Introducing Lina & Dave! A married couple from Wisconsin, USA, they have been travelling for 12+ years, solo and together. Between the two of them they have already visited 31 countries! Everytime they leave the country it ignites something in both of them that leaves them yearning for more as they return to their regimented lifestyles at home. They have come to realize that they both have passions that involve seeing the world and experiencing new things.
So they recently decided to take the leap, leave their molded lifestyle and head out on their own RTW trip!
What do you love the most about travelling?
Being out of our element. This enables us to experience things through the eyes of others. And CULTURE. Getting off the plane in a new place a little nervous, settling in within a day or two and leaving the familiar when it’s time to move on. Not everyone can say they’ve had experiences like that.
What inspired you to start travelling?
Lina- I always had a fascination for the World but wasn’t able to travel much as a kid. My first trip out of the country was when I was 18, to the Dominican Republic. I’ve never looked back. I am absolutely in love with exploring the world and living those experiences.
David- I was lucky enough to travel a lot as a kid. My parents took me all over the states on vacation. I started travelling internationally when I met Lina and the rest is history.
Lina and David are the Divergent Travelers
Describe your travel personality.
We are do’ers. We like to be on the move and constantly exploring- whether it is on or off the trail. It’s all about immersion. We don’t spend a lot of nights up late or out partying.
How do you afford to travel – are you rich?!
No we aren’t rich (unfortunately) but we have always made travel a priority in our lives. We have saved and made sacrifices for years to enable all the adventures we have been on. Most recently, we have decided to sell our possessions and house to take a RTW trip in addition to frugally saving our pennies.
One thing which you don’t like about travelling?
Jet lag and burnout. You can be in the most amazing place, but if you haven’t gotten enough sleep or are travelling too quickly you can feel burnt out- we’ve all been there. At that point in time, you wish nothing more than to be home.
The coolest person you have met on your travels?
We’ve met so many cool people it wouldn’t be polite to name just one!
Biggest cultural shock you have experienced while travelling?
Hands down stepping off the plane in Bangkok, in the middle of the night after flying/travelling for 30 hours straight!
The greatest challenge you’ve faced while travelling?
Language barriers can be brutal when you have jetlag or just arrive in a new place. Usually not far off is language fatigue- when people are speaking to you in your own language but it sounds like a foreign language that you don’t understand!
Funniest or most embarrassing travel moment?
We’ve had so many! we boarded a plane once in Lima, Peru that was flying to Cuzco. The plane had been delayed by 4 hours and when we finally got to board, they delayed it longer and in the mean time left the doors open near the back of the plane. There was an AWFUL STENCH. Dead, rot smell all over the plane. We had to cover our noses it was so horrendous, all the while laughing with this other pair of travelers across the aisle. When the flight attendant realized the smell she grabbed an aerosol can of spray and proceeded to walk up and down the aisle spraying it randomly. It was so. funny. Maybe you had to be there, but the 4 of us were rolling. The attendant couldn’t figure out where the smell came from- she thought it was the bathroom, which wasn’t far off! Gotta love discount, third world airlines!
Three things you can’t travel without?
Lina- bandaids, Kleenex & camera!
David- hat, iPad & socks!
Which destinations are at the top of your bucket list?
Egypt, Borneo & Antarctica
Most practical piece of travel advice?
Always have a map on you and learn a few phrases in the local language in case you get lost and need help. Just being able to say HI in a language can open you up for some pretty productive hand gesture/drawing conversations!
Why should people try travel?
Every single person that is able should travel. It doesn’t have to be long term travel and it doesn’t have to be a specific way. Just to take ones self out of your element and experience other cultures, systems, diversity and life is enough to change the way you see yourself and your own life. Those that don’t travel we don’t think ever really ‘get’ the real meaning of living. Plus the World is AMAZING and so gorgeous. We can’t imagine living for 100 years on this planet and not experiencing these things with our own eyes!
