Matt Stabile is more than a travel blogger: he's also a co-author of a pretty impressive collection of tales called "The Expeditioner's Guide to the World: Intrepid Tales of Awesomeness from the Open Road" that is a coffee table book you'll actually read. If you want to be inspired to travel the world — no matter if you've always been a wallflower shy to cross the road, or even if you've climbed K2 — read his book and blog, TheExpeditioner.com. We catch up with Matt who kindly paused from his worldwide expeditions to chat with us.
Q. What prompted you to start your own travel blog?
Matt Stabile: Back in school, I thought the dream job when I graduated would be to work for a travel magazine. When I realized that was probably more of a dream than reality, I decided to just go ahead and start my own, which would also allow me the freedom to do what I wanted with it, and to also by my own boss. It turns out I'm a really mean, vindictive boss and I kind of wish I never went to work for me. But I also often let myself wear casual attire to work and sometimes surprise myself with office ice cream parties.
Q. Did you imagine it would have the success its enjoying now?
I'm grateful it's developed the following that it has, and I'm just glad there's a few people out there who enjoy something that I put so much time and effort into.
Q. How did your book come about? How is it doing and where can people buy it?
The book turned out great and I and the other co-editors have had nothing but positive reactions from people who have read it (perhaps those with any negative reactions didn't bother to share those feelings?). It's available now in paperback and eBook form at Amazon: http://amzn.to/pu8L8D.
Q. What's next in your travel plans?
As is usually the case, no travel plans on the immediate horizon, but I do foresee a trip down to Central America this fall. In the next few years or so I would love to see: China, India, Lebanon, Turkey, Morocco, Australia and Kenya.
Q. Who are your travel heroes and why?
If I were to choose one travel hero it would have to be Ernest Hemingway. If anyone else to date has written better about their experiences away from home better than him, I would love to know.
Q. What do you like about the travel blogging community in general?
The travel blogging community is comprised of some of the most interesting people with the most varied backgrounds than probably any other online blogging community. My guess is that every single one of them would lend another blogger $10, offer a couch to crash on, or give a hand in supporting someone's particular effort, without thinking about it for more than a moment.
Thanks for all the candid responses, Matt! To be considered for inclusion in the Travel Blogger Spotlight series, drop me a line at Charu AT Butterflydiary DOT COM.
From Traveling Ted:
It is always nice to hear a little bit more about other travel bloggers.
From Charu Suri:
Thanks for the comment and for stopping by, Ted!
From Jeff Titelius:
A wonderful view into the world of THE expeditioner. And, I couldn't agree more about the response to question 6, travel bloggers are truly generous people who are passionate about what they do and extremely giving of themselves in every way they can!