Hi, my name is Ilse Anna Maria!

One of my first (almost) solo travel experiences was an interrail trip in Europe with a friend at the age of sixteen. In three weeks, we rushed through eight countries, sometimes staying somewhere only for a few hours during a layover. Although we had an amazing time, I also learned that for me travelling is not about ticking off countries from a bucket list, but about experiencing places, learning from cultures, and creating valuable connections with people. 

This is why I prefer and promote slow travel. I am convinced that slow travel helps you connect with yourself, with the earth and with others in the most authentic and ethical way. But to do so, travel should not only be outwards, but also inward.

​

The latter I mostly learned during my first big (truly) solo adventure outside of Europe, namely in South-East Asia, at the age of 19. To get to know one place and culture a bit better, and to be of service, I decided to do an internship in Laos for about five weeks. The last three weeks of my summer I backpacked through Laos and Cambodia, ending in Bangkok, Thailand.

My internship was related to the 'development studies' part in my Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies bachelor. I lived and worked on an organic rice farm with an ecotourism project and helped owner Lau Lee to improve the project. Besides cultural anthropology, I also study (yes, still - soon starting my online Masters in Philosophy, Consciousness and Cosmology) philosophy.

​

In Luang Prabang, Laos I first learned that the word philosophy does not have a universal meaning. During my internship, I regularly visited a center where travellers, expats, and English-speakers can go to speak with young people from Laos. The purpose of the center was for these young people to practice their English for free and at the same time for everyone to engage in a cultural exchange through conversations. Every time I went to this center I learned new things – both about the people I was speaking with, the culture I was immersing myself in and about myself.

​

During my first few visits I learned about the different possible interpretations of the word philosophy. When asked what I studied I always answered Philosophy and Anthropology. Most people that I spoke with immediately passed me the question ‘What is your philosophy of life?’. And every time I would stare at them blankly. I sort of grasped what they were asking, but I did not understand it completely. I asked them several times, but it was only through hearing other people’s philosophy of life that I came to understand – over time – what it entailed. And I came to learn what was mine.

​

A philosophy of life is a way of viewing life and a way of living life, you might even say it includes your personal or spiritual purpose. I usually express my philosophy of life through my 'ikigai,' a Zen buddhist concept signifying something like the purpose that weaves through everything you do in life. My ikigai is to make people feel at home in the world, meaning to make people feel connected to each other, to themselves, and to our beautiful earth.

​

This blog therefore has two sides: outward travel and inward travel content. On the outward travel side, I share general travel tips. travel stories, and location-specific insights and recommendations. With these posts I hope to inspire you to explore the world in an ethical and authentic way. On the inward travel side, I share inspiring life philosophies of others, anthropological and philosophical insights, and I openly share about my own spiritual journey and the influence of my travels on that

Through both sides, I hope to inspire you to explore the world, its people and cultures in an ethical and authentic way (whether that be in-person or through reading this blog). And I hope to show you how the world, its people and cultures can inspire you to go dis-cover yourself and to go deeper within.

​

Whatever side(s) you're drawn towards most, I wish you a wonderful and wild ride. Lots of love,

​

Ilse

​