World Travellers: Sabina from Girl vs. Globe

In the latest installment of World Travellers I catch up with Sabina who runs Girl vs. Globe website. Love Sabina’s colourful photos and interesting travel history – check her out!

Who are you?

Hello there! I’m Sabina, the blogger behind “Girl vs Globe”. I’m a twenty-something female globetrotter with a penchant adventure and getting into trouble. I’m also a full-time university student currently working on my degree in political science.

Where are you from?

Having already lived in a handful of countries during my two decades on this delightful blue planet, I don’t really feel myself to be a citizen of any particular one and hence always try to dodge this question. But let me at least be a little more specific… I was born in the Czech Republic where I lived till the age of 13 and then moved to Austria with my parents. At 17 I packed up my bags and moved to London to commence my university studies. I then spent a year studying abroad in Russia and somehow managed to fit in a month of living in Beijing. I’m about to move back to England to finish my degree, but who knows what’s next?

Where have you been?

In 20 years I’ve visited more than two dozen countries which isn’t too bad I reckon! Truth be told, I’m a fan of slow travel and not really one to count how many borders I’ve crossed – but it’s easy to get competitive! I’ve mostly travelled within Europe, but I’m working towards changing that and branching out.

Where are you now?

I’m currently in Vienna, visiting my parents and revisiting my teenage hangouts. As I said, I’m moving back to London very soon and could not be more excited!

What are the top 3 places you’ve visited?

This is a tough one – all the countries I’ve been to impressed me in one way or another and it’s hard to compare the experiences I’ve had in each one of them. Having said that, I’m going to go with China, Morocco and Britain. Each of those countries challenged my view of life a little and helped me grow as a person.

What is the best travel experience you’ve had?

Moving to Vienna as a moody thirteen-year-old didn’t feel so good at the time, but looking back it was the best gift my parents could have given me. It made me much stronger and set me up for a lifetime of adventure. What more could you ask of a travel experience?

What is the worst travel experience you’ve had?

I had a really tough time during my year of studying abroad in Moscow. I struggled with depression and the environment definitely did not aid my recovery. It’s not that I didn’t like Russia, but the place is cold and – before they warm up to you – the people can be as well. Once again, it has made me a stronger person and I wouldn’t be who I am today without this experience – but my year in Moscow is a slight stain on my happy-go-lucky travel resume.

What is the funniest travel experience you’ve had?

I have a tendency to get into trouble everywhere I go, so I have no shortage of funny travel anecdotes – in retrospect anyway. One of my favourite stories is that one time I managed to hitchhike to France with a pimp and a Mexican. Definitely one to (not) tell the grandchildren!

What is the scariest travel experience you’ve had?

I’ve had to go to a police station in Moscow and fill out several long forms all the while chatting to two policemen with AK47s in Russian. I’ve also been stranded in the middle of Marrakech’s Djemaa el Fnaa square at midnight with a little suitcase, no money and snake charmers all around me. In both cases I was too perplexed to be scared, but looking back I think I should have been terrified!

What is the most random job you have had on your travels?

While living in Moscow I worked as a broadcast journalist for RT. It’s not necessarily a random job, but I was shocked that I managed to get the position and work alongside some very accomplished and established journalists.

How do you fund your travels?

I work part-time alongside my studies and do some freelance writing assignments on the side as well, which helps me fund my travels. I tend to stay at budget hostels, travel slow and save where I can, so my travels usually aren’t too expensive!

What 3 tips would you give a new traveller before they set off on their adventure?

Be open-minded, keep a diary and don’t take anything – including yourself – too seriously. That means not kicking yourself for all the mistakes you are no doubt going to make and just laughing about them. As for keeping a diary, this can mean anything from taking lots of photos to actually sitting down and writing about your travels. Either way, it’s amazing to have something to remind you of all those incredible experiences in the years to come.

What are your future travel plans?

Now that I’m moving back to London, I’m extremely excited to finally explore the UK in a lot more depth. I’m also going to Athens in October for TBEX – my first ever travel conference!

Biography: 

I’m a travel blogger, twenty-something student and aspiring grownup. I have a passion for fashion, I revel in travel and I’m always in the mood for food. I also have a weakness for delicious cocktails and cute animals (boys included!). I’m trying to make the whole world my home and my website is my progress report.

Website: http://www.girlvsglobe.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/girlvsglobe

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/girlvsglobe

Thanks to Sabina for being the latest in my series of World Travellers! If you travel the world and run a travel blog or are a travel writer, please get in touch, you can be featured (there’s a HUGE waiting list at present), either e-mail jonny (at) dontstopliving (dot) net or head to my contacts page and get connected! You can also subscribe to Don’t Stop Living by filling in the form below! Safe travels!