Almost every day I am asked interesting questions from all over the world and I thought I would start sharing my responses to them, along with travel related giveaways. I love questions, thus please feel free to ask me anything in the comments or send me a private message if you prefer.
Q26. Why did you visit Cuba? How was the food?
A26. I have never been one to follow rules and I do not like being told where I can and cannot go. If you add that with my fascination of Cuban history and politics and my love for mojitos and salsa music, well I could not have designed a better place to celebrate my 25th Birthday in. I am against the current embargo that the United States has with Cuba and while I know my traveling there has no impact on it in any way, it was my one little way of rebelling. I think Che Guevara would have been very proud of me! Unfortunately, the food I ate there was hugely disappointing and overpriced. Although, I think that was solely due to the embargo. The best food I consumed was made by the owners of the casa paticulares that I stayed in.
Q27. How do you get to travel free? I tell the hotels and restaurants I am a writer (who could give them exposure) and they do not give me squat!
A27. For the most part, I honestly do not travel that much for free, or at least not completely. The majority of my trips end up costing me something. Although, when I do travel for free or if there is partial compensation, it is because I am covering the destination for a magazine and/or my blog in exchange. The two most important things that must be accomplished in order to build your reputation is extremely hard work and making valuable contacts (good luck plays a tiny role as well). Also, have an up-to-date, professional-looking Media Kit or resume that you can share that details why your brand is worth investing in. The best advice I was given in the beginning of my career was never be afraid of rejection. Pitch, pitch, pitch. At the end of the day who cares how many no’s you have received? Delete them, throw them away, forget about them. You will eventually get a yes and all of that rejection will have paid off, I promise!
Q28. Why is Africa not amongst your top places to places to visit given the sheer natural magnificence there is? Is it the weather? People? Lack of? I would love to know.
A28. I am not sure why you would have that impression? One of my ultimate dream destinations is Tanzania. I have already visited Morocco and South Africa and loved both countries for different reasons. South Africa, especially, will always hold a special place in my heart. The safari that I went on while I was there was life changing and hope to one day go on another one, but this time with my husband. We are both huge animal aficionados.
A29. When are you planning on having babies Andi?
A29. We plan to start trying for our first child in 2014! That is all I am saying for now. . .
Q30. How did you meet your husband?
A30. It was a true moment of synchronicity. I was in Buenos Aires, Argentina (eight years ago) on a vacation with a girlfriend. Both my husband and I had plans that went disarray and thus we ended up in the same nightclub. He was the first person that I saw when I first walked in. He literally took my breath away and we both smiled at each other in the same moment. About five minutes later he was next to me with a glass of champagne and we flirted in Spanglish for hours. It was definitely love at first sight!
For this giveaway, I am offering the chance to win a complimentary two night-stay in a Cottage Suite at The Tongsai Bay in Ko Samui, Thailand. Also included is a daily buffet breakfast for two persons and a round-trip airport transfer from Samui Airport.
Aw, I love the love at first sight story.
Can’t wait to see these babies!
You know I’m always planning a trip to Thailand somewhere in the future 🙂 I’d love to win!
Wow, Thailand has been on my list for ages! This would definitely force me to buy the ticket and just go. Incredible giveaway, thanks Andi! When does it expire? Also, I love the story of how you met your husband. Your kids will be precious.
Happy travels 🙂
No matter how many times I hear the story, I still always smile when I hear how you and Lucas met. 🙂 Wonderful. 🙂 XO
I love these posts Andi 🙂 … bring on 2014! You guys are going to make fabulous parents!
Amazing giveaway! And yet another internet stranger squee’ing over your potential babies!
Great giveaway! I am currently in SE Asia and would love to go there!
what a sweet way to meet your husband! And I love your pitch, pitch, pitch advice!! That is probably god advice for everyone.
I LOVE this post…everything about it – really! BUT one of the first things you said about not following the rules and not liking being told what to do sure hit home with me 🙂
What a great giveaway! I’m actually planning to go to Thailand next year, so that’d be perfect! 😀 I’m wondering: Can you imagine a reason that would make you want to stop traveling?
This is a great post Andi — you two are the best!
What is your proudest travel moment?
I’m going to a wedding in Koh Samui in May!!!! Would LOVE to win!
I love that photo of you and your husband, it’s beautiful!
And I met my husband in a nightclub too 🙂
Great contest! I love your answers to the Q+A. It’s so much fun to follow your travels and of course your romance 🙂 My question is: Is it hard to keep your Chinese medicine doctor business going with all of your travel? How do you find the balance?
beautiful stories, thanks for sharing Andi!
what great answers – love the photos as well!!!
Thank you so much for your kind comment on my post today!
LOVE that photo of you two!!! Great advice! I hope Africa works out someday – I really want to go and I know how much you want to go back!
Hi Andi – exciting news about 2014! Also love the story of how you met your husband. 🙂
love at first sight! that’s wonderful! It happens to me also 🙂
You two make such a gorgeous couple & such a beautiful love story!
Sounds, you are a great experience holder!
nice post. thanks for sharing!!!
Gah love at first sight, amazing! And surprised about the expensive food in Cuba, that’s disappointing but I ahve heard amazing things from all my Canadian friends who vacation there.
Love it Andi, how romantic how you met your husband 🙂 Good luck in 2014 too 🙂
Goosebumps when I got to the part about meeting your husband. I would loooove to go to South Africa! That’s near the top of my “dream” list, but the bottom of my “affordability” list. 😉
Thanks for hosting an amazing giveaway, Andi, I would love to go back to Thailand!
Loving “Ask Andi Anything”! I can only imagine how many adorable baby photos you will take once you have a child! Looking forward to it 🙂
Andi, what’s your favorite wine, champagne, and cocktail?
I’m planning on going to Koh Samui in November! 🙂 It would just be a dream come to stay there 🙂
Also, I completely feel the same way about Cuba! I’ve always wanted to go there, mostly because I’ve always been told that I can’t.
That’s a shame that Cubans can’t get good Cuban food. I just had some spectacular Cuban food down in Miami and the most phenomenal meal I ever had in Puerto Rico was a roadside Cuban restaurant.
Gonna win this trip!
How nice, Andi. I love your Q and A’s. Hopefully, a reader can use it.
Babies next year? So exciting, I’ll keep my fingers crossed!!! And as we might be heading to Thailand (well, quite likely will) on our way to New Zealand, I’ll definitely take part in this give away also. 🙂
This is my first time visiting your blog but definitely not the last. Your photos are vibrant and your words eloquent, thanks for sharing!
This is my first time visiting your blog but definitely not the last. Your photos are radiant and bold and your words eloquent and potent. Thanks for sharing!
Sorry my Thai internet is the worst…double comments for everyone!
Andi random question but what is your heritage?
My friend recommended this blog and I’m glad I found it. I met my husband while traveling too (we met in Tanzania 6 years ago) and hope to have a baby in 2014 too!
My question is, do you plan to keep traveling after you start a family? Maybe have a “third culture kid”? Anyway, wish you the best!
Dear Andi,
Thank you for an enjoyable post! Loved the story of you meeting your husband. I met mine in a coffeeshop over a cappuccino. Which is fitting since we both work in coffee!
I just stumbled across your blog from a comment you made on Dave and Deb’s Milwaukee post, and I’m glad I did. Thanks for the advice for beginning bloggers. I’m beginning to transition from a magazine, copywriting, and technical writing career into a more travel-writing focused one, and just started a blog. Your advice was helpful.
Hope your day is lovely! We’ll be going to Little India here in LA for a Sunday buffet.
What are three of your most favorite things (excluding people and travel)?
If could pick one city to celebrate your Birthday in this year what would it be?