Alejandro – From Spain to the World
It is hard for most people to imagine what it is like to constantly travel. Most imagine that great riches are required, but from my own experiences and those I havemet along the way, a travel lifestyle is probably much easier than you imagine.
I met Alejandro during my Erasmus exchange in Romania back in 2011. Born in Spain he travelled to several countries and has lived in Romania and is currently living and working on his online projects in Mexico.
1) Who inspired you to travel?
The desire to understand better the world I live in. The fact that there is so much to know and so little time. I always been fascinated by other cultures. The idea of finding some place, some language, or certain people that would change my life for the better. Being a more interesting, knowledgeable, wise individual and counting on a ampler perspective of the reality itself is another set of factors that always propelled me to hop on a plane and get far far away from home.
2) What is your biggest fear?
There is not only one of them but several at different levels. By the fact of being abroad, I know that something unexpected occurs at home I won’t be there to help my family. Another fear is the one related to “failure”. Usually one you go live abroad, people ask you why you did so, and in general is some sort of job-related proposal. Otherwise why wouldn’t you stay home? So the fear of not achieving anthing great while living abroad and come back home as a failure is always on the back of my mind. Another fear I usually confront is “mediocrity”. I have fought hard to differentiate myself from the rest of the people. I live by the following mantra: “The majority is always wrong. So If you want to be succesful, do just the opposite” and for that reason I only do the things I want to do, and since I can remember I have tried to mold myself into someone I could be proud of.
3) What is the most memorable moment you’ve had while traveling?
When I was 20 years old and travelled “om the cheap” with a friend of mine throughout several European countries, we both slept on the streets (one outside a regular office and the second one on the entrance of a museum located in a major italian square) for several days and only eating sandwiches we prepared with the ingredients we would buy from the supermarket. It was somewhat tiring but an interesting and adventuresome experience as well.
4) Who would you want to be stranded with on a deserted island?
Definitely with my kindle reader and a gazillion of ebooks in it 😉
5) Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without on travels?
My kindle reader and my ipod.
6) What does your family and friends say about you travelling so often?
For some of them I am mad, for others I am their hero. Lots of people want to lead this kind of lifestyle but not many of them are willing to jump out of their comfort zones. So, travelling often means becoming more resilient and adaptable to newer and unpredictable circumstances. Are you willing to take the risk?
7) If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
I can challenge your assumptions, and drag you into a new world of endless possibilities. Welcome to my reality.
8) What’s on the top of your bucket list right now?
Finishing my second book on language learning and getting my feet wet on ecommerce through the Amazon FBA program.
9) What is the worst misadventure you’ve had during your travels?
I lost my passport, credit cards and camera while initiating my erasmus adventure in Romania back in 2011. It was a painful experience but taught me an important lesson.
10) What is the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Not that strange here in Mexico. But spicy grasshoppers are quite a thing here in mexico. It tastes like dry fish.
11) How do you make money and control your expenses to be on the road so often?
With several jobs here in and there. I have offered private maths and english lessons to local students and now currently on the process of translating my first book to several languages to expand my passive income potential as well.
12) Have you ever traveled alone, why or why not? If yes, where did you go the first time you did?
The first time I travelled alone was to a english course I attended for two weeks in Brighton (UK) at the tender age of 16. Then, I have often travelled alone to countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, Romania, Mexico and the USA. The good thing when you’re travelling solo is that you are much more open to getting to know new people, and you can recourse the direction of your trip depending on the circumstances without necessarily having to consult anyone. It has its sets of challenges, but if you are open mind and are genuinely interested about the people you encounter along the way, you’ll have a blast while travelling on your own terms.
13) Tell me about the craziest or most unforgettable night out during your travels.
While turning back to the hostel from partying in Tulum (Mexico) with one of the female receptionists a drunken guy on a bike tried to pull off this girls’ bag. He fell off the bike and got a knife out his pocket with which menaced us to give him all of our belongings. I behaved like a primate male shouting out loud. So he hopped back onto the bike and left promptly. Nothing bad happened. Our belongings remained with us, noone was stabbed and eventually I got “rewarded” that night.
14) Where did you go on your most recent road trip?
I travelled to Tanger (Morocco). Really nice beaches, interesting characters and exotic food. I smoked a shisha with my brother in one of the local cafeterias which lasted for more than 4 hours in a row. We left the place but the shisha remained there.
15) What is one travel advice you’d like to give?
Let go all of your fears. Be open minded, and try to get yourself in uncomfortable situations that challenge yourself to become a better person. The world is huge and our time is limited. So, be prepare to best you could ever be.
