Feature Friday: Meet Sage S.

Welcome back to Feature Friday! This week our guest of honor is Sage. Sage has been a lover of travel since a young age, as her family moved around quite a bit when she was a child. She’s had the opportunity to live on both the east and west coast of the United States, as well as in Europe. Now that’s she’s grown, Sage has a blog to document her numerous adventures! Let’s see what she has to share with us today:

1. Thank you for deciding to be a part of Feature Friday! Could you tell us a little about yourself and your blog?

I’m so excited to have the opportunity to be part of Feature Friday! I am a lifelong traveler, but a relatively new travel blogger.

I appreciate the benefits of travel, because I:

• moved for the first time when I was three months old,
• lived abroad for the first time when I was three-years-old,
• moved a lot growing up, and
• have traveled a lot, both for work and pleasure.

While everyone can benefit from travel, not everyone is in a position to sell everything they own and perpetually travel the world, including me.  I have four kids, three cats, and a mortgage.  Everyday Wanderer is a blog for people with wanderlust and a “real” life.

2. Why did you decide to become a travel blogger?
Back in 2012, I challenged myself to a 365 photography project to improve my photography skills.  I took, edited, and posted one photo a day during 2012, and just kept going. At some point, I realized that a travel blog was better aligned with my interests, and so I launched Everyday Wanderer in September of this year.

3. What do you love so much about travelling?

Everything! From seeing new places, learning about history first hand, experiencing new things, and trying new foods.  

Mark Twain said it best, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

4. Have you ever regretted doing something while travelling?
I don’t really have any regrets other than I don’t feel I can ever cram as much as I want to do into any travel experience, but I sure try! As my oldest daughter once said, “My Mom goes hard at vacation.”

5. What’s the scariest thing you’ve done while travelling?

Visiting the observation deck at the top of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, because I am terrified of heights. In the end, the elevator ride was smooth and it was an amazing experience.  I just had to keep my distance from the windows.

6. What is your most embarrassing travel story?
Fortunately, I cannot think of one. Whew!

7. Have you ever travelled solo? Would you do it again? If you haven’t, would you ever do it?

I have traveled a fair amount for work, and some of that has been solo. But when it comes to personal travel, I’ve nearly always had a travel companion.  But there are often parts of a trip where I venture out solo, like going out early to take photos of the Charles Bridge in Prague or going out late to take night shots of San Francisco. During a recent long weekend trip to Cincinnati with my two youngest daughters, I got up before the sun and went out alone to make this self-guided walking tour of the downtown and Over the Rhine murals.

8. Out of all the cities & countries you’ve visited, which did you like the least? Why?

The United Arab Emirates. I had to travel there for work, but my itinerary gave me one day off to explore. I am glad I got to experience it, but I don’t think I would ever spend my own money to go back again. While I am fascinated by the unique customs, countries, and experiences around the world, the UAE and I didn’t always see eye to eye.

9. Out of all the cities & countries you’ve visited, which did you like the most? Why?

The Netherlands. After living there for nearly four years, I feel like it’s my second nationality. I love the spirit of the Dutch people, their openness and acceptance of all, and I really love frites (French fries).

10. If you had to choose one place to live for the rest of your life, where would it be, and why?
Normandy, France. As a Pisces, I crave the water, but I don’t need to be in it or on it, just near it. It’s warmer in the winter and cooler (and less humid) in the summer than Kansas City.  Normandy is also full of history, amazing food, and French is my strongest second language.

11. Are there any social norms or practices you’ve encountered on your travels you wish were normal in your native culture?
While it’s not missing in my native culture, per se, I do wish more Americans took a European approach to dinnertime. By that I mean lingering over the meal and using it as a time to really connect with your family about the day.

12. Is there anywhere you would not visit? Where, and why?
As an independent, single mother of four who’s been self-sufficient since the age of 18, I’m not interested in visiting places where women are consistently treated like second-class citizens.

13. What is one thing that is too large or impractical you wish you could bring with you when you travel?

My big, fat orange tomcat, Canyon.  

14. Do you think there’s a difference between people who deem themselves tourists vs. travellers? What do you consider yourself, and why?
I think it’s less about what someone calls themself and more about the their approach to visiting new places. The world is full of different cultures, customs, foods, and terrains. Some are going to be very, very different than your own. But the point of travel is to experience things that are new and different in order to expand your horizons. If you go to Paris and only eat McDonald’s you’re missing out on so, so much of the experience!  (And, sadly, I’ve traveled to Paris more than once with American colleagues who did just that…)

15. What does home mean to you?
It may sound cliche, but coming from someone who moved constantly growing up and who has no childhood home to visit, home is where the heart is.

16. What advice would you give an aspiring travel blogger?
Do it for the experience above all else. And remember you don’t have to travel far to reap the benefits of travel, so don’t overlook the experiences that are just across town.

Thank you Sage for taking the time to share with us some of your thoughts, stories, and pictures! I can’t believe you know some colleagues who only ate McDonald’s while in Paris. Paris has some of the best food that I have ever tasted in my life – I mean maybe their McDonald’s is good too, but I doubt it’s better than the various eateries the city has to offer. Even the crepes from the street carts are amazing! I love your answer to that question though…it definitely is about the approach one has about learning and immersing oneself in a new culture. Sure, sometimes it won’t be easy, and you’ll have to get out of your comfort zone, but it will definitely be worth it! Thanks again Sage for being a part of Feature Friday, and have fun on your next adventure!

Did you enjoy what you read? Get to know more about Sage!

Sage Scott is the middle-aged, Midwestern, single mom of four behind Everday Wanderer, a travel blog for people with wanderlust and a “real” life. She combines current travel experiences with a childhood spent living all over the United States and in Europe. Connect with Sage at the following:

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