Interview: Pack for a Purpose (one of National Geographic Traveler’s Top ten Travelers of the Year)

I first heard of Rebecca Rothney when National Geographic Travelers announced their 2014 Travelers of the Year. Instantly I felt a connection. As a former teacher with a love of travel and volunteering I had to reach out. We’ve consistently been amazed at the kindness of strangers when we travel and have always felt (and taught) that as travelers, we are all ambassadors from our home countries. Compassion, understanding, a genuine nature and embracing the local culture goes a long way.

Mat and I have often brought supplies with us to donate when we travel but nothing as organized as Pack for a Purpose. I wanted to find out more. There was an instant connection on our call as we chatted for quite awhile about world travel, community, and the ongoing benefits of giving back. This innovative not-for-profit makes it incredibly simple to add charitable goodness to your travels at home or abroad. Head to the website to see if wherever you’re going there’s a Pack for a Purpose hotel with which to connect and enhance local communities that need your help. If everyone could bring a little communities can gain a lot. A book, a stethoscope, a stuffed animal or a pack of crayons yields smiles, good will and hope. You can still spend your days at the beach, roaming that city you always dreamed of seeing, or filled with action packed adventure – but a few kilos and a few minutes that might not change your bank account can truly affect the world, bring a sense of purpose to your travels and change lives for the better. How could you not get on board with that?

National Geographic Travel Honours Travelers of the Year 2014

‘Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.’- Marc Anthony

For years we’ve all heard this comment but for me, it was floated again when I resigned from teaching to follow a different path and carve out a new journey. I love to travel. I’ve loved it for years and there’s a freedom while traveling that I’ve yet to find elsewhere. That feeling of lightness, curiosity and that anything is possible is palpable and tangible whenever there’s an adventure. In between those travels (when there’s a bit of time to recoup financially), I find myself searching for those feelings at home. I’ve found many who know exactly what I mean and feel the same way. They may describe it as bliss, a tranquility or even the feeling of knowing you’re a small part of a bigger world-but there’s a kinship, and travelers understand.