Berlin is having what all the Germans assure me is the mildest November in living history. To top off these golden days, I got word at the end of November that Daniela from The Grumpy Camel awarded me the Sunshine Blogger Award! The Sunshine Blogger Award is peer recognition for bloggers that inspire positivity and joy—and was definitely a pleasant surprise. Daniela is a Maltese blogger currently based in Scotland, and she writes about food, culture, and adventure both in her new home and abroad. Show her some love and stop by for a read!
The Sunshine Blogger Award
What inspired you to start a travel blog?
I’ve been writing since I could pick up a pencil, and traveling since I left home at 17, so it seemed like only a matter of time before these two passions combined. In truth, I’ve had a series of travel blogs, evolving and mutating as I’ve grown into the traveler I am today. When I was younger, I was obsessed with travel photography and sharing travel inspiration. But as I’ve become a more confident traveler, I’ve realized that I actually have a lot of opinions, advice, and tips that I could share myself. Pivoting from an observation-based blog into a more opinion-based blog is something I’ve really dedicated myself to this year—yes, pictures are worth a thousand words, but sometimes what makes or breaks a trip is a simple two-line recommendation from someone like you.
What was your first blog post about?
I was spending the summer in New York when I started this particular travel blog. New York can seem really overwhelming, and I had just discovered the usefulness of Twitter in terms of getting the local perspective. I put together a little list of accounts I was following that offered free or topical events, specials, and tips.
Which country would you happily live in for the rest of your life?
Ok, that’s a hard question…especially given that I’m not particularly good at staying in one place. One country that has completely seized my imagination is Scotland, and I’ve been harboring a dream of a little house in the Hebrides since my first visit there in 2016. But I haven’t yet spent a winter there, so that might be subject to change!
What is the weirdest place you’ve ever visited?
Probably Turbo, Colombia.
Mountains or beaches?
Though I’ve found a new appreciation for the mountains since moving to Germany, I can’t resist the ocean.
What’s your airport outfit?
My grandfather worked for an airline and so growing up, we always flew standby. Dress code for standby is basically business casual—and since then, I’ve had a hard time at bucking that rule. I tend to wear comfortable but stylish dresses and boots on flights, but light makeup (mainly, so I can take advantage of the tester face creams in the Duty Free). And always a scarf, which serves as extra cushion for flights without pillows.
Have you ever visited a place that made you feel uneasy?
I just got back from a trip to Egypt. I loved the country in general, but my experiences in Cairo could easily be categorized as “uneasy”. I think a big part of that was just overcoming lingering biases (conscious and unconscious) as an American—but Cairo is also a city that demands an alertness that many others don’t. In the end, we didn’t have any trouble beyond the usual tourist scam attempts, and the unease I felt was a good thing to experience and take realization of because it made me pay more attention to my own perspectives and preconceptions.
Street food or fine dining?
Street food all the way!
How do you normally kill time on long journeys?
I recently attained both a Priority Pass membership and Frequent Flyer status with Lufthansa, which means you can find me at an airport lounge bar wherever possible.
What is the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
Moved to Germany on my own!
Is there a song that reminds you of a place that’s special to you?
I’m a hometown girl at heart, and Tower of Power’s song, “Below Us, All the City Lights” reminds me of my very favorite place in the Oakland hills.
Thanks again, Daniela! I’m now happy to nominate the following bloggers:
- Michelle from Travel After Five
- Rebecca from Maybe This Way
- Erin from Sol Salute
- Peter and Dona from Living the Q Life
- Ha from Expatolife
- Matilda from The Travel Sisters
- Wendy from Empty Nesters Hit the Road
- Kassie from The Flyaway Life
- Vanda from The Yogi Wanderer
- Renata from Bye: Myself
- Stefan from Stefan Round the World
Rules for the award:
- Thank the blogger who nominated you in a blog post and link back to their blog.
- Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
- Nominate (at least) 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
- List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.
My questions:
- What is the best travel tip you can pass on?
- What’s the first thing you do to prepare for your next trip?
- What’s your favorite place you’ve been this year?
- Do you like to be plugged in when traveling, or do you use travel to unplug?
- Hotel or Airbnb?
- What’s your favorite travel accessory?
- If you had to describe your travel style in 3 words, which 3 would they be?
- Do you bring anything back from your travels? If so, what?
- Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter?
- Where is your favorite place to write?
- What is one place you still want to go?
Up and Gone 