She is my partner in crime: I only need to look at her to understand what she thinks, what she wants and how she feels. We share the same passion for South America (I would need hours to tell you all the adventures we lived together in Salvador, Brazil) and traveling without a structured plan. She is one of the kindest persons I know and my most beautiful French friend.
I am so happy Charlène accepted to share her story HERE. I am sure you will love her. She is the kind of person who push me to continue traveling no matter my age and profession. Please, meet ma petite Charlly. 😀
- Name: Charlène Taillandier
- Nationality/ Country where you are based on: French, based in Paris
- Age: 34 years old
- Occupation: Nurse, specialized in kids with special needs
A little bit about yourself…
I am Charlène, a French girl living in Paris. I am a nurse, single, and I am also 34 years old. Yes… 34 years old: not married, no children! What often makes me feel like the “marginal” of the family and my friends… I am usually the girl who does not fit in the society BUT it is ok… Because what I really like in life is TRAVELING! I am spontaneous, determined and I like to think that we only have one life. And we MUST enjoy every moment… By all means ! So that’s what I do! 😀
I travel according to my budget, my desires, and according to the people I meet… At the end of the day, I just do not want to have a life of regrets.
When did you start traveling?
I started traveling when I moved to Paris in 2009: I had a salary, vacation and an airport nearby! I quickly loved it and I started traveling as much as I could. In 2015, I asked for a sabbatic year at work and I did a world tour.
What motivates you to travel?
What drives me to go is my desire to discover a country: its culture, its landscapes, its population, and its language … But not only! Traveling represents my desire to escape from the “normal life“, run away from the routine, stress and prejudice. Traveling is finding yourself and refocusing on your essential… Traveling is living on your own rhyme, listening to yourself, marveling at simple things, feeling more alive, being more human with the others.
Do you travel alone? And why?
I travel mostly alone. By choice!
I feel completely free to live my journey at my own pace, whether physically, intellectually or emotionally. For me this is freedom, and it’s the magic of traveling solo. Nevertheless, I’m never really alone! Traveling is basically meeting other people and, while traveling, we end up making a lot of friends on the way:
The other backpakers in hostels, who are strangers to us but at the same time, so familiar as we all live and seek for travel adventures! And the locals: those people, who tell you the way, offer you a meal, share their experiences, open their homes and sometimes even their hearts… These meetings and moments that you share with strangers are what remain in my traveling memory. More than landscapes or monuments: traveling is about experiences with people you meet on the way.
And sometimes, these meetings are not ephemeral, they persist and eventually, these people become friends. I think about you, Daniela: my most beautiful meeting, my alter ego, my “best partner in crime” as you so rightly say!
But also: Daniel, Yannick, Zelina, Rafa, Céline, Brian and Hash, who marked my life as a traveler.
How many countries have you visited?
What is your favorite country so far?
The country I like the most is Brazil. I have already spent 5 months there. It’s an explosion of colors, flavors, music, smiles and joy. It was also there, where I lived my first experience as a volunteer and I loved it. 😀 I really felt fulfilled and happy.
What was your worst moment while traveling?
The worst moment of my life as a traveler? When I had to sleep with 2 huge rats in my beach bungalow in Myanmar! Horrible! Since then, I am completely musophobic.
Tell me a funny story that happened to you during a trip…
Among all the great and improbable moments that I lived in my travels, I recall the day I attended a splendid Indian wedding in Bangkok without knowing any of the married ones. Actually, I even met an Arubian in the wedding (Aruba: I did not even know that this country existed before meeting him!) and 3 months later, I visited him in his country. Since then, he has became a very good friend of mine.
Where do you want to go next? And Why?
I do not really have long-term projects or bucket lists. For me, I leave when I feel I need to! I travel according to my desires and often on impulse, last minute decisions. I can just tell you that Colombia will be my next destination. Also, I’m dreaming about a tour in Latin America! I want to see if my passion for Brazil will also be extended to its neighbors! 😉
Instagram: @charl_n_thai
Facebook: Voir ailleurs si j’y suis (@voirailleurs2)
Merci ma belle 😀
You are AMAZING!
Espero que tenham gostado. Deixem os vossos comentários e sugestões pff.
Beijinho,
Daniela