Thursday Traveler: Candice Walsh

Every Thursday, A Dangerous Business will be shining the spotlight on a world nomad, travel blogger, armchair adventurer, or just someone really cool in the travel world. This week, the traveler is Candice Walsh of Candice Does the World. Candice is a freelance writer and professional social butterfly living in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. She curses openly, drinks beer like a sailor, and writes for a number of publications including Matador Network and AOL Canada.

1. How do you define the word “traveler,” and why would you consider yourself one?

In my opinion, a traveler is someone who makes it their priority to travel. They have an urgency to see the world, and nothing will stop them. Not even babies, or boyfriends, or boyfriends with babies. And this doesn’t just apply to backpackers, but people of all travel styles.

2. What has been your favorite travel experience thus far?

Oh jeepers, that’s a tough one. Perhaps studying abroad in England with a group of kickass friends…we did a lot of country hopping, and I was a student with a massive line of credit so financial burdens didn’t really limit my experiences. I’m kicking myself now, but at the time, the freedom was fantastic. Plus it was my first time ever outside Newfoundland, in 2007.

I also just completed an epic Cross-Canada road trip. Kinda earned new appreciation for the country, and my own home once I realized how unique it is.

3. How about your proudest travel moment?

Rock climbing in Vancouver, British Columbia, because I have a stupid fear of heights. A week prior to that experience, I had nearly passed out in a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff, Alberta. Then I even went climbing in a gym and tackled some pretty high walls… go me!

4. Have you had any travel mishaps or bad experiences? If so, have these influenced how you view the place where they happened? Would you go back?

I picked up a stomach bug in Dublin, Ireland which destroyed my whole time there. My family is from Ireland, so I had expected to form some sort of bond with the place, but instead I wanted to punch every Irishman in the face and steal their Guinness.

5. Name one thing you can’t travel without.

Hair mousse. No seriously, my hair is wild.

6. Name one thing you wish you COULD travel without.

Hair mousse. That shit gets expensive.

7. What do you think has been the biggest thing you’ve learned while traveling (about yourself, a destination, a culture, travel itself)?

I’m not a backpacker and I don’t enjoy solo travel. I’ll do both, simultaneously, but I prefer sharing experiences. And I’m not crazy about hostels. I think the last straw was during my latest trip to Banff, when I walked in on two people having a romp in the top bunk. Mostly because I was pretty jealous.

I’ll probably CouchSurf or housesit from now on.

8. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I’m pretty content in St. John’s, Newfoundland… for now. It’s isolated, and the weather sometimes sucks, but it’s one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen and my love for it is just overwhelming. I’ve lived in Newfoundland my whole life, and I’m still enthralled. Where else can I see icebergs from my bedroom window, smack-dab in the middle of downtown?

Also, I’d love to live in Montreal for a while. I have never seen so many hot men in my life, and the city’s vibe was absolutely unreal. It kills me. It’s probably my favourite city I’ve visited so far in my travels!

9. Name one place you’d like to see or one experience you’d like to have before you die.

All of Greece… ALL OF IT. I’m obsessed with ancient Greek history, and I am dying to find a rich Greek man with a yacht who can sail me through the islands discovering ruins and beaches and parties and sexy times.

10. If there was one thing you wish somebody would have told you before you started traveling, what would it be?

Bring Kleenex with you wherever you go. Don’t ask.

Visit Candice’s site: Candice Does the World
Follow Candice on Twitter: @candicewalsh
“Like” Candice on Facebook: Candice Does the World

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Are you a travel blogger who has something to say on these topics? Do you know of somebody really interesting in the travel universe that you’d like to see interviewed? Speak up! The Thursday Traveler needs some interview subjects.