Meet the Nomads – Tammy Lowe of Tammy and Chris on the Move

Tammy & Chris on the Move is one of the latest blogs that I’ve been following lately and I got the chance to interview Tammy, one of the authors of this blog. Tammy, together with Chris, left their desk jobs last October 2011 to travel around the world and at the same time volunteer through various international organizations focusing on human rights issues.

If you love reading about personal narratives of adventures and misadventure you will love this blog especially their “Flashback Friday” segment. They also share a lot of great tips about independent traveling.

Get to know more about Tammy and follow her adventure at Tammy and Chris on the Move.

But before you leave this page, check out my short interview with Tammy.

How did you discover your passion for travelling?

I think my grandma passed that one on to me. She was always traveling once she was retired and I always thought to myself that I want to do the same one day. As an 18-year-old I have done my first independent trip. It was a 24h train journey from my home town in Germany to Rome, Italy and I loved the feeling of independence so much. I have never looked back since and try and travel as much as I can.

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

That was quite recently actually. My hubby and I were planning to go to India for four days before our trip to Nepal to do the Everest Base Camp trek. When we got to the check in desk at Bangkok airport the guy behind the desk asked us where our Indian visas were. We assumed that like Nepal and most other countries in Asia you could get one on arrival. Turns out you can’t. Ooops. I was really upset and frustrated that I hadn’t checked this before. We ended up having to rebook our flight, cancel our pre-paid hotels in India and spend 4 days in Bangkok instead. It was an expensive lesson to learn.

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

My best travel experience was probably snorkeling with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands. I was so terrified doing that snorkel trip beforehand as there were sharks in the waters around the Galapagos Islands. I blame the film Jaws, but I am really really scared of sharks. When I suddenly saw a big shadow swimming underneath me I literally saw my life pass in front of my eyes, as I thought it was a shark. When I checked again I noticed to my relief that it wasn’t a shark, but a sea lion that was so curious about me that it followed me around everywhere I went. It was so adorable and I felt really safe with him by my side.

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

Having travelled through a lot of developing countries I have realized that I am lucky to have been bought up in a country with freedom, free education, democracy and social care. A lot of people are not that lucky, so travelling made me appreciate the things I have got.

What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?

The fact that there is so much more to see. Every country is so different. And every country offers new adventures, misadventures and experiences. I have only seen a fraction of what is out there, so I am definitely not done travelling yet.

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?

That would be Che Guevara during his motorcycle diaries period. He had such an adventure, but since he was also a medical student at the time he also managed to help a lot of poorly people voluntarily. He was also so damn good looking. 🙂

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

I really loved Ecuador when I went a few years ago. It had everything: mountains to climb, jungles to explore, wildlife to see and great history to learn about. I went for 2 weeks, which was only enough to scratch the surface, so that gives me a good excuse to go back one day.

What’s your best tip for newbie traveller?

Don’t stick to your guidebook all the time. Venture out, speak to locals and hang out in local restaurants and bars.
You will experience much more of a country if you do so.

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

Where do I start. I always do silly things when I travel and even have a series on my blog about those misadventures. The funniest story is probably when I thought I had to take some cocaine whilst in a druglords house in a favela in Rio. Yes, you read this correctly. A few years ago I was on favela tour in Rio and our guide also offered to take us to a place with the best view over Rio. He did ask us not to take any photos though and the fact that it was a guarded house with security guards holding AK47s didn’t really make me think that this was strange. When we reached the roof terrace, which really had an awesome view, a man loaded with golden jewlery appeared and asked me if I wanted some coke. He was a scary looking man and I didn’t want to mess with him. I was too scared to tell him that I don’t do drugs though, so I nervously nodded. He came back a few minutes later with a beautifully chilled glass of coca cola. Phew!

How do you keep yourself safe on your travels?

If you have read the answer to the previous question you might think that I don’t. I do really though, I promise. I make sure that I do my research about safe and unsafe areas in a city, I don’t wear expensive looking jewelry or watches and watch my belongings when travelling on a bus. So far I have been lucky with those precautions.

What do you think about yourself?

I am an adventurous spirit that really wants to let loose, but sometimes gets stuck in German, efficient and organized body. 🙂

Tammy blogs about her voluntary work, travels and misadventures across the globe. Follow her journey on her blog, Tammy and Chris on the Move, on Twitter or on Facebook.

Editor’s Note: All photos are provided by Tammy.

Next: Justin Egli of Ikimasho Previously: Charles Rahm of Don’t Worry Just Travel For more interviews with travel bloggers, check out the archives of Meet the Nomads.