The first time I saw Sarah Griffith she was on a beach in Indonesia. I know what you are thinking. That’s a classic! a beautiful blonde girl looking at the sunset on fantastic sandy beach, influencer style. But first impressions can be misleading. In the picture she had a funny/sad face and she was picking up trash, a lot of plastic trash, from the aformentioned beach.
That was a surprise for me and so I was curious to learn a bit more about Sarah and her travels. It turned out that she was much more than a nice and “eco-friendly” IG profile. She’s an adventurous traveller, an explorer, a blogger (you can find her blog at this address http://sowing-sunshine.com/ ) and an actress, among hundreds of other things.
What impressed me the most, and I think transpires from her social profiles and from her answers, is the positive energy she posses. It’s something really contagious and incredibly…well, beautiful!
We had the time to chat a little bit through Skype while she was (and still is I think) in Indonesia. After the phone chat I send her some questions and she was so kind to answer. The results are down here and I’m quite sure you will like it.
A necessary clarification. All the beautiful images in this post are obviously Sarah’s images, taken during recent travels in Nepal, Thailand and Indonesia. sarah_sunshine__ is her IG profile.
Now let’s go!
1 – First things first. Who’s Sarah? what was your job and why did you decide to leave everything behind and start traveling?
Hello, I’m Sarah, and I have a travel addiction! I’ve always found that travel brings me the ultimate joy, and by deciding to take on this travel journey, my life has been forever changed. When I traveled in the past I was always in vacation mode, and I was always traveling with friends. I knew that the best way for me to fully experience a place and its culture would be to live there, but I did not know how to make that kind of move. I always fantasized about living in other countries, but I was never willing to commit to these dreams.
Back home I was always working, and running around with too much to do, and not enough time to do it. I was always stressed and working to afford my next trip to somewhere beautiful, anywhere that would take me away from the daily grind and make me feel alive. I always held multiple jobs, and between bartending, acting, modeling, marketing and sales, I was always looking for side gigs.
Upon my realization of the fact that I was living a life unfulfilled, I decided to do something about it. I knew that I was not satisfied with my life, and I wanted nothing more than to see the world. So I saved and planned for a year, and then I left to start a new life in Thailand.
2 – I read in your blog that you love to travel but also to have a meaningful connection with the land you are visiting. Especially with some volunteer work that connects you to people and to the social fabric of a country. Can you talk a little bit about this?
I believe the best way to really get to know a place is by working there. I find the ultimate fulfillment in finding ways to give back to the places I travel to, and I believe most people would feel the same. There are always ways to lend a helping hand, especially when traveling through impoverished areas.
When you connect with the people and their culture, it makes you appreciate a place so much more. You’re fascinated and intrigued by even the smallest of things and daily activities. Something as simple as getting coffee or looking for gas, can turn into the ultimate adventure. As you learn and grow you start to feel a connectedness to the place that you are exploring, and it gives you a sense of belonging. Nothing beats that feeling.
My volunteer work has been mainly based on education (teaching English) and cleaning trash while spreading awareness of environmental issues. I’ll soon be building artificial reefs in North Bali and I am SO excited! I just want so much to make a difference in the world, and since I love children and the ocean, working with them has given me the ultimate fulfillment.
3 – I tend to be a pragmatic traveler. I’m more interested in ordinary life and how much time it will take me to reach that place by bus rather than looking at a beautiful sunrise on the top of the mountain while doing yoga. I guess you are different from me in that but anyway I want to ask you something about the economic aspect of traveling. How do you deal with it? what type of traveler are you? Always on a budget or more luxurious?
Like you I am very interested in the aspects of daily life and the culture of the places I travel to, but I definitely spend more of my time exploring the great outdoors and venturing off into the unknown. That has to be one of my favorite parts of travel, getting lost and walking into the unknown. I enjoy the rush.
Bouncing from place to place does get pricey, and I am definitely the type of traveler that’s always on a budget. Sure I splurge here and there (mainly on transportation and necessary visa runs/extensions) but I’m very mindful of my spending, and thats because I have to be. In fact I think the biggest challenge I face on the road is managing my finances. There are always unexpected expenses, accidents, injuries, fines, etc, and it can be VERY stressful. So how do I deal with it? Well, it’s all about balance. I’ve learned a lot about balance over the last 9 months, and I’ve learned what I can and cannot live without. I’ve found that the less I have, the less I feel like I really need. I’ve never owned so little, I’ve never been so short of money, and I’ve never been happier.
I haven’t had a hair cut in a year, I don’t get my nails done, I don’t buy clothes or accessories, I choose hostels over hotels, and I’ve ultimately limited my consumption as I cram everything I own into two backpacks. At the same time, I spoil myself paying for climbing gym and yoga class fees (which in Bali are priced the same as American gyms – yikes!) and co-working spaces/cafes that feed me well and make me feel good. It all comes down to priorities. As a health conscious person I always want to splurge on things that benefit my health and mental well-being, and knowing that I can’t always do that creates stress. It reminds me to have self-discipline as I spend weeks being super frugal, in order to enjoy the luxuries of the things that make me feel good.
Living in SE Asia definitely makes things easier as the cost of living is so low. My current rent in Bali is $400/month, compared to the $1200/ month I was paying in San Diego California. Bali has been the most expensive place I’ve lived in SE Asia and it’s also the most touristy.
I will say that life as a digital nomad does have it’s downfalls, and for me the biggest one is that fact that I can only live in areas with reliable high-speed internet. Since these areas are more touristy, they tend to be a lot more expensive. Visas extensions are also a major expense as I am typically on a tourist visa. I spend $35 for a visa on arrival, then $65 to extend another 30 days, and then I must fly to another country which on average cost at least $200 for flights alone. More now as it is peak season.
I’m very fortunate and beyond words grateful to have a job that I enjoy and pays well. As an online teacher I have the opportunity to work and travel, and I have the freedom to make my own schedule. I wish that I could continue my acting career on the road, but I have found it a struggle to attain work permits in most areas due to legalities and lack of sponsorship.
My recommendation for anyone traveling long term is to SAVE. Save save save. Save and plan your trip, even if you’re planning to work abroad. I saved for a year, and that still wasn’t enough haha. I found it very helpful to use Facebook Expat community pages and platforms for advice and to find accommodations, work and networking. There’s always other travelers doing the same thing you are, make connections and learn from other’s experiences and mistakes haha. I actually landed an acting gig through social media networking last week, anything can happen!
4 – What do you think about solo travel? I’m sure most of the people (especially italian) don’t really understand why we travel solo. There is in my opinion an absurd idea that if you don’t share something with someone, that something is less important, less real. What do you think about it?
I love solo travel! I would agree that most people do not understand the lure of it, and I believe most people to even be fearful of it. What you said about the idea that something not shared is seen as “less real” is 100% accurate, and yes, it is ABSURD!
Sure, things get scary, and it does get lonely at times, but nothing beats the thrill and freedoms of traveling solo. I’ve always been independent to my core, and traveling solo has given me even more sense of individualism. It has encouraged me to believe in myself and my capabilities, and it has shown me my strengths and weaknesses. I’ve grown more as a person in the last 9 months than I have in my entire life, and it’s because I made the decision to do this on my own.
Traveling solo means not worrying about what’s going to be “ok” with everyone. You make your decisions based upon your own desires and no one else’s. I find it liberating. It’s given me the opportunity to focus on my happiness alone, to work on myself, and for once in my life to love myself!
Even before I left, I knew that deep down, I wanted to go alone. I had family and friends telling me I shouldn’t, they were worried I’m sure, but they are proud of me for taking this leap of faith because they see how it has changed me as a person. I didn’t realize that this would be the spiritual, mental journey that it has now become. I’m forever changed, and I couldn’t be happier.
5 – I met you on IG, that is true, but I must admit I’m very bad with social. Sometimes I have to force myself to say or publish something. What is your relationship with FB, IG and all the other social?
I know I’m not alone when I say I have a love/hate relationship with social media. As you mentioned, it has felt “forced” at times, like you have to post daily and use all the right settings, filters, and hashtags to make your post “worthy” of the likes. That part can be tiresome, but like anything else, it’s all about perspective. Sometimes I’ve even worried about over-sharing and getting too personal with my posts on my so-called “business” account, and that’s just silly! Why would I worry about being myself? HA!
I look at social media as a way to connect with like-minded individuals and to share my experiences with family and friends. I’ve done some social media marketing, but it’s never felt like “work” because I only promote the people, places, and things that I’m truly passionate about. If I believe in it, I’m going to share it.
Social media also creates opportunities for income. I’ve found jobs in the film/modeling industry through both Facebook and Instagram. Networking has helped me in so many ways, and most of the time it all happens by chance. I’ve also met some of the most amazing people and made friendships that will last a lifetime, just by messaging with a stranger who happens to be in the same area as me.
I also love the connectedness and sense of community that social media brings. Being on the other side of the world makes it a challenge to stay in connect with some of the people I love. I use IG, What’s App, and FB the most to keep in contact with both family and friends, and I’m truly grateful to have this option.
6 – This question is connected to the one before. Don’t you think that sharing things while traveling can cause you to lose the magic of traveling? like looking at something only through the lens of your phone and not through your eyes. Taking a thousand pictures at the beautiful landscape you have in front without really seeing it. I know I’m old but do you think I’m totally wrong?
Sometimes? Haha, I want to say no, but I think you’re right. I see it all the time, especially in Bali, the world of “influencers.” There are waterfalls here where I’ve had to wait in ridiculous lines to jump in the water as people are taking turns to get their perfect pic. This particular waterfall was packed with people, and I found it hilarious that I was one of only three people that actually played in the water. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted a cool waterfall pic too, but I wasn’t about to have a 5-10 minute photoshoot like this line of people, because I wasn’t there for the photo. I guess it depends on the person, I think maybe some people go to photo opp places just for the photos, then they leave without really enjoying it. It’s sad but some people are zombies haha, or maybe they’re just working, who knows.
I’m sure there have been times that I’ve missed precious moments trying to score that perfect shot, but I am always mindful to be in the moment and acknowledge the way a place makes me feel inside. I’m also guilty of posting things days later, finding it impossible to post in the moment because I want to enjoy the moment.
It’s easy for us to get caught up in our phones when we want to share our travel experiences, but we have to be mindful of this happening and just remember what brought us to these magical places in the first place.
I’ve never owned so little, I’ve never been so short of money, and I’ve never been happier.
Sarah
7 – Let’s talk a little bit about influencers. You want to promote something and you invite a bunch of people with a huge number of followers. The so-called “Influencer” is selling something and of course, he/she cannot say what she truly thinks about the thing. In the end everything is just an elaborate form of promotion. If I have to talk about someplace/thing and being paid to do it, that would make me really uncomfortable. What are your feelings about it?
This is a very interesting topic, and although I don’t consider myself an “influencer,” I am promoting brands, movements, and people that I believe in. Most of the companies I promote for do not pay me, rather we work together, sharing each other’s photos and stories to promote our brands. For example, I absolutely love the @10wastechallenge movement and page. It’s more than a challenge, its a way to spread awareness and create an eco-friendly lifestyle. For this reason, I make videos, take photos, host cleanups, and promote the hell out of this IG page because it’s important to me.
I do the same for Packsture (outdoor apparel made from recycled materials and bamboo) and for Travel Her Way (a travel company that inspires women to travel more and allows you to give back to the places you travel to.)
I can’t stand to feel like I’m being sold something, it’s freaking annoying! It’s even more annoying when you can’t trust if the person even has faith in the product they are selling.
I would absolutely love to get paid to talk about and share a product, place or thing that I use or enjoy, but there’s no way in hell I’m going to do that for something that I don’t truly believe in. Not having faith in a brand you promote would discredit you, and it’s fake! People don’t like a fake.
8 – People learn a lot of different things while travelling. In my case travel has made me humble. When you are home it feels that everything is happening to you, that life and all other living beings are somehow revolving around you. While travelling I learned that you are not so important. Life goes on without you. Friends will forget you, on the long run even your parents will probably forget about you :). It could be sad from a certain point of view, but from another is kind of liberating, at least for me. Do you agree with me? and is there something that you learned while travelling?
I have to agree that it has been both humbling and liberating indeed! I absolutely love the culture shock of traveling, and it’s an ongoing thing, especially when traveling to impoverished areas. It’s taught me a lot about what’s really important to me. People that want to complain about having a hard life in America should go get a taste of a Sherpa’s life in the mountains in Nepal, then shut the hell up.
It’s actually humorous to think about some of the things that I would worry and stress about back home. Bills, car troubles, social status, FUCK IT ALL! Life is not about paying bills and having “things” it’s about experiences and finding your happiness.
An attitude of gratitude is a constant when you experience people’s way of life in a Third World country. It’s brought me to tears at times.
It’s a great big world out there, and the more I travel, the more I feel the need to travel. One thing I’ve learned is that this is MY path. This is what I was supposed to be doing all along, living life by my own standards, exploring the world, and living a life of purpose. The possibilities of my future seem endless, which is also quite liberating.
I’ve also learned that I am brave, and by traveling solo I have a newfound faith in myself and my capabilities. This journey has made me feel like I can do anything.
9 – When I talk to people about travelling they usually say “ohhh I envy you so much, I wish I could do that”. Well my friend, you can actually do what I’m doing. What I really think is that people don’t really want to travel that much. Today travel is fashionable, a kind medicine for everything and everyone but until 70 years ago it would be mad to go to certain countries and travel was a hobby for rich people or something for explorer and adventurer. So is there something real in the healing power of travel or we conviced ourselves because it’s trendy? or maybe both?
Yes, I get the exact same response from friends and strangers as well. People always ask me, “how do you travel the way you do? You’re living the dream!” I think a lot of people want to travel more, they just don’t know how to travel this way, or how to live abroad. People back home are so caught up in corporate America where they’re bound to a salary that only allows them 2 weeks vacation out of the entire year, and their reasons for not being able to travel are always based upon having to work, and not having the time or money to do so. It’s sad, and I think that’s why many Americans don’t travel at all. Of course, some people don’t really care to, they’re perfectly content staying where they are, and that’s fine. To each their own. Maybe some people are fearful, and maybe some people just lack the self-discipline to make their travel goals a reality. Whatever the case may be, if they wanted it bad enough, they would find a way.
I can definitely say that it’s medicinal for me and YES- the healing power of travel is real! For me, it has been both mentally and spiritually healing. Sure, it’s trendy, but that’s not what motivates me. I’m not out here seeking the top 10 tourist sites on trip advisor, I’m here for my own experiences and heart’s fulfillment.
10 – Now we get to the interesting part. There was an article not along ago on the NYT that suggested that travelling, especially by plane, was terrible for the environment and for our planet. The numbers are so that every persone that goes by plane to the US/Europe cause the melting of 3sqm of arctic ice. Also compensation programs are… somehow uncertain in goals and achievements. Of course now there is this really strong attention to the environment and I’m little bit ashamed but I don’t think I can give up travelling. How do you feel about it?
WOW! This is crazy and I have actually never thought this topic! I am doing everything I can to live an eco-friendly lifestyle and this is a sticky subject. I’m with you on feeling ashamed, travel is now my life! There’s no way I’m going to stop traveling, but I’m now thinking I need to set some limits on how often I choose to fly.
It’s similar to plastic usage in Thailand. It’s EVERYWHERE, and although I could easily say no to most things that I wanted, there were times when I felt I had no other options, like with buying toiletries for instance. The best thing we can do is limit our usage. Obviously flying will be a lot harder to limit, but this can also motivate us to stay in specific places for a longer period of time. I’d prefer quality over quantity anyway, so I’d rather not bounce from place to place so quickly.
Also, I need to do more research on this topic.
11 – There’s another important point here. It seems that there are 2 different positions related to pollution, climate change and the protection of the environment. One says that we cannot live this lifestyle anymore. It was fun for certain amount of time but now the show’s over or we die. We use too much natural resources and we have to adapt to another way of living. On the other side there are the people that deny all of this and they say “I don’t want change my lifestyle for the endagered frogs of the amazon river”. Do you think we need a middle ground? Do you think a simple person can really do something?
Yes! We all must do our part, and anyone can make a difference in the smallest of ways! I think the people who are not willing to change their lifestyle or at least be mindful of the environmental issues at hand, are a bit selfish. I’m sure there are also people out there who do not fully realize the severity of pollution and climate change issues- I used to be one of those people.
I get it, some people don’t like change, and some people are just plain lazy, but I do believe we need to meet somewhere in the middle. I wish everyone wanted to be more aware of what’s happening to the world and wanted to be part of the change, but the truth is some people just don’t give a flying fuck, and it’s sad.
I think more people would be open-minded to change if they knew how easy it was to make a difference. There are so many little things we can do! In regards to the flying- we should pack light and only book non-stop flights to limit carbon emissions. When we can we should choose overland travel instead of flying. We can choose public transport over private. Choose local over transported products, mind our consumption, say no to bottled water and single-use plastics, clean up the outdoors, reduce, reuse, recycle, the list goes on and on!
12 – In your post and photos, you highlighted another major environmental problem. The use of plastic and consequent pollution that this can cause. Our impression, at least from Europe, is that this is a problem for Asia and some Pacific countries but that’s not true. We use too much plastic and we are not recycling enough. As a person and as a traveler do you think there’s a difference between Asia and US/Europe? And what can we do about it?
Yes, this is a GLOBAL issue. We all use too much. Of course, it’s easy for people to think this an Asian/Pacific country problem because it’s one of those things where it’s “out of sight, out of mind.” I believe most of America is completely oblivious to the plastic pollution crisis because they haven’t seen just how bad it is. I wish they would show documentaries like “A Plastic Ocean” in schools to educate the masses on what’s in our oceans, it’s absolutely heartbreaking. The good news is, more and more people are becoming aware and the decision to ban single-use plastics is becoming more commonplace. Apparently, there are 69 countries on board with the plastic bag ban so far, and another 32 countries that are charging for bags. Can you believe only 5 states in the US have banned the use of plastic bags? That’s bonkers.
I just read an article about a dumpsite in Malaysia where half of the waste was a mixture of trash from the US, China, and New Zealand. That struck me. I don’t know the numbers and statistics in all this mess, but I do know this- no one can say it’s “those countries” problem and “not ours.” We’re all drowning in the trash.
You know what really kills me? Watching the people here toss their trash into the streets, rivers, hiking trail, atop volcanos, and really just about everywhere- it’s wild. You don’t see much of that in California, people are super respectful (most of the time) of the outdoors and everyone is pretty much on board with the rule “pack in, pack out.” I think that’s the biggest difference I’ve noticed when hiking in Thailand or Indonesia vs hiking in the US. Every time I hike around here I leave with a handful if not a bagful of trash that I’ve found along the way.
I do a beach cleanup 1-3 times a week, and most of that trash is washing up on the shore from the ocean. My heart sinks when I revisit a place I cleaned to find it covered in bits of trash all over again, but that just goes to show you how much rubbage is floating around out there.
I could go on and on about this topic because it really breaks my heart. I really don’t know what the solution is, but I know that the best thing we can do is spread awareness and encourage others to be part of the change.
13 – Well, the last is a difficult question. Tell me 3 places where I must go in the near future
You saved the hardest for last haha! If I had to narrow it down to 3 I would say Nepal, Sweden, and Cuba.
Of course, it’s damn near impossible to pick favorite travel spots, and it’s always particular experiences that make me love a place, but these places are a must. You may have a completely different experience here, but here’s what made these places so special for me. Let’s start with Nepal.
I spent 16 days in Nepal, 4 days in Kathmandu, and the rest trekking to Everest Base Camp (EBC). Kathmandu was insane. I actually enjoyed the crazy mass traffic and cows in the street, I’d never been to a city that was so chaotic, so dirty, and so alluring at the same time. The temples were stunning, the sites, smells, and tastes were a sensory overload.
One day I witness both a wedding and a funeral. I watched the public display of a man’s body being burned and released into the river, and I felt tears stream down my face as I watched a widow and friends mourning alongside the body. Nepal is a spiritual place that made me super emotional.
Holy hell, EBC, talk about a dream come true. To see Everest in person brought me overwhelming joy, I even cried happy tears upon my arrival to EBC. I’d never trekked along such a beautiful trail, every day the scenery changed, and every day I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the beauty of the world, and for the life I live. To see and learn about the sherpas way of life in the Himalayas was wild. I had imagined what their way of life must be like, but seeing it in person was eye-opening. I started the journey with a group of total strangers, and by the end of it all, they felt like family. I made connections that will last a lifetime, I learned so much about the Nepalese culture, and experienced immeasurable beauty. Those 8 days trekking from Lukla to EBC were some of the best days of my life.
Cuba is just fantastic, and if you want to experience real Cuban culture, then I suggest you go NOW. Cuba is very quickly becoming a hot destination, and since mass tourism always changes a place, the sooner you go, the more authentic it will be. The Cuban people are super welcoming, so very kind, and they are a lot of fun!
Aside from the culture, the scuba diving is incredible! Those waters are untouched, the reefs and the sea life is abundant and stunningly beautiful. Aside from hanging with a local Cuban family, the beaches and diving in Cienfuegos was my favorite part of the trip.
I recommend scoping out the local art museums/art shows, taking salsa lessons, paying a visit to Havana, Trinidad, and Cienfuegos, and using Airbnb to stay with local families in their home for a real culture trip. Mingle with the people, smoke a Cuban cigar, drink Cuban rum, check out the many historical sites and landmarks, learn some history and get into the politics of the country; people love to share their culture and will want to hear about yours as well.
There was a particular family I stayed with in Trinidad that my friends and I absolutely loved! Seriously, they made our stay so much fun. They cooked us delicious home-made meals, including an amazing lobster dinner, and asked that we spend some time chatting with them and sharing our culture. The man of the house, “Pappa Jose” we called him haha, made the best coffee ever. He would come out in the morning shirtless with a pronged head massager on his head, frothing coffee, singing, and full of energy. He was a goofy, spunky, and he loved sharing stories and teaching us things like how Cuban rum and cigars are made. Staying with him and his family was easily my all-time favorite Airbnb experience.
When in Havana, enjoy that nightlife! There are so many beautiful places to eat and drink, and lots of rooftop bars. We went to a cool club in a cave, but I can’t recall the name. The National Museum of Fine Arts was incredible, and near there you’ll find my favorite bar, El Floridita. This swanky restaurant has an old school atmosphere and the life-sized bronze Ernest Hemmingway statue that was pretty cool. The drinks were great too.
Although Havana was a ton of fun, I preferred the chill and more quiet vibes of Trinidad and Cienfuegos.
The only thing I did not like about Cuba was the mass amount of trash. It’s everywhere, even in designated park areas and historical sites.
The reason I say go to Sweden is that it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I will say that my experience was far different than most. I don’t know a lot of people who go dog sledding in the arctic circle for their holiday, but this was one of the best things I have ever done in my life! Most of the time I felt like I was in a movie or a fairytale land. How could those colors be real?! We were dog sledding for a week, the week of Christmas, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect for a winter wonderland. The sledding was laborious, and it gave me such a grand appreciation for people that dog sled, especially in harsh frigid weather conditions.
One day I noticed the ball and toes of my right foot were swollen puffy and red, I hadn’t been able to feel them for a while and hadn’t really noticed the beginning stages of frostbite. Our guide mentioned that he would have to cut three of my toes off if they didn’t get better by the next day. I was upset about it, but the next day the stabbing jabbing pains of feeling came back into my foot. These shooting pains were a great sign, and thankfully I did not lose my toes that day!
I’d never seen everything in sight was covered in the most sparkly of snow. Glittering white was up against bright shades of pink, orange, purple, green and blue. I just couldn’t get over the colors of those skies! The Northern Lights were simply stunning. The first night I watched those neon green, purple and fuchsia colors shooting through the sky I literally had tears running down my cheeks. It was a dream, and it was magical, to say the least.
The little city of Kiruna was the prettiest little place. The famous Ice Hotel is a must-see! I thought it was so cool that they rebuild it every year, an incredible amount of work and artistry is put into that place. It was stunning, and I would totally go again!
I’m dying to go back to Sweden, I’m part Swedish and feel like it’s going back to my homeland! I want to experience more of the culture next time since I was far from civilization most of the time. The Swedish are super friendly people, I’d be super happy living amongst such beauty as well.
And that’s the end 🙂 I want thank Sarah for great chat, the ideas and the energy. I really hope it can serve as an inspiration for others to travel more.
If you want to check out another interview with a traveler, Ilaria Carbelloti, click here.
Another option is to read about the situation in Nicaragua on this post of the “Borders” series 🙂
And then one quick look at Norwegian capital.
Finally, something nice. We have talked about that in the article but here you go again, Travel and climate change (before coronavirus).
