A deep sense of curiosity and adventure and a strong craving to break out of the work routine, drives Fatma A. Alsaleh’s trendy travel interests. Having studied communications and worked in tourism, before moving to her current work in events, she says the travel bug bit her early in the childhood.
I enjoy going to places where you can meet and interact with locals, try new things and experiences
This thirst for travel and adventure peaked in her early 20s. Work in the tourism sector saw her travelling regularly, but she would love to revisit those destinations and others to add to her travel tally, which currently covers countries in the region and around, including Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tanzania, Seychelles, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Slovakia, Austria, USA, Canada, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan. It is her desire to explore uncharted waters, away from ‘trendy’ or ‘cliché’ places that spur her on.
Her memorable travel experiences…?
“Baku was a spur of the moment decision; India was the first rung on the ladder of adventurous travel for me; Slovakia was a breath of fresh air and the perfect de-stressing trip; Amman, the Dead Sea, and Petra…there are no words to describe the mesmerising carvings and craftsmanship of the city made of stone. The most relaxing trip was to the Seychelles – the people are so nice and laid back; their positive energy is contagious! The most hectic was Vietnam – but full of surprises (especially Hoa Lo prison!); the busy streets of Bangkok and serenity of the beaches in Phuket. The infamous Shibuya crossing in Tokyo; the cable cars and impossible hills of San Francisco; the grandeur of the pyramids in Egypt… The most eye-opening would have to be Zanzibar,” she explains.
And the worst? Istanbul. She says she would highly recommend Istanbul as a shopping and culinary destination, but not for cultural and historical experiences.
Describing travelling as an adventure and learning experience, she classifies it, importantly, as freedom. “You are free to be whoever you want to be, you can be the best version of yourself, away from judgement. Being a tourist is not only about exploring places; it’s also about self-exploration and getting to know yourself and your limits, and how flexible you are. How many hours can you survive in an economy seat? How many layovers can you handle? How do you deal with jet-lag? How to communicate with people who only speak their local language?” is her advice-laden observation.
And has travel changed her lifestyle?
“It definitely has, I have become more independent, self sufficient, and confident. Travelling also exposes you to so many different cultures, and in return teaches you to become more understanding, accepting, and tolerant of different people. During my trip to Hoi An in Vietnam we visited a tea house whose staff were all hearing impaired. We learnt how to say ‘thank you’ in sign language, and realised how different the little things are for people with special needs. I also visited various places of worship in most of the countries I have visited and I can state that faith is integral to culture and history; it is so interesting to draw similarities between two different cultures who speak entirely different languages from one another but share common practices. Things like Eid celebrations in the streets of Zanzibar – dancing with drums and blow-horns, are an example of how different other Muslims are. Travelling also taught me to trust my instincts, if something doesn’t feel right,” she replies.
Having identified the areas that can add to the expenses of travel, she has been maintaining a ‘travel drawer’ where she keeps things that used only when she travel, to ensure that they are not worn out and also can be easily packed. Her one strong advice is to do research as many places tend to double or triple the prices when they realise they are dealing with a tourist. Other is to use public transport and even walk: “take advantage of pedestrian-friendly cities,” she adds.
Her bucket list of places to visit is endless. About her plans, she say: “I would love to do a whole Euro-trip. I’d also like to revisit Japan and explore further than Tokyo. I’d like to experience New Year’s in New York, Christmas in Moscow, Ramadan in Egypt, Eid in Morocco, Tulip season in the Netherlands, Northern Lights in Iceland & Scandinavia – I believe festivities add a lot to the whole travel experience. I’m an avid reader, and very interested in learning about cultures and history in general. Iraq and Iran are places I would like to see one day, and Samarkand in Uzbekistan. South Africa, Zimbabwe/Zambia – I want to see the Victoria Falls! Visit South America – Peru (Cusco & Machu Picchu). Angkor Wat monuments in Cambodia.. Bali and Seoul…maybe go on a Caribbean cruise”
And for all wannabe travellers, her travel suggestion is to visit India
“The different cultures within sub-cultures are truly enthralling, not to mention its rich history and trade. From its magical snow covered mountains in Kashmir, to the intricately carved Taj Mahal, and the exquisite forts and palaces – India is definitely a destination worth visiting, whether it’s for the food, shopping, culture, wellness retreats, history, or nature.,” is her advice.
* Check out Fatma’s popular Instagram account @fatewm and #fatewmtravels for a quick peek into her travels.
