Life on the road as a Single offers freedom and flexibility that are attractions by and in themselves for those who choose it. Serial single traveler Anna Testa embarks on sole journeys that feed the soul. She has scaled mountains and navigated through rugged and paved roads in 40 countries (20 of which she revisited) since she caught the travel bug in 1987 at the age of 25. Being single is a big plus. The globetrotter can pack her bags, lock up her flat and fly anywhere her heart desires. Her cumulative solo trips have promoted her physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social health.
"My curiosity about countries, cities, cultures, treasures, untouched locations, and more, simply grew through time. My Joy overshadowed my Worry. So, I happily pushed on. My desire for new experiences overpowered, silenced any worries and fears. But it was really my desire for personal growth,” Anna writes. "I could reinvent myself with every group tour. My bus mates didn’t know me or anyone from my circle, and it was likely we wouldn’t meet again, so I could be myself or even try out new ‘characters’. So, I continued to explore various facets of my personality with every trip."
“One's destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things.”
- Henry Miller -
Global Nomad: Travels With a Gourmet
Roselyn Sugay Helbling’s life as a global nomad is filled with ambrosial adventures. Cordon Bleu graduate, former restaurateur, polyglot, serial expat, hotelier wife, slummy mummy, part-time blogger and full-time gourmet traveller Roselyn is currently living in Dubai. Travels With A Gourmet is a chronicle of a food lover’s travels, memorable meals, culinary trials and gastronomic experiences.
"Living abroad wasn’t something I planned. I have been on the move, so to speak, since 1992. It’s come to a point now that I have lived overseas much longer than I have lived in my birth country. Moving constantly and being a global nomad has presented many challenges, foremost being that packing and unpacking a house is probably one of the most stressful things one can do... But I have no regrets,” says Roselyn. "Would I recommend being a global nomad to anyone? Yes, but always remember to have an open mind, an enthusiasm for the unknown and an eagerness to learn from others. Everything else usually falls into place."
“Never order fish on Monday,” Anthony Bourdain wrote in his 2000 bestseller autobiography, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, where he explained that restaurants typically work with supplies purchased the previous Thursday. This unexpected admission stuck in my mind like a stubborn gum on my hair that wouldn’t come off. But then, again, Bourdain was anything but predictable. Even in death. He was the maverick (some say rock star) of the culinary world. He lived a frantic life by his own rules and on his own terms with no apologies. He crossed boundaries. It has been said that had Kitchen Confidential not sold like hot cake, he would have been forever blacklisted for the unabashed debauchery and behind-the-scenes details that exposed the F&B industry. But for hundreds of readers like me I found the book refreshing – a satisfying appetiser, a palate-pleaser that made me crave his hot-and-cold smorgasbord of unfiltered, no bull***t takeaways on food, people, places and cultures.
Nothing touches the human heart more than a compelling story that sparks hope, encouragement and good vibes. Many resonate with us. Others nudge us to take action. Some urge us to pause and ponder. A few restore our faith in humanity.
Weekly Sparks’ pursuit of enriching stories connects us to diverse communities of awe-inspiring individuals who open their hearts (some reluctantly) hoping that in sharing their struggles, pain and, eventually, triumphs someone out there can find the courage to pursue his/her aspirations.
We find such kinship with Women of the World. They are dreamers and believers. Their collective narrative of pushing boundaries and overcoming limitations is proof that anything is possible if we walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous and the doers. May their daring spirit ignite a fire within you.
Our Story is really about their stories. They reflect who we are at a deeper level, beyond roles and goals.