The Travel Seven: Dee Olateru

Name: Dee Olateru
Home City/Country: Lagos, Nigeria, currently living in Minneapolis, USA
Occupation: Consultant
Website/Social: Well Worn Heels / IG: @wellwornheels

Passport Stamps Include: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, Turkey, India, Maldives, Philippines, Thailand, UAE, Vietnam, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, USA, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Benin, Cape Verde, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Zimbabwe.

1. My best travel memory so far is… There are so many, but one that stands out is my very first backpacking trip to Turkey and Greece, a trip I ended up going solo. This was the trip that turned my wanderlust up a notch, it was the trip where people first asked me for pictures as a black woman abroad and I was shocked. I then realized that representation matters everywhere. It was on this trip that I went to Cappadocia and watched the sunrise as I floated over amazing rock formations in a basket attached to a hot air balloon. I thought—wow...there's a world out there and I plan on seeing it!

2. My favorite hotel & why… Any hotel with the signature Westin Heavenly Mattress is a win in my books.

3. My must-haves on any flight are… A scarf because I get cold easily, music on my phone, my favorite podcasts downloaded, and my notes app on my phone. I'm often writing down ideas or blog posts in flight.

4. When I’m on the road, I absolutely hate… Getting an upset stomach but thankfully, this rarely ever happens-knock on wood!

5. My dream destination or vacation is… Madagascar.

6. The three things I can’t travel without are… My passport, my camera, and a positive attitude.

7. The top lesson I’ve learned while traveling is… Not to sweat the small stuff. Things will go wrong: a lost passport, stolen wallet, delayed flight, missed flight or even a broken bone. A bad (travel) day does not mean a bad life. As bad as a situation may seem in the moment, it will pass. These are life lessons!

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