Rachel on a visit to Poland.
This week on The Traveler Series, meet Rachel Sales of Pink Pangea, a travel community for women to swap stories and connect. Rachel is the co-founder and editor of Pink Pangea and, along with co-founder Jaclyn Mishal, started the Pink Pangea community after growing frustrated with the lack of information for female travelers. In an effort to answer questions specific to women’s travels, this dynamic duo started Pink Pangea where people could share their globetrotting stories. Here I interview Rachel on her travel style, her favorite destination and how Pink Pangea was started.
What inspires you to travel?
I love getting lost in the world, seeing how other people live their lives, and having adventures outside of my comfort zone.
For those who don’t yet know you, can you explain your travel style?
Low-maintenance—I love to just spend the day walking through a city, meeting interesting people and trying the local foods.
Rachel and her mother in the Old City of Jerusalem conversing with the locals.
How do you afford your travels?
I work and save up. Travel is a big priority for me.
Where has been your favorite destination?
Fez, Morocco was extraordinary and like nothing I’d ever experienced before. I remember standing in the market with pyramid-shaped spices on my right, dozens of multicolored leather slippers on my left, one man on a donkey and another man on a moped having a run in before my eyes, and the brush of jallabiyahs against my back. And that was just one moment in time.
Rachel getting henna done on the streets of Morocco.
If you had to settle down in one location forever, where would you choose and why?
Tel Aviv—it’s a stunning city on the beach with a carefree yet energetic vibe. It makes me feel alive.
What’s the funniest or weirdest cultural idiosyncrasy you’ve either witnessed or experienced?
In Ukraine, many of the food stores’ products were behind the counter, and I had to point to each one for the salesperson to get it for me. It made it a bit of a longer food shopping experience than I was used to.
What keepsake do you have to get at all your destinations? (Whether it’s something free like ticket stubs or brochures, or something you have to buy)
Gifts for family members.
Rachel and her husband Ben in Bratislava, Slovakia.
How about the one thing you cannot travel without?
A book—I don’t know what I’d do without something to read on the plane!
What is the best piece of travel advice you’ve picked up over the years?
Just let go and enjoy yourself.
Why did you begin your website? And how did you come up with your website name?
Jaclyn, my co-founder and I were big travelers and often found that the information we needed as women travelers wasn’t available in the regular travel guides. You can hear the full story here. Pangea is the landmass that existed before the lands split. The idea of Pink Pangea is to make the world more accessible to women travelers.
What is your one piece of advice to budding travel writers looking to start a blog or website?
Be consistent, but constantly evaluate your work.
What’s next for 2014? (Trips planned, etc.)
Heading to Cinque Terre and Florence in two weeks!
Follow Pink Pangea here:
Site: www.pinkpangea.com
Twitter: @pinkpangea
Facebook: www.facebook/pinkpangea
Instagram: @pinkpangea
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