For McCool Travel’s 190th travel interview, I am pleased to present Vicky Sosa. We grew up in the same area (a few miles north of Miami, Florida) and I first met her when she saw I was visiting and offered to drive 45 minutes to come say hello. That impressed me but not as much as the cool and fun life she has created.
Vicky Sosa’s bio:
Vicky Sosa is a Florida-based blogger traveling around the world with her stuffed monkey Buddy. Her website Buddy The Traveling Monkey provides useful travel tips, inspiration, and destination guides. Although she writes about her travels all over the world, she loves to focus on Florida and show how much more there is to the state than the typical tourist attractions.
Travel Interview With Vicky Sosa from Buddy the Traveling Monkey
HOMETOWN …
I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. My dad is from Guatemala and my mom is from Puerto Rico, so I grew up speaking both English and Spanish.
ON EVERY TRIP I MUST BRING …
Obviously, I always have to bring Buddy. He is the stuffed monkey I have traveled with for over 10 years. He has seen more of the world than most people!
3 FAVORITE HOME-AWAY-FROM-HOME PLACES …
- Antigua, Guatemala – I have been traveling there to visit family since I was a baby. It is a very special place and it feels like you have gone back in time when you explore and walk around town.
- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The vibe there is just awesome and it felt like home the minute we arrived. Good food, fun beaches, and nice people. We have visited again many times and cannot wait to go back.
- Chiang Mai, Thailand – I seriously considered moving there after visiting. Great culture, warm people, and amazing food. It is a big city with all the big city perks and great WiFi for the digital nomads.
A FAVORITE TRAVEL MEMORY …
That is a hard question to answer, but a recent favorite travel memory was spending the holidays in Hamburg, Germany. We visited so many Christmas Markets. It was magical.
3 FAVORITE TRAVEL BRANDS …
- eBags – Their packing cubes are great for keeping organized, but they also make great backpacks.
- Cacala Turkish Towels – I love these towels because they are quick-dry and easy to pack. But you can also use them as a pashmina when you are cold or as a wrap when entering religious buildings.
- Trusted Housesitters – We have been using THS to travel the world for six years, and it has been an amazing experience.
3 MONEY-SAVING TRAVEL TACTICS I USE …
- We cook most of our own meals and pack sandwiches and snacks for travel days.
- We use public transportation or walk as much as we can. It is cheaper than taking Uber or taxis.
- We take advantage of museum “free days.” Many museums offer free admission on certain days of the month or certain evenings of the week.
3 WAYS THAT I HAVE FUN WHILE TRAVELING …
- Learning about and trying local dishes. Even if they are a bit different than what wee are used to, there is a reason why locals eat them. wee have eaten grasshoppers in Mexico and guinea pig in Peru.
- Looking for great sunset views. Whether it is a mountain top or a chic rooftop restaurant, it is always a thrill to see those sunsets.
- Visiting small local museums. Sometimes the most interesting artifacts can be found in hole-in-the-wall museums.
8 WORD (OR LESS) TRAVEL MANTRA …
“You never know if it will be here later.”
FAVORITE NON-TRAVEL WEBSITE …
Can I say Instagram? I have met so many locals through Instagram that have offered advice and given us great recommendations on where to eat and what to see.
MOST MEMORABLE SOUVENIR …
During my last visit to Antigua, I bought myself a lilac jade ring. Lilac is a rare type of jadeite and it was very important to the Mayan people. Every time I wear it, it reminds me of my culture.
FAVORITE CHEAP EAT …
Mexican street tacos
RECENT DISCOVERY …
I have started to enjoy running, which is something I never thought I would say. And running in different cities as we travel has been an adventure. I recently visited Athens, Greece and I got to run in the original Olympic stadium!
I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE MET …
Melissa of Footsteps On The Globe. We met through social media years ago and this winter while we were in England we were finally able to meet in person. We had a blast!
I WOULD LIKE TO MEET …
Bear Grylls. I would love to talk about his experiences around the world and maybe even go on an adventure with him to see how far I could push myself. I do not want to eat bugs though LOL!
Thank you so much, Vicky (and Buddy!), for sharing your travel advice and inspiration.
Follow Vicky on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Buddy The Traveling Monkey.
McCool Travel presents tips from travel experts in our 5 Minutes travel interview series—featuring travel industry giants, super frequent travelers, and adventurous persons.
Previous 5 Minutes travel interview: Kerwin McKenzie.