E-Kantipur

JAN 28 -

We’ve all been there, sickened by the monotony of the daily grind, dreaming about packing up and leaving the cushy familiarity of our homes to go someplace far, far away. Living this dream is French journalist Mélanie Poppins. Having once led a structured existence working for the France 5 TV network as well as La Chaine Info, a news channel, the 30-year-old Paris native decided one fine day, about five years ago, that she wanted out. Determined to indulge her impulses to the extreme, she left home, and has been travelling the world ever since—across 60 countries so far—recently dropping by in Nepal for a trek to the Everest Base Camp because she wanted to “spend her 30th birthday on the top of the world”. Preena Shrestha talks to the flighty explorer to find out what fuels her love for the unknown.

Were you always taken with travelling, even as a young girl? When did it start?

I’d been pretty much a ‘city kid’ for most of my young life, but unlike a lot of my friends who seemed to think Paris was all they would ever need, the city streets always felt so small to me compared to what was beyond them. We were shown films in school about places like Siberia and Peru, and I couldn’t wait to actually see them for myself.

To be able to do this trip, you had to leave your job. What was that like?

It wasn’t like I hated my work; it was a great job. But it wasn’t enough for me and I wanted more. So one day, I just quit and went to Norway, where I travelled around the Arctic circle. My friends begged me to think it over, but I needed change more than anything at that point. A year and a half later, I found a cheap ticket to Japan, and decided to go there for two weeks, and that was how it all started—I never went home again. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

What preparations do you undertake before visiting someplace new?

At the moment I’m travelling alone, so I have the freedom to do whatever I want. That was a big thing for me; I didn’t want to travel under the wing of any organisation that could’ve restricted me. So for now, reading books on wherever it is I’m headed is the only preparation I actually indulge in. Mostly I try not to overthink it; it’s much more fun to discover things on your own. As for the money, I’ve been living off my

savings—14,000 euros for three years.

What places have you been to?

My trip officially started in Japan and then it was on to Taiwan. From there it was the Philippines, Indonesia and a leap to Australia and New Zealand. I had to hitchhike a lot to save money, and eventually I decided to try sailing although I didn’t really have much experience. I found people who were willing to take me along, and soon I was on my way to New Caledonia, where I worked for a few months. Following that, I went to Papua New Guinea before returning to Indonesia, and going on to Singapore and Malaysia and backpacking across India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Cambodia.

I initially had plans to go to China, but when the opportunity to sail presented itself, I gave up all arrangements and went across the Indian Ocean to Africa, Rodriguez, Reunion Island, Madagascar and then Zanzibar. Africa is an incredible place to backpack, and places like Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, where I did things I’d never done before—went on safari, trekked up a volcano and encountered pygmies—were simply amazing. Then I flew to the UAE for a week before coming to Nepal. It’s been a pretty crazy, zigzag route across the world so far.

Have you ever felt unsafe while travelling alone, especially as a woman?

I tell this to my friends and family all the time—it’s actually a good thing being a woman. I’ve been lucky enough to meet people who are much kinder and more considerate because you’re a woman. Of course, you can’t expect things to be easy and there are times when it gets harrowing, but as long as you’re smart about who you associate with, and trust your instincts, it works out. But the idea that third-world countries are ‘dangerous’ by definition is ridiculous. Like places in Africa for instance, they’re so beautiful and a lot safer than what’s portrayed in the media. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to discard popular assumptions.

Was Nepal everything you’d hoped it would be? Where are you going next?

Nepal was always on my travel list. And I got to stay here for over six weeks, which was great because it’s such a wonderful place and I wouldn’t have wanted to leave in a rush. It was so exhilarating getting to the base camp after the climb. I’m not sure where I’ll go next, depends on my budget, which I’m hoping will let me cross the Atlantic next month…but we’ll see.

What is the essential joy in travelling for you?

I think travelling makes you more perceptive of the different realities that exist in different places. Going through the motions of studying, working, raising children etc can insulate you from the world, but when you’re on the road, you see things that you can’t read about in guidebooks. Of course, you also see the less-happy side, the poverty and the suffering and the environmental problems in many countries, but you can’t have one without the other. It’s all part of learning as much as you can about the world you live in.

Do you think it’ll be strange to resume normal life once this trip is over?

A lot of people have told me I might be depressed the day I have to return to France. But I don’t like to dwell over that, not until I have to. If anything, I feel like I’ve grown a lot over these past few years, having encountered so many

different people and cultures, and become much more tolerant and understanding. Not to mention a much better cook.

Posted on: 2012-01-28 09:15

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