Sharing Travel Experiences

Travel with a Travel Geek

by Andy Hayes

Today’s interview guest is a self-professed travel geek, ultra-foodie, and manic music lover.  If you love life, then you’ll love this guest’s taste and appreciation of travel more.

Wait a minute – what is a travel geek exactly?  And what makes one geeky or not-so?  Well, you’ll just have to keep reading to find out.

Can you please introduce yourself?

I’m Alisha, the petite girl with big, curly hair holding down the fort at Sosauce. I’m the girl behind the tweets as most people know, and the one running around when we throw Sosauce events. Most recently, I’ve been known to be:

Head of the Party Planning Committee
Assistant to the Sosauce Content Manager
Regional Director in Charge of Promotions

Sosauce (Social Sauce) is a self-confessed community of “travel geeks.” Are you a travel geek? What exactly is a travel geek?

I am a travel geek! It took a while but working at a travel start-up with a bunch of guys (and a few ladies) in a room full of tech nerds has completely heightened my interest in travel. My ultimate goal is to “taste the breeze of every great city.”

Travel Geeks are the backpacking, mountain climbing, food loving, photo hogging, journal writing, thrill seeking travelers that have a constant wanderlust. Travel Geeks are those curious travelers who will get up early to see the sunrise over Mt. Fuji, or go out of their way to try the local tribal delicacy. We “geek” out about travel by reading up on the latest trending topics and then hitting the road to trek off the beaten path destinations.

Andy’s Note:  ”Taste the breeze of every great city?”  If that’s a travel geek, what’s not to like?

You also run your own music business. Can you tell us briefly about that?

I think music is a very important aspect of travel – even for traditional backpacker haunts like Australia, I’ve picked up some fantastic music that I never would have heard about without being there.

Any tips for finding great music on the road or some destinations you’d recommend for music lovers?

I’ve been working in music since I was in high school, it was just a hobby of mine along with writing. So I pursued both passions through college and 4 years later I’ve got my own freelance business on the side running PR & Events. I work with all sorts of music companies and artists booking and promoting shows, writing editorial features, and using social media to spread the word.

I try to incorporate travel and music whenever possible (you can read my touring musicians series on the Sosauce blog here). I’m a huge fan of road trips – they’re a great way to make play lists and sing out loud in the car. Usually I ditch big music/entertainment stores for indie record shops where the selection of music is jaw-dropping, and the prices are even better. I also have several friends who are really digging the music coming out of South America and of course as a Latin lady, you can’t go wrong with Salsa!

Andy’s Note:  I totally agree on this one.  Local music scenes are always eye-opening places, regardless whether you’re in San Diego or Siem Reap.  The best is when you can find one of those music shops where you can listen before you buy!  They’re a dying breed, but if you find one, take advantage!

Where are you originally from? Any tips or inspiration for travellers heading there?

Though not born in New York, I am a New Yorker, whole heartedly! I am from the Hudson Valley, about an hour and a half north of the city. But I’m more connected to NYC as I have always worked here, am in that fast-paced business mind set, and hope to settle down here. If you’re visiting or hope to come to NYC I suggest walking everywhere. Just pick a direction and start walking, you’ll be amazed at how New York is captivating, inspiring, welcoming, and frightening (in a good way) all at once. The summer time is my favorite season to walk New York, so come visit then!

Ethnicity wise, I’m 100% Puerto Rican. Usually the sass gives it away

We’ve talked about New York before, but what are your top tips for enjoying the city life? Any good, easy daytrips?

Like I said, walking is the best. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s one of the best way to do sight-seeing in NYC. Treat yourself to the wonderful food we have here too, and not everything is pricey if you do your research. In fact, I have an entire map just of cheap food in NYC that I intend to conquer! And as far as day trips go, take the plunge and cross the bridge. Brooklyn is amazing. It’s a completely different vibe with even more eccentricity and culture, better bargain deals for fun activities, and the food is yumtacular.

Andy’s Note:  Great tips – will be sure to take advantage when I am there this summer

What’s been your most inspirational travel experience?

Oddly enough I’m more inspired by the travel experiences I read on a daily basis on Sosauce and other sites. Every day I feel like I am living vicariously through others’ stories, photos, and trips. I went to Italy in 2008 and really loved it, as it was my first trip out of the country. During that trip I was taken aback by how wonderful the whole experience was and realized I needed to get out the country more often and really see the world in all its beauty.

What item are you dying to get off of your bucket list?

SPAIN. I dream about going there every day. I blame Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations episode, Mari’s trip, and the countless EuroCheapo reviews. I will not be happy until I am eating tapas, dancing Flamenco, and standing in front of the Guggenheim. Who’s with me?!

---

Wow, now I am hungry, my wanderlust is thirsty, and I’m craving a dig through the dusty shelves of a music store. What a great chat, Alisha, thanks for sparing your time. Folks, to find out more visit her profile on Sosauce or her own snazzy website.
Photo Credits:  Alisha, Mikelo, joiseyshowaa

Did Alisha's story inspire some wanderlust of your own?

What are you waiting for? Travel More with our Special Offers

Get hands-on travel help from Donna, our travel concierge.