Torres-del-paine-national-park-Chile

PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL: MARIE-LAURE FROM STRASBOURG, FRANCE

I’m Marie-Laure. I was born and grew up in France. I moved to Chicago for my job 4 years ago and have been enjoying this great city since. Travelling is my life and I have a trip planned every three months basically!

1) NUMBER OF COUNTRIES VISITED

19

2) AGE AND FIRST INTERNATIONAL TRIP YOU TOOK

I started very young travelling with my family but I would say the first international trip I really remember was to the USA when I was 8 years old. It was with my mum and brother and we visited Miami, Orlando and New York.

3) FAVORITE AIRLINE

mmhhh I don’t have one airline I always go for although I fly united all the time in the US but I will be Chauvin on this one and say Air France at least for the food and champagne ?



4) YOUR GO-TO IN-FLIGHT APPAREL

Nothing special. I think more about after the flight so I try to keep a little bit of style ?

5) THINGS/GADGETS YOU CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT

for long distances contention socks!!! Otherwise just the ipod.

6) FAVORITE COUNTRY AND WHY

so far Bolivia. Just beautiful scenery and out of reality. The south of Bolivia (Salar de Uyuni and sur Lipez) gives you a feeling you will never experience somewhere else (at least in my short list of countries I have visited). Feels like another planet! Also not so touristy yet so the people are very genuine and nice!

Laguna Colorada

Laguna Colorada

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Laguna Colorada, South Lipez

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Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

7) WTF MOMENT

Not sure if that would really count as a WTF moment but it was in Bali and we arrived the day before a spriritual holiday so we were not allowed to make noise or go out of the house the following day… Was cool to be there to take part of that tradition but I wish we could have enjoyed the day out!

8) FAVORITE CITY AND WHY

it is a tough one…. I would pick Vancouver as favorite city I visited. Very relaxing, between ocean and mountains for a getaway ski weekend! And you can go see orcas there! And sushi are super good and half the price you pay in Chicago!

Orcas-Vancouver

Spotting Orcas in Vancouver

9) MOST EMBARASSING MOMENT

so far nothing really embarrassing well maybe I could say when I came to the US for a student exchange and wanted to kiss on the cheeks my host as greetings. My head was trying to get closer when my host was trying to avoid me kissing her ahah

10) FAVORITE CUISINE

after the French cuisine ? I pick with no hesitation Peruvian! I love Peruvian food especially the ceviche! Must try when you visit! Tanta in Lima is a good option!

11) HOTEL, HOSTEL, OR AIRBNB?

Hotel. More comfortable! However I have never got to travel alone so far so whenever that happens I will go for hostels from time to time to meet people!

12) MOST MEMORABLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

admiring las torres del paine after a 4-hour hike the last kilometer having a denivele of 300 meters! After admiring the torres you had to hike back another 4 hours! I also loved when we followed lionesses during a safari in Kruger Park in South Africa! Beautiful animals and amazing to see them in their natural habitat! There are so many more!!!

Kruger Park - South Africa

Following the lions in Kruger Park

13) MOST CHALLENGING TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

the 3-day tour in the sud lipez of Bolivia: -5C at night, no heat, no shower, no hot water but what an experience! And I forgot sleeping at almost 5000 meters of altitude!!!

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3 day tour in Lipez, Bolivia!

14) BEST TRAVEL ACTIVITY

hiking in the natural wonders the world has to offer!

15) FAVORITE TRAVEL SOUVENIR

I hate buying souvenir! Memories are in my head!

16) MOST LIKED INSTAGRAM PIC

I do not have Instagram… but on facebook I would say the one taken in Rio at the Christ redeemer! We were joking around with Marie-Blandine (my woo girl) trying to look as touristy as we could!

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Tourist mode at the top of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

17) FAVORITE TRAVEL PICTURE TAKEN

There are quite a few. The most recent one I love is the one I took at Petrohue, Chile with the volcano in the background.

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Petrohue, Chile

18) FUTURE TRAVEL PLANS

in the immediate future Cuba and Japan! Well France before that for Christmas but it doesn’t really count as a travel!

19) BUCKET LIST

The world! But on top of the list I do have Namibia, Iceland and the Philippines! I love nature so want to see all the natural wonders! I am planning on travelling around south east asia and oceania for a year very soon!

20) YOUR TRAVEL INFLUENCER(S) AND WHY

Growing up probably my dad who is passionate about travels like me. Now I would say Pascal Van Wynendaele who usually has been to the countries I want to visit so I just ask him for what to see!

21) FAVORITE TRAVEL QUOTE

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta