and cut off my purse. Although I hesitate to say it was the worst experience. People who couldn’t speak English came over to see if I was okay and then flagged down someone that did speak English who drove me to the police, translated my statement and stayed with me for 2 hours in case I needed anything. Because so many people helped me I really left with a great impression of the Vietnamese.”

What’s the best travel experience that you’ve ever had?

“The one I’m on right now. I have no plans for my travels and I come and go as I please. Latin America is a really beautiful place with wonderful people. It’s a shame so many people are afraid to travel here.”

What’s the biggest realization that you’ve got out of travelling?

“I’m very fortunate to be a Canadian and I will never have to worry about many of the things other people do. I don’t worry about where my next meal will come from, if I need to be afraid of the police or my government. As a woman I can say what I like and go wherever I want.”

What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?

“I know this may sound obnoxious but I’ve always been surrounded by people who were very supportive of me traveling, even if they aren’t backpackers. I’ve never had a negative comment towards my decision to travel long-term.”

This is a silly and hypothetical one. If you would be given a chance to travel with a popular person or a celebrity, who would it be and why?

“My favourite author, although dead, Ernest Hemingway. He’s a bit of a prick but he knows how to live life. Plus he loves red wine so it would never be boring.”

Where’s your favourite place in this planet and why?

“Home. As much as I love to travel and want to do it for a few years there’s nothing like returning back to Nova Scotia.”

What’s your best tip for newbie traveller?

“You don’t need all those fancy, expensive traveling clothes and gadgets. Believe it or not people do wear clothes in other countrys that are not synthetic or zip off. Save the money and just go with what you have and buy what you need on the road.”

What’s the funniest and silliest thing you’ve ever done while travelling?

“You know most of it I don’t remember because I do like to drink, but it often starts with thinking that dancing ON the bar is a good idea.”

What do you think about yourself?

“I’m funny but not the kind of person you laugh with but laugh at. I’m a type-A driven personality. I’m competitive and argumentative but I think over the past 9 months I’ve learned to chill out a bit. I don’t mince words, if you want to know what I think I am really direct. I am trying to work on being more tactful.”

“Rather than a travel tips site it’s really about my adventures through Latin America. Some of it is about food and people but a lot of it is my own journey looking to find what is most meaningful to me.”-Ayngelina

All Pics are from Ayngelina

Next: James Clark of Nomadic Notes. Previously: Barbara Weibel of Hole in the Donut. For more interviews with travel bloggers, check out the archives of Meet the Nomads.