Janice, like last week’s Lucky 13 interviewee, Keith Jenkins, defines classy and thoughtful. I finally meet both in person this summer at TBU in Innsbruck (they spoke there, quite eloquently, on the topic of making money travel blogging) and I wouldn’t have expected that my high expectations of her would have been exceeded, but she leapt high over that bar.
She’s an inspiration to many of us in the travel blogging world and she can count me as one of her biggest fans.
As the name of her blog, Solo Traveler Blog, she travels like I do, alone and ready to do anything that crosses her path and strikes her fancy. Her website is a wealth of information, inspiration, and excellent storytelling.
So head on over to her blog, Solo Traveler Blog and enjoy her answers to the Lucky 13:
1 – What’s your favorite one hit wonder song?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvUQcnfwUUM&feature=related
What you’ve asked me to do is admit to bad taste for there are few one hit wonders that were really any good. I’m going to say “In the Summertime” by Mungo Jerry (had to look it up). It was the summer between grade 8 and high school. I spent most of it at a Mooney’s Bay beach in Ottawa with friends pretending we were hippies. Ah, the summer of 1970.
2 – Literary character you’d most like to meet in person and share a meal with?
This is so difficult but I’m going to approach it this way. One of my favorite books is “The Discovery of Heaven” by Harry Mulisch. (I read it traveling Europe.) It is a serious and playful book – magical really. One of the main characters is Onno who is really just one of a threesome. I would like to discuss the extraordinary story he and the other characters lived. I think there’s a lot to it that I don’t understand. The bonus is that, if I had to share a meal with the actor who played Onno in the film, I’d be eating with Stephen Fry.
I wish there were photos of this costume
3 – Best Halloween costume you have ever worn?
I went as Colonel Mustard from Clue. Stage moustache, whited hair (yes, I was a brunette in my 20s), my father’s suit… and no one knew me.
4 – Three things you wouldn’t travel without, save the basics like money and passport.
Beyond those basics, there’s very little I need really. My wits, my smile and my computer.
5 – Which foreign languages can you speak and which one of those the best?
I speak French fairly well once I’m warmed up but, if French isn’t spoken, I am quite fluent in mime and mimicry.
6 – Your favorite actor/actress of all time?
I hate playing favorites but, if I must, I will say Dustin Hoffman – what a body of work. I will go to anything that he is in. On stage, I think few could compare to the late William Hutt but I’m not sure how well known he is outside of Canada.
7 – Location of the last place you did anything of the high adrenaline variety and what was it?
High adrenaline? Me? The closest I get is skiing.
8 – Dream trip you haven’t been able to take yet?
So many. But one I have dreamt of for many years is to go from St. Petersburg to Athens through Eastern Europe.
9 – If you could have lived in an era in history, aside from today, which would you have liked to live through?
I’m Michael Hodson and I also approve of the 1920s
The 1920’s. Of course, I’d have to be well educated and have money. It would be nice to smoke and dance and drink to abandon. (What a simplification of an era.)
10 – You are at the Pearly Gates, what question do you most fear from St. Peter?
Did you live your life well? (This raises so many difficult questions.)
11 – Worst award winning movie you’ve ever seen?
No Country for Old Men. Give me just about any other Cohen Brothers movie and I’d say yes rather than this one.
12 – Travel book you wish you had “lived through.”
Seven Years in Tibet
13 – There are tons of amazing things about solo travel that you and I both love, but give us the biggest downside from your eyes.
Because I’m not a great researcher, I sometimes miss cool stuff. It would be great to have a partner who did nothing more than suggest things to do and then leave me alone to do what I want.
Great interview with Janice! I think I would like to live in an earlier era as well. I like the idea of life being simple at times.
Have no idea how you come up with these questions but they are always so interesting!
great interview
Number 13 is a classic answer! Also, I love that you’ve dubbed all the pantomiming and such we get so good at in foreign countries “mime and mimcry.” Great interview.
Great interview! Love her blog.
Great answer to question – love that song. I think I’d have to go for Thunderclap Newton – Something in the Air.
Love your last answer. I might be solo on this year’s Paris trip and will let you know how it goes. My husband think’s I’m crazy I think for still wanting to go alone, but I know once I get there I will not be alone unless i want to be. So many friends over there now that I’ve met through my blog. If we keep this up Janice and Michael, we’ll never be traveling solo!
Cheers,
Priscilla
Fun interview. I travel solo often, so I admire Janice for her “get up and go” spirit.
I also appreciate her answer to number 10.
Great interview, as always. I had a chance to meet Janice in person during my time in the US, and she was as delight as always.
In the summer time when the weather is high, you can chase right up and touch the sky. . . That brings back memories! Oops just gave away how old I really am 🙂
Had the pleasure of meeting Janice in Innsbruck too! Wonderful, classy lady.
How could they not guess Colonel Mustard?! Haha, awesome choice. Loved your answers 😀