When did you first know you were a traveler?
When I was 4 years old. I had a bad accident when my family was visiting a foreign country. My mother wanted to go home, naturally, but I told her that I was not going to let a giant hole in my forehead ruin our vacation. I asked them to buy me a hat, and we finished out the vacation.
Tell me a little about where you've gone so far. What are your favorite locations and most impactful trips?
My main areas of travel are Europe, North America, and the Caribbean, though I have also spent time in Australia and Japan. Finland and Japan are some of my favorite areas, for completely different reasons. I love the contrast of color and culture of Japan, while I greatly appreciate the Finnish way of being even while seeming open to the world. It is an interesting skill to be both closed, yet open.
What other Languages do you speak?
What favorite items do you always travel with?
My stuffed animal for snuggles, my favorite PJs, a big comb for my hair that I have had for about 20 years now (because untangling my hair is impossible without it), and my trusty suitcase set that have been traveling with me for about 15 years.
What do you do for work?
Communications and Business Development Consulting for creative entrepreneurs looking to turn an idea into a Dream Life Business. Some would call me a Dream Developer.
 |
My office view this morning! at Damanhur Spiritual EcoCommunity |
I read that you work with organizations looking to integrate nature-inspired solutions into their process to create more sustainable models. Can you tell me about one of your projects as an example?
Let’s see. Right now I am working with my community to bring Biomimicry into the creation of the latest temple we are planning: the Temple of Harmony with the Parliament of the Peoples. Given our close connection to nature, we want this temple to be co-created with nature from the beginning to end.
I was also involved with a big EU funded project called HYDROUSA, which aims to create regenerative solutions for water in three islands in Greece. In this project, there are a number of nature-inspired solutions being employed to capture, store, and use water from nine different sources including rainwater, grey water, atmospheric water (condensation), etc. It is fascinating to see all the different solutions that can be used when we look to nature: spiderweb like nets to capture condensate, constructed wetlands to clean water, biomimic solutions for turning salt-water into fresh water, and so forth.
In my private work, all my solutions look to emulate social and physical models of nature. Given my background with the plant world, I often look to them when working on organizational solutions. From pioneering trees that come in after a trauma to an environment to the way a forest works together to create a community, there is so much we can learn from their examples. It is so ingrained in me to work this way, that I barely notice I am doing it.
Do you travel for work or for pleasure? For example, do you travel places because you are curious about the plant life?
Tell me about your packing style:
I pack just enough, & I'm a super organizer.
What advice would you give to a new traveler?
Give yourself time between moving to adjust. New place, new language, new culture.... it is all exciting, but at the same time exhausting. It is OK to spend a day in and just rest.
You can follow Tigrilla on Facebook or visit tigrillagardenia.com.
Want to Interview with Farawild? Start Here!
Related Posts
The Story of a Traveling Holistic Health & Wellness Coach
5 Favorite Travel Items by 5 Travelers
Leave a comment