Interview: Travelita Simone Heydel

Travelita: 1. Okay, Simone, what was the specific incident that got you to this interview?

You invited me to answer your questions.

Travelita: 2. What does traveling mean to you? 

To me traveling means to be free, to discover new places and meet interesting people. And it is an escape from all my problems and sorrows in everyday life.

Travelita: 3. Why is that important?

It’s important to change the view sometimes and to get new input from foreign people. It helps to see things clearly sometimes. You learn a lot about yourself while traveling.

Travelita: 4. Now that I know what it is, now that I know why it’s important and relevant, how are you implementing this on your travels? I mean like, is there a process, that you follow when traveling? 

I don’t think so much about my travels. I choose a destination and then I start my journey. I don’t follow a plan or a bucket list or something like that. And I never ask for must-sees. I let myself drift. I stop where I like it. That’s it.

Travelita: 5. What if people took advantage of your tips and steps you are providing? What will happen, how will their travels change? 

I think I have only one piece of advice: If you want to travel, do it now! No excuses! Don’t think about doing it later or even postpone to retirement. You never know what will happen. Life is short.

Travelita: 6. Now we would like to get just some general information about you and your travels: 

– When did you start traveling?

I started traveling alone 6 years ago. And traveling, in general, I started maybe 27 years ago.

Travelita: – Do you remember how you felt when you traveled alone for the first time?

Yes. I remember. I was afraid of being alone at Berlin Main station at night for a few hours. And I made the mistake of reading airline ratings. And so I reckoned with everything: broken engines, unfriendly staff, broken seats, crash landings and stuff like that. But it was ok in Berlin and nothing bad happened during the flights. So I did it again and now for me, it’s the best way to travel.

Travelita: – How did you, or do you deal with fears?

I don’t have so many fears. I trust most of the people in the world. And I think, when you are kind, people will help you. Always and everywhere.

Travelita: – Is there a place where you have been and you would definitely not recommend it for women on their own and why?

No. I do not know such a place. I don’t travel so far. And I think Europe is safe. I don’t have so much experience with other continents. I’ve been to Egypt and Tunisia. It’s different there and I think you should take care of yourself. But it’s just guessing.

Travelita: – Do you still have this excitement, when you go on a trip?

Yes and no. Sometimes it is more exciting for me to choose the destination and book the flights than the trip itself. It often feels unreal and it works kind of automatically to go on the plane and to your hotel and stuff like this. At the end of the day or sometimes even at the end of the trip, I think: Hey, you made it! Congrats! 

Travelita: – what are your top 5 destinations and why?

I don’t like ratings like this. I think the whole world is beautiful and worth to be seen.

But maybe I have a different top 5:

–        Towns, because you won’t get bored as a solo traveler

–        Beaches, because the sound of the sea is the best noise in the world

–        Mountains, because you feel so small and insignificant before them

–        Concerts, because music is a very important part of my life

–        Friends, because you won’t be alone when visiting them

Travelita: – The funniest story that happened to you when traveling?

Oh! Difficult question. I’m afraid I can’t remember a funny story. Maybe my little accident in Sweden. I took the boat from Gothenburg to Vrångö, a little island in the Southern Gothenburg Archipelago. It was a little bit cloudy that day. I was walking along the rocks by the sea, taking pictures and stuff like that. Then, suddenly, it started to rain heavily and so I wanted to go back quickly. I wore sneakers and the moment I was thinking about which artist made the album “Slippery when wet”, I slipped and fell. So I ended up with a dirty jacket and a bloody knee and muddy shoes. Then I saw a group of Japanese people with cameras and maybe my stunt is on YouTube now. Who knows.

Travelita: 7. What do you want people to do? 

Do what you love and do it now! I should listen to myself too.

Travelita: Thank you for the interview!