Diary Of A Travel Blogger From Mexico To Tokyo

In the latest instalment of our travel blogger series we speak to Talulah, a Mexican girl who, like many of us, has an uncontrollable urge to travel the world. In this inspiring piece, she tells us all about her experiences, favourite places and where she’s yet to explore.
Name: Talulah Carlota Rodriguez-Anderson AKA @Talulah_OG
Age: 22
From: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Living In: Los Angeles, California
Occupation: Just graduated from Otis College of Art and Design
Hobbies and Interests: Designing, DJing, travelling, fashion, art and music.
Why do you think travelling is important?
Travelling is important because you get a new perspective on life. It gives you the opportunity to learn about new cultures and appreciate different ways of living. It broadens your own horizon and it inspires you when you’re unmotivated or need change in your life. Travelling is almost more comfortable to me than staying home. I’ve been traveling around the world since I was a young girl; learned how to surf in Bali at the age of 6. Being home can be boring and being around the world can be tiring and expensive, but it’s 100% worth it in the end. You can grow as a person if you travel because it makes you appreciate what you have and it makes you have a deeper understanding of the world.

What excites you most about visiting new places?
What excites me about new places is the unknown little things that you learn along the way. For example when I was in Thailand I didn’t know everyone goes out and drinks liquor out of buckets and rides in Tuk Tuks! Also it’s cool to see how people move within a city, like when I was in Tokyo we took the metro everywhere, Japan has a really awesome public transit. Of course the food; I like trying all the delicacies and seeing what other country’s street food is like. I really enjoy submerging myself in every aspect, not just tourist-y things.
Where would you encourage other people to travel and why?
Tokyo was dope! I would have to recommend that city first, just because I had a blast and I never wanted to leave. It’s like sensory overload, but in a good way! Everything is so cute there or as harajuku girls would say “kawaii”, which means the “essence of cuteness”. Let’s just say there are a lot of cute things in Tokyo and a lot of cool places to go. I would recommend this city if you are into partying, shopping and sushi! Killer sushi every day, amazing shopping in Harajuku and awesome nightlife in Roppongi Hills.

What is your favourite city in the world to visit?
At this moment in time I would have to say San Francisco, CA. This is a cool place to visit as a designer, it is very colourful, has a good music and art scene. Thrift stores in SF are ridiculous; you can find some really awesome stuff there. I really like the Mission District, there are a lot of cool bars and shops in that area. Haight-Ashbury is a cool street too, it’s very reminiscent of the creative revolution of the late 60’s, like peace and love
Where is the most unique, rare place you’ve been to?
The most rare or unique place I have been to is called Tarifa in the south of Spain. I went when I was younger but it’s the kite boarding capital of the world. I remember walking on the beach and having the sand hit me with such force from the wind that it hurt, but the hundreds of technicolour kites gliding all around is a sight I will never forget. I also got on a ferry from Tarifa and went to Morocco, for the day – that was dope.
Where is the most dangerous place you’ve been to?
Probably this awesome virgin beach called Mayto near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (my hometown). It is an amazing beach, but it has open water so it can be dangerous. The currents in the ocean can get strong and suck you under. There are also no hospitals or police nearby, but one cool thing about this place is that sea turtles go to lay their eggs there. So if you are lucky you could see hundreds of baby turtles go to sea; knowing that one day in the future they will come back to the exact place where they were born and lay their eggs.
What’s the best view you’ve been lucky enough to see?
On my recent trip I got the luxury of staying at this cool hotel in Shanghai, China called The Indigo Hotel. Wow, my hotel room had a magnificent view of the Bund and let me tell you it sparkled at night. Also on the rooftop of the hotel there is a bar called Char with a gorgeous view, as well. It’s crazy because all those buildings for the most part sprang up in the past 10 years. Shanghai is gorgeous at night.

What is the one thing you don’t leave home without?
My iPhone, my GoPro and my Canon 7D and lenses. Oh, and sunglasses.
Where is your next journey going to take you?
I might be travelling to Playa Del Carmen and Tulum, Mexico this winter. I’m also due for an east coast trip so maybe Toronto, Canada and New York City this year.
Where are you dying to discover?
I am dying to go to Brazil; it has always been a dream of mine. If I were to go there I would do a whole South America trip and spend like two months just going around to Chile, Venezuela, Argentina, everywhere! I lived in Peru for six months, but didn’t really get the chance to travel the continent.
What is the most thrilling experience you’ve ever had?
Skydiving! For sure! I did it in my hometown of Puerto Vallarta; it was gorgeous and such an adrenaline rush. I would recommend it to anyone who isn’t afraid of heights and wants to feel alive.