10/25/2015 0 Comments People I Admire: George TurnerI'm so excited to introduce you all to someone I really enjoyed talking to- George Turner! I've been following George on Instagram for a while: he travels around the world and documents his experiences and journeys through some breathtaking photos. I was a little nervous about talking to him since he has over 10k followers but he was super down-to-earth and kind. Let's meet him! How do you pick your next destination? I’m very spontaneous. Like most people I’ve got a mental list of “must-do” destinations and keep track of flight prices; if they take a dive, I book! Obviously that doesn’t really work for the super long-haul destinations, so I tend to try and dream up those dreams way in advance. Next up on my ‘big’ list is Greenland and on my ‘spontaneous’ list, Venice! What is your favorite place that you have traveled to and why? New Zealand. The connection between the people and the landscape is incredible, it transcends throughout all aspects of the various cultures and societies. Never before have I visited a country where the geography is so varied – there aren’t many places where you can surf in the morning and snowboard in the afternoon! How would you convince our generation to be less concerned with their technology and more concerned with exploring the world around them? I actually think the smart-phone generation is on the precipice of regressing – somewhat at least - back to our true ‘explorer’ selves. Weirdly, it’s the advent and growth of platforms like Instagram encouraging this. More than ever before, we’re exposed to the beauty around us from the comfort of our sofas/beds/you name it. OK, you won’t be able to visit the Grand Canyon without groups of people taking selfies, lining up the perfect Instagram shot, or biking with a GoPro but so what? So long as people are in the fresh air and seeing the world (in one way or another), then I’m good with that! What sights and/or experiences humble you and serve as a reminder of your size in comparison to the vastness of nature? I actually had an experience this year where I’ve never felt so small and vulnerable. Whilst in Iceland with friends, we were camping at the bottom of a fairly big mountain. Tired from a day’s climbing, my mates weren’t keen to climb another. Annoyingly for me, my own self-competitiveness compelled me to head up by myself. Huge mistake. Halfway up I got stuck on a very steep ridge. To my right, a sheer drop. To my left, an equally sheer drop into a glacier… no kidding. For context, I’m usually a very confident climber and I’m absolutely fine with heights but after losing my footing a few times I just had to sit and compose myself. I can actually remember thinking “George, you are a f*cking idiot” and made a promise to never underestimate Mother Nature again. Suffice to say, I went on to (SAFELY!) summit the mountain and very, very carefully came back down again. I’ve kept to my promise and I’m extra cautious now! How does going on a physical journey to somewhere new collaborate with the idea of simultaneously going on a mental or spiritual journey? This is so, so important to me. It underpins everything I do. I love immersing myself into the local cultures – in a real way, not a clichéd Lonely Planet way – and experiencing their landscape/home the same way they do. Northern Europe (especially Scandinavian countries) is amazing for this. I love the folklore and the myths; it just adds an extra layer to what you’re experiencing. On a more basic level, even if I’m in a big rush I always take time to stop and appreciate. I’ve gone as far before to say out loud: “Stop, soak this in. You’re very lucky. Remember this”. It works – I remember all of those moments and they’re very special to me. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Since you take pictures of your travels, what are some words that your pictures say for you? I always try to see things differently, reflecting my own personal experience of a place. I always try avoiding pre-planning shots as it removes the element of capturing the moment, the ACTUAL moment as I saw it. Although the ‘outside world’ might not necessarily recognize the ‘experience’, each shot is very personal to me and I love that. I believe that traveling brings out the child in an individual because he or she becomes curious about the world again. What are some other benefits of traveling? I could write an essay on this so it’s probably easiest if I say the one trait it’s given me: calmness. I’ve never felt more at ease with myself, I’ve never loved my friends and family more than I do now, and I’ve gained this amazing, deep respect for the world around me. Besides the sights, what are the best parts of traveling? Food? Culture? Other? Sharing your experience with others. Whether it’s a loved-one/partner, your best friend, or even those you meet along the way. The infamous Christopher McCandless – not long before his own death – wrote ‘happiness is only real when shared’. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the middle of an Alpine wilderness or in the crowds of a bustling city – stick to this mantra and it’ll do wonders for you! What does it truly mean to “experience the world?” It’s getting under the skin of your surroundings. Meeting the locals, camping under the stars, swimming in the ocean/lakes/rivers, trying new foods and of course, making mistakes. There’s no singular way of experiencing a place. All the small components add up into an amazing, spectacular collective that will stay with you throughout your life! Who inspires you? Those who have fought to achieve their dreams. There’s nothing more powerful than a strong creative drive; science keeps the world spinning but art (of all forms) is what makes it so beautiful. I love learning from people who have left/are leaving their own unique stamp, something I’m always striving to do myself. If like me you can't get enough of George's insights and photos, make sure to follow him on Instagram at @georgetheexplorer.
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