Todd is one of the guys that I follow that I could say has the best of both worlds. He’s happily keeping his work as a Conflict Resolution Specialist and at the same time he’s also travelling the world.
Todd shares his experiences and travel tips on the countries that he visits and you’ll find a lot of useful information that you wouldn’t find in guidebooks. He also shares some tips on how to live a lifestyle that he’s currently living.
Get to know more about Todd and visit his blog at Todd’s Wanderings.
Here’s my short interview with Todd.
How did you discover your passion for travelling?
“I have always been curious and couldn’t stop myself form trying to see what was around the next corner. When I was first unleashed onto the world I tried to learn everything about the first country I visited, Japan. 5 years later I was still there, still trying to see around the next corner. It turns out there will always be a next corner. I came to terms with my addiction and just kept moving from corner to corner.”
What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?
“I was going to buy a surf board in southern Sri Lanka but had all my money stolen out of my room. Feeling idealistic I headed down to the police station to report the theft. Innocent me thought it would be as easy as that. But I spent over 3 hours being interrogated by the police who decided that I was trying to pull an insurance scam. The reality was they were protecting the thieves and the reputation of the tourist area. Oh, and I didn’t even have insurance…”
What’s the best travel experience that you’ve ever had?
“While walking a 900 mile pilgrimage in Japan I was depressed, lonely and ready to quit. Out of nowhere a kind lady took me in, gave me food, a bath and a place to sleep for the night out of the rain. It was a simple gesture and nothing more than what she had available, but it was the kindest moment I have ever experienced.”
What’s the biggest realization that you’ve got out of travelling?
“That we are all basically the same. We love our families, want to take care of them and our friends, and will do anything to give our kids a better life than we have.”
What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?
“I ran into a lot of negativity from friends and family early on. They thought I was wasting my life, or was immature and needed to grow up. This took a heavy toll and I almost gave up on traveling and exploring the world. But each time I visited home I felt the itch to go out and discover something new. I just couldn’t sit still and be happy. It was happiness that motivated me. I would never be happy unless I followed my dreams and lived a life of freedom to do what I want and visit faraway lands.”
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?
“Ernst Hemingway. First that man knew how to drink. Second, he knew how to get himself into enough trouble to become one of the greatest literary figures of our time. Anyone who can combine all three has to be a fun companion.”
Where’s your favourite place in this planet and why?
“I can’t say I have one. But anywhere in the mornings or late evenings when the air is cool, and world is still and I have a view in front of me. The Maldives, Slovenian Alps, New Hampshire in the US and my hometown of Jamestown RI all fit the bill.”
What’s your best tip for newbie traveller?
“Don’t worry too much. Everything works out eventually even if we can’t see the emerging pattern as it unfolds.”
What’s the funniest and silliest thing you’ve ever done while travelling?
“I pushed an unknown button on a Japanese toilet and ended up soaked head to foot. You can read about it When Japanese Toilets Fight Back.”
What do you think about yourself?
“I’m a reformed conformist who learned you can’t follow a formula presented by society to be happy. Besides being a travel writer I’m also a conflict resolution specialist and I work for the UN, NGOs and governments helping to bring a little peace and stability to the world. My job helps me to travel the world to some fantastically off beat places, get into trouble and have a plenty of stories to feed my blog and drinks at the bar. Believe it or not, I am actually quite shy and think that other people are probably much better at everything I try. I have trouble sitting still, get bored easily, and am always taking on too many projects for my own good because i get excited about possibilities.”
“Well, you can be one of the first to see the new tag line for Todd’s Wanderings: “A Molotov Cocktail of Curiosity, Compromising Situations, and a Life Less Ordinary.” Against conventional wisdom my blog is about…ME and my life wandering the world. I share destination articles form the places I discover, lifestyle advice on how to live a life of freedom and happiness, dish out travel stories from my odd corners of the world I find myself stuck in, and my wife serves up recipes on the great dishes we discover. I enjoy humor, a good story, and legion of fans willing to buy me a beer when I come to village near you.” – Todd Wassel
Photo Credits: All pics provided by Todd Wassel
Next: Nicole Wears of Traveling Canuck. Previously: Dalene Heck of Hecktic Travels. For more interviews with travel bloggers, check out the archives of Meet the Nomads.
Ok, I’ll kick off the commenting section (please don’t let me feel too lonely here). Thanks for having me on Flip, it was a nice interview experience. I’m happy to answer any questions your readers might have here in the comment section. Fire away!
you’re welcome Todd… and thanks for participating!
a 900mile pilgrimage in japan! whoa! amazing. i will definitely do the same if i was there.
Thanks for sharing this interview with Todd. He is definitely the answer in the affirmative to the question, “Should I trade my boring predictable life for living the life I dream of?” Yes, you can and yes you should!
Todd I loved your description of your biggest realization while travelling. Nicely put! And great to get to know you a bit better here.