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Photo Source: Ashley and Instagram
We are AMAZED by our newest TCT Ashley! She has only had her passport for a year and she is already taking the travel world by storm! Ashley has been featured in Travel Noir and been to SIX countries in just the past year... in a whole panoramic! In this interview, Ashley shared with us what inspires her to travel and her GO traveler philosophy. She also lets us in on her travel hack to stretch PTO days and travel more, her favorite country so far, and the experience she thinks everyone should try. Let's just say it isn't for the faint of heart. Join us in getting to know this budding globetrotter!
Tell us about yourself! Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do? What inspires you to travel?
Gladly! My name is Ashley, however everyone calls me Ash. I am from Detroit, Michigan. I am an automotive recruiter for a quality solutions company and I’ve been recruiting for over 5 years. I began traveling as a form of therapy and as a coping mechanism for my battle with mental illness. Traveling has been the one thing that has truly saved me and helps keep me in a good mental space. I figured if my mind is occupied in a new country, learning about different cultures, cuisines and experiences, my mind can’t go crazy. I am truly my happiest when I’m traveling!
How many countries have you been to? Which was your favorite and why?
I am fairly new to the world of travel. After having my passport for one year, I have been to 6 countries so far. My favorite country so far is definitely Costa Rica! Costa Rican’s live by a phrase, Pura Vida. It means “simple life”. The locals there are always smiling, always happy and they have a stress and care free attitude. That is something that I strive for in life and with everything that is goes on in America, that can be very hard to do at times. I admire their way of thinking and living. Also, Costa Rica is absolutely beautiful! I stayed in La Fortuna and from the stunning waterfalls to views of the Arenal volcano, it was truly incredible.
What is your most memorable travel experience? What made it so unforgettable?
My most memorable travel experience so far is hands down…skydiving in Dubai over The Palm Jumeriah on my 30th birthday. I STILL can’t believe I jumped out of a plane! Skydiving was a huge fear that I’ve had but I’ve always wanted to overcome. I figured that if I can jump out of a perfectly good plane and live, there is NOTHING on this earth that I can't do or achieve. Although I was scared out of my mind, shaking and crying on my way to the jumping point, it is a truly unforgettable and liberating experience that EVERYONE should try. It will change your life.
What is a travel tip you think everyone should know about, but not enough people do?
A travel tip that most people should know…if you work a good ole 9-5 like I do, use your PTO and vacations days around holidays and weekends. People always ask me how I traveled so much in a short amount of time. I try my hardest to avoid traveling through the week, which for me means using 5 PTO days for one trip. Using them around holidays and weekends when you are already off could knock it down to using 1-3 PTO days per trip instead. My plan is to not work at all and not have to worry about PTO but until then, this helps a lot.
How do you choose your next adventure? Are you a bucket list traveler or a cheap flight finder?
Hmmm…if I had to choose, I am more of a bucket list traveler than a cheap flight finder…I wish I was more of the latter. LOL. There are definitely countries that are on my bucket list for specific reasons, but otherwise I am more of what I like to call a GO traveler. I travel based off how I’m feeling and what I want to experience. If I want to relax and unwind, I may look into visiting an island or a country more known for that. If I come across or hear about a country that has great cuisine (I am a HUGE foodie), beautiful scenery and culture that other travelers really enjoyed, then I’ll add it to my list to experience for myself. I’m not extremely picky considering my goal is to visit all 195 countries. As long as I am traveling, I am more than content.
Where else can folks find you?
I have a travel blog in the works coming in 2022 so follow me on instagram @_ashnicb to stay updated about its launch!
Here are some more of our favorite travelers and their gorgeous shots.
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