Who are we?

On a cold morning of January 2018, we left our jobs and our flat for the other side of the world with no return ticket, a bit (quite!) scared but ... there is no way back at this stage. On our shoulders, a 10-kg bag that will be our home for the next months? years?

We both spent several years working in sustainable finance in London (yes, this is a thing, ask your local banker!) but as the hours passed in front of our computers, we daydreamed of actually getting involved with all these local projects we were talking about.

So here we are. Our objectives: travel, learn, and discover local projects in the field of sustainability. But also new food, cultures, and friends. Get inspired, and if we can, inspire other people, by creating a space where we can share our pictures, thoughts and stories.

"Je hais les voyages et les explorateurs. Et voici que je m'apprête à raconter mes expéditions."

Claude Levi-Strauss

We hesitated before deciding to create a blog. We are not exactly the serial online genius. Julie never owned an i-phone or uploaded a picture on facebook before leaving. But we thought we would try. I guess we are all products of our time... 

More importantly, we are convinced that change will come from us, the wider public, not only through voicing our concerns and positive stories but also through our own practices.

The total contribution of Travel & Tourism to GDP was 10.2% of GDP in 2016. [...] In 2016, the total contribution of Travel & Tourism to employment, including jobs indirectly supported by the industry, was 9.6% of total employment.

World Travel and Tourism Council

Tourism is not only the largest, growing industry in the world, it also accounts for 5 to 12 % of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate-Kic

 We are far from being fully "responsible travelers", regardless of what this means (food for thought...). We use the occasional plastic bottles and (less-than-occasional) plastic bags. We sometimes crave for fast food. Sometimes we just want to relax. And take the plane.

But we believe that we should at least try, not only to to understand our impact on the countries we visit, both positive and negative, but also to go above and beyond just sightseeing. By getting involved and decreasing our negative impact. By sharing our findings.

"Le soleil de 20 cieux a muri votre vie,
Partout où vous menera votre inconstante envie,
Jetant et ramassant,
Pareil au laboureur qui récole et qui sème,
Vous avez pris des lieux et laissé de vous-mêmes,
Quelque chose en passant".

Victor Hugo

This website is dedicated to our family, friends and anyone curious about this topic. Join us!