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 Norbert Figueroa of GloboTreks. Norbert is an architect and adventure junkie who is always looking for new experiences and inspiration to build his world through travel. Right now, he is in the process of becoming location independent as he prepares for his upcoming Round the World trip.
On the Inca Trail
1. How do you define the word “traveler,” and why would you consider yourself one?
Traveler… Anyone who is willing to explore a place, no matter how, where, or when. I consider myself a traveler since I love to not only go to different and new places, but to also absorb their culture, lifestyle, and unique aspects that make each place unique and interesting. I love exploring new things and challenging myself.
2. What has been your favorite travel experience thus far?
I think that would be celebrating my 27th birthday at Warmiwañusca — the highest point in the Inca Trail. I got to the top of Warmiwañusca completely exhausted and cold, then all of the sudden my hiking companions started singing happy birthday to me. I was completely surprised!
At the Lahu Tribe in Thailand
3. How about your proudest travel moment?
It would be the first time I decided to backpack solo in 2008. I went to Thailand, a dream destination of mine, and I had the time of my life. Not only was that trip a pivotal point in my life, as it kind of made me the traveler I am today, but it also made me proud of myself for standing up to all the people that told me that I shouldn’t be traveling by myself to such a “dangerous” country, or that I shouldn’t go for any other reason.
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?
Oh yes… On my trip to Honduras this past March, I had the worst accident in my life! I fell from the top of a Maya pyramid and cut open my knee. The wound was so bad that it bled for hours and there was no medical help in the little town of Copan Ruinas, where I was staying. So I had to hop on a bus for a 7-hour bus ride to Guatemala, still bleeding, to get some help there. I actually wrote a post about this experience since it made an interesting story.
At San Jose Village in Belize
5. Name one thing you can’t travel without.
My iPhone! It’s what keeps my sanity and what helps me endure long flights and bus rides. Who would have thought 3 years ago that a little device like this could do almost anything?!
6. Name one thing you wish you COULD travel without.
I wish I could travel without my laptop, but then, I wouldn’t be able to blog on the road. But, I believe an alternative will come soon. The iPad is close enough to being it already.
7. What do you think has been the biggest thing you’ve learned while traveling (about yourself, a destination, a culture, travel itself)?
Understanding and compassion. Traveling exposes you to so many new and foreign things that you might not understand at first and might even question the reasoning behind. But, exposing yourself to them helps you know how relative is our perspective and thoughts from around the world, the differences and similarities, and how the same goal can be achieved through many different ways. Travel is a cultural learning experience that helps you grow intellectually and as a person.
At Hitler's Bunker in Poland
8. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
So far it would be either Berlin or Amsterdam. Both cities appeal to me since they have such a great architectural selection (I can’t help it, I’m an architect), the city scale and environment is very inviting, and their lifestyles seems to fit the city lifestyle I like.
9. Name one place you’d like to see or one experience you’d like to have before you die.
Uff, there are so many places I’d like to see, but I think Nepal and Indonesia are two that are on top of my list. For sure I’d like to visit every continent. I’m very ambitious, so I’d like to visit every UN-recognized country in a time span of 10-15 years.
10. If there was one thing you wish somebody would have told you before you started traveling, what would it be?
That traveling the world is not so damn expensive as people think it is. With good planning, and, of course, leaving luxuries aside, you can travel long-term and spend the same amount of money or less than what you normally spend “at home”.
And, that you should always be prepared to represent your country while abroad. Do you have any idea how many times I’ve been asked about Puerto Rico’s political state and if I know Ricky Martin? Ha!
Visit Norbert’s Site: GloboTreks
Follow Norbert on Twitter: @GloboTreks
“Like” Norbert on Facebook: GloboTreks
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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.
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Norbert, I was so happy to spend so much time with you at TBEX! You have given some great answers to Amanda’s questions!
I love your last answer about representing your country, it gets talked about a lot but I’ve never heard anyone answer that question with it! No matter who we are we are a representation of our country to the rest of the world and you are so right, that means we should be knowledgeable about it!
Annie recently posted..Lesson #12: Don’t Be Such a Mama’s Boy!
Ditto on your comment, Annie — when putting this together, I was really glad to read that last part, too!
Likewise Annie and Amanda! It was so great meeting both of you, and I’m sure we’ll meet again somewhere around.
It’s funny that representing your country is something we don’t think much about, but when you think about it, many conversation with other travelers revolve around your country, its way of life, and other cultural things. Believe it or not, that has inspired me to know even more about Puerto Rico, so I can be able to respond, have a great conversation, and let others know about my country.
That’s awesome that travel has actually made you more knowledgeable about where you come from! Definitely a positive.
Great interview! I’ve met Norbert in person a few times and must say he’s a great guy and a great traveler! Love the answers to the questions. I am curious, however, as to whether or not he’s met Ricky Martin…
Haha, I’m curious too, Lisa!
Norbert?
Thanks Lisa!
Ha! Well, Ricky Martin used to live in the same street I grew up (about 5 houses down the street), but I was too young to have met him. But, my sisters did get to meet him as they are about the same age. This was way before he went solo…
Great answers… and its great to find someone that combines architecture with travel so well! Myself I believe that architecture is a big part of each culture, and feel appealed to those cities that have beautiful buildings and streets – and Amsterdam is definitely one of them!
Katherina recently posted..Too Much Luggage
Thanks Katherina! I totally agree. Architecture is deeply related to each culture as it expresses the cultural beliefs of each place and how they evolve through time. For me, that is so interesting and visually pleasing. Amsterdam… ah, how I love that city!
I’ve been a fan orf Norbert’s for a while now, so it’s great to get a deeper perspective…thanks!
I love doing these interviews for that very same reason — these are all bloggers I follow, too, so it’s great getting to know them a bit better through this process.
Thanks Raymond! I can say the same… I’ve been following your blog and I love your funny perspectives on things. I look forward to read an interview about you/your site to get a different glimpse of Raymond!
Norbert is a fave of mine and I was so happy to meet him in person at TBEX. Great guy, great blog! Such a nice interview.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Amsterdam’s Bikes and Boats
Thanks, Cathy! He made a great interview subject. And I was also happy to meet him at TBEX, if only very briefly.
Great interview with Norbert! Enjoyed getting to know him a little better. He’s a great guy and interesting to learn about travel from his perspective. Remember him cutting that knee and how horrible of an experience that was. If I remember correctly, a lady he stayed with in Guatemala (I think) had her son help him (son was a doctor). I think that is how he got patched up!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..Where in the world am I?
I remember reading that story, too! I actually meant to link to it… oops! Norbert is definitely an interesting traveler, with his architecture background. I’m sure he looks at cities through completely different eyes, compared to most of us.
Thanks Amanda! You know, at first (when I started my blog) I thought talking about the architectural perspective was going to be boring to travelers, but I was impressed by how much travelers like the different architectural styles from around the world and by how interested they are in them. I guess we all have an architectural eye in a way.
I think we can all appreciate a cool-looking building, even if we don’t all understand the technical stuff about it. At least, I know I can!
Thanks Jeremy! Yes! you got that right!! It was an old Guatemalan lady and her son who gave me a hand with my knee cut… So glad I ran into her.
Norbert, I’m so sorry for the injury you had in Copan, Honduras. However, next time you need medical assistance in Copan you don´t need to go all the way to Guatemala, you should go to Santa Rosa de Copan, which is the largest city in western Honduras, it´s only about 1 hour from Copan Ruins. I´m sure they have proper medical assistance in Santa Rosa de Copan.
Hopefully you will go back to Copan some day and enjoy the ruins with no injuries. Again, I’m so sorry…