As part of our goal to make life easier for bus travelers, we keep in touch with travelers who have had firsthand experiences wandering the world. Last time, we featured Stephanie Yoder from Twenty-Something Travel. Today, we’re happy to feature La Carmina.
La Carmina is on her way to becoming a prominent figure in the world of travel reporting, blogging, and underground popular culture. She’s a travel journalist, author, blogger, and has appeared on television shows like ABC Nightline, Bizarre Foods, and Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations. She’s also hosted travel shows on TLC, The Food Network, Discovery, and National Geographic. We were lucky to snag a moment of her time and have her answer our burning questions.
1. Along with being an author, journalist, and TV host, you also run a popular blog. What tips do you have on succeeding in the blogosphere?
I encourage bloggers to aim for “success” on their own terms, rather than being distracted by external validations. These days, with blogging becoming a viable career, I see too many people focusing on numbers, and aiming to get clicks, affiliate income or the biggest-paying sponsors. To me, success means being able to do the type of travels and projects that have the most meaning – I’m passionate about reporting on alternative beauty, subcultures, and individuals pushing boundaries worldwide. I urge bloggers to put their energy into quality writing, photos, and content with a cause. In the long-term, this is what is most personally satisfying, and usually has the most impact.
2. Your work has taken you to many cool places around the world – such as Israel, the Maldives, Dubai, and Cape Town, to name a few. What’s the most interesting city or country you’ve traveled to or had the chance to work in?
It’s impossible for me to name one place, since I’ve found fascinating cultures and people in so many cities. This year, I was pleasantly surprised by Cebu in the Philippines, where I was working on a travel video and showcase of Pacific Cebu Resort. I discovered untouched beaches, intriguing local food like mantis shrimp and calamansi juice, and an upbeat pop culture that exceeded my expectations.
3. You were in Montreal about a year ago to talk about its subcultures and alternative hotspots for a video segment. What’s your favorite spot to visit when you pass through Montreal?
Montreal has a fantastic Gothic clubbing scene. Bar Passeport is a great place to stop by for a strong drink, and to dance to old-school Goth, EBM, and synth music. There are more alternative Montreal tips here on my blog.
4. What projects are you working on at the moment and where are you traveling to next?
I’m always happy to grow my work on different platforms, such as writing and television, as long as it stays true to who I am. For the past year, I’ve been working on a dream project with a wonderful team, and we’re going to reveal it hopefully early in the year. You can find out about this big news soon on my website. I’ll also be in several Asian countries in early 2015 – some old favorites and some new destinations – and will be profiled on a major TV network.
5. At Busbud, our mission is to make bus travel information easy to find so that travelers can make better travel decisions. What do you think about this mission and do you think this type of service would benefit the travel community?
I love this mission. Whenever I plan trips, it’s frustrating to find information about bus routes, fares and more – especially if this is in another language, or an unfamiliar system. It ends up taking me a long time to sort through conflicting, out-of-date facts. With a service like Busbud, I can simply look up the information from one trusted source. Such a relief!
6. Finally, you’ve taken the bus in Tokyo, Osaka, Europe, and along the US’ East Coast. Do you have a memorable bus story to share with our readers?
The pit-stops are always a fun part of the bus journey. You’ll often end up in small towns or quirky stores, which you wouldn’t get to experience any other way. When my friend and I traveled from Tokyo to Osaka by bus, we made a stop at a seemingly plain building. But inside, there was a local bakery that was famous for its big, fluffy, pale green melon bread! What a treat it was to bite into a fresh-out-of-the-oven loaf in this most unexpected place.
Thanks, La Carmina!
You can follow La Carmina’s adventures on her blog, as well as on Facebook & Twitter.
Photos by La Carmina